The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 05, 2001
Filed:
May. 11, 1999
David E. Morlan, Marietta, GA (US);
Christopher P. Smith, Woodstock, GA (US);
Crane Nuclear, Inc., Kennesaw, GA (US);
Abstract
A permanently instrumented actuated valve assembly includes at least one internally-gauged, permanently instrumented shaft functioning as a load bearing component through which an actuator drives a valve element. The shaft has a longitudinal (preferably axial), internal bore generally extending from the one end of the shaft to a point therewithin. A thrust monitoring instrument is mounted within the axial bore and monitors axial forces acting on the shaft to provide an indication of the performance of the valve assembly. Alternatively, one or more transverse bores extending from the internal bore to the external surface of the valve stem are provided with torsional force monitoring instruments being received within such transverse bore(s).