US 12,031,641 B2
System and method for monitoring and diagnostics of an actuator device for actuation of a valve for fluid pipelines, and actuator device forming part of this system
Pier Paolo Paradiso, Porcari (IT); Andrea Bozzelli, Porcari (IT); Luca Doroni, Porcari (IT); Andrea Collatini, Porcari (IT); and Nicola Batistoni, Porcari (IT)
Assigned to ROTORK FLUID SYSTEMS S.R.L., Porcari (IT)
Appl. No. 17/433,360
Filed by ROTORK FLUID SYSTEMS S.R.L., Porcari (IT)
PCT Filed Jan. 31, 2020, PCT No. PCT/IB2020/050779
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 24, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/174298, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 3, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 102019000002671 (IT), filed on Feb. 25, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0146016 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. F16K 37/00 (2006.01); F16K 31/163 (2006.01); F17D 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 37/0083 (2013.01) [F16K 31/1635 (2013.01); F17D 5/00 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A monitoring system for an on/off actuator device for activating a valve for fluid pipelines,
said actuator device being configured for moving a valve member of said valve between a first position corresponding to a normal operating condition of the valve and a second position corresponding to an emergency operating condition of the valve, said actuator device comprising at least one fluid cylinder configured to drive a linear movement of an actuator rod,
wherein said monitoring system comprises a plurality of sensors mounted on the actuator device and configured to detect a plurality of operating parameters of the actuator device,
characterized in that said plurality of sensors comprises:
at least one pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the fluid cylinder,
a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the fluid cylinder,
a linear position sensor for detecting the linear position of the actuator rod, and
one or more deformation sensors of one or more components of the actuator,
and in that said monitoring system comprises an electronic processing and control unit configured for:
activating said actuator device to impart a micro-movement of the valve member,
detecting, via said plurality of sensors, signals indicative of the values of said operating parameters during said micro-movement of the valve member, and
as a function of the values of said operating parameters detected during said micro-movement of the valve member, estimating whether said actuator device is capable of applying a torque or force value sufficient to make said valve member perform the entire movement from the first position to the second position,
said micro-movement being such as to constitute only the start of movement of the movable member of the valve, corresponding only to the overcoming of mechanical clearances and dissipative and deformation effects internal to the actuator, and furthermore being such as not to substantially involve any alteration in the flow of fluid controlled by the valve, and
said steps of detecting the sensor signals and estimating the torque or force value applicable by the actuator device being automatically activated immediately following the execution of said micro-movement;
wherein said electronic processing and control unit is configured for:
calculating an applicable torque or force value, which the actuator device is able to apply to the valve member in case the actuator device is controlled to make the valve member perform the entire movement from the first position to second position,
calculating a resisting torque or force value, which is required for the actual movement of the valve member from the first position to the second position,
comparing said applicable torque or force value to a minimum reference value, and/or comparing said resisting torque or force value to a maximum reference value,
generating a signal indicative of anomaly of the actuator device if said applicable torque or force value is lower than said minimum reference value, and
generating a signal indicative of anomaly of the valve if said resisting torque or force value is higher than said maximum reference value.