Fluid Regulatory System Valve Positioning for Continuous Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid regulatory systems in industrial and commercial applications, such as safety control valves, face challenges in monitoring and maintaining compliance with safety standards during valve closure, as existing systems typically terminate the control signal when the valve is closed, preventing continuous monitoring and leading to potential downtime and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A fluid regulatory system that includes a valve positioning system with an electric-to-pressure converter and a controller, capable of receiving command signals over a single wire, allowing continuous monitoring of system components during valve closure, and featuring an override device to interrupt control signals while maintaining power to the controller, ensuring safe operation and data retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control signal is terminated when the valve is closed, then the system structure is simplified, but continuous monitoring capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal managementVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control signal is segmented into two independent components: a power signal that maintains controller operation and a control signal that regulates valve position. This segmentation allows the control signal to be terminated while the power signal continues, enabling continuous monitoring without simplified control signal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If monitoring is performed during valve closure, then safety compliance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety complianceVSAvoidmonitoring system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller maintains continuous operation throughout the valve closure process by receiving uninterrupted power signals. This continuity enables monitoring during valve closure without requiring additional monitoring systems or complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If the control signal is interrupted to close the valve, then valve closure speed is improved, but monitoring capability during closure is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve closure speedVSAvoidmonitoring data during closure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The signal transmission is segmented into power signal and control signal components. The control signal can be rapidly interrupted to achieve fast valve closure while the power signal continues uninterrupted, maintaining monitoring capability throughout the closure process without compromising closure speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous monitoring and data analysis during valve closure, facilitating early identification of potential issues, reducing downtime, and ensuring compliance with safety standards by maintaining power to the controller, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A valve positioning system includes an electric-to-pressure converter and a controller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-pneumatic conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2118544B1Fluid regulatory system and process
Publication Date: 2010.08.18 DRESSER INC
  • EP2118544B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2118544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2118544B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Fluid regulatory systems (100, 300) may provide diagnostic functions during shut-down procedures. In one aspect, a fluid regulatory system (100) may include a valve positioning system (110, 310). The valve positioning system (110) may include components such as a controller (111, 311) and an electric-to-pressure converter (112, 313). The controller may receive a command signal (130, 340), modify the command signal, adjust a control signal to the electric-to-pressure converter (112, 313) based on the command signal (130, 340), and/or monitor components while closing the valve (120, 330). The valve positioning system (110, 310) may have a probability of failure on demand of less than 10-3.