Valve test method and apparatus
AssigneeQinetiq Limited
InventorMartin John MOODY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The biasing spring of a valve is excited and the response detected to determine valve characteristics. Excitation is typically longitudinal oscillation applied by a vibrator connected in series with the spring. By performing a frequency sweep, resonance can be detected, and excitation can usefully be applied at the resonant frequency to produce valve lift. Testing can be performed in-situ, and maintenance of a plurality of valves is possible by collecting characteristic data for each valve and comparing against stored values.
Claims28
A method for testing a valve having a spring for biasing the valve, the method comprising:
- applying oscillation excitation to the spring;
- detecting a response to the excitation;
- and
- determining a valve characteristic based on the detected response.
Valve test apparatus for a valve having a biasing spring, the apparatus comprising:
- an exciter for exciting the spring;
- at least one sensor for detecting a response of said excitation;
- and
- a controller for determining a valve characteristic based on the response detected by said at least one sensor.
A method of maintaining a plurality of valves having spring biasing means, the method comprising:
- storing for each of a plurality of valves characteristic valve data;
- performing a test on one of said plurality of valves by detecting a response to applied excitation;
- and
- comparing the detected response to stored valve data corresponding to the tested valve to determine a valve condition.
A system for maintaining a plurality of valves having biasing springs, the system comprising:
- test apparatus connected to each valve for sensing the response to applied excitation;
- a data store for storing valve data for each valve;
- an interface for providing a test signal to a selected test apparatus, and receiving sensed response signals;
- and
- a processor for comparing the response signals to stored valve data to determine a valve status.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.