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US 5,931,177 AGranted
Valves
AssigneeTechnolog Limited
InventorClaude Yonnet
Life of this patent
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AssigneeTechnolog Limited
InventorClaude Yonnet
Estimating the term…
This application discloses apparatus for logging the operation of a valve (10) of the type having a spindle (16) rotatable by a key (20) to effect opening and closing thereof, the apparatus including operative means (36) which are in use carried on a key (20), the operative means being operable independently of any other apparatus or electronic equipment to detect rotary motion of the key during operation of the valve. Preferably, the operative means includes sensor means (40, 42) sensitive to the earth's magnetic field, and is operative to determine rotation of the key by analysis of signals generated by the sensor means. By detecting valve operation with operative means on a key, the expense of providing detection apparatus for each valve is avoided (the total number of keys being much less than the total number of valves), as is the need to provide potentially delicate equipment in the hostile environs of the valves.
A method of detecting operation of a valve including the step of using magnetic sensor means which are in use carried on a key and are sensitive to an ambient magnetic field external to the key, and determining changes in the magnetic field detected by the sensor means as the sensor means are rotated in conjunction with a valve key thereby determining rotation of the key.
Apparatus for logging the operation of a valve of the type having a spindle rotatable by a key to effect opening and closing of the valve, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.