Abstract: A fieldbus solenoid valve system has a solenoid operated control valve mounted and operated by a solenoid pilot. A direct current power source is connected to a coil of the solenoid pilot and a driver for actuating the coil. A resistive element is in series with the power source, the driver, the solenoid and a ground. A frequency generator is connected to the circuit for creating a frequency pulse train to the coil having a characterization so as not to cause the solenoid pilot to actuate. The voltage is measured between the coil and resistive element and the measured voltage is compared to a base voltage value measured from the same circuit location. An indicator signal is displayed on the fieldbus solenoid valve system or externally when the measured voltage increases to a predetermined amount from said base voltage over time.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly has a valve body in which a spool is slidably mounted and operated by a solenoid having a coil. A manifold member has a plurality of flow paths for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid to and from ports of the solenoid valve assembly. An intermediate block is interposed between the valve body and the manifold member. The intermediate block has a plurality of through holes for connecting ports of the manifold member to ports on the valve body. At least one sensor is housed in the intermediate block for sensing at least one of pressure and flow in at least one of the through holes.

Abstract: A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a communication module, a valve driver module, and a plurality of I/O modules each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent modules. The bridge member has a housing with an interior for housing electronic components for memory storage or Wi-fi reception and transmission that is operably connected to a complementary electrical fitting constructed to be connected to an electrical fitting of a module of said electrical fieldbus system without adding extra length to said bank of modules of said electrical fieldbus system.

Abstract: A fieldbus solenoid valve system has a solenoid operated control valve mounted and operated by a solenoid pilot. A direct current power source is connected to a coil of the solenoid pilot and a driver for actuating the coil. A resistive element is in series with the power source, the driver, the solenoid and a ground. A frequency generator is connected to the circuit for creating a frequency pulse train to the coil having a characterization so as not to cause the solenoid pilot to actuate. The voltage is measured between the coil and resistive element and the measured voltage is compared to a base voltage value measured from the same circuit location. An indicator signal is displayed on the fieldbus solenoid valve system or externally when the measured voltage increases to a predetermined amount from said base voltage over time.

Abstract: A field bus solenoid valve assembly has a sensor for detecting the commencement of an actuation cycle for moving a piston in a cylinder and piston assembly. A position sensor detects an end position of a piston in a cylinder and piston assembly at the end of the actuation cycle. A timer times the elapsed time between the initiation of the actuation cycle of the piston and when the position sensor for detecting an end position detects the piston in its end position at the end of the actuation cycle. A comparator operably connected to a storage device and the sensors for comparing elapsed time from the sensors to a normalized time or profile and a predetermined tolerance boundary in the storage device. An alarm device is actuated if the elapsed time is outside of the set tolerance boundary.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly has a valve body in which a spool is slidably mounted and operated by a solenoid having a coil. A manifold member has a plurality of flow paths for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid to and from ports of the solenoid valve assembly. An intermediate block is interposed between the valve body and the manifold member. The intermediate block has a plurality of through holes for connecting ports of the manifold member to ports on the valve body. At least one sensor is housed in the intermediate block for sensing at least one of pressure and flow in at least one of the through holes.

Abstract: A zoned fluid control system in a valve manifold system has a plurality of manifold blocks connected together and a plurality of control valves mounted to the manifold blocks with the control valves being electrically actuated and pilot pressure operated. The plurality of manifold blocks forms at least first and second separate pilot pressure passages of a respective first zone and second zone not connected to each other for supplying a respective first set and second set of control valves with independently controlled pilot pressure. A pilot supply valve selectively supplies pilot pressure and shuts off pilot pressure to the second pilot pressure passage without affecting the pilot pressure to the first pilot pressure passage thereby disabling the second set of control valves as a separate zone independent from the first set of control valves.

Abstract: A field bus solenoid valve assembly has a sensor for detecting the commencement of an actuation cycle for moving a piston in a cylinder and piston assembly. A position sensor detects an end position of a piston in a cylinder and piston assembly at the end of the actuation cycle. A timer times the elapsed time between the initiation of the actuation cycle of the piston and when the position sensor for detecting an end position detects the piston in its end position at the end of the actuation cycle. A comparator operably connected to a storage device and the sensors for comparing elapsed time from the sensors to a normalized time or profile and a predetermined tolerance boundary in the storage device. An alarm device is actuated if the elapsed time is outside of the set tolerance boundary.

Abstract: A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a communication module, a valve driver module, and a plurality of I/O modules each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent modules. The bridge member has a housing with an interior for housing electronic components for memory storage or Wi-fi reception and transmission that is operably connected to a complementary electrical fitting constructed to be connected to an electrical fitting of a module of said electrical fieldbus system without adding extra length to said bank of modules of said electrical fieldbus system.

