Abstract: Valve systems and related methods include valve actuators and control systems configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the valve system during movement of a valve element to a position in the valve system and to determine a drift of the position based on the monitored at least one characteristic of the valve system.

Abstract: Valve systems and related methods include valve actuators and control systems configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the valve system during movement of a valve element to a position in the valve system and to determine a drift of the position based on the monitored at least one characteristic of the valve system.

Abstract: An actuator position control system includes an electronic controller and encoder that control and monitor an actuator's position between its position limits, while mechanically actuated limit switches prevent attempts to exceed the actuator's position limits, even if there is a loss of calibration, software error, or electronic controller failure. When actuated, the limit switches provide position calibrating information to the electronic controller. Embodiments can control linear and/or rotary actuators. The encoder can include intermeshed gears and magnetic Hall-effect position sensors. A mechanically driven position indicator can visually indicate the actuator's position. An electromechanical control system can be included that can transition the actuator between its limits even in the event of electronic controller failure. Embodiments can alert a user if the electronic controller fails.

Abstract: Valve systems and related methods include valve actuators and control systems configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the valve system during movement of a valve element to a position in the valve system and to determine a drift of the position based on the monitored at least one characteristic of the valve system.

Abstract: Valve systems and related methods include valve actuators and control systems configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the valve system during movement of a valve element to a position in the valve system and to determine a drift of the position based on the monitored at least one characteristic of the valve system.

Abstract: An electronically controlled, motor-driven device is able to issue locally perceptible acoustic alerts by causing the electric motor to vibrate, which in embodiments can include vibrations at a resonant frequency of the device. Embodiments encode information relevant to the alert as amplitude and/or frequency modulations of the acoustic vibrational alerts. The motor can be an AC motor or a DC motor. In embodiments, the motor-driven device is an electronically controlled valve actuator or electronically controlled pump. The device can be in communication with a remote monitoring station, or the electronic controller can be remotely located.

Abstract: A near field energized electronic valve actuator includes a power receiver that enables powering of control electronics using wireless RF energy received from an external device such as a laptop computer or smart cellular telephone handset when conventional power is unavailable to the actuator, thereby enabling exchange of data between the external device and the control electronics. Embodiments further enable data exchange between the control electronics and non-volatile memory during the wireless energization. The data can be exchanged, for example, during initial configuration of the actuator before customer delivery, during an unpowered maintenance period to retrieve operational log information stored by the control electronics, and/or to retrieve valve position information measured by a position sensor and/or fault-relevant data from the actuator when power has been interrupted due to an actuator or valve failure.

Abstract: An actuator position control system includes an electronic controller and encoder that control and monitor an actuator's position between its position limits, while mechanically actuated limit switches prevent attempts to exceed the actuator's position limits, even if there is a loss of calibration, software error, or electronic controller failure. When actuated, the limit switches provide position calibrating information to the electronic controller. Embodiments can control linear and/or rotary actuators. The encoder can include intermeshed gears and magnetic Hall-effect position sensors. A mechanically driven position indicator can visually indicate the actuator's position. An electromechanical control system can be included that can transition the actuator between its limits even in the event of electronic controller failure. Embodiments can alert a user if the electronic controller fails.