Multi-process electronic control valve system
AssigneeOCV Control Valves
InventorPaul T. Pettit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve system has a main valve that is adjustable for output flow and pressure. The system also includes an output flow transducer, an output pressure transducer, and a fluid depth transducer. A microcontroller is operatively coupled to the valve, the output flow transducer, the output pressure transducer, and the fluid depth transducer. The microcontroller operates the valve to selectively control the output flow, the output pressure, and the fluid depth according to inputs received from a user.
Claims20
A valve system comprising:
- a main valve that is adjustable to selectively control output flow and pressure;
- an output flow transducer;
- an output pressure transducer;
- a fluid depth transducer;
- and
- a microcontroller;
- wherein the microcontroller is operatively coupled to the valve, the output flow transducer, the output pressure transducer, and the fluid depth transducer;
- and
- wherein the microcontroller operates the valve to selectively control the output flow, the output pressure, and the fluid depth according to inputs received from a user.
A valve system comprising:
- a microcontroller;
- a hydraulically operated, diaphragm actuated main valve that opens and closes to regulate flow of water from a well;
- a first electrically actuated solenoid pilot valve attached to the main valve and closing the main valve in response to a first signal from the microcontroller;
- a second electrically actuate solenoid pilot valve attached to the main valve and opening the main valve in response to a second signal from the microcontroller;
- and
- a first needle valve that controls an opening speed of the main valve;
- wherein the microcontroller selectively provides the first and second signals to the first and second solenoid pilot valves to selectively maintain at least one of an output pressure from the main valve, a flow rate from the main valve, and a depth of water in the well.
A method of selectively controlling pressure, flow rate, and well water depth at a well, comprising:
- providing a hydraulically operated, diaphragm actuated main valve;
- providing a first electrically actuated solenoid pilot valve attached to the main valve that closes the main valve in response to a closing signal;
- providing a second electrically actuates solenoid pilot valve attached to the main valve that closes the main valve in response to an opening signal;
- providing transducers for monitoring pressure, flow rate, and well water depth;
- and
- selectively reading the pressure, flow rate, and well water depth with a microcontroller and selectively providing the closing and opening signals to the first and second solenoid pilot valves, respectively, to control the main valve to selectively maintain a predetermined pressure, flow rate, and well water depth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.