Abstract: A drop-detection device detects a drop that escapes from a metering valve. The drop-detection device includes a light guide with first and second light-guiding elements that are arranged opposite each other at an intermediate space. A drop trajectory runs through the intermediate space such that a light beam sent out by the first light-guiding element crosses the drop trajectory and is subsequently coupled into the second light-guiding element. In addition, the drop-detection device includes a light-signal generation device that couples a pulsed light beam with a carrier frequency into the first light-guiding element. Furthermore, the drop-detection device also has a light evaluation device for evaluating the light beam coupled into the second light-guiding element to determine if a drop has been dispensed by the metering valve. A method of detecting a drop is also described.

Abstract: A drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) for the detection of drops (TR) that escape from a nozzle of a metering valve (DV), preferably a micro-metering valve, is described. The drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) comprises a signal-generation unit (20), which is configured to produce a carrier signal (TS) with a defined pulse frequency. In addition, the drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) has a modulation unit (30, 30a) which is configured to generate a modulated signal (MS) due to a physical interaction of the carrier signal (TS) with a drop to be detected (TR), Furthermore, the drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) has an evaluation unit (50), which is configured to determine if a drop (TR) has been dispensed by the metering valve (DV) based on the measurement signal (MS) under consideration of the defined pulse frequency. A method (600) of detecting a drop (TR) of a metering valve (DV) is also described.

Abstract: The invention describes a piezo driving circuit, comprising an input at which a temporally variable voltage signal is applied; a piezo interface for connecting terminals of a piezo actuator arrangement with at least one voltage controlled piezo actuator; a sync control circuit realized to detect the phase position of the voltage signal; and an inverter circuit between the input and the piezo interface; whereby the sync control circuit is realized to control the inverter circuit, based on the phase position of the voltage signal, such that a control voltage with a predefined voltage curve is applied at the piezo interface. The invention further describes a method of controlling a piezo actuator arrangement. The invention also describes a piezo actuator configuration comprising a piezo actuator arrangement and an inventive piezo driving circuit. The invention also describes a metering valve comprising the inventive piezo actuator configuration.

Abstract: A drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) for the detection of drops (TR) that escape from a nozzle of a metering valve (DV), preferably a micro-metering valve, is described. The drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) comprises a signal-generation unit (20), which is configured to produce a carrier signal (TS) with a defined pulse frequency. In addition, the drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) has a modulation unit (30, 30a) which is configured to generate a modulated signal (MS) due to a physical interaction of the carrier signal (TS) with a drop to be detected (TR), Furthermore, the drop-detection device (11, 11a, 11b) has an evaluation unit (50), which is configured to determine if a drop (TR) has been dispensed by the metering valve (DV) based on the measurement signal (MS) under consideration of the defined pulse frequency. A method (600) of detecting a drop (TR) of a metering valve (DV) is also described.

Abstract: A drop-detection device detects a drop that escapes from a metering valve. The drop-detection device includes a light guide with first and second light-guiding elements that are arranged opposite each other at an intermediate space. A drop trajectory runs through the intermediate space such that a light beam sent out by the first light-guiding element crosses the drop trajectory and is subsequently coupled into the second light-guiding element. In addition, the drop-detection device includes a light-signal generation device that couples a pulsed light beam with a carrier frequency into the first light-guiding element. Furthermore, the drop-detection device also has a light evaluation device for evaluating the light beam coupled into the second light-guiding element to determine if a drop has been dispensed by the metering valve. A method of detecting a drop is also described.

Abstract: The invention describes a piezo driving circuit, comprising an input at which a temporally variable voltage signal is applied; a piezo interface for connecting terminals of a piezo actuator arrangement with at least one voltage controlled piezo actuator; a sync control circuit realized to detect the phase position of the voltage signal; and an inverter circuit between the input and the piezo interface; whereby the sync control circuit is realized to control the inverter circuit, based on the phase position of the voltage signal, such that a control voltage with a predefined voltage curve is applied at the piezo interface. The invention further describes a method of controlling a piezo actuator arrangement. The invention also describes a piezo actuator configuration comprising a piezo actuator arrangement and an inventive piezo driving circuit. The invention also describes a metering valve comprising the inventive piezo actuator configuration.