Abstract: A test connection for a valve can include a plug configured to be removably coupled with a conduit opening, an electrical coupler coupled to the plug, and one or more test leads coupled to the electrical coupler. One or more test leads can be removably coupled with a solenoid coil or other valve component. A method of configuring a valve can include providing one or more test connections coupled to the valve, testing the valve prior to final installation using the test connection, removing the test connection and permanently installing the valve.

Abstract: A module for a solenoid valve can include a body having a module inlet, a module outlet, a flow path fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a module orifice and a module valve seat fluidically disposed in the flow path, a reservoir disposed within the body, a sensor in sensing communication with the reservoir, a first coupler configured to couple with a solenoid actuator and a second coupler configured to couple with a valve body. The flow path can include an inlet flow path from the module inlet to the module orifice and an outlet flow path from the module orifice to the module outlet. The reservoir can be in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path. The module outlet can be disposed in fluid communication with the second coupler and configured to sealingly engage a valve seat.

Abstract: A valve can include a body having an inlet and an outlet coaxial about an axis, a stationary valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, one or more valve members slideably coupled to the valve body and adapted to optionally couple with the valve seat, one or more biasing devices adapted to bias the valve member(s) in one or more longitudinal directions, and one or more actuators adapted to optionally move the valve member(s) into and/or out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator assembly can include one or more of an electrohydraulic actuator and an electromechanical actuator, among others.

Abstract: A solenoid valve can include a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a solenoid actuator and a module coupled to the valve body and the solenoid actuator. A module can include a module inlet disposed in fluid communication with the valve inlet, a module outlet disposed in fluid communication with the valve outlet, a module orifice and a module valve seat disposed along a module flow path fluidically between the module inlet and the module outlet and a sensor coupled to the module and disposed in sensing communication with the module flow path.

Abstract: A solenoid control circuit can make measurements during operation to determine the state of a solenoid and can provide for rapid re-energization of a solenoid upon detection of a dropout condition. A method of controlling a solenoid can include closing an input switch, cycling a low side switch based on voltage drop across a resistor, opening the input switch after a time interval, closing the low side switch and driving a discharge switch to control the discharge current rate from an energy storage device to an inductor. The method can include determining a condition of the inductor based on a time interval between actuation of comparators and maintaining a level of energy in the energy storage device sufficient to cause the inductor to produce a magnetic field for actuating a valve.

Abstract: A test connection for a valve can include a plug configured to be removably coupled with a conduit opening, an electrical coupler coupled to the plug, and one or more test leads coupled to the electrical coupler. One or more test leads can be removably coupled with a solenoid coil or other valve component. A method of configuring a valve can include providing one or more test connections coupled to the valve, testing the valve prior to final installation using the test connection, removing the test connection and permanently installing the valve.

Abstract: A valve can include a body having an inlet and an outlet coaxial about an axis, a stationary valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, one or more valve members slideably coupled to the valve body and adapted to optionally couple with the valve seat, one or more biasing devices adapted to bias the valve member(s) in one or more longitudinal directions, and one or more actuators adapted to optionally move the valve member(s) into and/or out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator assembly can include one or more of an electrohydraulic actuator and an electromechanical actuator, among others.

Abstract: A solenoid control circuit can make measurements during operation to determine the state of a solenoid and can provide for rapid re-energization of a solenoid upon detection of a dropout condition. A method of controlling a solenoid can include closing an input switch, cycling a low side switch based on voltage drop across a resistor, opening the input switch after a time interval, closing the low side switch and driving a discharge switch to control the discharge current rate from an energy storage device to an inductor. The method can include determining a condition of the inductor based on a time interval between actuation of comparators and maintaining a level of energy in the energy storage device sufficient to cause the inductor to produce a magnetic field for actuating a valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a solenoid coil in a solenoid valve provide a controller that allows a supervisory or leakage current to be used in a peak-and-hold driver. The controller introduces a delay time after detection of a dropout voltage that prevents the solenoid coil from being immediately re-energized in order to ensure proper dropout of the solenoid coil. The delay time imposes a wait period during which the controller takes no action with respect to the current in the solenoid coil, allowing the solenoid coil to deenergize and return the valve to its normally-open or normally-closed position. Such use of a delay time may be limited to instances where the controller has already gone through a power-up cycle such that the response time needed by the controller to energize the solenoid coil is minimized, thus reducing the valve startup time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve and associated method of control for compensated performance based on environmental conditions and optionally product life. The solenoid coil power consumption is proactively optimized based on predetermined database information to cross reference a given operating temperature and optionally, valve operating cycles. The net effect is to reduce power consumption under normal conditions and selectively apply higher power to the valve coil when required.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a solenoid coil in a solenoid valve provide a controller that allows a supervisory or leakage current to be used in a peak-and-hold driver. The controller introduces a delay time after detection of a dropout voltage that prevents the solenoid coil from being immediately re-energized in order to ensure proper dropout of the solenoid coil. The delay time imposes a wait period during which the controller takes no action with respect to the current in the solenoid coil, allowing the solenoid coil to deenergize and return the valve to its normally-open or normally-closed position. Such use of a delay time may be limited to instances where the controller has already gone through a power-up cycle such that the response time needed by the controller to energize the solenoid coil is minimized, thus reducing the valve startup time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve and associated method of control for compensated performance based on environmental conditions and optionally product life. The solenoid coil power consumption is proactively optimized based on predetermined database information to cross reference a given operating temperature and optionally, valve operating cycles. The net effect is to reduce power consumption under normal conditions and selectively apply higher power to the valve coil when required.

