Bryan A Zachary, 37Denham Springs, LA

7107822, Sep 19, 2006

Sep 24, 2004

10/949646

Bryan A. Zachary - Alvin TX, US
Angela E. Summers - Houston TX, US

Sis-Tech Applications, L.P. - Houston TX

G01M 3/28

73 46, 73 40, 137312, 137557

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the apparatus includes an isolation valve having at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow diverter; an inner cavity isolated from a fluid flow path by the seals; a vent port disposed in fluid communication with the inner cavity; a vent valve disposed in fluid communication with the vent port; and a differential pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with both the vent port and the fluid flow path. Also disclosed is a method of on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the method includes disposing at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow path, and a fluid flow diverter in mutual fluid communication; isolating an inner cavity from the fluid flow path by means of the seals; disposing a vent port in fluid communication with the inner cavity; disposing a vent valve in fluid communication with the vent port; and disposing a differential pressure sensor in fluid communication with both the vent port and the fluid flow path. The method can also be used to detect the presence of a defective fluid flow diverter while an associated fluid transport system remains on-line.

7499761, Mar 3, 2009

Oct 1, 2004

10/957393

Bryan Zachary - Alvin TX, US
Angela Summers - Houston TX, US

Sis-Tech Applications, L.P. - Houston TX

G05B 11/01
E03B 1/00
E03B 7/07
F16K 37/00
F17D 3/00
G01L 27/00

700 19, 700275, 700282, 700301, 137 1, 137557, 137559, 73 171, 73 172

A variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus is provide, wherein the apparatus includes a first solenoid-operated valve, a second solenoid-operated valve and a bypass valve disposed in mutual fluid communication, wherein one or more of said first solenoid-operated valve, said second solenoid-operated valve and said bypass valve further comprises one or more air-to-move valve actuators; an air supply for delivering a supply of compressed air to said one or more air-to-move valve actuators; a plurality of pressure sensors, including a first pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with said first solenoid-operated valve, a second pressure sensor in fluid communication with said second solenoid-operated valve, and a third pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with said bypass valve; and an exhaust vent for venting pressure accumulated within one or more of said first solenoid-operated valve, said second solenoid-operated valve and said bypass valve to an external environment. Numerous alternative embodiments of the apparatus and testing methods therefor are also provided.

2005001, Jan 27, 2005

Apr 20, 2004

10/828361

Bryan Zachary - Alvin TX, US
Angela Summers - Houston TX, US

E03B001/00
F17D001/00
F17D003/00
G01M003/02

073037000

A variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus is provided having both high safety availability and high plant reliability that does not require a plant system to be bypassed during testing. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus wherein initiation of a safety action will occur only if each of a pair of operatively associated solenoid-operated valves in the apparatus are actuated, and wherein either of the solenoid valves can singly default to a pre-designated safety action without inadvertently actuating the process valve and isolating or venting the process fluid. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus, wherein a plurality of pressure sensing devices are incorporated to detect failure of either of a pair of operatively associated solenoid-operated valves so as to prevent inadvertent initiation of a safety action, and wherein a bypass switch is provided to allow on-line maintenance of the device should one of the solenoid valves fail during operation or when a failure is detected during a testing cycle. Finally, a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus is provided, wherein diagnostic information on the performance of the safety action, a partial movement of the process valve can be executed to prove the process valve is capable of actuating to the safe state, can be ascertained with either operational mode using a logic control system depending on the technical requirements of a given plant environment.

6155282, Dec 5, 2000

Jan 19, 1999

9/233406

Bryan A. Zachary - Alvin TX
Angela E. Summers - Houston TX

Triconex, Incorporated - Irvine CA

F16K 3102

137 1

A binary voting solenoid arrangement 10 is provided which operates in a "2 out of 3" manner to provide relatively high safety, low spurious tripping and a relatively low installation cost, while also enabling on-line testing of each solenoid individually without process interruption. Solenoid arrangement 10 is preferably manifolded (not shown), to facilitate maintenance on any detected failure, and to simplify installation and replacement.