Abstract: A method for detecting output-side leaks in a double cone air power booster is proposed. Initially, a reference curve is recorded which relates a control variable for the outlet pressure to the outlet pressure. During operation, at least one steady state is determined, wherein only steady states preceded by a drop in the output pressure of the double cone air power booster are considered. Values of the control variable and the output pressure belonging to the steady state are determined and compared with the reference curve. If the output pressure determined is smaller by a specified tolerance than the output pressure to be expected according to the reference curve for the control variable determined, an output-side leakage is determined. In this way, leaks in the consumer system connected to a double-cone air power booster, for example a pneumatic control valve actuator, can be detected in an uncomplicated manner, which can save costs for maintenance requirements that are detected too late.

Abstract: In a method for diagnosing control system of a process engineering plant having a plurality of actuating units for setting a process fluid and a central unit, at least one actuating-unit-specific control raw datum, such as a setpoint value, an actual value, a setpoint-actual difference value, or a control value, is detected; a particularly local diagnosis code is generated by one of the plurality of actuating units based on the at least one detected control raw datum; the diagnosis code is transmitted from the actuating unit to a central unit; a local diagnosis code, is transformed into a global diagnosis codes; a logical condition for a diagnosis deduction logic is defined such that when the logical condition is applied to at least one diagnosis code, the diagnosis deduction logic determines a predetermined deduction result; and a deduction result is determined based on the at least one diagnosis code.

Abstract: A positioner for a pneumatic actuator for operating a control element, such as a control valve, in a process engineering system, is described. The positioner may include an electropneumatic converter, such as a current-to-pressure converter, a circuit board comprising supply electronics for operating the electropneumatic converter, and a housing surrounding an interior space. A support body that may be inserted into the interior space is may be provided, to which the circuit board may be attached. The housing and the carrier are coordinated with each other to pneumatically subdivide the interior space into an electronics compartment for accommodating at least one electrical and/or electronic component, such as the supply electronics, and a converter compartment for accommodating the electro-pneumatic converter.

Abstract: A positioner for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control instrument, such as a control valve, of a process plant, may include an electropneumatic converter, such as a current-pressure converter; a circuit board which carries supply electronics for the electropneumatic converter a casing which comprises at least one electronics compartment in which at least one electronic component of the positioner, in particular the supply electronics, is accommodated, and a converter compartment, in which the electropneumatic converter is accommodated. The electronics compartment and the converter compartment may be spatially separated from one another. The converter compartment may be delimited at least partially by the circuit board.

Abstract: An actuator device for a process plant, such as a chemical, power, or food processing facility, includes a pneumatically operated control valve with an electrical actuator (e.g., I/P converter, solenoid valve, position controller, or drive) for performing a test function. At least one sensor verifies the test function and sends a signal describing the result. An electronic monitoring device, separate from the actuator, receives a trigger signal indicating when the test function starts and a functionally safe signal from the sensor. The device's electronic system monitors the relationship between the trigger and sensor signals to confirm correct operation.

Abstract: An actuator device for a process engineering plant, such as a chemical, power, or food processing plant, may include a pneumatically operated control valve with an electric actuator. The actuator, which may function as a drive or as part of a control or safety valve, can support the operating state(s) for executing a safety function, such as moving the valve to a defined safety position. The device may also include at least one sensor configured to detect the actuator's ability to perform the safety function and to transmit a corresponding signal. An electronic monitoring unit, which may be separate from the actuator, can feature a functionally safe output for triggering the actuator and a functionally safe input for receiving the sensor signal. The monitoring unit may be configured to assess the operational relationship between the received signal and the actuator's triggering to ensure reliable execution of the safety function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device (10) for recording at least one force and/or torque curve resulting when a control valve (32) is actuated by an actuating drive (34), comprising a housing (11) which can be arranged between the control valve (32) and the actuating drive (34). The housing (11) is provided with a first and a second connecting wall (14, 16) and at least one connecting element (18) which connects the first and the second connecting wall (14, 16). The first connecting wall (14) is connected to the actuating drive (34), and the second connecting wall (16) is connected to the control valve (32). A connecting shaft (12) for connecting a drive shaft of the actuating drive (34) to an actuating shaft of a control valve (32) is arranged in a central through-opening (14c, 16c) in the two connecting walls (14, 16). The connecting shaft (12) penetrates the measuring device (10).

