Current-Signature Sensor for Diagnosing Solenoid Valves

The "smart" current-signature sensor is an instrument that noninvasively measures and analyzes steady-state and transient components of the magnetic field of (and, thus, indirectly, the electric current in) a solenoid valve during normal operation. The instrument is being developed to enable continuous monitoring of integrity and operational status of solenoid valves without need for interrupting operation to conduct frequent inspections. The instrument is expected to be capable of warning of imminent solenoid-valve failures so that preventive repairs can be performed. The basic instrument concept should also be adaptable to similar monitoring of electromechanical devices, other than solenoid valves, that are required to be highly reliable.