EP0288521A1 - Systeme pour tester des soupapes de retenue - Google Patents

Systeme pour tester des soupapes de retenue

Info

Publication number
EP0288521A1
EP0288521A1 EP87907200A EP87907200A EP0288521A1 EP 0288521 A1 EP0288521 A1 EP 0288521A1 EP 87907200 A EP87907200 A EP 87907200A EP 87907200 A EP87907200 A EP 87907200A EP 0288521 A1 EP0288521 A1 EP 0288521A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sound wave
time
valve
directing
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87907200A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0288521A4 (en
Inventor
Steven Nafziger
John A. Mcmennamy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Movats Inc
Original Assignee
Movats Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Movats Inc filed Critical Movats Inc
Publication of EP0288521A1 publication Critical patent/EP0288521A1/fr
Publication of EP0288521A4 publication Critical patent/EP0288521A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K37/00—Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
    • F16K37/0025—Electrical or magnetic means
    • F16K37/0041—Electrical or magnetic means for measuring valve parameters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/02—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
    • G01S15/06—Systems determining the position data of a target
    • G01S15/08—Systems for measuring distance only
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications

Definitions

  • a check valve is a type of one-way valve used in the control of fluid flow through conduits.
  • the check valve permits the flow of fluid i ' n a first direction through a conduit and prevents fluid flow in the reverse direction.
  • a check valve is generally constructed with a disk which is mounted to a pivoting hinge. When fluid is flowing in the allowed direction, the fluid forces the disk to pivot upward to allow passage. When there is no fluid flow or when fluid attempts to flow in the reverse direction, the disk pivots (usually gravity drop) down to seal the conduit and prevent reverse flow.
  • all of the parts of the check valve are located inside the valve chamber with no external parts available for visual inspection.
  • the present invention teaches a method and apparatus for testing the condition of a check valve while the valve is fully assembled and operating under various flow conditions, including no-flow.
  • the present invention comprises the use of an ultrasonic sound transducer to send high frequency sound waves through the check valve casting and through the transported fluid to the valve disk. Reflection of the sound waves is detected and analyzed through the use of signal recording and conditioning devices to assist in determination of the positioning and movement of the valve disk.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a check valve testing method and apparatus for determining if a check valve is still operable yet being subjected to damaging operating conditions.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the check valve testing system, in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a cut-a-way, side view of a check valve tested by the invention of Fig. 1, and depicting a portion of the check valve testing system of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of the check valve testing system of Fig. 1, showing an alternate embodiment.
  • Fig. 4 is a representative view depicting various, alternate points of placement of the transducers of the check valve testing system of Fig. 1.
  • the signal conditioning device 25 comprises a discriminator 26 and a counter/delay device 27, the functions of which are described below.
  • the signal conditioning device 25 is connected by signal cable 30 to the first recording device and by a signal cable 31 to a second recording device 33, such as a second oscilloscope.
  • the signal cable 31 is connected to an analog output terminal 34 of the signal conditioner 25.
  • the transducers 13, 18 are seen as acting upon a check valve assembly 40, which assembly is seen in detail in Fig. 2.
  • the check valve assembly 40 comprises a fluid conduit 41 providing for normal
  • valve chamber 45 which houses a swinging disk assembly 46.
  • the swinging disk assembly 46 comprises a valve disk 48 mounted to a hinge arm 49, which hinge arm is pivotally connected at a pin 50 which is mounted to the inner wall 51 of the valve chamber.
  • the valve disk 48 and hinge arm 49 are forged as one component.
  • the valve disk 48 is bolted to the hinge arm 49 by a stud nut 53 bolted to a threaded stud 54 protruding upward from the disk 48.
  • the check valve assembly 40 further includes a lower valve stop 56 and a back stop 57.
  • the check valve testing system 10 of the present invention is set-up, in the field, at the location of the check valve along the fluid conduit system.
  • the wave sending unit 12 is set to generate and deliver a pulsing, ultrasonic signal. That is, a sound wave signal is generated repeatedly at desired, equal intervals. The interval of time between each pulse shall be termed the "pulse interval”. The rate at which the pulses occur shall be termed the "pulse rate”.
  • the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is set sufficently high to assure transmission of the sound wave through the different medium of the valve casting, fluids, and any other materials associated with the valve assembly 40.
  • the user places the sending transducer 13 and receiving transducer 18 at the valve assembly body so as to direct the /
  • the wave sending unit 1 generates a trigger signal upon the generation of each ultrasoni pulse at the sending transducer 13.
  • This trigger signal is delivere along signal cable 21 to the first recording device 23. At the firs recording device, this trigger signal triggers the recording devic to begin its recording sequence. For example, in the.
  • the pulse rate is set so that a substantial number of the reflected waves from the first generated sound wave are received at the receiving unit 18 before the second generated wave is sent at the sending transducer 13.
  • a trigger signal is sent from the sending unit along signal cable 21 to the oscilloscope triggering the oscilloscope to begin a new sweep.
  • the oscilloscope records input from the receiving unit 16 corresponding to the received, reflected waves relating to the respective generated sound wave pulse.
  • the delay mechanism of the counter/delay device 27 further affects the counter by delaying the counter's beginning time by an increment of time selected by the user. In this way, the user adjusts the delay such that the counter does not begin counting until a substantial portion, if not all, of the reflected waves which resulted in the "noise" 60 have been received by the receiving unit 18.
