Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the functional status of an electromagnetic valve having a solenoid and plunger including determining the electro-mechanical switching time of a valve based on characteristics of an electrical characteristic responsive to the solenoid; comparing the valve electro-mechanical switching time to a predetermined value; and generating a valve status signal dependant on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the functional status of an electromagnetic valve having a solenoid and plunger including determining the electromechanical switching time of a valve based on characteristics of an electrical characteristic responsive to the solenoid; comparing the valve electromechanical switching time to a predetermined value; and generating a valve status signal dependant on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the service life of a cyclic system the method including the steps of determining at least one characteristic of the system to determine a characteristic value and determining a cycle time of the system. The at least characteristic value is applied to an algorithm in which the characterisitic value is integrated to determine a diagnostic value, and comparing the diagnostic value to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. The apparatus including a sensor for determining a system characteristic and a calculating unit operatively connected to the sensor. The calculating unit including circuitry for performing a mathematical integration on the system characteristic to determine a diagnostic value and comparing the diagnostic valve to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. A notification device operatively connected to the calculating unit for indicating the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A circuit board, which includes one or more sensors, is integrated in a fluid control device, such as a valve manifold and a base plate. The fluid control device selectively directs a fluid used to control pneumatic or hydraulic equipment. The sensors are used to measure physical characteristics of the fluid, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature. A flow sensor includes a paddle and a support member. The paddle is disposed at least partially in an orifice and is displaced in response to fluid flow. The support member positions the paddle in the orifice and includes a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauges are disposed on only one side of the support member and are mechanically stressed in response to the paddle being displaced by the fluid flow.

Abstract: A circuit board, which includes one or more sensors, is integrated in a fluid control device, such as a valve manifold and a base plate. The fluid control device selectively directs a fluid used to control pneumatic or hydraulic equipment. The sensors are used to measure physical characteristics of the fluid, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature. A flow sensor includes a paddle and a support member. The paddle is disposed at least partially in an orifice and is displaced in response to fluid flow. The support member positions the paddle in the orifice and includes a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauges are disposed on only one side of the support member and are mechanically stressed in response to the paddle being displaced by the fluid flow.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes sensors connected to a flexible membrane. The sensors detect ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of a medium. A method of sensing flow rate includes providing the flexible membrane; coupling the plurality of sensors to the flexible membrane; and detecting ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the medium by the sensors. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, an operational amplifier, and a closed loop controller. The sensors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The operational amplifier is connected to the Wheatstone bridge and outputs a pressure signal representative of the pressure of the medium. The closed loop controller is connected to the operational amplifier and controls a current through a heating element for a resistor in the bridge such that a voltage across the operational amplifier is substantially zero. The output of the closed loop controller represents the flow rate.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes sensors connected to a flexible membrane. The sensors detect ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of a medium. A method of sensing flow rate includes providing the flexible membrane; coupling the plurality of sensors to the flexible membrane; and detecting ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the medium by the sensors. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, an operational amplifier, and a closed loop controller. The sensors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The operational amplifier is connected to the Wheatstone bridge and outputs a pressure signal representative of the pressure of the medium. The closed loop controller is connected to the operational amplifier and controls a current through a heating element for a resistor in the bridge such that a voltage across the operational amplifier is substantially zero. The output of the closed loop controller represents the flow rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the service life of a cyclic system the method including the steps of determining at least one characteristic of the system to determine a characteristic value and determining a cycle time of the system. The at least characteristic value is applied to an algorithm in which the characterisitic value is integrated to determine a diagnostic value, and comparing the diagnostic value to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. The apparatus including a sensor for determining a system characteristic and a calculating unit operatively connected to the sensor. The calculating unit including circuitry for performing a mathematical integration on the system characteristic to determine a diagnostic value and comparing the diagnostic valve to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. A notification device operatively connected to the calculating unit for indicating the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes a mounting plate, bending plate, and a sensing assembly. The mounting plate is mounted to an internal surface of an air hose. The mounting plate is flexibly coupled to the bending plate, which is displaced in response to the flow of gas. The sensing assembly is positioned on the bending plate and includes a temperature sensor for sensing relatively lower flow rates during a thermal mode, and one or more displacement sensors for sensing relatively higher flow rates during a displacement mode. The temperature sensor outputs a thermal mode signal and the displacement sensors output a displacement mode signal. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, processor, memory, and a computer. The processor is responsive to the thermal and displacement mode signals. The computer is coupled to the processor and controls calibration of the flow sensor.

