Portable valve operating device for use in exercising valves
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsKenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve operating device includes a base having a housing thereon. A motor, a motor controller unit, and a human machine interface controller are disposed in the housing. A display device mounted on top of the housing is controlled by the human interface controller to display control screens and receive user input. The operator controls operation of the device at a home control screen, which displays information regarding the exercise of the valve as it is acquired. Data configuration and storage functions are controlled via a valve data record screen and identifier screens accessible from the home control screen.
Claims23
A valve operating device comprising:
- a base defining a central axis extending from a first end thereof to a second end thereof;
- a housing on the base;
- a motor disposed within the housing, the motor having a motor output shaft configured to drive a planetary gearbox disposed within the housing, the planetary gearbox configured to rotate a key extending substantially perpendicular to the central axis to engage a valve;
- a motor controller unit configured to drive the motor in either a forward or reverse direction at a set motor speed to deliver up to a torque limit;
- a user interface comprising a motor activation switch and a display device configured to provide a graphical user interface comprising screen images including display buttons, wherein the user interface is configured to display a save button, and, in response to detecting a press of the save button, saving valve operation data acquired for the valve, verifying that data for a valve identification for the valve is valid, and storing data for the valve identification of the valve;
- and
- a human machine interface controller configured to receive user inputs via the display buttons and the motor activation switch, and to perform valve exercise functions corresponding to the display buttons, the valve exercise functions including setting a motor speed, setting a torque limit, turning the motor on or off, and storing valve operation data.
A method for exercising a valve comprising:
- resetting a valve operations data record when an operator presses a start data screen button on a display device disposed on a valve operating device coupled to a valve opening and closing mechanism on a valve;
- driving a motor in a forward direction at a set speed up to a torque less than or equal to a torque limit when the operator presses a forward button on the valve operating device or in a reverse direction at the set speed up to a torque less than or equal to the torque limit when the operator presses a reverse button on the valve operating device;
- displaying a current speed, a current torque, and a turn count on the display device as the motor turns the valve opening and closing mechanism;
- displaying a save button on a user interface, and, in response to detecting a press of the save button, verifying that data for a valve identification for valve is valid, and storing data for the valve identification of the tested valve;
- and
- maintaining a valve operations records comprising a turn count and a maximum torque measured during the step of driving the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.