  • the signal conditioner 25 also comprises a discriminating device 26. The function of the discriminating device 26is to command the signal conditioner 25 to recognize only signals from the receiving unit 16 which have amplitudes in excess of a selected minimum amplitude. Thus, in practice, the user adjusts the discriminator device 26 such that the signal conditioner 25 discriminates in favor of certain, high amplitude signals.
  • the user is able to effectively isolate the target spike 61 from all of the noise spikes 60.
  • the signal conditioner discriminated seeks signals during each pulse interval which signals are generated after the delay interval and which signals exceed or equal the minimum discriminating amplitude. Such isolated signals are conveyed by signal cabTe 30 to the first recording device 23 where they are recorded. When an oscilloscope is used, the isolated signal is displayed on the lower trace "g" during each sweep of the oscillo- scope-.
  • the counter of the counter/delay device 27 begins counting upon expiration of the delay interval, and continues counting until * the signal conditioner 25 receives a signal from the receiving unit 16 which signal exceeds or equals the discriminating amplitude (i.e. the target spike). Once the counter has stopped counting, the digital output from this
  • digital counter is input to a digital-to-analog converter within the signal conditioner 25.
  • the output of this D/A converter is delivered through the analog output terminal 34 to the second recording device 33.
  • the D/A converter output is, preferrably, in the form of an equivalent voltage such that a low count on the counter results in a low voltage and a high count on the counter results in a high voltage.
  • the counter is reset by the trigger signal from the wave sending unit
  • the output voltage relates in a relative manner to the position of the valve disk 48 within the valve chamber 45.
  • the analog output voltage is sent along cable 31 to the second recording device 33 where the voltages corresponding to each of the pulse intervals of the sending unit 12 are collected and recorded.
  • the second recording device 33 performs one or more of the functions of collecting, storing, correlating, recording and
  • the second recording device 33 is a storage oscilloscope in which the voltages corresponding to the successive pulse intervals of the sending unit 12 are converted to a digital number and stored.
  • the storage oscilloscope 33 also functions to successively plot the
  • each trace depicts real time. This parameter is called “real time” because it is not reset with each pulse interval of the sending unit 12, but is continuous time spanning the accumulation 5 of a plurality of pulse intervals.
  • the recording device is a computer or a combination of oscilloscope and computer in which the computer performs various operations on the analog output of the signal conditioner 25.
  • the computer performs spectrum 0 (frequency) analysis of the voltage/time traces.
  • the computer uses known mathematical formulas and additional input such as the known velocities of sound through the various materials, calculates the position of the valve disk 48 within the valve chamber 45 at any given point in "real time”.
  • the second recording device 33 is an instrumentation analog tape recorder which collects, records and stores the analog signals. The stored data from this tape recorder are subsequently conveyed to an oscilloscope for display and analysis or to a computer for detailed analysis.
  • Analysis of the output of the first recording device 23 aids in immediate determination of: whether or not the valve disk 48 is actually in place (i.e. broken off or still in place); the relative position of the valve disk 48; and the ability of the swinging disk assembly 46 to fully swing from its open to its closed position.
  • a user using the system of the present invention, can test the valve condition under various flow conditions. For example, a first test of the check valve assembly 40 is conducted with full fluid flow through the conduit 41. Analysis of the recordings taken during this first test is used to determine if the valve is (or seems to be) open and if the valve disk is subjected to vibrating or bouncing during the full flow condition. Next, the test is run with the fluid flow set at various flow rates less than the full flow rate.
  • the user can record and analyze the position of the valve disk 48 during various flow rates and can record and analyze the effect of lesser flow rate on the vibrating or bouncing of the valve disk 48.
  • the user can stop fluid flow through the respective fluid conduit 41 and, during this test, locate the position of the valve disk 48 and record and analyze the swing characteristics of the swinging disk assembly 46 (i.e. Does it bind?).
  • the transducers 12, 13 are positioned at the locations indicated as "d" in Fig. 4. With the transducers 13, 18 in this location the user seeks to identify whether or not the valve disk 48 has achieved its fully closed position. Thus, if the valve disk 48 is not fully closed, the sound wave generated at sending transducer 13d will be received (in large portions) at the receiving transducer 18d. However, if the valve disk 48 is fully seated, the valve disk 48 will interfere with the sound wave generated at the sending transducer 13d; and none of the wave, or only a small portion of the wave will be received at the receiving transducer 18d.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Testing Of Devices, Machine Parts, Or Other Structures Thereof (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)
  • Indication Of The Valve Opening Or Closing Status (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé et appareil permettant de tester l'état de fonctionnement d'une soupape de retenue, et consistant à envoyer des ondes sonores dans la chambre (45) de la soupape d'un ensemble (40) d'une soupape de retenue et à utiliser les signaux collectés grâce aux ondes sonores réfléchies pour produire des données de lapse de temps variable correspondant au mouvement et à la position du disque (48) de la soupape, ces données de lapse de temps constituant une analyse de l'état de l'ensemble (40) de la soupape.
EP19870907200 1986-10-29 1987-10-09 Check valve testing system Withdrawn EP0288521A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US92483786A 1986-10-29 1986-10-29
US924837 1986-10-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0288521A1 true EP0288521A1 (fr) 1988-11-02
EP0288521A4 EP0288521A4 (en) 1991-09-11

