Patent · US Expired

Control system for flow control valves

US4590576A · kind A · utility

44Cited by
3References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 26, 1984
Grant dateMay 20, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86389
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the flow variables of a control system by sensing selected pneumatic parameters while operating the control system within maximum power consumption constraints. The control system includes a processor for selecting a first flow valve for movement during one duty cycle in one selected direction. The processor then selects for operation additional numbers of flow valves less than the maximum number of valves, drives the valves in the same direction as the first valve for the remainder of the duty cycle. The number of additional flow valves operated in any given duty cycle is determined by maximum power constraints. Calibration of each of the flow valves is accomplished driving each valve to an end point using less than the normal number of power phases to reduce the torque applied to the valve mechanism.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.