| US 7,584,643 B2 | ||
| Method for testing the functionality of an actuator, especially of an actuator of a safety valve | ||
| Heinfried Hoffman, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) | ||
| Assigned to Samson AG, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 26, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/340,314. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 10 2005 004 477 (DE), filed on Jan. 31, 2005. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0185418 A1, Aug. 24, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. G01L 27/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 73—1.72 | 15 Claims |
| 1. Method for testing the functionality of a valve actuator movable along an actuated path in an actuating system in a safety-oriented
circuit in which the partial stroke test method is used, a drive for driving a valve rod drive element (8) which includes a spindle, said valve rod drive element movable over a portion of its actuating path to test functionality,
comprising the steps of:
driving said actuator within permitted limits to prevent the actuating system from closing too far;
limiting said actuating path of said valve rod drive element (8) with a mechanical stop (15), said mechanical stop includes a movable cam (16) which engages said spindle of said valve rod drive element (8), said cam (16) is moved by a pneumatic cylinder (17); and,
pushing said mechanical stop (15) and said cam (16) into said actuating path of said valve rod drive element (8) so that a maximum test stroke or a maximum test angle is not exceeded.
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