IP Library Granted Patent US 8,924,028
Granted Patent B2
US 8,924,028 · App. 13/195,258 · Granted Dec 30, 2014

Battery-powered control valve and operation thereof

Inventors: Paul C. Neilson (Denver, CO); Paraj Jivan Kayande (Calgary, CA)
Assignee: Control Microsystems, Inc.
G05D16/2013
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,924,028
App. No.
13/195,258
Granted
Dec 30, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method. The method may include receiving an instruction to actuate a valve. The method may also include receiving a first period of time. The method may also include applying energy to the valve for the first period of time. The method may also include comparing a first state of the valve with a state in the instruction. The method may also include determining a second period of time by increasing the first period of time. The method may also include applying energy to the valve for the second period of time. The method may also include determining that a second state of the valve matches the state in the instruction.

Claims (63)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a communication device, an instruction to actuate a valve;

receiving, by a processing unit, a first period of time;

applying, by the processing unit, energy to the valve for the first period of time;

comparing, by the processing unit, a first state of the valve with a state in the instruction to determine if the valve is open or closed;

determining, by the processing unit, a second period of time by increasing the first period of time;

applying, by the processing unit, energy to the valve for the second period of time; and

determining, by the processing unit, that a second state of the valve matches the state in the instruction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction to actuate further comprises:

receiving an instruction to open the valve.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction to actuate further comprises:

receiving an instruction to close the valve.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the instruction to actuate further comprises:

receiving the instruction through wireless communication.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the first period of time further comprises:

retrieving a default period of time associated with actuating the valve to the state in he instruction.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein receiving the default period of time further comprises:

retrieving a period about 10 ms.

7. The method of claim 5 , herein receiving the default period of time further comprises:

retrieving a period of about 30 ms.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the first period of time further comprises:

retrieving a period of time previously used to actuate the valve to the state in the instruction.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the energy to the valve further comprises:

applying current to a coil of a solenoid latching valve.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the energy to the valve further comprises:

charging a capacitor with energy from a non-rechargeable battery; and

applying current to the valve using energy from the capacitor.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the first state of the valve with the state in the instruction further comprises:

determining that the first state of the valve does not match the state in the instruction.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the first state of the valve with the state in the instruction further comprises:

determining, by a pressure sensor, a pressure in an area adjacent to the valve;

determining, by the processing unit, the first state of the valve based at least in part on the pressure; and

determining, by the processing unit, that the first state of the valve does not match the state in the instruction.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second period of time further comprises;

increasing the first period of time by a fixed period of time.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second period of time further comprises:

increasing the first period of time by a percentage.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the second state of the valve matches the state in the instruction further comprises:

overwriting the first period of time with the second period of time.

16. A method comprising:

receiving, by a communication device, an instruction to actuate a valve;

receiving, by a processing unit, a first period of time;

applying, by the processing unit, energy to the valve for the first period of time;

determining, by a pressure sensor, a pressure in an area adjacent to the valve;

determining, by the processing unit, a first state of the valve based on a comparison between the pressure and a threshold, the first state being one of open and closed;

comparing, by the processing unit, the first state of the valve with the state in the instruction;

determining, by the processing unit, a second period of time by increasing the first period of time;

applying, by the processing unit, energy to the valve for the second period of time; and

determining, by the processing unit, that a second state of the valve matches the state in the instruction.

17. A system comprising:

a communication device that receives an instruction to actuate a valve from a remote unit;

a processing

a battery;

a capacitor;

a pressure sensor; and

a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to:

receive a first period of time;

operate the battery and the capacitor to apply energy to a valve for he first period of time;

determine a first state of the valve based on a comparison between a threshold and a pressure measurement from the pressure sensor disposed in a gas outlet adjacent to the valve to determine if the valve is one of open and closed;

determine the first state of the valve does not match a state in the instruction;

determine a second period of time by increasing the first period of time;

operate the battery and the capacitor to apply energy to the valve for the second period of time; and

determine a second state of e valve matches the state in the instruction.

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Jul 25, 2019
From: CONTROL MICROSYSTEMS INC.
To: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 049862/0032 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2017
From: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOFTWARE CANADA INC.
To: CONTROL MICROSYSTEMS INC.
Reel/Frame 043032/0157 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2017
From: CONTROL MICROSYSTEMS INC.
To: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOFTWARE CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 041415/0100 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2011
From: NEILSON, PAUL C.; KAYANDE, PARAJ JIVAN
To: CONTROL MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 027065/0751 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130035796A1 · Feb 7, 2013