Patent ID: 6125868
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for maintaining valves in a water distribution system, comprising the steps of:(a) preparing an individual description of each known valve in the system and the location of each valve;(b) assigning an individual identifying symbol to each valve;(c) loading into a computer database information for each valve, including the identifying symbol and the valve's individual description and location;(d) positioning each valve's individual identifying symbol in association with the valve at its location;(e) selecting a group of valves in the system to define an inspection route;(f) loading into a portable computer a record of information defining the inspection route and the identifying symbol, individual description and location for each valve on the route;(g) transporting to a location of a selected valve on the inspection route a valve turning machine, including an identification reader, a timer, and the portable computer;(h) identifying an operator of the turning machine on the record in the portable computer;(i) identifying with the identification reader the selected valve by means of the identifying symbol;(j) recording the identifying symbol in the portable computer;(k) connecting the turning machine to the stem of the selected valve;(l) turning in a selected direction the stem of the selected valve;(m) counting the number of revolutions of the valve stem in the selected direction and recording the number in the portable computer;(n) recording in the portable computer the elapsed time for each revolution of the valve stem in the selected direction;(o) placing the selected valve in the desired position for the valve in the system;(p) recording the condition of the selected valve in the portable computer;(q) inspecting each succeeding valve on the inspection route and repeating steps (h) through (p) of the inspection procedure at each valve;(r) downloading into the database the information collected at each valve inspected on the inspection route; and(s) reviewing the database to select valves for repair.