Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a valve

1. A method for use with a pumping system, the method comprising:

receiving a pump command signal for starting a pump;

initiating a valve command signal for opening a valve, in response to the receiving the pump command signal;

receiving a first valve sensor signal, from a sensor coupled to the valve, indicating that the valve is open;

initiating a pump start command signal, in response to the received first valve sensor signal indicating that the valve is open;

initiating a pump stop command;

receiving a pump signal indicating that the pump has stopped;

sending a close valve signal to close the valve;

receiving a second valve sensor signal indicating that the valve is not closed; and

generating an error signal in response to the second valve sensor signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pump command signal is configured to initiate a pump forward pumping operation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pump command signal is configured to initiate a pump reverse pumping operation.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

opening the valve, in response to the valve command signal; and

powering the pump, in response to the pump start command signal.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

pumping a material, via the powered pump, through the valve.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a hydraulic valve and wherein the valve is coupled to a gas valve, the method further comprising:

regulating flow of gas between the gas valve and the valve, in response to the valve command signal.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the error signal is either a visual or an audio indicator.

8. A pumping system comprising:

control circuitry configured to:

receive a pump command signal for starting a pump;

initiate a valve command signal for opening a valve, in response to the pump command signal;

receive a first valve sensor signal, from a sensor coupled to the valve, indicating that the valve is either open or closed;

initiate a pump start command signal for starting the pump, in response to the received first valve sensor signal indicating that the valve is open; and

generate an error signal, in response to the received first valve sensor signal indicating that the valve is closed.

9. The pumping system of claim 8 , further comprising:

the pump fluidly coupled to the valve.

10. The pumping system of claim 9 , further comprising:

the sensor, which is configured to generate the valve sensor signal.

11. The pumping system of claim 9 , wherein the valve includes an actuator, the pumping system further comprising:

a gas valve coupled to the actuator and configured to actuate the valve into either an open or closed position.

12. The pumping system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a boom truck comprising:

a frame;

a boom system coupled to the frame, wherein the boom system includes a plurality of boom sections; and

a material pumping system coupled to the frame, wherein the material pumping system includes:

the pump,

a plurality of pipes, each pipe coupled to at least one of the plurality of boom sections and each pipe coupled to at least one other pipe to form a pumping conduit,

the valve coupled to the pumping conduit, and

a sensor coupled to the valve and configured to generate the first valve sensor signal.

13. The pumping system of claim 12 wherein the valve is either a knife valve or a clamp valve.

14. The pumping system of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is a position sensor.

15. The pumping system of claim 12 , wherein the material pumping system further includes a hose fluidly coupled to the plurality of pipes.

16. The pumping system of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

initiate a pump stop command;

receive a second valve sensor signal indicating that the valve is not closed; and

generate an error signal in response to the second valve sensor signal.

17. The pumping system of claim 9 , wherein the error signal is either a visual or an audio indicator.