Off-axis position monitoring and control system and related methods
US9341282B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8242
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flow control valve and a valve-position monitoring and control system coupled to the valve member and configured to precisely determine valve conditions related to the rotary position of the valve member. The system has an array of spaced apart transducers in an arcuate arrangement and in a fixed, non-moveable position relative to the valve's housing. A magnetic-field source is fixed to and rotates with the valve member as a unit. The magnetic-field source includes magnetic members adjacent to and out of physical engagement with the transducers. The magnetic member moves along an arcuate path parallel to the arcuate arrangement of the transducers as the valve member rotates through the plurality of rotary positions. The magnetic-field source provides magnetic flux detectable by at least a plurality of the transducers to precisely determine the rotational position of the magnetic-field source and/or the valve member, and the fluid flow rate through the control valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.