Valve diagnostic environmental data acquisitioner
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 121,776 filed Sep. 15, 1993, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the testing of valves, and more particularly, to the acquisition of characteristic environmental data regarding valves in the field. 
     During the past few years, the nuclear industry has placed increased emphasis on valve operability. One area of concern relates to the effects of adverse environmental factors on valve operability. Additionally, operation of motor-operated valves and stem leakage from all valve types contribute to plant heat and humidity. This can be particularly important in areas accessible by plant personnel, areas containing safety grade process instrumentation and containment. Containment safety analysis may be violated if ambient temperature or humidity exceed the initial conditions assumed in the analysis. 
     Monitoring temperature and humidity proximate to valves undergoing routine testing provides a means of determining whether valve performance has been affected by a change in these factors. Additionally, an increase in the ambient temperature or humidity immediately adjacent to a valve may indicate excessive stem leakage or motor currents. 
     The petrochemical industry is required to monitor valve emissions for compliance with the Clean Air Act. Existing technology does not combine the methods of operational valve testing to valve emission testing. 
     A known approach to valve diagnostics includes operating a valve with a test program while obtaining accurate measurements of, for example, stem thrust or displacement. Such an approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,692 (Fitzgerald) which is herein incorporated by reference. By analyzing the relationship of stem thrust, movement, or similar performance variable to the independent energizing variable certain valve behaviors indicative of reliability can be inferred. However, the known approaches do not analyze the relationship between such performance variables and environmental factors to establish valve behaviors indicative of reliability. Additionally, the known approaches do not analyze the relationship between valve emissions and valve performance variables. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a data acquisition system by which environmental parameters proximate to plant installed valves may be monitored and recorded. 
     It is a particular object of the invention to provide a system for comparing such environmental data to stem displacement and actuating variable data. 
     It is a further object that such system be portable and readily deployed for use by technicians in the field, without the need to disconnect the valve from the process line. 
     The system in accordance with the invention includes means for sensing the environmental parameters, means for sensing changes in the actuating variable and means for sensing stem displacement. Means responsive to the environmental sensing means, means responsive to the actuating variable sensing means and means responsive to the stem displacement sensing means are utilized to generate data commensurate with changes in the environmental parameter, actuating variable and stem displacement respectively. First, second and third data interfaces are utilized to digitize the sensed environmental data, actuating variable data and stem displacement. The digitized data are stored, preferably with a computer and associated random access memory, and can later be uploaded for use in, for example, the plant database system. 
     In the preferred embodiment for use with pneumatically operated valves, the environmental sensor, stem displacement sensor, air pressure transducer and first, second and third interface means, computer, a key-board, and a battery power pack are all mounted within a suitcase-size portable box or container. Alternatively, the sensors or other components may be connected to the computer and interface means within the container, but removable during inspection for convenient positioning near the valve. 
     In a general sense, the invention is directed to a method of acquiring characteristic environmental, pressure and stem displacement data from a pneumatic operated valve, recording such data and correlating the environmental data to the pressure and stem displacement data. 
     It should be appreciated that valve performance is influenced by ambient temperature and humidity. Changes in valve performance cannot be fully evaluated without comparing test environmental data with base line environmental data. The invention provides a record of the environmental data for comparison to base line data. Additionally, real time recordation of environmental data during valve testing will allow the technician to detect variations in valve performance due to changes in the environmental conditions during testing. 
     It should be further appreciated that valves emit heat, humidity, gases and vapors that impact the environment. Such emissions will vary over time and with valve usage. 
     The invention provides a means of systematic recordation of environmental data during valve testing. Such records will provide a basis for establishing maintenance intervals and requirements. Additionally, tile records may be used to satisfy statutory reporting requirements for airborne contaminants for example, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen flouride or nitrogen dioxide. The records may be used to verify assumptions utilized in nuclear power plant safety analysis and to determine when such assumptions may be violated. 
     Thus, the present invention is in its most general form, directed to a method of acquiring characteristic data regarding a valve that is connected to a process flow line in a plant, the valve having an actuator, a stem that is displaced in response to a change in the actuating variable, and means responsive to the stem displacement for adjusting the flow through the line, wherein the characteristic data include the environmental data, actuating variable and stem displacement. The key aspect of the invention is recordation of the environmental data and the correlation of the environmental data with the actuating variable and stem displacement data. 