Abstract: In a semi-finished product for a valve housing, such as a control valve housing or a fitting housing, may include an additively manufactured body having a built-up direction in which the body is formed in layers. The body may include an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bridge section, and a neck portion for the valve or the fitting delimiting a channel structure to be formed for process fluid. The body forms an inner surface to be directed towards a process fluid and an outer surface to be facing the surroundings. The inner or outer surface may have at least one overhang surface with respect to the built-up direction, the overhang angle of which does not exceed an angular threshold value of at most 75°.

Abstract: Methods for testing the operability of a safety valve, as well as a solenoid valve for triggering a safety valve, and corresponding devices are proposed. The safety valve has a solenoid valve which is used to vent the pneumatic actuator in a safety case. Initially, a safety case is triggered. The position course of the valve member is recorded, and the time required until the safety position is reached is compared with a reference value. From this, it can be reliably concluded whether the assumption of the fail-safe position was caused by the solenoid valve or by the positioner. The measured values of pressure sensors can also be taken into account and allow further diagnostics to be carried out if operability is not assured. If the result of the test is positive, maintenance intervals can be optimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage valve (10) comprising a valve housing (12) with a valve inlet (14) and a valve outlet (16), a valve cage (20) which is arranged between the valve inlet and valve outlet (14, 16) in the flow channel, and a valve element (18) which is movably supported in the valve housing (12) in the axial direction (a) with respect to the valve cage (20), wherein the valve cage (20) has a guide region, which guides the valve element (18) in the axial direction (a), and a throttle region, which has multiple throttle channels (22) that are mutually spaced in the axial direction and are arranged in a distributed manner when viewed in the circumferential direction (u), so that different throttle rates can be set on the basis of the axial position of the valve element (18) relative to the valve cage (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a spring breakage in a preloaded drive of a control valve. The method is based on the fact that the pressure which must be applied to achieve a certain valve member position falls significantly after the breakage or failure of the spring. The breakage of a spring in a preloaded drive can thus be detected reliably using the sensor system already present in the control valve, moreover without having to disrupt or interrupt operation.

Abstract: A valve cage (100) for a control valve (10) incorporates a plurality of throttle channels (104) which extend from an inner contour of the valve cage (100) to its outer contour and penetrate the valve cage (100), each throttle channel (104) having an inlet opening (106) on the inner contour side and an outlet opening (110) on the outer contour side when viewed in the flow direction (S). When viewed in the circumferential direction (u), the valve cage (100) has a plurality of arcuate outer contour portions (112) which are each separated from one another via a step (114) acting as a tear-off edge, and the throttle channels (104) are arranged so that they extend such that the outlet openings (110) of the throttle channels (104) on the outer contour side are arranged in the step (114) between two outer contour portions (112).

Abstract: A control valve (10) comprises a valve housing (12) with a valve inlet and valve outlet (12-1, 12-2) and a valve cover (14), also comprising a housing-mounted valve seat (16), which is arranged in the flow channel between the valve inlet and valve outlet (12-1, 12-2), further comprising a valve member (18), which is designed to complement the valve seat (16), and additionally comprising a drive rod (20), which is guided in a sealing manner through the housing cover (14) and via which the valve member (18) is connected to a drive (22) outside the housing, wherein the valve cover (14) comprises a sealing arrangement (24), by means of which the drive rod (20) is sealed in relation to the valve cover (14). The valve seat (16) and/or the valve member (18) are/is formed from an aerogel material or are/is coated with an aerogel coating.

