Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for preserving the integrity of a packing and the integrity a stem of a valve, having the steps of providing a gland ring mounted above the packing surrounding the stem; providing a gland retainer mounted above the gland ring, wherein the gland retainer is secured to the valve with one or more fasteners, wherein the gland retainer is a load cell; sensing a compressional force between a top surface and a bottom surface of the gland retainer; converting the sensed each compressional force into a data point; and transmitting the data point to a computing unit.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for obtaining a determined torque value experienced by a bracket of a valve system, having the steps of providing a strain gauge mounted onto the bracket; applying a first known torque to bracket; obtaining a first strain measurement data from the strain gauge; applying a second known torque to bracket; obtaining a second strain measurement data from the strain gauge; determining a relationship between the first known torque, the first strain measurement data, the second known torque and the second strain measurement data; and applying an unknown strain to the bracket and converting the unknown strain to the determined torque value of the bracket using the determined relationship.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for preserving the integrity of a packing and the integrity a stem of a valve, having the steps of providing a gland ring mounted above the packing surrounding the stem; providing a gland retainer mounted above the gland ring, wherein the gland retainer is secured to the valve with one or more fasteners, wherein the gland retainer is a load cell; sensing a compressional force between a top surface and a bottom surface of the gland retainer; converting the sensed each compressional force into a data point; and transmitting the data point to a computing unit.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having: a body of the valve containing a control element; a neck extending from the body of the valve and connected to a mounting support, wherein the neck partially houses a valve stem connected to the control element and further wherein the valve stem extends through the mounting support; a gland ring mounted around the valve stem, wherein the gland ring is partially within the mounting support; a gland retainer mounted above the gland ring within the mounting support; one or more fasteners connecting the gland retainer to the body of the valve; and one or more load cells mounted around the fasteners and located above the gland retainer, wherein each load cell is configured to sense a clamping force between a top surface and a bottom surface of the load cell.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: an adaptor between the control element and the actuator, wherein the adaptor couples a valve stem of the control element to the actuator; and an electronics module contained within the adaptor, wherein the electronics module further comprises one or more sensors.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: an adaptor between the control element and the actuator, wherein the adaptor couples a valve stem of the control element to the actuator; and an electronics module contained within the adaptor, wherein the electronics module further comprises one or more sensors.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: a valve stem, wherein the valve stem is connected to the control element; a cavity defined within the valve stem; an electronics module embedded within the cavity of the valve stem, wherein the electronics module further has one or more sensors within the valve stem; and wherein the electronic module further has a microprocessor within the valve stem; and a conductor connecting the electronics module to the actuator.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, including a valve stem having a bore therethrough, wherein the bore is defined by a wall of the valve stem, and further wherein the valve stem is connected at a first end to the actuator and at a second end to the control element; and an electronics module within the bore of the valve stem, wherein the electronics module further includes one or more sensors within the valve stem.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a bracket for a valve system, having an actuator side of the bracket, defining a first set of one or more holes; a valve side of the bracket, wherein the valve side is opposite the actuator side, and further wherein the valve side defines a second set of one or more holes; a wall connecting the actuator side and the valve side; and a strain gauge mounted to the wall.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having: a body of the valve containing a control element; a neck extending from the body of the valve and connected to a mounting support, wherein the neck partially houses a valve stem connected to the control element and further wherein the valve stem extends through the mounting support; a gland ring mounted around the valve stem, wherein the gland ring is partially within the mounting support; a gland retainer mounted above the gland ring within the mounting support; one or more fasteners connecting the gland retainer to the body of the valve; and one or more load cells mounted around the fasteners and located above the gland retainer, wherein each load cell is configured to sense a clamping force between a top surface and a bottom surface of the load cell.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: an adaptor between the control element and the actuator, wherein the adaptor couples a valve stem of the control element to the actuator; and an electronics module contained within the adaptor, wherein the electronics module further comprises one or more sensors.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, including a valve stem having a bore therethrough, wherein the bore is defined by a wall of the valve stem, and further wherein the valve stem is connected at a first end to the actuator and at a second end to the control element; and an electronics module within the bore of the valve stem, wherein the electronics module further includes one or more sensors within the valve stem.