Charbonneau and Godfrey Associates

Movats Incorporated

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Nss of Delaware, Inc.

Steven Nafziger

John A McMennamy

Arthur G Charbonneau

John A McNennamy

Dwaine A Godfrey

Bruce T Boone

Thomas A Rak

Gary L Hill

Charles A Burton

A method and apparatus for testing the operating condition of a check valve directs sound waves into the valve chamber of a check valve assembly and utilizes the collected signals of the reflected sound waves to generate various time lapse data corresponding to the valve disk position and movement, such time lapse data providing an analysis of the condition of the valve assembly.

Check valve testing system

Integrated check valve testing system includes a method and apparatus for non-intrusively testing a check valve which includes using an ultrasonic transducer externally connected to the check valve to direct ultrasonic sound waves through the check valve casting and through the transported fluid to the check valve disk to then detect the ultrasonic sound waves reflected off of the check valve disk. An ultrasonic controller controls the ultrasonic transducer and generates location signals based on the amount of time between each direction of an ultrasonic sound wave and the resulting reception of a reflected ultrasonic sound wave. A system controller analyzes the movement of the check valve disk and calculates certain test data which is compared to previously obtained baseline data. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes using two accelerometers externally connected to the check valve to monitor acoustic emissions generated by the check valve. The accelerometers generate emission signals and communicate them to the system controller. These emission signals are analyzed, and data is generated and compared to previously obtained baseline data. Both the ultrasonic transducer and the accelerometers are used separately and simultaneously to verify that the check valve is travelling through a complete stroke and to calculate other test data based on both types of signals which is compared to previously obtained baseline data.

Integrated check valve testing system

A unique apparatus and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve spring pack and worm through monitoring rotation of the torque switch control post. A device for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. The apparatus provides devices for statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provides a device for recording traces of the improved load and associated parameters during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The apparatus is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These future traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

Motor operated valve analysis and testing system with monitoring of

An apparatus and method for achieving variable observation angles by a single transducer rotationally and pivotally mounted with a housing; and for utilizing the variable angle transducer to detect and trace the distance of unseen objects within a casing from the transducer by moving the transducer within its housing which is held stationary against the casing; and for determining the angle of observation between the transducer and the observed object; and thereby accurately determining the relative position and orientation of the object within the casing.

Ultrasonic testing system with variable angle transducer mount

An apparatus and method for achieving variable observations angles by a single transducer rotationally and pivotally mounted with a housing; and for utilizing the variable angle transducer to detect and trace and distance of unseen objects within a casing from the transducer by moving the transducer within its housing which is held stationary against the casing; and for determining the angle of observation between the transducer and the observed object; and thereby accurately determining the relative position and orientation of the object within the casing.

An apparatus and method for isolating certain rotating components within the operator and valve systems and artificially loading those rotating shafts to create and measure torque developed within the valve operator system; and for using the torque measurements to correlate and analyze torque in relation to other valve systems parameters.

Torque measuring system for motor operated valve operators

A unique apparatus and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve spring pack and worm through monitoring rotation of the torque switch control post. A device for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. The apparatus provides devices for statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provides a device for recording traces of the imposed load and associated parameters during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The apparatus is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These future traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

A valve analysis and testing system includes various devices for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load, which devices are attached to the valve operator. These devices include a switch position indicating circuit for purposes of detecting the open and close positions of limit and torque switches within the valve operator; which circuit includes a coil wrapped with two independent current conducting wire elements, each wire element in series with a different switch; and one wire element being wrapped about the coil core more times than the other wire, wherein a coil output induced by current flowing through one wire element will be of different magnitude than the coil output induced by current flowing through the other wire element; and, preferably, wherein current flowing through both wire elements at the same time will have an additive effect on the coil output.

Motor operated valve analysis and testing system

A Valve Analysis and Testing System includes various devices for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load, which devices are attached to the valve operator. These devices provide for statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provide recording traces of the imposed load and associated parameters during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The System provides initial dynamic traces after initial assembly, maintenance and/or periodic testing of the operator and valve. The System is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These further traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

A valve analysis and testing system includes various devices for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load, which devices are attached to the valve operator. These devices provide for statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provide recording traces of the imposed load and associated parameters during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The system provides initial dynamic traces after initial assembly, maintenance and/or periodic testing of the operator and valve. The system is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These future traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

A system for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. A unique device and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve operator spring pack to which access is had from the side of the spring pack. The invention provides initial dynamic traces after initial assembly, maintenance and/or periodic testing of the operator and valve. The invention is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These future traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

A means of measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator (16) and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. The device provides a means of statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed valve load and provides the means for recording traces of the imposed load and associated parameters and during dynamic conditions as related to the operation of the operator and valve combined. The device provides initial dynamic traces after initial assembly, maintenance and/or periodic testing of the operator and valve. The device is then used to provide diagnostic dynamic traces at any specified time in the future for the operator and valve. These future traces are used to compare with earlier traces to verify correct performance and most importantly to detect induced or impending damage, malfunctions, or maintenance requirements for the operator and valve.

Growing community of inventors

Chamblee, GA, United States of America

Steven Nafziger