Apparatus and method for direct measurement of reciprocating compressor rider band wear

1. A valve assembly for use in a reciprocating compressor, the valve assembly comprising:

a valve cage surrounding a valve in the valve assembly, the valve cage adjacent to a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston, a piston rod, and a rider band positioned on the piston; and

a distance transducer probe extending through a valve cover into the valve cage, wherein the probe is configured to measure a distance between the piston and the distance transducer probe, the distance being indicative of wear of the rider band.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distance transducer probe is further configured to output the distance measurement in the form of an electrical signal.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a computer device configured to:

receive a plurality of distance measurements over time;

determine a difference in the measured distances over time; and

translate the difference in measured distances over time into an indication of the rider band wear.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3 , further including an outputting device configured to output an electrical output indicative of the wear of the rider band.

5. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distance transducer probe is an eddy current transducer which emits an electronic field, the field changing in response to the piston assembly being introduced into a sensor area, and measures the distance between the piston and distance transducer probe based on the change in the electronic field.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distance transducer probe extends through substantially a center of the valve cage.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the valve cover includes a vent.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distance transducer probe extends through the valve cover at a substantially 90° angle relative to the valve cover.

9. A reciprocating compressor comprising:

a piston assembly including a piston, a piston rod, and a rider band positioned on the piston; and

a compressor valve assembly including:

a valve cage surrounding a valve in the valve assembly, the valve cage adjacent to the piston assembly; and

a distance transducer probe extending through a valve cover into the valve cage, wherein the probe is configured to measure a distance between the piston and the distance transducer probe, the distance being indicative of wear of the rider band.

10. The reciprocating compressor of claim 9 , wherein the distance transducer probe is further configured to output the distance measurement in the form of an electrical signal.

11. The reciprocating compressor of claim 10 , further comprising a computer device configured to:

receive a plurality of distance measurements over time;

determine a difference in the measured distances over time; and

translate the difference in measured distances over time into an indication of the rider band wear.

12. The reciprocating compressor of claim 11 , further including an outputting device configured to output an electrical output indicative of the wear of the rider band.

13. The reciprocating compressor of claim 9 , wherein the distance transducer probe is an eddy current transducer which emits an electronic field, the field changing in response to the piston assembly being introduced into a sensor area, and measures the distance between the piston and distance transducer probe based on the change in the electronic field.

14. The reciprocating compressor of claim 9 , wherein the distance transducer probe extends through the valve cover at a substantially 90° angle relative to the valve cover.

15. A method for direct measurement of rider band wear in a valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor, the method comprising:

inserting a distance transducer probe through a valve cover into a valve cage surrounding a valve in the valve assembly such that a tip of the probe is proximate to a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston, a piston rod, and a rider band positioned on the piston;

using the distance transducer probe to measure a distance between the piston and the distance transducer probe; and

determining wear of the rider band based on the distance.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the distance transducer probe outputs the distance measurement in the form of an electrical signal.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the determining further comprises:

receiving, on a computer device, a plurality of distance measurements over time;

determining a difference in the measured distances over time; and

translating the difference in measured distances over time into an indication of the rider band wear.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising outputting an electrical output indicative of the wear of the rider band.