Abstract: A solenoid coil assembly for hazardous environments comprises a solenoid coil and an enclosure entirely filled with encapsulation material. The encapsulation material leaves zero or almost zero volume in the enclosure for hazardous material to accumulate in any amount that could explode. This allows the solenoid coil assembly to be constructed without the usual industry standard flame paths. Additionally, the enclosure may be made of physically rigid and strong material such as metal or the like to better withstand harsh and corrosive conditions within hazardous environments without being explosion proof. The walls of such an enclosure need only have a moderate thickness and weight relative to enclosures that are explosion proof, as there is no meaningful risk of an explosion occurring within the enclosure. The combination of a rugged exterior and a zero-volume interior allows the solenoid coil assembly to reduce weight and cost while providing superior environmental protection.

Abstract: A solenoid coil assembly for hazardous environments comprises a solenoid coil and an enclosure entirely filled with encapsulation material. The encapsulation material leaves zero or almost zero volume in the enclosure for hazardous material to accumulate in any amount that could explode. This allows the solenoid coil assembly to be constructed without the usual industry standard flame paths. Additionally, the enclosure may be made of physically rigid and strong material such as metal or the like to better withstand harsh and corrosive conditions within hazardous environments without being explosion proof. The walls of such an enclosure need only have a moderate thickness and weight relative to enclosures that are explosion proof, as there is no meaningful risk of an explosion occurring within the enclosure. The combination of a rugged exterior and a zero-volume interior allows the solenoid coil assembly to reduce weight and cost while providing superior environmental protection.

Abstract: A method of assuring drop out of a valve assembly comprising detecting a level of a signal from the controller; diverting the signal to a solenoid coil of the valve assembly when the level of the signal is above a predetermined value; and diverting the signal to a load when the level of the signal is below the predetermined value. The level detector may divert the signal away from the coil when the level of the signal is below the predetermined value, thereby ensuring that the coil is fully de-energized in response to the level of the signal being below the predetermined value, while allowing current to flow through the valve assembly, thereby allowing the controller to monitor the integrity of the wiring between the controller and the valve assembly.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for use in a hazardous environment requiring a surface temperature of the valve to not exceed a cutoff temperature, the valve comprising coil configured to physically move an armature using an field generated by the coil; a thermal cutoff device having a fusing temperature above the cutoff temperature; and a heating resistor sized and configured to raise thermal cutoff device's temperature to the fusing temperature before the surface temperature exceeds the cutoff temperature. A method of constructing a solenoid valve for use in a hazardous environment requiring a surface temperature of the valve to not exceed a cutoff temperature, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a thermal cutoff device having a fusing temperature above the cutoff temperature; and selecting and configuring a heating resistor to raise thermal cutoff device's temperature to the fusing temperature before the surface temperature exceeds the cutoff temperature.

Abstract: A process control valve with a spring rate adjustment and a spring force adjustment, thereby accommodating tight spring tolerances, such as those encountered in low power and proportional applications. The spring rate and spring force may both be adjusted after the valve has been fully assembled, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a process control valve plumbed within a hazardous environment; a solenoid coil mated to the valve and configured to operate the valve, the solenoid coil located within the hazardous environment; a valve coil configured to receive power and transfer that power to the solenoid coil, thereby operating the valve, the valve coil located within the hazardous environment; and a controller coil configured to transmit power to the valve coil, the controller coil located in the hazardous environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling energy consumption in a system having a battery and including a controller and one or more solenoids. In accordance with the disclosure, the controller provides a controlling mechanism, such as a control algorithm, that will provide the necessary power to operate the one or more solenoids throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that optimizes the voltage discharge from the battery and simultaneously maximizes battery life. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a controller and an associated control algorithm to operate a solenoid throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that places the discharge of the battery in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed and taught herein are further directed to a solenoid valve configured for operation at minimum power levers comprising: a casing; a magnetic coil within the casing adapted for inducing a magnetic flux when energized; a plunger selectively actuated by the magnetic coil to operate the solenoid valve; and at least one energy storage device within the casing adapted to store energy and selectively energize the magnetic coil by applying the energy to the magnetic coil.