Valve Drive Play Detection Using Position and Pressure Signals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diagnostic devices for valve drives fail to effectively detect play between the drive element and the valve member, leading to potential operational safety issues due to wear, loosening, or corrosion, which can cause the valve member to deviate from its prescribed position and potentially result in incomplete closure or inability to move.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic device that performs a play detection procedure using existing sensors, such as position and pressure sensors, to detect play between the drive element and the valve member, providing play information to enhance operational safety by allowing for early maintenance and preventing safety impairments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If existing sensors are used for play detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a diagnostic device that processes signals from existing sensors through multiple evaluation steps (primary evaluation of drive element position, secondary evaluation of valve member position, comparison between prescribed and actual positions) to achieve precise play detection without adding direct measurement sensors to the valve member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of valve member position with a signal-processing-based diagnostic system that uses electrical/electronic evaluation of sensor signals to detect play, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a direct position sensor for the valve member is added, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic device that acts as a signal processing bridge between existing sensors and the control system, enabling precise play detection through multi-step signal evaluation without requiring direct sensors on the valve member

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of the valve system by comparing prescribed positions with actual positions derived from sensor signals, allowing play detection through computational analysis rather than direct physical measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11802631B2Diagnostic device, system and method

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 FESTO AG & CO KG

AI summary

A diagnostic device (1) for a valve drive (19) having a drive element (9) for driving a valve member (14) of a process valve (12). The diagnostic device (1) is configured to perform a play detection procedure to detect play between the drive element (9) and the valve member (14) and to provide play information in accordance with the detected play.