Patents Assigned to Biffi Italia
  • Patent number: 10978940
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a controller operatively coupled to an electric actuator via a network. The controller is configured to obtain torque curve data over the network from the electric actuator, the torque curve data being associated with actuation of an electric motor of the electric actuator, the actuation to cause a flow control member of a motor-operated valve to move, the flow control member being mechanically coupled to the electric motor and being movable between an open position and a closed position. The controller is configured to determine an area under a torque curve based on the torque curve data, determine a variance between the area under the torque curve and an area under a reference curve, and generate a first control signal indicating that the electric actuator is healthy when it is determined that the variance does not exceed the variance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: BIFFI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carlo Doglio
  • Patent number: 8047504
    Abstract: A valve actuator has a set of sensors (2) for detection of the internal parameters of the actuator, a controller (3) for recording and storing the parameters and the operations performed by the actuator, a wireless module (5) to temporarily and omnidirectionally connect the actuator with a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a PC (pocket PC) (6) which controls the actuation thereof. The wireless module (5) further allows to download the collected data for analysis and to achieve an early diagnosis of any failure and/or inefficiency of the actuator. The wireless module (5) includes a transceiver operating at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Biffi Italia
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20090256090
    Abstract: A valve actuator has a set of sensors (2) for detection of the internal parameters of the actuator, a controller (3) for recording and storing the parameters and the operations performed by the actuator, a wireless module (5) to temporarily and omnidirectionally connect the actuator with a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a PC (pocket PC) (6) which controls the actuation thereof. The wireless module (5) further allows to download the collected data for analysis and to achieve an early diagnosis of any failure and/or inefficiency of the actuator. The wireless module (5) includes a transceiver operating at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: BIFFI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7559529
    Abstract: A valve actuator has a set of sensors (2) for detection of the internal parameters of the actuator, a controller (3) for recording and storing the parameters and the operations performed by the actuator, a wireless module (5) to temporarily and omnidirectionally connect the actuator with a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a PC (pocket PC) (6) which controls the actuation thereof. The wireless module (5) further allows to download the collected data for analysis and to achieve an early diagnosis of any failure and/or inefficiency of the actuator. The wireless module (5) includes a transceiver operating at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7401759
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of the submarine valve actuators, and specifically to those actuators, that in order to effect a standard valve closing operation are connected to an oleo system feeding an hydraulic cylinder (1), whose plunger (3), by a mechanical link, operates the valve and compresses a spring (8) which provides for the standard opening operation. Said actuators are provided with an input shaft (21) for connectin a ROV for valve opening and closing operations when there is a failure in the oleo system. The connection between the ROV-operated input shaft (21) and the mechanical link between the piston (3) and the spring (8) is carried out by a planetary gear reducer (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7382062
    Abstract: The invention finds application in the field of power supplies for valve actuators, and particularly relates to a wide voltage range stabilized switching power supply for valve actuators, of the type that comprises a filter 2, a diode bridge 3, an array of capacitors 5, an auxiliary power supply stage 6, formed by a switch mode circuit, having an operating range of 21 to 380 VDC, which generates the supply voltages required for the internal operation of the power supply, a full-bridge power stage 7, which receives an input voltage in the range of 120 VDC to 373 VDC, and generates the three stabilized output voltages required for supplying the load, and a boost stage 4, located upstream from the power stage 7, which allows to increase the voltage to a value in the range of 120 VDC to 373 VCC, whenever it is below such range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giuseppe Riboli
  • Publication number: 20060082469
    Abstract: A valve actuator has a set of sensors (2) for detection of the internal parameters of the actuator, a controller (3) for recording and storing the parameters and the operations performed by the actuator, a wireless module (5) to temporarily and omnidirectionally connect the actuator with a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a PC (pocket PC) (6) which controls the actuation thereof. The wireless module (5) further allows to download the collected data for analysis and to achieve an early diagnosis of any failure and/or inefficiency of the actuator. The wireless module (5) includes a transceiver operating at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: BIFFI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20060050459
