Abstract: In a valve system or method, an actuator is provided with an actuating rod. A valve is actuated by the rod and has a valve stem and a valve member secured thereto. A travel limiting device defines a travel limit of the actuating rod. A setting mechanism sets the travel limit. The actuating rod and valve stem are decouplable from each other. The setting mechanism comprises a connector for coupling the actuating rod and the valve stem, the connector being designed to set an axial spacing between the actuating rod and the valve stem.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (10) for controlling a fluid flow comprising a basic housing (12a) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16), a valve seat (18) provided in the basic housing (12) between said inlet and said outlet (14, 16), a valve body (20) that can be operatively connected to the valve seat (18), a valve rod (22) for actuating said valve body (20) as well as means for actuating the valve rod (22). The invention is characterized in that an additional housing (12b) is mounted on said basic housing (12a) in a fluid tight manner and that the basic and additional housings (12a, 12b)—with the exception of the inlet and outlet (14, 16) form a completely sealed housing (12) that is closed on all sides and only includes one circumferential seal (24), and that said valve rod (22) is completely disposed inside said sealed housing (12) without any passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (10) for controlling a fluid flow comprising a basic housing (12a) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16), a valve seat (18) provided in the basic housing (12a) between said inlet and said outlet (14,16), a valve body (20) that can be operatively connected to the valve seat (18), a valve rod (22) for actuating said valve body (20) as well as means for actuating the valve rod (22) The invention is characterized in that an additional housing (12b) is mounted on said basic housing (12a) in a fluid tight manner and the means for actuating the valve rod is disposed within the housing(12) formed by the basic and additional housings (12a, 12b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process valve (10) comprising a valve seat (14), a flow restrictor (12), a valve rod (16) and a drive unit (18) acting thereon, with a force measuring device (20, 44) being connected between said drive unit (18) and said flow restrictor (12). The invention is characterized in that said force measuring device (49) includes a spring (30, 46), and said force measuring device (29, 44) comprises a travel measuring device (38, 42, 50, 52) so as to allow the force acting on it to be determined based on the change in the deflection of the spring (30, 46) caused by the force acting on it.

Abstract: In a control device for a technical processing plant, a pneumatically driven actuator having an actuator stem is provided together with a valve operated by the actuator, the valve having a valve stem. A valve element is attached to the valve stem. A stem connector connects the two stems to each other for a forced transmission of axial actuating movements and for modifying an axial distance between adjacent ends of the valve stem and the actuator stem to adjust a total axial length of the two stems. The stem connector comprises two half-shells connected to each other, and two positioning devices are provided for a friction-locking coupling of the half-shells to the respective ends. At least one of the positioning devices is designed to modify an axial attachment position of the half-shells along one of the stems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the functionality of an actuator (1) having a pneumatic drive (2), in particular for monitoring an actuator (1) for a safety valve, including a magnetic valve (4) for controlling the pneumatic drive (2), wherein the magnetic valve (4) is monitored by means of a pressure measurement and is, for this purpose, connected to a first pneumatic conduit (16) to a position controller (3) of the actuator (1) as well as to the pneumatic drive (2) to a second pneumatic conduit (17). The magnetic valve (4) is switched off and on again with a switching time (t2-t1).

Abstract: In a method or field device for determining a position of an open/closed-valve positioned by a pneumatic actuating drive and movable to a completely opened open position and a closed position depending on operating requirements, during normal operation a pneumatic working chamber of the actuating drive is pneumatically influenced with an i/p converter such that the open/closed-valve moves to one of the open/closed positions and, in case of a predetermined operating condition, the i/p converter allows the working chamber to vent so that the open/closed valve automatically moves to the other one of the open/closed positions. At least one of pressure prevailing in the working chamber and pneumatic control pressure output at the i/p converter is captured continuously over time, thus obtaining a pressure change over time on the basis of which a physical operational variable of the open/closed-valve is determined.

Abstract: In an actuating drive or method for capturing a position of a final control element to be positioned by a drive member of the actuating drive, the final control element is pushed from an initial position to a target position by a spring body acting on the drive member. A first reference position is spatially configured in a vicinity of or at the spring body. A second reference position moving relative to the first reference position during positioning movement of the drive member is spatially configured adjacent a first outer surface of the spring body. A distance between the first reference position and the second reference position is captured.

