Patents Assigned to FESTO SE & CO. KG
  • Patent number: 10851811
    Abstract: A fluid system with a safety-oriented valve assembly including a first fluid connection for a fluidic connection with a fluid connection of a fluid source or a control valve and a second fluid connection for coupling a fluid load as well as a fluid channel between the fluid connections, wherein a first valve can be actuated between a fluid supply position, or open position, and a fluid discharge position, or closed position, is arranged in the fluid channel, wherein a second valve which can be adjusted between an open position for the fluid channel and a throttle position for the fluid channel is arranged in the fluid channel and wherein a sensor for detecting a fluid pressure and for outputting a fluid pressure-dependent sensor signal is arranged in a section of the fluid channel between the first valve and the second valve and including a controller which is designed to process the sensor signal and to process control signals for the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Bodo Neef, Christoph Maile
  • Patent number: 10838409
    Abstract: A valve control device, which is designed as a valve control head and/or as a valve position regulator head, for controlling a valve drive and/or a fitting. The valve control device includes a control unit for interacting with a functional unit, which is designed as an actuator unit, sensor unit, signal unit and/or communication unit, wherein the control unit has a device driver for interacting with the functional unit, wherein the device driver provides a software interface, which can be addressed by an application program which can be run on the control unit and/or a remote procedure call, in order to effect an interaction with the functional unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Reich, Bernd Beuth
  • Patent number: 10841129
    Abstract: A series module for a modularly configured control arrangement, with a module housing having a first series interface, a first bus interface, a second series interface and a second bus interface. A bus communication line is formed between the first bus interface and the second bus interface and at least three supply lines are formed between the first series interface and the second series interface, wherein a connecting contact is assigned to two of the supply lines in each case in order to form a consumer interface, which is configured to connect an electric consumer, and wherein at least one connecting contact coupled to the consumer interface is assigned to the third supply line and/or the bus communication line in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Forcht, Julian Walker, Dieter Schlotz, Vitali Lainecker, Matthias Ulrich, Jochen Krinn
  • Patent number: 10833572
    Abstract: An electric linear motor having a motor housing which is penetrated by an armature recess, in which a first magnet arrangement is accommodated in a stationary manner and in which an armature which has a second magnet arrangement is accommodated to be linearly movable along a movement path, wherein at least one of the magnet arrangements includes comprises a magnetic flux guide configured as a profile body and having at least one cross-sectional taper which is configured for a local increase of a flux resistance for a magnetic flux in the magnetic flux guide which is oriented along a movement path, wherein the cross-sectional taper has in the transverse direction to the movement path an extension which is less than an extension of the profile body the transverse direction to the movement path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Hartramph, Martin Rapp, Andreas Braig
  • Patent number: 10830369
    Abstract: A valve device with a valve housing, which is penetrated by a fluid channel, which extends from an inlet connection to an outlet opening and in which a valve member is arranged, which is designed to regulate a cross-section of the fluid channel, with an electric drive device to influence a position of the valve member in the fluid channel including a stator that is fixed on the valve housing and an armature arranged so as to be movable relative to the stator wherein the armature and the valve member are arranged on a dimensionally-stable connection part, which is pivotably mounted on the valve housing with a flexure, wherein the flexure is designed for an electric connection of the armature to an electric connection device designed on the valve housing and wherein the connection part forms the valve member or carries the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Herrig
  • Patent number: 10808738
    Abstract: A method for the supply of compressed air of a compressed-air consumer having two fluidically separate, kinematically coupled working areas, wherein each of the working areas is assigned to a valve arrangement which can be independently controlled and can be configured between a blocking position, a first functional position for a fluidically communicating connection to a fluid course and a second functional position for a fluidically communicating connection to a fluid sink and wherein each of the two valve arrangements is configured individually depending on a predefinable movement task for the compressed-air consumer and depending, on at least two pressure values from the following group: supply pressure, first working area pressure, second working area pressure, discharge pressure, for a provision of a predefinable developing for a fluid mass flow or for a provision of a predefinable developing for a fluid pressure in the respective working area or for a provision of a predefinable developing of a valve c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Doll, Rudiger Neumann, David Rager
