Valve Actuator Position Reset on Control Device Reassembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve control devices require manual reset and recalibration after replacement or maintenance of valve actuators and valves, which is cumbersome and costly due to the need for user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A valve control device with a position sensor, memory device, and electronic control unit that automatically resets position data upon separation or assembly from/to the valve actuator, eliminating the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual reset and recalibration is performed via user interface, then the valve control device can be reset after replacement or maintenance, but the handling becomes cumbersome and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control device automatically detects separation or assembly events through the position sensor and autonomously triggers reset and recalibration procedures without requiring user interaction. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state changes and executing the appropriate reset sequence when a valve actuator is replaced or reassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The position sensor continuously provides feedback signals to the control unit about the valve actuator's position. When the control unit detects that the feedback signal pattern corresponds to a separation or assembly event, it automatically initiates the reset and recalibration process, using the feedback mechanism to trigger the corrective action.
2Reliability
If manual reset and recalibration is performed via user interface, then the valve control device can be reset after replacement or maintenance, but device complexity increases due to user interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the user interface component from the reset and recalibration process. By using the existing position sensor feedback to automatically detect separation and assembly events, the system eliminates the need for buttons, displays, or other user interface elements that would otherwise be required to initiate manual reset procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs the reset and recalibration functions autonomously without requiring user interface components. The system monitors its own operational state through position feedback and automatically executes the reset sequence when appropriate conditions are detected, making the user interface entirely unnecessary for this function.
3Reliability
If reset process requires user activation, then the valve control device can be reset, but time is lost due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor continuously monitors the valve actuator position during normal operation, maintaining readiness to detect separation or assembly events. When such an event occurs, the control unit immediately recognizes the change in feedback signal pattern and automatically initiates the reset and recalibration process without requiring user activation, thereby eliminating time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects separation and assembly events and triggers the reset and recalibration process without waiting for user intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the time required for user activation and reduces the overall reset duration to the minimum necessary for the recalibration process itself.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A valve control device (1) for controlling operation of a valve actuator (2) configured to be connected to a valve member (3). The valve control device (1) being configured to be removably mounted on the valve actuator (2) and comprises: a position sensor (4) for detecting actuating position of the valve actuator (2) and outputting the detected position as a feedback signal; a memory device (7) for storing position data reflecting the feedback signal from the position sensor (4) at at least one actuating position of the valve actuator (2); and an electronic control unit (6) for controlling operation of the valve actuator (2) using the feedback signal from the position sensor (4) and the position data from the memory device (7); wherein the electronic control unit (6) is configured for automatically performing a reset of the position data of the memory device (7) as a result of the valve control device (1) becoming separated from, and/or assembled on, the valve actuator (2).