Good day everyone,
I am searching for a quick solution for a valve opening indicator onboard a ship. This butterfly valve is placed in the bilges(bottom most point in the ship). In general the vicinity is subjected to sea water. Hence we need a rugged, non contact valve remote indicator.
Regards
Probhat
Hi,
So the valve is a 90Deg turn, ON to OFF?
Two inductive sensors to sense the open or closed position of an arm (It may already have one) connected to the valve shaft.
Two sensors to sense a circuit fault, the valve has to be either fully open or fully closed?
So you will see one sensor or the other, no sensor is at fault.
Both sensors OFF transitioning from one state to the other but continuously in this state means a fault.
Both sensors ON, you have a circuit fault.
I would suggest you get industrial type inductive sensors, with suitable IP rating for submerged operation.
You need t o chat with an industrial sensor supplier about your application.
Tom... 
I was thinking of a reed switch based sensor as this sensors are generally non contact type. Magnet can be put on valve spindle and waterproof reed valve can be placed in the open condition of the valve. I just need ON/OFF indicator.
I m not very good in fluid dynamics but I have a secondary plan to put a pressure sensor in the valve discharge(above the sea water line). Increase in pressure should mean opening of valve. Right?
Hello
Please check SOLAS regulations first and ask a representative of the class for which the ship has been certified.
I agree with the others. You don't want to rely on a home-made Arduino-based solution for something safety critical like this.
If this is only for your personal learning or interest, and there is another safety system monitoring this valve, then that's ok, as long as your experiment does not interfere with the operation of the existing system.
Hi,
So are inductive sensors and would be much safer, reliable and easy to fit that glass encapsulated switches that need a magnet.
Inductive sensors do not need magnets, they detect metal/steel.
The corrosive properties of the environment would be a large factor in component choice.
Tom....
Yes Paul, its an additional indicator. Presently there is no indication.
Any inductive sensor you can recommend Tom,?
Then an indicator based on Arduino would not be an "additional" indicator, would it?
The primary indicator should be professionally designed and installed if there are any safety implications.
There is a mechanical contact indicator which is faulty. I ll upload the schematic soon.
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