US 4,615,722 AGranted

Valve block test apparatus

AssigneeOwens-Illinois, Inc.

InventorsLeonard D. Steffan, Wilbur L. McCoy

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Abstract

A test apparatus for measuring activation and deactivation times of solenoid-operated pilot and air-operated cartridge valves in a valve block assembly for an air-operated IS glassware-forming machine. The test apparatus includes pressure transducers for selective individual connection to the outputs of the solenoid and cartridge valves of a valve block assembly, and an array of electrical switches for selectively energizing the solenoid of a solenoid valve to be tested. A first pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of the solenoid valve under test, and a second pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of a solenoid/cartridge valve combination under test. The measured times are displayed in milliseconds at associated numeric displays. A flow meter is connected to the exhaust port of a cartridge valve under test for measuring leakage of air past the seals and seats of the cartridge valve.

Claims8

Dependent claims

Apparatus for testing a valve block assembly for operating an individual section glass forming machine, said valve block assembly including a plurality of solenoid-operated air valves, a manifold including means for supplying input air under pressure to all of said valves and means for individual connection to the output of each said valve, and first electrical connection means individually connected to solenoids of said valves for operating said valves, said apparatus being constructed for individual qualitative testing of operation of said plurality of valves in situ in said assembly and comprising,

a plurality of individually and selectively operable electrical switch means,
second electrical connection means connected to said plurality of switch means and constructed for mating connection with said first electrical connection means such that said plurality of switch means are individually operatively connected to the solenoids of said valves,
a first air pressure transducer constructed for selective individual connection to each said valve output and responsive to air pressure at such valve output for supplying an electrical signal indicative to such pressure,
means connected to all of said switch means for providing first and second signals respectively indicative of activation and de-activation at one of said switch means,
first threshold means connected to said first transducer for providing third and fourth signals respectively indicative of activation and de-activation air pressures at the value output,
a first counter connected to receive said first and third signals for measuring time delay therebetween and thereby indicating turn-off operating time at said valve.

3 more elements

Apparatus for testing a valve block assembly for operating an individual section glass forming maching, said valve block assembly including a plurality of solenoid-operated air valves, a plurality of air-operated air valves individually connected to outputs of selected ones of said solenoid-operated air valves, a manifold including means for supplying input air under pressure to all of said valves and means for individual connection to the output of each said valve, and first electrical connection means individually operatively connected to solenoids of said solenoid-operated valves, said apparatus being constructed for individual qualitative testing of operation of each solenoid-operated and air-operated valve combination in situ in said assembly and comprising

a plurality of individually and selectively operable electrical switch means,
second electrical connection means connected to said plurality of switch means and constructed for mating connection with said first electrical connection means such that said plurality of switch means are individually operatively connected to the solenoids of said solenoid-operated valves,
a first air pressure transducer constructed for selective individual connection to each said solenoid-operated valve output and responsive to air pressure at such output for supplying an electrical signal indicative of such pressure,
a second air pressure transducer constructed for selective individual connection to each said air-operated valve output and responsive to air pressure at such output for supplying an electrical signal indicative of such pressure,
means connected to all of said switch means for providing a first signal indicative of activation at one of said switch means,
first threshold means connected to said first transducer for providing a second signal indicative of activation air pressure at the solenoid-operated valve output,
a first counter connected to receive said first and second signals for measuring time delay therebetween and thereby indicating activation time delay at said solenoid-operated valve,
second threshold means connected to said second transducer for providing a third signal indicative of activation air pressure at the air-operated valve output, and
a second counter connected to receive said first and third signals for measuring time delay therebetween and thereby indicating combined activation time delay of the air-operated valve and its associated solenoid-operated valve.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.