Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Rodney M Eslinger

Christopher P Smith

David E Morlan

Gary L Hill

Charles A Burton

Roy J Ricci

Klane B Anderson

An optical system for determining the axial load, the torsional load or both on a generally cylindrical member, such as a valve stem in a motor operated valve, includes a first system for producing a test light that is modified by a physical change in the valve stem caused by the load, a second system for receiving the test light and converting the same to a first signal indicative of the physical change, and a third system for converting the first signal to a second signal indicative of the load, preferably by utilizing one or more of the relations defined in Equations 1-3. The physical change in the cylindrical member can be, for example, a diametrical change or a longitudinal change, which can be measured by the first and second systems. The dimensional changes can be related to the axial load according to Hooke's Law or Poisson's relation by the third system when material properties and the geometry of the cylindrical member are known. Similarly, the torsional load applied to the cylindrical member can be obtained by measuring the twist angle between two longitudinally separated planes of the member, and applying a known relation between the twist angle and known geometric and material characteristics of the cylindrical member.

Method and apparatus for measuring axial and torsional loads on a valve

Electromagnetic field pulses are induced in an electrically conductive/magnetically permeable housing and valving element movable within the housing of a check valve by an energizing coil placed against the housing and forming a loop extending substantially over the full range of travel of the valving element. At least two sensing coils positioned within the loop of the energizing coil proximate the two ends of the range of travel of the valving element, and preferably an array including additional sensing coils spaced between the two end coils, detect transient responses to the induced pulses from which the position of the valving element is determined.

Check valve position indication system and method

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

Rodney M Eslinger