Valve Health Monitoring System

ABSTRACT: The goal of the Phase II SBIR project is to develop a practical valve health monitoring system for control valves that are utilized at AEDC facilities. The technical problem addressed is the impact of unplanned valve maintenance or valve failure on wind tunnel operations at AEDC. Valve issues include but are not limited to leakage, loose linkages, faulty sensors, worn valve bearings, and jammed seats. The system will gather and analyze valve control signals to diagnose, predict, and prioritize potential failures using algorithms investigated during Phase I and finalized during Phase II. The system will also be capable of taking advantage of optional sensors, if available, such accelerometers, pressure transducers, and temperature sensors. An interactive Graphical User Interface will guide the user through the data collection and analysis process. The system will determine readiness of valves and will characterize faults, help prioritize maintenance, and predict remaining useful life of valves and valve components. The Phase I effort was guided by a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), a finite element analysis, and extensive testing. System feasibility was demonstrated, and the prospects are excellent for delivering a useful prototype valve monitoring system at the conclusion of the Phase II project. BENEFIT: Successful implementation of the valve heath monitoring algorithms will have significant use in both military and commercial facilities such as power plants, refineries, water treatment plants, and general industry. While many commercial companies focus on rotating machinery health management systems, the same effort in the valve area is lacking, and would be particularly useful for valves in the refining and power industries.