Abstract: A control valve unit includes a valve rod sealed from a valve housing via a seal assembly. The seal assembly has a packing, received axially between a pressure sleeve and a counter bearing on the valve housing. The pressure sleeve is movably and axially mounted via a pressing element relative to the valve housing and transmits a pressing force to the pressure sleeve by a spring element to the packing. The spring element is supported on a pretensioning device with an adjustable distance to the counter bearing. The pressing force of the spring element on the pressure sleeve is adjustable and the spring element is arranged axially between first and second stops of the pretensioning device. In a preinstalled state of the pretensioning device, the spring element is supported on the first and second stops. In an operating state, the second stop is at a fixed distance to the first stop in the direction of the counter bearing.

Abstract: A pre-mountable control rod assembly for providing a modular control valve having a plurality of different valve function- and construction configurations may include a substantially elongated control rod body with a control element sided end section to which several control elements are attachable to realize different process flows, a connecting flange which is arranged on a section of the substantially elongated control rod body opposite the control element sided end section, and a bellows seal which extends at least sectionally between the control element sided end section and the connecting flange.

Abstract: An adapter insert for a control valve of a process plant for forming a steam converter may include an insert body with a distance extension section configured to be arranged between a valve housing and a housing cover or between the valve housing and a lantern of the control valve. The distance extension section may include a fluid inlet connection opening, which, in an assembled state of the adapter insert, is located at least sectionally between the valve housing and the housing cover or between the valve housing and the lantern of the control valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a connecting flange for a control valve for reducing torsion. The control valve may be adapted for adjusting a process fluid flow of a process plant, and may include a substantially hollow-cylinder-like connecting body for connecting a control rod of the control valve to a coupling structure attachable to a valve housing of the control valve or a housing cover of the control valve. The substantially hollow-cylinder-like connecting body may have an anti-rotation means which is configured to fix the connecting flange to the coupling structure or the housing cover in the circumferential direction, such as in a rotation-preventing manner.

Abstract: An adapter for wireless data transmission, in particular according to the “Bluetooth Low Energy” standard, is proposed. The adapter has a cylindrical housing whose radius is at least twice its height. The adapter includes a wireless transceiver and a processor arranged in the cylindrical housing and connected to the wireless transceiver, and a data interface connected to the processor. The processor is arranged to drive the transceiver and the data interface and can therewith transmit data wirelessly. Because the adapter for wireless data transmission has a flat design, it can be retrofitted in valve positioners. This makes it possible to retrofit commonly used valve positioners that until now do not have an option for wireless transmission of their status data with this adapter. As a result, these commonly used valve positioners also achieve the capability of wireless transmission of their status data.

Abstract: A method for preventing control-induced oscillations in a valve with a pneumatic actuator and position control with an integrating component, including the following steps: Checking whether oscillations of the valve member occur by counting the zero crossings or extreme values of the control difference. If oscillations were detected, it is checked whether they result from oscillations of the set point. If not, the dead zone is increased and/or the gain parameter is decreased. If no oscillations were detected, it is checked whether wear in the drive has exceeded a predetermined measure. If so, the dead zone is decreased and/or the gain parameter is increased. In this way, oscillations caused by the I-component of the control can be detected and stopped. Further changes to the parameters are only made when friction is expected to have decreased due to wear.

Abstract: A sensor for a control valve of a process plant (e.g., a chemical plant, a power plant, a food-processing plant) may include a position sensor (e.g., a magnetoresistive position sensor), and a lever arm that may be rotationally movable about a fixed pivot point of the sensor device for converting a linear stroke movement of a control rod of the control valve into a corresponding transmission movement (e.g., rotational transmission movement) which is mapped on the position sensor. The lever arm may have a coupling for position-true, rotationally movable connection of the lever arm to a reference point of the control rod. The lever arm may include at least one first lever section and at least one second lever section movable relative to the first lever section.