Method for checking the leakproofness of safety valves

US9080923B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Elster GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Aloys Quatmann · Bakum, DE
• Ulrich Engelmann
• Oliver Borgmann · St. Blasien, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01M3/2876
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Method for checking the leakproffness of safety valves. Method for testing the leadkproofness of two controllable valves (V1, V2), wherein the vales are arranged at opposite ends of a test volume (10). An inlet pressure pe is present upstream of the test volume, in front of valve V1, and an outlet pressure pa is present downstream of the test volume, behind the valve V2. A control device controls the valves to open and close, and the control device is coupled to at least two pressure switches (26, 27) which are both operatively connected to the test volume (10) in order to monitor the pressure. The first pressure switch is set to a first triggering threshold d1, wherein d1=pe/x, where x>3. The second pressure switch is set to a second triggering threshold d2, wherein d2=pe(1−1/x). A valve is controlled in order to open the valve for a period of time tL1 and then to close said valve. The process then waits for a measurement period tM1 and a first pressure switch is checked. The second valve is then opened and closed again and the second pressure switch is checked. The functionality of the valves is indicated if the method has not been aborted owing to a pressure switch being trigger…