  • Patent number: 10774857
    Abstract: A method for operating a valve device for supplying compressed air to compressed air consumer includes the steps of: determination of a first fluid pressure in a first section of a fluid passage of a valve assembly, which extends between an inlet port, and a valve element, determination of a second fluid pressure in a second section of the fluid passage of the valve assembly, which extends between the valve element and an outlet port, determination of a flow value for the valve element from the two fluid pressures and of a flow function, relating of the flow value with a presettable volumetric fluid flow rate or mass fluid flow rate for the pressurised fluid, which flow rate is provided for flow through the fluid passage, to a guide value and determination of a required actuating energy for an actuating device, and provision of the actuating energy to the actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudiger Neumann, Matthias Doll, David Rager
  • Patent number: 10767779
    Abstract: A valve controller for electrically actuating at least one valve drive, with a control circuit, which is designed to influence an electric energy flow between an electric source and the valve drive and which includes a bus interface for communication with a superordinate control arrangement (2) as well as a sensor means, which is designed to determine physical variable of the energy flow changeable by electrically actuating the valve drive as well as for providing a sensor signal dependent upon the determined physical variable to the control circuit wherein the control circuit is designed to determine a status value for the valve drive based on the sensor signal and at least one characteristic value of a physical variable from the group: energy flow duration, energy flow voltage, energy flow current, fluid pressure and is designed to provide the status value to the bus interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Michael Berner
  • Patent number: 10761493
    Abstract: A safety module for an automation system includes a communication interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to a communication system, an output interface designed for a signal-transmitting connection to at least one user which can be fitted downstream and a processing device connected to the communication interface and the output interface and designed to process communication signals from the communication interface and to provide output signals to the output interface wherein the processing device is designed for a detection of an actual component behaviour, using a control command contained in a communication signal and a component measured value contained in a communication signal, and for a comparison of a presettable component behaviour to the actual component behaviour as well as for a provision of a safety-oriented output signal to the output interface at a presettable divergence between the presettable component behaviour and the actual component behaviour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Gehrke, Roland Kalberer, Ralf Forcht
  • Patent number: 10753378
    Abstract: A fluid-actuated diaphragm drive and a valve arrangement which is equipped therewith, wherein the diaphragm drive has a drive housing with two drive housing parts which are attached to one another axially. An insert body which preferably consists of plastic material and delimits at least one length section of an operating chamber which can be loaded with a fluid is inserted into each of the drive housing parts, wherein a drive diaphragm which is movement-coupled to an output member is clamped in between the two insert bodies. A seal structure which is active between at least one of the insert bodies and the drive housing is capable of preventing an axial flow around the two insert bodies in the region which lies radially between them and the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Rohrig, Andreas Weisang
  • Patent number: 10746204
    Abstract: A rotary drive for actuating a valve element of a valve fitting, having a housing, which has a drive device and a pivot-mounted driven shaft which can be driven by the drive device and which can be coupled to the valve element, and a position detection device for detecting a position of the driven shaft, wherein the position detection device has a magnet module attached to the driven shaft in a torque-proof manner and a sensor module which is fitted onto or into the housing and is designed to detect a magnetic field measurement value according to the magnetic field generated by the magnet module. The the magnet module and/or the sensor module is attached such that it can be removed from the rotary drive, and the rotary drive includes a control device, which is adapted to determine if the magnet module or the sensor module is removed from the rotary drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Modinger, Mathias Schneider, Karl Messerschmidt, Andreas Feiler
  • Patent number: 10731676
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement, having a drive for providing a rotational movement about an axis of rotation and which includes an actuator housing whose outer surface extends with a curved profiling along the axis of rotation and which delimits a working space, in which a working element is rotatably accommodated, which includes a drive shaft which penetrates a front surface of the actuator housing, wherein the actuator housing is penetrated by a working port, which is designed for a connection of the working space with a valve arrangement, and with a valve arrangement, which is designed for a provision of a fluid flow at the working port and which includes a valve module, which is accommodated in a valve shaft of a valve housing and which has a fluid port, wherein the valve housing extends with a profiling in the form of a circular ring section along the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Artem Beger