    Abstract: The invention finds application in the field of power supplies for valve actuators, and particularly relates to a wide voltage range stabilized switching power supply for valve actuators, of the type that comprises a filter 2, a diode bridge 3, an array of capacitors 5, an auxiliary power supply stage 6, formed by a switch mode circuit, having an operating range of 21 to 380 VDC, which generates the supply voltages required for the internal operation of the power supply, a full-bridge power stage 7, which receives an input voltage in the range of 120 VDC to 373 VDC, and generates the three stabilized output voltages required for supplying the load, and a boost stage 4, located upstream from the power stage 7, which allows to increase the voltage to a value in the range of 120 VDC to 373 VCC, whenever it is below such range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: BIFFI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giuseppe Riboli
  • Publication number: 20050253577
    Abstract: The invention finds application in the field of electric valve actuators. Particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic absolute angular position sensor for valves controlled by electric part-turn actuators, wherein the rotation ? of the valve shaft (10) induces a change in the direction along which the lines of the magnetic field generated by a magnet (8) integral therewith, pass through a stationary circuit board (7), containing two Wheatstone bridges arranged at 45° to each other, and made of a magneto-resistive material. Hence, two 90° electric signals X and Y are generated, having the same amplitude, which allow to uniquely determine the angle of rotation ? of the shaft (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: BIFFI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 6958600
    Abstract: The invention finds application in the field of electric valve actuators. Particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic absolute angular position sensor for valves controlled by electric part-turn actuators, wherein the rotation ? of the valve shaft (10) induces a change in the direction along which the lines of the magnetic field generated by a magnet (8) integral therewith, pass through a stationary circuit board (7), containing two Wheatstone bridges arranged at 45° to each other, and made of a magneto-resistive material. Hence, two 90° electric signals X and Y are generated, having the same amplitude, which allow to uniquely determine the angle of rotation ? of the shaft (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 6644347
    Abstract: Position detector (1), particularly for electrical valve actuators, comprising a disk (2) fixedly connected to an actuator and provided with a mapping defining a reference for detecting the actuator displacement; and means for detecting the actuator displacement by said mapping. Said mapping is formed by a plurality of permanent magnets operatively arranged along the disk (2) circumference, the polarity of each magnet being opposed to the polarity of two immediately adjacent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20020134437
    Abstract: Position detector (1), particularly for electrical valve actuators, comprising a disk (2) fixedly connected to an actuator and provided with a mapping defining a reference for detecting the actuator displacement; and means for detecting the actuator displacement by said mapping. Said mapping is formed by a plurality of permanent magnets operatively arranged along the disk (2) circumference, the polarity of each magnet being opposed to the polarity of two immediately adjacent magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Biffi Italia S.r.L..
    Inventors: Archimede Affaticati, Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 5396031
    Abstract: A mechanical device forms part of a limiter assembly associated with reversible electric actuators. Typically, such an actuator is for controlling pipeline valves. The limiter assembly comprises a mechanism by which one or more limiters can be held in the engaged position even after the trigger has been deactivated. The undesirable phenomenon of hunting or pumping (the effect of the actuator motor cutting in and out repeatedly) is prevented by a simple flexible ribbon with teeth positioned in such a way as to engage corresponding sprockets that are capable of rotation on their respective shafts in only one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Biffi, Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Maurizio Lunati
  • Patent number: 5223671
    Abstract: Intended for fitment to the electric motor of a motorized valve, the terminal box (1) is modular in design and can be utilized in different mounting positions to suit the direction from which power supply and control system wiring is routed to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giordano Alfieri
  • Patent number: 4986301
    Abstract: The coupling between a sub-sea pipeline valve and its actuator is brought about by the adoption of a device (4) associated rigidly with the housing of the valve and provided with a hollow shaft (6) into which the valve shaft is keyed. The top of the hollow shaft affords a ring of dogs (7) designed to engage matching dogs (8) carried by a sleeve (9) driven by the pistons of the hydraulic actuator through a mechanical linkage, so that the movement which opens and closes the valve is transmitted through an easily coupled and decoupled dog-clutch; the stationary part of the device (4) is provided with torque reaction lugs (20, 21) which occupy sockets (22) formed in the casing of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Biffi Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Rino Ziliani, Giuseppe Ziveri, Ferruccio Pellinghelli