Abstract: A flow sensor includes a mounting plate, bending plate, and a sensing assembly. The mounting plate is mounted to an internal surface of an air hose. The mounting plate is flexibly coupled to the bending plate, which is displaced in response to the flow of gas. The sensing assembly is positioned on the bending plate and includes a temperature sensor for sensing relatively lower flow rates during a thermal mode, and one or more displacement sensors for sensing relatively higher flow rates during a displacement mode. The temperature sensor outputs a thermal mode signal and the displacement sensors output a displacement mode signal. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, processor, memory, and a computer. The processor is responsive to the thermal and displacement mode signals. The computer is coupled to the processor and controls calibration of the flow sensor.

Abstract: A stackable valve manifold arrangement including a first valve manifold adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The first valve manifold having an upper surface. A second valve manifold is provided which is adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The second valve manifold has a lower surface that is in opposed relationship to the upper surface of the first valve manifold, and the second valve manifold is in fluid communication with the first manifold. The first and second manifolds may each be joined to a circuit board forming a module. The modules are vertically stackable and operatively connected to each other to form a system.

Abstract: A circuit board, which includes one or more sensors, is integrated in a fluid control device, such as a valve manifold and a base plate. The fluid control device selectively directs a fluid used to control pneumatic or hydraulic equipment. The sensors are used to measure physical characteristics of the fluid, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature. A flow sensor includes a paddle and a support member. The paddle is disposed at least partially in an orifice and is displaced in response to fluid flow. The support member positions the paddle in the orifice and includes a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauges are disposed on only one side of the support member and are mechanically stressed in response to the paddle being displaced by the fluid flow.

Abstract: A circuit board, which includes one or more sensors, is integrated in a fluid control device, such as a valve manifold and a base plate. The fluid control device selectively directs a fluid used to control pneumatic or hydraulic equipment. The sensors are used to measure physical characteristics of the fluid, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature.

Abstract: A stackable valve manifold arrangement including a first valve manifold adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The first valve manifold having an upper surface. A second valve manifold is provided which is adapted to operatively receive a plurality of valves. The second valve manifold has a lower surface that is in opposed relationship to the upper surface of the first valve manifold, and the second valve manifold is in fluid communication with the first manifold. The first and second manifolds may each be joined to a circuit board forming a module. The modules are vertically stackable and operatively connected to each other to form a system.

Abstract: A field bus arrangement comprising at least one field bus station adapted to be connected with a serial field bus and furthermore at least one load controlled by way of a control output of the field bus station, the load being connected with a power supply line provided in addition to the lines of the field bus. The controlled switch is able to be actuated via the control output of the field bus station. The power circuits are completely decoupled, this meaning for example that the load can be switched off both by way of the field bus station itself and also by switching off the power supply line.

Abstract: A field bus arrangement comprising at least one field bus station adapted to be connected with a serial field bus and furthermore at least one load controlled by way of a control output of the field bus station, the load being connected with a power supply line provided in addition to the lines of the field bus. The controlled switch is able to be actuated via the control output of the field bus station. The power circuits are completely decoupled, this meaning for example that the load can be switched off both by way of the field bus station itself and also by switching off the power supply line.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive for a multi-color, sheet-fed rotary printing machine assembled of a plurality of consecutively arranged press units each having a set of sheet-processing cylinders and gear trains interconnecting the cylinders, is constituted by the following combination:a plurality of constant-flow, radial piston type hydraulic motors directly connected for driving a cylinder in each press unit;a first hydraulic control means including a main directional control valve and an auxiliary or switching directional control valve connected between the source of pressure fluid and the hydraulic motors; anda second hydraulic control means including a control cylinder-and-piston unit assigned to each operational radial piston of the motors and controlled by the latter so as to overlap in the cross-over position of the motors both the intake port and the discharge port for working fluid.

Abstract: Method and device for positioning application rollers and printing cylinders in the printing machine during the operation with reduced machine numbers of revolutions occuring during the slow-down operation, tipping operation or hand operation, in which a precise transmission of the torque to printing units and thus accurate development of predetermined angular rotation steps is possible due to the fact that a portion of the torque of the whole initial breakaway torque is applied directly to each individual printing unit and the remaining portion of the torque required for positioning of printing cylinders and application rollers is produced by an auxiliary drive.

Abstract: In a control system for a plurality of ink zone adjusters in a printing machine each adjuster is connected via a main control circuit and a first bidirectional address and data bus to an input and output unit where the measured data are stored on specific addresses to be retrieved for later use. An additional storage control circuit is connected to the first bidirectional data bus to provide an intermediate storage of the measured or retrieved data. The addtional storage control circuit includes an addressing circuit controlled by a program control circuit to apply addresses pertaining to individual printing units to corresponding storing circuits.