Valve tester control enhancements

Abstract

A valve tester system is disclosed that comprises a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve. The valve tester assembly may include a support, a rotation element mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event, a control element for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation element, and an element for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. In some embodiments of the invention, the element for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. In some embodiments, the GPS receiver is integral with the control element.

1 . A valve tester system comprising:
 a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve, comprising:
 a support; 
 rotation means mounted on the support for rotating a valve during a rotation event; 
 control means for controlling aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the rotation means; and 
 means for detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. 
   
   
   
       2 . The valve tester system of  claim 1  wherein the means for detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signal receiver. 
   
   
       3 . The valve tester system of  claim 2  wherein the GPS signal receiver is integral with the control means. 
   
   
       4 . The valve tester system of  claim 2  wherein the GPS receiver is separable from the control means and is configured to communicate with the control means. 
   
   
       5 . The valve tester system of  claim 1  wherein the valve tester assembly includes means for recording the location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event. 
   
   
       6 . The valve tester system of  claim 1  wherein the valve tester assembly includes data storage. 
   
   
       7 . The valve tester system of  claim 1  wherein the data storage includes rotation parameter data associated with at least two types of valves. 
   
   
       8 . The valve tester system of  claim 1  additionally comprising an articulated arm assembly for mounting the support of the valve tester assembly to a vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . A valve tester system comprising:
 a valve tester assembly for rotating a valve stem of a valve, comprising:
 a support; 
 a motor mounted on the support and configured to rotate a valve during a rotation event; 
 a controller configured to control aspects of the rotation event of the valve by the motor; and 
 a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signal receiver configured to detect a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve. 
   
   
   
       10 . The valve tester system of  claim 9  wherein the GPS signal receiver is integral with the controller. 
   
   
       11 . The valve tester system of  claim 9  wherein the GPS signal receiver is separable from the controller and is configured to communicate with the controller means. 
   
   
       12 . The valve tester system of  claim 9  wherein the valve tester assembly includes data storage configured to record the location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event. 
   
   
       13 . The valve tester system of  claim 9  wherein the data storage includes rotation parameter data associated with at least two types of valves. 
   
   
       14 . The valve tester system of  claim 9  additionally comprising an articulated arm assembly for mounting the support of the valve tester assembly to a vehicle. 
   
   
       15 . A method of testing a valve, comprising:
 positioning a valve tester assembly above the valve;   engaging the valve with the valve tester assembly;   rotating the valve using the valve tester assembly during a rotation event; and   detecting a location of the valve tester assembly during the rotation event of the valve.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of detecting the location of the valve tester assembly includes receiving a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signal using a GPS signal receiver. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of receiving a GPS signal by the GPS signal receiver is performed while the valve tester assembly is rotating the valve. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of detecting the location of the valve tester assembly further includes recording the detected location in memory of the valve tester assembly.