  • Patent number: 10731679
    Abstract: A consumer control device, with which an external consumer device can be supplied with compressed air in a controlled manner, contains a compressed air maintenance unit, equipped with a proportional pressure regulating valve that can be electrically actuated, which is connectable via an outlet channel with the consumer device to be actuated. In the outlet channel an electrically controllable shut-off valve and an outlet pressure sensor are connected, both of which communicate with an internal electronic control unit, which is also supplied with information on the air flow in the outlet channel. The consumer control device can be operated according to a similarly proposed method, in that the consumer device in a normal operating phase is supplied with compressed air by the shut-off valve that is in the release position, which is regulated by a proportional pressure regulating valve adopting working mode at a working pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Pascal Unterdorfer
  • Patent number: 10697476
    Abstract: An actuator controller for actuating an actuator which can be operated fluidically, having a feed line for an inflow of the working fluid to an actuator connector and having a discharge line for an outflow of the working fluid to a fluid outlet, wherein the feed line is assigned a feed line valve and the discharge line is assigned a discharge valve, which valves are configured in each case to influence a volumetric fluid flow at the actuator connector, and having a control device for actuation of the feed line valve and the discharge valve. A throughflow sensor is arranged in a line section between the discharge valve and the fluid outlet, which throughflow sensor is configured for determining a volumetric fluid flow in the discharge line and for providing a throughflow signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hannes Wirtl, Martin Maichl
  • Patent number: 10697478
    Abstract: An operating unit for a fluid-operated diaphragm actuator, the unit consisting of a drive diaphragm, two retaining elements flanking the drive diaphragm on opposite sides and an output rod extending through these components. The drive diaphragm is mounted on the output rod by being clamped between the two retaining elements with a predetermined clamping force, wherein each of the two retaining elements is fixed on the output rod by means of a welded connection. A method that is particularly suitable for producing such an operating unit and to a fluid-operated diaphragm actuator equipped with such an operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Rohrig, Andreas Weisang
  • Patent number: 10655651
    Abstract: A fluid-actuated rotary actuator includes a housing having a tubular body extending in an axial direction, in which is provided a drive piston assembly for driving a rotatably mounted output shaft, which extends perpendicular to the axial direction through the tubular body and the axial end of which is routed out of the tubular body at an upper wall section of the tubular body, further including a magnet assembly associated with the axial end of the output shaft and receiving a rotary movement of the output shaft, and further including a position feedback device configured to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly and to provide, in accordance with the detected magnetic field, a position signal corresponding to a position of the output shaft, wherein the position feedback device is located in a receptacle chamber formed in the upper wall section of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Modinger, Mathias Schneider, Karl Messerschmidt, Andreas Feiler
  • Patent number: 10654174
    Abstract: An end of arm tool subassembly includes three identical linear drive mechanisms connected directly together to provide three directions of movement. Each linear drive mechanism includes a base defined by a longitudinal axis and a slide movably coupled to the base. The base has at least one mounting surface disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and an end mounting surface disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The slide traverses in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a slide mounting surface thereon. One of the identical linear drive mechanisms is directly attached to the end mounting surface of the base of another linear drive mechanism to provide two of the three directions of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Boaz Eidelberg, Matthew Quigley, Ralph Weinmuller, Patrick Haran, Mustansir Faizullabhoy, Thomas Pilock, Jack Zhu, Stephen Vidler, Anwar Chitayat
  • Patent number: 10639803
    Abstract: An interface module designed for installing a pneumatically actuated gripping device on a robot arm includes a first fastening interface for installation on the robot arm and a second fastening interface for installation of the gripping device. First pneumatic connections serve for the connection to a pressure source and a pressure sink, while second pneumatic connections serve for the fluidic connection to the gripping device. The interface module contains a control valve device, by way of which the gripping device is pneumatically actuatable and which is, in turn, controllable by means of valve control signals, which are provided by an internal electronic control unit, which communicates with an external electronic control device. A robot equipped with such an interface module is further proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Zanker, Timo Zimmermann