Power generation for valve actuators
AssigneeFlowserve Management Company
InventorsWilliam T. Dolenti, Daniel J. Morris, Daniel Carlson, Byron A. Fleury, David R. Simons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention utilizes operation of a valve actuator to generate electrical power. A portion of the mechanical energy generated by operation of a valve actuator is converted to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be converted to electrical energy at the same time as the valve actuator is operating or the mechanical energy may be stored for later conversion. A valve actuator may be operated manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Generated electrical energy may also be stored.
Claims13
A valve actuator system, the system comprising:
- a valve actuator comprising accessory electronics and a drive train comprising an electrical motor for electrical operation of the drive train and a manual operation mechanism for manually operation of the drive train by a user, the valve actuator coupled to a valve and adapted to regulate flow within the valve;
- a clutch adapted for transferring control of the drive train between the electrical motor and the manual operation mechanism;
- and
- an electrical generator adapted to electrically power the accessory electronics of the valve actuator, the electrical generator adapted to receive energy from manual operation of the drive train of the valve actuator to regulate flow within the valve by the manual operation mechanism.
A method of electrically powering a position encoder of a valve actuator, the method comprising:
- operating a drive train of the valve actuator to regulate flow within a valve;
- generating mechanical energy from the operation of the drive train of the valve actuator;
- converting a portion of the mechanical energy into electrical energy;
- and
- electrically powering the position encoder of the valve actuator configured to monitor a position of the valve actuator with the electrical energy.
A method of electrically powering a position encoder of a valve actuator, the method comprising:
- operating a drive train of the valve actuator to regulate flow within a valve;
- generating mechanical energy from the operation of the drive train of the valve actuator;
- storing the mechanical energy generated;
- converting a portion of the stored mechanical energy into electrical energy;
- triggering release of the stored mechanical energy by manually operating the drive train of the valve actuator with a handwheel to regulate flow within the valve;
- and
- electrically powering the position encoder of the valve actuator with the electrical energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.