Patent ID: 6597290
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A valve-position output apparatus comprising:an interlocking member arranged to move in sync with open and close operations of a valve; a position detecting aperture formed in said interlocking member; an optical encoder having a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section which are arranged opposed to each other with interposing said interlocking member therebetween; digital valve-position signal generating means for generating a digital valve-position signal on the basis of a signal from said optical encoder; and abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality to generate an alarm signal, by judging whether said valve is located in a transition angle defined between a fully opened valve-position and fully closed valve-position on the basis of said digital valve-position signal from said digital valve-position signal generating means and whether the time period in said transition angle exceeds a predetermined time, wherein said abnormality determining means determines said abnormality when said valve is located in said transition angle and said time period in said transition angle exceeds said predetermined time.