     The valve data acquisition system in accordance with the invention is capable of obtaining signature traces. Off-nominal conditions of the valve which can affect the acquired data include a bent stem or other sources of excessive friction, deteriorating seals (packing) in the valve or operator, or a change in the zero position, due, for example, to a worn seat. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a valve database system with which the data acquisition system of the present invention would be employed; and 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the system in accordance with the present invention in use for acquiring data on a pneumatic operated valve. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the context in which the present invention finds its most advantageous use. The underlying utility is that environmental data proximate to a valve can be correlated with valve stem displacement data and valve actuating variable data. A plant valve diagnostic system 1 includes a multiplicity of individual valves, one of which is shown at 2, an individual valve data acquisition system 3, and a data analysis system 4. 
     A pneumatically operated valve 2 is shown connected to a process line 5 in, for example, a nuclear power plant. The valve 2 includes a body 20 containing a sealable passage through which line fluid may flow, and an operator 22 including a stem 24 for positioning sealing means in the passage and an actuator 26 for displacing the stem a stroke distance corresponding to the open and closed position of the sealing means. Typically, whether the valve is designed for an unpressurized open or unpressurized closed condition, the unpressurized or zero condition is maintained at a non-zero pressure to avoid initial lag or zero position drift. Smaller valves typically operate within the range of 3-15 psi, and larger valves in the range of 6-30 psi, with total stroke displacements of the stem ranging from a few inches up to two feet. A spring 28 is typically provided to counterbalance the &#34;zero&#34; pressure of, for example, 3 psi in the chamber 21 which is applied against diaphragm 23 connected to stem 24. A pressure fitting in line 34 is provided for chamber 21, and is connected to a conventional source of pressurized air (not shown). 
     In FIG. 1, a sensor line 32 is shown having a connection at one end to fitting 34 for sensing the operator pressure, a sensor line 6 is shown generally leading to the valve yoke 25 for sensing the stem displacement and a sensor line 7 is shown generally leading to an environmental sensor 8 located proximate to the valve 2. Alternatively, multiple environmental parameters may be monitored as shown by sensor line 7&#39; and environmental sensor 8&#39;. 
     Lines 32, 7 and 6, environmental sensor 8 and the associated signal processing and data storage hardware within system 3, constitute the subject matter of the present invention. The technician can use one portable acquisition system 3 to collect data one valve at a time, with the collected data being automatically stored for later downloading, e.g., through line 36 to the actual signature trace data processing 13 of the analysis system 4. The signature or characteristic trace data of a particular valve can be combined with design data contained in block 11 and information about the plant specific valves as contained in block 12, by the diagnostic program to help the plant operator identify valves that need immediate attention, plan a maintenance and replacement strategy, or otherwise monitor the condition of the inventory of on-line valves in the plant. 
     FIG. 2 shows the data acquisition system 3 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. A suitcase-size insulated container 40 preferably carries an air pressure transducer 42 which is connected through line 32 and fitting 34 to the operator 26 of the valve 2 and associated transmitter 43. The pressure transmitter 43 is connected to a computer or processor 45 which includes a digital storage memory, for example, 32K RAM. A battery pack 47 is also carried within the container 40 with sufficient power to operate the computer, transducers and other equipment to be described below, continuously for a period of one to three days. 
     A human interface such as a keyboard 51 including CPU display 52 is connected to computer 45 and may either be permanently mounted within the container 40 or optionally be carried in the container only when not in use, and connectable through a plug or the like to the computer for use. The keyboard preferably has an alphanumeric set of keys by which the technician can record specific information concerning the appearance or operation of the valve, into the storage memory. Preprogrammed function keys such as &#34;F1&#34; can facilitate such recording. 
     Any type of stem displacement sensing device 58 is connected to the computer through line 6. Examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,056,046 and 5,231,469. 
     As a reliable technique for assuring that the measured stem displacement will be associated with the correct valve, a bar code reader 59 coupled to the computer 45 can be used to scan an attached marker 54, thereby acquiring valve identification from the bar code 55. This also assures that the code must be scanned by the technician; the technician cannot use &#34;old&#34; data. 
     The identification data can be required as a prerequisite to the initiation of the environmental, pressure and displacement data, by means of control through the keyboard 51. The keyboard can be used for setting the rate at which the pressure and displacement data are sensed and/or stored. Furthermore, the keyboard can provide for setting the duration of time during which data are generated and stored.