Abstract: A control system has an I/O bank with a communication module controlling a plurality of Input/Output modules operably connected to its communication backplane and a valve manifold having a communication module serially connected to the backplane of the I/O bank. The I/O bank with a plurality of Input/Output modules is constructed to be connected to a plurality of field sensors or loads. The valve manifold with a plurality of solenoid valves is constructed to be pneumatically connected to a plurality of field devices.

Abstract: A control system has an I/O bank with a communication module controlling a plurality of Input/Output modules operably connected to its communication backplane and a valve manifold having a communication module serially connected to the backplane of the I/O bank. The I/O bank with a plurality of Input/Output modules is constructed to be connected to a plurality of field sensors or loads. The valve manifold with a plurality of solenoid valves is constructed to be pneumatically connected to a plurality of field devices.

Abstract: A zoned fluid control system in a valve manifold system has a plurality of manifold blocks connected together and a plurality of control valves mounted to the manifold blocks with the control valves being electrically actuated and pilot pressure operated. The plurality of manifold blocks forms at least first and second separate pilot pressure passages of a respective first zone and second zone not connected to each other for supplying a respective first set and second set of control valves with independently controlled pilot pressure. A pilot supply valve selectively supplies pilot pressure and shuts off pilot pressure to the second pilot pressure passage without affecting the pilot pressure to the first pilot pressure passage thereby disabling the second set of control valves as a separate zone independent from the first set of control valves.

Abstract: A zoned fluid control system in a valve manifold system has a plurality of manifold blocks connected together and a plurality of control valves mounted to the manifold blocks with the control valves being electrically actuated and pilot pressure operated. The plurality of manifold blocks forms at least first and second separate pilot pressure passages of a respective first zone and second zone not connected to each other for supplying a respective first set and second set of control valves with independently controlled pilot pressure. A pilot supply valve selectively supplies pilot pressure and shuts off pilot pressure to the second pilot pressure passage without affecting the pilot pressure to the first pilot pressure passage thereby disabling the second set of control valves as a separate zone independent from the first set of control valves.

Abstract: A fluid control system has a first series of connected circuit boards that each actuate a respective valve unit mounted to a manifold block. A first communication module has a valve driver with a plurality of outputs for actuating the valve units connected to the first series of connected circuit boards. A serial control line extends through the first series of connected circuit boards and is connected to a second driver for actuating a second series of connected circuit boards.

Abstract: A fluid control system has a first series of connected circuit boards that each actuate a respective valve unit mounted to a manifold block. A first communication module has a valve driver with a plurality of outputs for actuating the valve units connected to the first series of connected circuit boards. A serial control line extends through the first series of connected circuit boards and is connected to a second driver for actuating a second series of connected circuit boards.

Abstract: A valve manifold block for a fluid valve manifold has a valve manifold block with a printed circuit board received in a passage in the valve manifold block. A set of conductive valve lines on the circuit board extend between and are connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and a respective set of second mating electrical connectors. The circuit board also having at least one conductive valve line extending to a third connector on the circuit board operably leading to one voltage side of the valve unit. A conductive common line is operably connected to an opposite voltage side of the valve unit. A serial communication line connects to a respective serial communication line in another valve manifold block for communicating information relating to the valve unit.

Abstract: A zoned fluid control system in a valve manifold system has a plurality of manifold blocks connected together and a plurality of control valves mounted to the manifold blocks with the control valves being electrically actuated and pilot pressure operated. The plurality of manifold blocks forms at least first and second separate pilot pressure passages of a respective first zone and second zone not connected to each other for supplying a respective first set and second set of control valves with independently controlled pilot pressure. A pilot supply valve selectively supplies pilot pressure and shuts off pilot pressure to the second pilot pressure passage without affecting the pilot pressure to the first pilot pressure passage thereby disabling the second set of control valves as a separate zone independent from the first set of control valves.

Abstract: A valve manifold block for a fluid valve manifold has a valve manifold block with a printed circuit board received in a passage in the valve manifold block. A set of conductive valve lines on the circuit board extend between and are connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and a respective set of second mating electrical connectors. The circuit board also having at least one conductive valve line extending to a third connector on the circuit board operably leading to one voltage side of the valve unit. A conductive common line is operably connected to an opposite voltage side of the valve unit. A serial communication line connects to a respective serial communication line in another valve manifold block for communicating information relating to the valve unit.

Abstract: A modular electrical bus system has a grounding circuit through a plurality of modular units with each unit being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent units and the main communication module. The bridge member and modular units are grounded together with a ground circuit that extends within both components.

Abstract: A modular electrical bus system for a valve manifold has a main communication module with a plurality of modular I/O units each having a plurality of I/O fittings being both electrically and mechanically connectable together via a bridge member connecting adjacent units and the main communication module. At least one of the modular I/O units is also mechanically separable from and maintains communication connection to the main communication module. One or both of the modular IO I/O units and main communication module may have an alpha-numeric display.