# US 11,307,115 B2 · Valve test connection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,115 B2 - Document ID: US11307115B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/297,688 - Filed: 2019-03-10 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-10 - Assignees: Automatic Switch Company - Applicants: Automatic Switch Company - Inventors: John J. Haller; Ryan Huttman; John Zawisa; Roberto Pardo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307115B2 ## CPC - G01M 3/40: by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges - H01R 13/5202: {Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings} - F16K 37/0041: {for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - F16K 37/0083: {by measuring valve parameters} - H01R 13/74: Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract A test connection for a valve can include a plug configured to be removably coupled with a conduit opening, an electrical coupler coupled to the plug, and one or more test leads coupled to the electrical coupler. One or more test leads can be removably coupled with a solenoid coil or other valve component. A method of configuring a valve can include providing one or more test connections coupled to the valve, testing the valve prior to final installation using the test connection, removing the test connection and permanently installing the valve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A test connection for a solenoid valve having a solenoid enclosure coupled to a valve body, the solenoid enclosure having a conduit opening configured to have wires disposed there through, the test connection comprising: a plug configured to be removably coupled to the conduit opening, wherein the plug has a first end configured to be disposed outside of the solenoid enclosure and a longitudinally opposite second end configured to be disposed inside the solenoid disclosure when the test connection is coupled to the solenoid enclosure, and wherein the first end of the plug has an outside dimension greater than an outside dimension of the second end of the plug, wherein at least a portion of the plug between the first and second ends is cylindrical and comprises a plurality of annular ribs that extend radially outwardly therefrom; an electrical coupler coupled to the plug; and a plurality of test leads electrically coupled to the electrical coupler; wherein each of the plurality of test leads has a first end configured to be wired in electrical communication with a solenoid coil of the solenoid valve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The test connection of claim 1, wherein the plug is configured to sealingly couple to the conduit opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The test connection of claim 1, wherein the test leads are configured to be removably coupled in electrical communication with the solenoid coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The test connection of claim 1, wherein the plug is configured to be threadedly coupled to the conduit opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The test connection of claim 1, wherein plug is configured to couple with the conduit opening by press fit. ### Claim 6 A method of configuring a solenoid valve for installation, the solenoid valve having a solenoid enclosure configured to be coupled to a valve body and having a cover with a conduit opening configured to have wires disposed there through, the method comprising: providing a test connection, wherein the test connection comprises a plug configured to be removably coupled to the conduit opening, an electrical coupler coupled to the plug; and a plurality of test leads electrically coupled to the electrical coupler; wherein each of the plurality of test leads has a first end configured to be wired in electrical communication with a solenoid coil of the solenoid valve; removably coupling the plug to the conduit opening; removably coupling at least one of the plurality of test leads in electrical communication with the solenoid coil; and replacing the test connection with a wiring harness routed through the conduit opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising sealingly coupling the plug to the conduit opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising coupling the cover to the solenoid enclosure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: coupling at least one wire in electrical communication with the electrical coupler; and testing the solenoid valve without uncoupling the cover from the solenoid enclosure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: uncoupling the at least one of the plurality of test leads; and removing the test connection from the solenoid valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The test connection of claim 1, further comprising at least one linear rib that extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical portion of the plug. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The test connection of claim 11, wherein the at least one linear rib has a height greater than a height of at least one of the plurality of annular ribs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The test connection of claim 11, wherein the at least one linear rib intersects at least one of the plurality of annular ribs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The test connection of claim 11, wherein the at least one linear rib is perpendicular to at least one of the plurality of annular ribs. ### Claim 15 A test connection for a solenoid valve having a solenoid enclosure coupled to a valve body, the solenoid enclosure having a conduit opening configured to have wires disposed there through, the test connection comprising: a plug configured to be removably coupled to the conduit opening, wherein the plug has a first end configured to be disposed outside of the solenoid enclosure and a longitudinally opposite second end configured to be disposed inside the solenoid disclosure when the test connection is coupled to the solenoid enclosure, and wherein at least a portion of the plug between the first and second ends is cylindrical and comprises a plurality of annular ribs that extend radially outwardly therefrom; an electrical coupler coupled to the plug; and a plurality of test leads electrically coupled to the electrical coupler; wherein each of the plurality of test leads has a first end configured to be wired in electrical communication with a solenoid coil of the solenoid valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The test connection of claim 15, further comprising at least one linear rib that extends radially outwardly from the cylindrical portion of the plug. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The test connection of claim 16, wherein the at least one linear rib has a height greater than a height of at least one of the plurality of annular ribs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The test connection of claim 16, wherein the at least one linear rib intersects at least one of the plurality of annular ribs. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The test connection of claim 16, wherein the at least one linear rib is perpendicular to at least one of the plurality of annular ribs.