Systems and methods for autonomous pressure relief valve testing
OwnerMarcelo Dultra, William Bockelohinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for a pressure relief valve can include a controller and an actuator. The controller can control the actuator to at least partially open a main valve of the pressure relief valve and can determine one or more operational characteristics of the pressure relief valve based on a response of the valve to the controlled movement of the actuator.
Claims20
A control system for a pressure relief valve with a valve member configured to seal against a valve seat, the control system comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- an actuator connected to the valve member;
- the controller configured to:
- control the actuator to move the valve member, to at least partially open the valve;
- and
- determine one or more operational characteristics of the pressure relief valve based on a response of the valve to the controlled movement of the valve member, including:
- determining a force applied by the actuator or a force input at the actuator corresponding to opening the valve;
- and
- determining a set pressure of the valve based on the force applied by the actuator or the force input at the actuator.
A method of operating a control system of a pilot-operated pressure relief valve, the method comprising:
- conducting operational diagnostics of the pilot-operated pressure relief valve by:
- with a controller, controlling an actuator to open a main valve of the pilot-operated pressure relief valve;
- determining a force applied by the actuator or a force input at the actuator corresponding to opening the main valve;
- and
- determining a set pressure of the pilot-operated pressure relief valve based on the force applied by the actuator or the force input at the actuator.
A control system for a pilot-operated pressure relief valve having a main valve with a main piston configured to seal against a main valve seat and a pilot valve with a pilot piston configured to control pressure within a dome of the main valve, the control system comprising:
- a controller;
- an actuator connected to the pilot piston of the pilot valve;
- and
- a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure difference between an inlet to the pilot valve and the dome;
- the controller configured to:
- control the actuator to move the pilot piston to at least partially open the pilot valve and vent the dome to cause the main piston to at least partially open the main valve;
- determine a force applied by the actuator or a force input at the actuator corresponding to opening the pilot valve;
- and
- determine a set pressure of the pilot-operated pressure relief valve based on the force applied by the actuator or the force input at the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.