METHOD OF CAVITATION/FLASHING DETECTION IN OR NEAR PROCESS CONTROL VALVE Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC F16K37/00 G01N29/02 G01N29/14 

FIELD: machine parts and assemblies.

SUBSTANCE: use: for detecting and monitoring cavitation within a flow control device, such as a control valve. Summary of the invention is that a system and a device for detecting and monitoring cavitation within a flow control device, such as a control valve, comprises an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the flow control device in a manner to acquire acoustic signals caused by cavitation. Processor receives acoustic information from the acoustic emission sensor. Processor selectively identifies cavitation events from the acoustic information that meet certain predefined criteria. Cavitation levels are monitored based on at least one of the following: rate of cavitation events and intensity of individual cavitation events. Cavitation levels may be used to identify the presence of cavitation in the flow control device, to track accumulated cavitation in the flow control device, and/or to identify significant changes in the cavitation levels over time. This information may be used to reduce cavitation, estimate repair and maintenance, and/or monitor performance of the flow control device.

EFFECT: technical result: enabling to accurately predict when a particular valve or other component of equipment will require repair, until replacement, before the production line stops and will be open.

25 cl, 7 dwg