초록 ▼

A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digita

A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digital valve controller for use with an emergency shutdown valve includes two pressure sensors and is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic valve actuator and to a solenoid valve device to assist in the on-line testing of the valve actuator as well as in the on-line testing of the solenoid valve. To perform testing of the solenoid valve, the valve controller may measure the pressure at different ports of the solenoid valve as the solenoid valve is actuated for a very short period of time. The valve controller may determine whether the solenoid device is fully functional or operational based on the derivative of the difference between the measured pressure signals, i.e., based on the rate of change of the difference between the measured pressure signals over time.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of monitoring a valve control loop having a control valve that is movable between a first position and a shutdown position, a valve controller for controlling actuation of the control valve, a pneumatic line coupled to the valve controller to move the control valve, and a supporting equi

1. A method of monitoring a valve control loop having a control valve that is movable between a first position and a shutdown position, a valve controller for controlling actuation of the control valve, a pneumatic line coupled to the valve controller to move the control valve, and a supporting equipment coupled on the pneumatic line to move the control valve, the method comprising: activating the supporting equipment;determining a pressure differential between two distinct locations on the pneumatic line while activating the supporting equipment; anddetermining an operational characteristic of the supporting equipment based on the pressure differential,wherein determining a pressure differential includes:detecting a first pressure at a first location on the pneumatic line;detecting a second pressure at a second location on the pneuamtic line that is distinct from the first location; andcalculating a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure,wherein determining an operational characteristic of the supporting equipment includes determining a rate of change of the pressure differential and comparing the rate of change to a threshold rate. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a rate of change of the pressure differential includes calculating a derivative of the pressure differential over time. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a pressure differential includes: detecting a plurality of first pressures at a first location on the pneumatic line, the plurality of first pressures corresponding to a plurality of instances while activating the supporting equipment;detecting a plurality of second pressures at a second location on the pneumatic line, the plurality of second pressures corresponding to the plurality of instances;determining a plurality of pressure differentials based on differences between the plurality of first pressures and the plurality of second pressures; anddetermining a rate of change of the plurality of pressure differentials. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining an operational characteristic of the supporting equipment includes comparing the rate of change of the plurality of pressure differentials to a threshold rate. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the rate of change is a maximum rate of change. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a pressure differential between two distinct locations on the pneumatic line includes detecting an inlet pressure at an inlet of the supporting equipment and an outlet pressure at an outlet of the supporting equipment. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes activating the supporting equipment for a period of time that causes substantially no movement of the control valve. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes activating the supporting equipment for a period of time that is less than or equal to a dead-time of the control valve. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes venting a fluid from the pneumatic line. 10. A method of monitoring a valve control loop having a control valve that is movable between a first position and a shutdown position, a valve controller for controlling actuation of the control valve, a pneumatic line coupled to the valve controller to move the control valve, and a supporting equipment coupled on the pneumatic line to move the control valve, the method comprising: activating the supporting equipment;determining a pressure differential between two distinct locations on the pneumatic line while activating the supporting equipment; anddetermining an operational characteristic of the supporting equipment based on the pressure differential,wherein determining a pressure differential includes:detecting a plurality of first pressures at a first location on the pneumatic line, the plurality of first pressures corresponding to a plurality of instances while activating the supporting equipment,detecting a plurality of second pressures at a second location on the pneumatic line, the plurality of second pressures corresponding to the plurality of instances,determining a plurality of pressure differentials based on differences between the plurality of first pressures and the plurality of second pressures, anddetermining a rate of change of the plurality of pressure differentials, andwherein determining an operational characteristic of the supporting equipment includes comparing the rate of change of the plurality of pressure differentials to a threshold rate. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the rate of change is a maximum rate of change. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining a plurality of pressure differentials between two distinct locations on the pneumatic line includes detecting a plurality of inlet pressures at an inlet of the supporting equipment and a plurality of outlet pressures at an outlet of the supporting equipment. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes activating the supporting equipment for a period of time that causes substantially no movement of the control valve. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes activating the supporting equipment for a period of time that is less than or equal to a dead-time of the control valve. 15. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the supporting equipment includes venting a fluid from the pneumatic line.