Response time managed valves and their applications

A controller implemented method for controlling actuation of a valve having a variable valve open/close response time to control flow of a fluid therethrough, the valve comprising first and second chambers connected via a passageway having a valve member positioned therein, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving valve timing control instructions from an external source, the valve timing control instructions associated with operation of an external machine operationally connected to the valve;
• measuring one or more current operating parameters of the valve and/or the fluid flowing therein via a plurality of sensors positioned on or adjacent the valve;
• determining a timing adjustment to apply to the valve timing control instructions based on the measured one or more current operating parameters;
• and
• generating and providing an actuation signal to the valve with the timing adjustment included therein, so as to control a timing of the actuation of the valve;
• wherein measuring the one or more current operating parameters of the valve comprises:
• measuring an operating temperature and an electrical power characteristic of an electromagnet included in the valve, the electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field that provides activation energy to toggle the valve member included in the valve between open and closed positions;
• measuring a position of the valve member included in the valve and a temperature of the valve member;
• and
• measuring a fluid pressure within the first and second chambers in the valve, on opposite sides of the valve member, with fluid flow between the first and second chambers controlled by actuation of the valve member;
• and
• wherein the fluid pressure within the first and second chambers in the valve is measured by pressure sensors positioned in the first and second chambers.

A compressor-expander (CE) system comprising:

• a CE engine comprising a CE engine shaft;
• and
• one or more valve assemblies configured to control a flow of one or more pressurized fluids or gasses to drive rotation of the CE engine shaft, with rotation of the CE engine shaft providing mechanical energy for producing a flow of an operating liquid or gas through the CE engine;
• wherein each of the one or more valve assemblies comprises a microcontroller configured to:
• receive valve timing control instructions generated by a CE engine controller;
• receive inputs from a plurality of sensors positioned on or adjacent a valve of the one or more valve assemblies, the inputs comprising current operational parameters of the valve and/or the one or more pressurized fluids or gasses measured by the plurality of sensors;
• determine a timing adjustment to apply to the valve timing control instructions based on the inputs;
• and
• generate and provide an actuation signal to the valve with the timing adjustment included therein, so as to control a timing of the actuation of the valve and thereby control the flow of the one or more pressurized fluids or gasses.