# US 2018/0245712 A1 · Setup of valve controller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0245712 A1 - Document ID: US20180245712A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/758,198 - Filed: 2016-09-09 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-11 - Assignees: Alfa Laval Corporate AB - Applicants: Alfa Laval Corporate AB - Inventors: Thomas PRIISHOLM; Karsten Schack MADSEN; Axel LUND HENRIKSEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180245712A1 ## CPC - F16K 37/0033: {using a permanent magnet, e.g. in combination with a reed relays} - F16K 37/0041: {for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - F15B 15/1409: {with two or more independently movable working pistons} - F16K 1/446: {with additional cleaning or venting means between the two seats} - F16K 31/1225: {with a plurality of pistons} - F16K 37/0075: {For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment} - F16K 37/0083: {by measuring valve parameters} - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - F15B 2211/6336: representing a state of the output member, e.g. position, speed or acceleration - G05B 2219/25312: Pneumatic, hydraulic modules, controlled valves - G05B 2219/25365: Initialize parameters - 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)} - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) ## Abstract A valve controller for controlling a valve and a valve comprising the valve controller are disclosed. The valve has an actuator and a flow controlling unit. The valve controller is configured to execute a setup process and comprises a first pilot valve that can energize the actuator by allowing a first pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and de-energizing the actuator by allowing the fluid to leave the actuator. The valve controller further has an input device by which the setup process can be initiated, and a memory unit for storing setup parameter values. The setup process comprises: determining parameter values indicative of the functionality of at least one of the valve controller, the actuator and the flow controlling unit, and storing the parameter values as setup parameter values in the memory unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve controller for controlling a valve, the valve controller being configured to execute a setup process and comprising: a first pilot valve configured to control the position of a first disc cooperating with a first valve seat to form part of a flow controlling unit of the valve by means of energizing an actuator that is mechanically coupled to the first disc by allowing a first pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and by means of de-energizing the actuator by allowing the first pressurized fluid to leave the actuator, a second pilot valve configured to control the position of the first disc by means of energizing the actuator by allowing a second pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and by means of de-energizing the actuator by allowing the second pressurized fluid to leave the actuator, wherein the first pilot valve and the second pilot valve are configured to move the first disc in opposite directions when the actuator is individually energized by the first pilot valve and the second pilot valve, a first sensor for providing a sensor reading indicative of the position of the first disc, an input device for initiating the setup process, and a memory unit for storing setup parameter values, the setup process being configured to perform the steps: determining parameter values indicative of the functionality of at least one of the valve controller, the actuator and the flow controlling unit, the step of determining parameter values comprising the sub-steps: obtaining a first sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is de-energized by the first pilot valve, wherein the first sensor reading comprises a first parameter value, obtaining a second sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is energized by the first pilot valve, wherein the second sensor reading comprises a second parameter value, and obtaining a third sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is energized by the second pilot valve, wherein the third sensor reading comprises a third parameter value; and storing the parameter values as setup parameter values in the memory unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve controller according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter value indicates that the valve is at rest, the second parameter value indicates that the valve is activated by the first pilot valve and the third parameter value indicates that the valve is activated by the second pilot valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve controller according to claim 1 further comprising: a third pilot valve configured to control the position of a second disc cooperating with a second valve seat to form part of the flow controlling unit by means of energizing the actuator that is mechanically coupled to the second disc by allowing a third pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and by means of de-energizing the actuator by allowing the third pressurized fluid to leave the actuator, and a second sensor for providing a sensor reading indicating an open or closed state of the second valve seat and the cooperating second disc, and the step of determining parameter values comprises: obtaining a fourth sensor reading from the second sensor when the actuator is de-energized by the third pilot valve, wherein the fourth sensor reading comprises a fourth parameter value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The valve controller according to claim 3, wherein the first pilot valve is configured to control the position of the second disc by means of energizing the actuator by allowing the first pressurized fluid to enter the actuator, and the step of determining parameter values comprises: obtaining a fifth sensor reading from the second sensor when the actuator is energized by the first pilot valve, wherein the fifth sensor reading comprises a fifth parameter value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The valve controller according to claim 4, wherein the step of determining parameter values comprises: obtaining a sixth sensor reading from the second sensor when the actuator is energized by the third pilot valve, wherein the sixth sensor reading comprises a sixth parameter value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The valve controller according to claim 1, wherein the input device is configured to initiate the setup process upon a single command by an operator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The valve controller according to claim 1 further comprising: an indicator for indicating an error condition of the valve controller to an operator, the setup process being configured to perform the further steps: determining if an error condition is fulfilled based on the functionality of at least one of the valve controller, the actuator and the flow controlling unit, and indicating, if it is determined that the error condition is fulfilled, the error condition by the indicator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The valve controller according to claim 7, wherein an error condition is fulfilled if the first pilot valve is activated before the initiation of the setup process. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The valve controller according to claim 7, wherein the valve controller comprises a manual override for manually activating the first pilot valve, and an error condition is fulfilled if the manual override is activated at the initiation of the setup process. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The valve controller according to claim 7, wherein an error condition is fulfilled if the first sensor does not indicate a change in position of the first disc when the actuator is energized by the first pilot valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The valve controller according to claim 7, wherein an error condition is fulfilled if one or more sensor readings of the first sensor indicate a change in position of the first disc before the start of the setup process. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The valve controller according to claim 7, wherein an error condition is fulfilled if one or more sensor readings by the first sensor indicate, when the actuator is energized by the first pilot valve, a change in position of the first disc that is less than a predetermined change in position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A valve comprising an actuator, a flow controlling unit and a valve controller according to claim 1, wherein the flow controlling unit comprises a first valve seat and a cooperating first disc that is mechanically coupled to the actuator. ### Claim 14 A method for controlling a valve that comprises a valve controller, an actuator and a flow controlling unit comprising a first valve seat and a cooperating first disc that is mechanically coupled to the actuator, the valve controller comprising: a first pilot valve for energizing the actuator by allowing a first pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and for de-energizing the actuator by allowing the first pressurized fluid to leave the actuator, thereby controlling the position of the first disc, a second pilot valve for energizing the actuator by allowing a second pressurized fluid to enter the actuator and for de-energizing the actuator by allowing the second pressurized fluid to leave the actuator, thereby controlling the position of the first disc, wherein the first pilot valve and the second pilot valve are configured to move the first disc in opposite directions when the actuator is individually energized by the first pilot valve and the second pilot valve, a first sensor for providing a sensor reading indicative of the position of the first disc, an input device for initiating the setup process, and a memory unit for storing setup parameter values, the method comprising the steps: determining parameter values indicative of the functionality of at least one of the valve controller, the actuator and the flow controlling unit, the step of determining parameter values comprising the sub-steps: obtaining a first sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is de-energized by the first pilot valve, wherein the first sensor reading comprises a first parameter value, obtaining a second sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is energized by the first pilot valve, wherein the second sensor reading comprises a second parameter value, and obtaining a third sensor reading from the first sensor when the actuator is energized by the second pilot valve, wherein the third sensor reading comprises a third parameter value; and storing the parameter values as setup parameter values in the memory unit.