Patents Assigned to Movats Incorporated
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Patent number: 5000040Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of power parameters such as motor power and motor power factor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a control value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the control value.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Arthur G. Charbonneau, Stanley N. Hale, Edmond A. Sayed
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Patent number: 4977778Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the operating condition of a check valve directs sound waves into the valve chamber of a check valve assembly and utilizes the collected signals of the reflected sound waves to generate various time lapse data corresponding to the valve disk position and movement, such time lapse data providing an analysis of the condition of the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1990Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Steven Nafziger, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4949288Abstract: A Testing System for Safety Relief Valves includes method and apparatus for (1) detecting the "set point" of a safety relief valve, which set point is defined as an "equilibrium point" at which a selectively applied pulling force pulling on the closure element plus the force on the closure element due to internal chamber pressure equals the springloaded biasing force, and (2) determining the approximate pulling force at the set point, and (3) determining the set pressure within an acceptable degree of accuracy; wherein the Apparatus of the Testing System is, briefly, comprised of an assembly for generating and monitoring a pulling force on the valve closure element, a pressure transducer for monitoring line pressure in the chamber, and a controller/data acquisition/data processing device for detecting the set point, determining the set point pulling force, and calculating the set pressure, and mechanism for "tripping" the force generating assembly to stop the generation of pulling force upon detection of theType: GrantFiled: September 2, 1988Date of Patent: August 14, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventor: Philip J. Bookout
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Patent number: 4936150Abstract: A Strain Follower comprises cantilevered beams mounted by gripping means on opposite sides of an object to be loaded, which beams are deflected in relationship to the deformation of the object by axial forces, and strain gages mounted on the beams and electrically within a wheatstone bridge circuit for providing an output representative of the axial deformation of the loaded object, while minimizing the impact, on the output by bending and torsional forces acting on the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1988Date of Patent: June 26, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Andrew P. Burke, Thomas A. Rak, Paul G. Anderson, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4930228Abstract: A stem load determining system comprises a method and apparatus for determining the load developed on a threaded stem, including a valve stem driven by a valve operator. An integral component of the apparatus is a stem strain transducer uniquely designed to girp a threaded stem to define a guage length on the threaded stem and to detect and measure deformation of the stem at the guage length when subjected to a compressive or tensile load.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1988Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Paul G. Anderson, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4912984Abstract: A load measuring apparatus is, in preferred embodiments, preassembled in a ready-to-use, portable assembly and comprises a load bearing body providing a deformable link between a shaft housing (such as a valve operator) and a shaft which moves relative to the housing, and which deformable, load bearing body functions as the support for a shaft engaging element of the invented device; and also comprises strain gauges measuring the deformation of the load bearing body, which deformation is related to the thrust of the shaft; load measuring apparatus operating in association with a signal conditioning device and display/recording device by which measurements are conveyed and interpreted; in the preferred embodiment, the load measuring apparatus includes an overload shear washer incorporated to prevent damage to the shaft housing by shearing away and allowing continued, unblocked movement of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1988Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: John A. McMennamy, Bruce T. Boone, James H. Jenkins
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Patent number: 4891975Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of power parameters such as motor power and motor power factor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a control value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the control value.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1988Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Arthur G. Charbonneau, Stanley N. Hale, Edmond A. Sayed
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Patent number: 4888996Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring the condition of a DC motor operated valve and/or valve operator by monitoring at a remote location, such as the Motor Control Center ("MCC"), the output torque of the DC motor which drives the valve operator comprises method and apparatus for monitoring the armature circuit of the DC motor at the remote location (I.E.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1987Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Thomas A. Rak, T. Mark Whitaker
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Patent number: 4869102Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring, at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner, the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of output power (motor load) of the valve operator motor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a threshold value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1987Date of Patent: September 26, 1989Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Stanley N. Hale, Thomas Rak, Duane H. Rowicki, Chin P. Ho
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Patent number: 4852416Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving variable observation angles by a single transducer rotationally and pivotally mounted with a housing; and for utilizing the variable angle transducer to detect and trace the distance of unseen objects within a casing from the transducer by moving the transducer within its housing which is held stationary against the casing; and for determining the angle of observation between the transducer and the observed object; and thereby accurately determining the relative position and orientation of the object within the casing.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Bruce T. Boone, Steven Nafziger, Thomas A. Rak, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4841620Abstract: A floating nozzle mount supports the high pressure nozzle of a hydraulic packing extraction tool in a movable, floating relationship relative to the stuffing-box of a pump, compressor, valve, or the like, such that as packing material within the stuffing box rises out of the stuffing box, the high pressure nozzle is progressively moved out of the stuffing box to reduce the possibility of canting and twisting of the packing material.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1988Date of Patent: June 27, 1989Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventor: Thomas E. Kadlub
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Patent number: 4831873Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a previously unattainable yet desirable function of monitoring at a remote location and/or in a remote (non-intrusive) manner the condition of a valve operator to signal a need for more thorough inspection and for possible maintenance of the valve or valve operator; the method and apparatus including the relating of power parameters such as motor power and motor power factor to the valve operator stem load, setting up a control value for the power parameter based on a maximum allowable operator thrust depletion; and periodically monitoring actual power parameter values at a remote location for comparison to the control value.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1986Date of Patent: May 23, 1989Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Arthur G. Charbonneau, Stanley N. Hale, Edmond A. Sayed
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Patent number: 4787245Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring, measuring and recording rotational forces and torque within a valve actuator comprises a load cell supported between two arm members, one arm member being mounted stationary to the housing of the valve actuator and the other arm being interfaced for rotation with a worm gear within the actuator. The resulting connection between the two arm members, through the load cells, results in blocked rotation of the worm gear and development of torque within the actuator, which torque is monitored through measurement of the rotational force at the load cell and knowledge of the moment arm of the force at the load cell. A time related trace of the torque is provided and comparison and correlation is made to time traces of other system parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Paul G. Anderson, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4782702Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving variable observations angles by a single transducer rotationally and pivotally mounted with a housing; and for utilizing the variable angle transducer to detect and trace and distance of unseen objects within a casing from the transducer by moving the transducer within its housing which is held stationary against the casing; and for determining the angle of observation between the transducer and the observed object; and thereby accurately determining the relative position and orientation of the object within the casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1987Date of Patent: November 8, 1988Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Bruce T. Boone, Steven Nafziger, Thomas A. Rak, John A. McMennamy
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Patent number: 4768273Abstract: A floating nozzle mount supports the high pressure nozzle of a hydraulic packing extraction tool in a movable, floating relationship relative to the stuffing-box of a pump, compressor, valve, or the like, such that as packing material within the stuffing box rises out of the stuffing box, the high pressure nozzle is progressively moved out of the stuffing box to reduce the possibility of canting and twisting of the packing material.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1987Date of Patent: September 6, 1988Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventor: Thomas E. Kadlub
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Patent number: 4759224Abstract: An apparatus and method for isolating certain rotating components within the operator and valve systems and artificially loading those rotating shafts to create and measure torque developed within the valve operator system; and for using the torque measurements to correlate and analyze torque in relation to other valve systems parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1987Date of Patent: July 26, 1988Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventors: Arthur G. Charbonneau, John A. McMennamy, Steven Nafziger
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Patent number: 4672310Abstract: A switch position sensing device gives visual and recorded information as to the relative open and closed position of a monitored switch whether the monitored switch is found within an AC or DC circuit or a dead circuit and without disturbing the wiring of the switches primary circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1985Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Movats IncorporatedInventor: Edmond A. Sayed