US 2006/0219299 A1 · VERSATILE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN DEVICE CONTROLLER IMPLEMENTING A PNEUMATIC TEST FOR A SYSTEM INSTRUMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digital valve controller for use with an emergency shutdown valve includes two pressure sensors and is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic valve actuator and to a solenoid valve device to assist in the on-line testing of the valve actuator as well as in the on-line testing of the solenoid valve. To perform testing of the solenoid valve, the valve controller may measure the pressure at different ports of the solenoid valve as the solenoid valve is actuated for a very short period of time. The valve controller may determine whether the solenoid device is fully functional or operational based on the derivative of the difference between the measured pressure signals, i.e., based on the rate of change of the difference between the measured pressure signals over time.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A fluid process control system comprising:

a control valve movable between a first position and a shutdown position;
a valve controller for controlling actuation of the control valve between the first position and the shutdown position;
a fluid control line coupled to the valve controller to cause movement of the control valve;
a supporting component coupled on the fluid control line operable to actuate the control valve from the first position toward the shutdown position;
a first pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve controller and operable to detect a first pressure at a first location on the fluid control line during operation of the supporting component;
a second pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve controller and operable to detect a second pressure at a second location on the fluid control line that is distinct from the first location during operation of the supporting component;
and
logic implemented by the valve controller to determine an operational condition of the supporting component based on the first pressure and the second pressure.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Versatile emergency shutdown device controller implementing a pneumatic test for a system instrument device

Life of this patent

Versatile emergency shutdown device controller implementing a pneumatic test for a system instrument device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28