Angela Elaine Summers

US Patent:

6435202, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Jun 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/891153

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

Triconix Systems, Inc. - La Marque TX

International Classification:

F16K 3102

US Classification:

137 1, 137557, 251 26, 251 3001, 60403

Abstract:

A binary voting solenoid arrangement is provided which operates in a â2 out of 3â 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 arrangements â and â are preferably used in a three-way configuration, while solenoid ââ may be used in a two-way configuration.

US Patent:

6550314, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/811735

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01M 308

US Classification:

73 46, 137312

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals. The apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor and a vent valve, wherein the vent valve is in fluid communication with the isolation valves inner cavity to permit venting of process pressure accumulated within the inner cavity to an external environment when the vent valve is opened; and wherein when the vent valve is closed, the pressure sensor will measure a resulting difference in fluid pressure within the cavity, the pressure difference being indicative of the integrity of the upstream and downstream seals. The present invention also provides a method of employing the apparatus in association with commercial and industrial fluid transport systems wherein the inner cavity can be vented under full on-line process pressure.

US Patent:

6704682, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Jul 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/901213

Inventors:

Angela E. Summers - Houston TX 77062-8032
Bryan A. Zachary - Houston TX 77062-8032

International Classification:

G01L 1100

US Classification:

702138, 702 50, 700301, 340611, 340626

Abstract:

A high-diagnostic, dual sensor pressure switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and whether pressure sensors are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual pressure sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual pressure sensors electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large pressure deviations between the sensors. Each of the A/D converters digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High). Each of the digital output signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent output circuits, each of which either opens or closes an associated output switch responsive to the CPUs logically evaluated output signals. Each of the plurality of output switches is connected in series with the output switches of the other output circuit(s), and the output signals are voted across the series in a one-out-of-two architecture to determine whether the devices pressure switch output circuit will either open or remain closed.

US Patent:

6722383, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jan 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/756844

Inventors:

Angela Summers - Houston TX 77062-8032
Bryan Zachary - Houston TX 77062-8032

International Classification:

E03B 100

US Classification:

137 1, 700275, 700282

Abstract:

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 either a â1 out of 1 with hot stand-byâ operational mode or a â2 out of 2 with high diagnosticsâ operational mode may be selected by an operator using a logic control system depending on the technical requirements of a given plant environment. 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.

US Patent:

6820465, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Feb 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/359863

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01M 308

US Classification:

73 46, 137312

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals. The apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor and a vent valve, wherein the vent valve is in fluid communication with the isolation valves inner cavity to permit venting of process pressure accumulated within the inner cavity to an external environment when the vent valve is opened; and wherein when the vent valve is closed, the pressure sensor will measure a resulting difference in fluid pressure within the cavity, the pressure difference being indicative of the integrity of the upstream and downstream seals. The present invention also provides a method of employing the apparatus in association with commercial and industrial fluid transport systems wherein the inner cavity can be vented under full on-line process pressure.

US Patent:

6862914, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/663588

Inventors:

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

International Classification:

G01L015/00
G01M019/02

US Classification:

73 172, 73 171, 25112909, 25112915, 137557, 137559

Abstract:

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 either a “1 out of 1 with hot stand-by” operational mode or a “2 out of 2 with high diagnostics” operational mode may be selected by an operator using a logic control system depending on the technical requirements of a given plant environment. 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.

US Patent:

6965840, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/664502

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01K013/00
G05D023/00

US Classification:

702130, 702 50, 700299, 340501

Abstract:

A high-diagnostic, dual sensor process temperature switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and for determining whether individual temperature sensors within the device are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual temperature sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual temperature sensors' electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large temperature deviations between the respective sensors. Each of the A/D converters' digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High). Each of the digital output signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent output circuits, each of which either opens or closes an associated output switch responsive to the CPUs' logically evaluated output signals.

US Patent:

7107822, Sep 19, 2006

Filed:

Sep 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/949646

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G01M 3/28

US Classification:

73 46, 73 40, 137312, 137557

Abstract:

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.