# US 2014/0190263 A1 · Acoustic fluid valve calibration

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- Number: US 2014/0190263 A1
- Document ID: US20140190263A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/734,480
- Filed: 2013-01-04
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04
- Assignees: Fisher Controls International LLC
- Applicants: Fisher Controls International LLC
- Inventors: Shawn William Anderson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190263A1

## CPC

- G01N 29/14: using acoustic emission techniques {(echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00)}
- F16K 31/041: {for rotating valves (F16K31/055 takes precedence)}
- F16K 37/0075: {For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment}
- F16K 37/0091: {by measuring fluid parameters}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- 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

Methods and apparatus for acoustic fluid valve calibration are disclosed herein. An example method involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a involves rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke, obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions, and identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
rotating a closure member of a valve to a plurality of positions along a valve stroke;
obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid passing through the valve using a sensor when the closure member is in the positions; and
identifying, using a processor, a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the zero position comprises finding a minimal acoustic emission signal and associating the minimal acoustic emission signal with the zero position of the closure member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a first position in which the closure member is between a fully open position and a fully closed position of the valve, and a second position in which the closure member is located beyond the zero position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein identifying the zero position comprises finding a minimal acoustic emission signal between the first position and the second position and associating the minimal acoustic emission signal with the zero position of the closure member.

### Claim 5

An apparatus, comprising:
a rotary control valve having a closure member;
a sensor for obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by fluid passing through the valve; and
a processor to determine a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate to a seal of the valve.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensor is a piezoceramic sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the closure member is rotated to a first position and a second position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor obtains first acoustic emission signals when the closure member is rotated to the first position and second acoustic emission signals when the closure member is rotated to the second position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor determines the zero position of the closure member based on the first and second acoustic emission signals obtained at the first position and the second position.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a minimal acoustic emission signal is associated with the zero position of the closure member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a digital valve positioner for moving the closure member to the zero position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rotary control valve is position-seated or torque-seated.

### Claim 14 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is to determine the zero position by obtaining a root mean square of the acoustic emission signals.

### Claim 15 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the acoustic emission signals comprise ultrasonic signals.

### Claim 16 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the acoustic emission signals comprise airborne noise.

### Claim 17

An apparatus, comprising:
means for obtaining acoustic emission signals generated by a fluid when a closure member of a valve is in a plurality of positions along a valve stroke; and
means for identifying a zero position of the closure member based on the acoustic emission signals.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for obtaining the acoustic emission signals is a piezoceramic sensor.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for identifying the zero position is a processor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for moving the closure member to the zero position.