Method for testing an electric motor

1. A method for testing an electric motor which is connected to a valve element by at least one component, the method comprising:

starting the motor;

measuring a movement parameter of at least one of the motor and the component without moving the valve element; and

stopping the motor when the measured movement parameter indicates that the valve element is about to move.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a value for the movement parameter which corresponds to a movement of the valve element;

comparing the measured movement parameter with the value; and

stopping the motor when the measured movement parameter is approximately equal to the value.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the movement parameter comprises a number of turns of the motor.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the value comprises an approximate number of turns the motor makes before the valve element begins to move.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the comparing and stopping steps comprise:

comparing the measured number of turns of the motor with the predetermined number of turns the motor makes before the valve element begins to move; and

stopping the motor when the measured number of turns is approximately equal to the predetermined number of turns.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one component also comprises a gearbox which is connected between the motor and the valve element, and wherein the value depends on the gearbox ratio of the gearbox.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one component comprises a drive shaft and the movement parameter comprises a number of turns of the drive shaft.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the value comprises an approximate number of turns the drive shaft makes before the valve element begins to move.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the comparing and stopping steps comprise:

comparing the measured number of turns of the drive shaft with the predetermined number of turns the drive shaft makes before the valve element begins to move; and

stopping the motor when the measured number of turns is approximately equal to the predetermined number of turns.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one component comprises a valve spindle and the movement parameter comprises a linear position of the valve spindle.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the value comprises an approximate distance the valve spindle can travel before the valve element begins to move.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the comparing and stopping steps comprise:

comparing the measured distance of the valve spindle with the predetermined distance the valve spindle can travel before the valve element begins to move; and

stopping the motor when the measured distance is approximately equal to the predetermined distance.

13. The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one component comprises a valve spindle and the movement parameter comprises a linear movement of the valve spindle.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the value comprises a steady movement of the valve spindle.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the comparing and stopping steps comprise:

comparing the linear movement of the valve spindle with the steady movement; and

stopping the motor when the measured linear movement is approximately equal to the steady movement.

16. The method of claim 2 , wherein the movement parameter comprises a moment on the motor.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the value comprises an approximate moment on the motor when the valve element begins to move.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the comparing and stopping steps comprise:

comparing the measured moment on the motor with the predetermined moment on the motor when the valve begins to move; and

stopping the motor when the measured moment is approximately equal to the predetermined moment.