Family

ID=25450808

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19870907200 Withdrawn EP0288521A4 (en) 1986-10-29 1987-10-09 Check valve testing system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0288521A4 (fr)
JP (1) JPH07109254B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA1321261C (fr)
ES (1) ES2005421A6 (fr)
WO (1) WO1988003241A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5008841B1 (en) * 1989-07-28 1995-09-19 Liberty Technologies Inc Non-invasive system and method for inspection of valves
US5140263A (en) * 1990-04-20 1992-08-18 Liberty Technology Center, Inc. System for determining position of an internal, movable conductive element
US5086273A (en) * 1990-04-20 1992-02-04 Liberty Technology Center, Inc. A.C. electromagnetic system for determining position of an encased movable electrically conductive element
EP0489596B1 (fr) * 1990-12-06 1995-04-12 B&W NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Surveillance de soupapes d'arrêt
US5257545A (en) * 1990-12-06 1993-11-02 B&W Nuclear Service Company Method and apparatus to monitor check valves
US5115672A (en) * 1991-02-11 1992-05-26 Westinghouse Electric Corp. System and method for valve monitoring using pipe-mounted ultrasonic transducers
GB2356048A (en) * 1999-08-18 2001-05-09 Peter Edward Sharp Acoustic on-line condition monitoring of a machine part
US8677682B2 (en) 2012-01-06 2014-03-25 Le Groupe Dsd Inc. Thin wall sap collecting device
EP3748210B1 (fr) * 2019-06-07 2023-01-04 Focus-On V.O.F. Organe d'arrêt pour un fluide

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1525720A (en) * 1975-12-20 1978-09-20 Univ Cardiff Distance measuring apparatus
JPS5689072A (en) * 1979-12-21 1981-07-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Ultrasonic distance measuring apparatus
FR2478255A1 (fr) * 1980-03-11 1981-09-18 Electricite De France Dispositif de detection par ultrasons de fermeture d'un clapet
JPS56147978A (en) * 1980-04-17 1981-11-17 Hitachi Ltd Diagnostics for accident of check valve with valve operating device
GB2112936B (en) * 1982-01-04 1985-02-13 Froude Eng Ltd Measuring the speed of a piston engine ultrasonically
EP0104172B1 (fr) * 1982-03-30 1987-07-15 REUTER, Martin Installation pour determiner une distance relative dans un dispositif a cylindre et piston
US4543649A (en) * 1983-10-17 1985-09-24 Teknar, Inc. System for ultrasonically detecting the relative position of a moveable device
GB8334394D0 (en) * 1983-12-23 1984-02-01 Czajowski S B Electrical circuits
JPS60236078A (ja) * 1984-05-10 1985-11-22 Nagano Denki Kk 障害物距離検出装置
JPH0646478A (ja) * 1992-07-24 1994-02-18 Nec Corp 通信制御方式
JPH0689783A (ja) * 1992-09-09 1994-03-29 Toshiba Lighting & Technol Corp 照明器具

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH07109254B2 (ja) 1995-11-22
ES2005421A6 (es) 1989-03-01
EP0288521A4 (en) 1991-09-11
JPH01501085A (ja) 1989-04-13
CA1321261C (fr) 1993-08-10
WO1988003241A1 (fr) 1988-05-05

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