Abstract: In a method or system for controlling a process fluid stream within an industrial process plant, a pump is provided in series with a control valve having an associated positioner to control the fluid stream. A required fluid passage quantity for the process fluid stream is set by positioning the control valve with the positioner into a respective valve position and capturing an actual position of the valve. A physically sensible actual property value related to passage of the process fluid through the control valve is determined. The actual property value as well as the actual valve position are evaluated by an evaluation routine with respect to a predetermined optimization parameter specific to the valve with its associated positioner. If a deviation occurs from the optimization parameter, a pump drive value for the pump and control valve position drive value for the valve positioner are tuned to each other in such a way that the optimization parameter is approached.

Abstract: Both improved protection against explosions and the possibility of performing diagnoses even when the I/P converter has been disconnected are to be provided by a position controller (5) for a pressure medium-operated actuating system, the controller being designed to be connected by a pneumatic line to a pneumatic drive (4)-equipped actuator (1) of an actuating element, especially an actuating element of a safety valve (2), where the actuator (1) has an electric power line (6) for controlling an I/P converter (7) according to the live-zero principle, and where the I/P converter (7) can be driven by an electrically controlled switch (10). The goal is achieved in that the switch (10) is designed to be driven by an additional circuit (11), which is connected to the power line (6) and installed in the position controller and which monitors the current in the power line (6).

Abstract: In a method or device for function-monitoring an actuator in a process engineering plant, said actuator comprising a valve and an actuating drive for actuating said valve. A positioner is provided for setting a position of the valve, the positioner comprising a controller module. A predefined activation test signal is generated and applied to the controller module to position the actuator into a predefined function condition. A control signal is generated by the controller module for signalling the actuating drive in accordance with the activation test signal and an output control signal is sensed and monitored as compared to a reference control signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the functionality of an actuator (1) having a pneumatic drive (2), in particular for monitoring an actuator (1) for a safety valve, including a magnetic valve (4) for controlling the pneumatic drive (2), wherein the magnetic valve (4) is monitored by means of a pressure measurement and is, for this purpose, connected to a first pneumatic conduit (16) to a position controller (3) of the actuator (1) as well as to the pneumatic drive (2) to a second pneumatic conduit (17). The magnetic valve (4) is switched off and on again with a switching time (t2?t1).

Abstract: In a method or system for function testing of a safety valve in engineering plant, it is tested whether the safety valve travels from a normal position to a predetermined final position in a certain operating situation of the plant. A bypass the valve bypasses the safety valve and assumes an idle position in a normal operation of the plant and a predetermined test position for function testing of the safety valve. The test position of the bypass valve is established such that a predetermined fluid flow through the bypass valve is permitted.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the controlling the position of a pneumatic actuator comprising: a pneumatically adjustable actuating element (5); a pneumatic actuating drive (6) for adjusting the actuating element (5); an electro-pneumatic position controller (1) for pneumatically driving the actuating drive (6) as a function of a position controller set point and a controlled variable; and at least one main pneumatic power amplifier (10) with bypass throttle for amplifying the power output of the position controller (1) and for pneumatically driving the actuating drive (6). In addition, a pilot control pneumatic power amplifier (9) with a bypass throttle for preamplifying the pneumatic power output of the position controller (1) is installed between the position controller (1) and the main power amplifier (10).

Abstract: In a valve system or method, an actuator is provided with an actuating rod. A valve is actuated by the rod and has a valve stem and a valve member secured thereto. A travel limiting device defines a travel limit of the actuating rod. A setting mechanism sets the travel limit. The actuating rod and valve stem are decouplable from each other. The setting mechanism comprises a connector for coupling the actuating rod and the valve stem, the connector being designed to set an axial spacing between the actuating rod and the valve stem.

Abstract: In a method or system for function testing of a safety valve in engineering plant, it is tested whether the safety valve travels from a normal position to a predetermined final position in a certain operating situation of the plant. A bypass the valve bypasses the safety valve and assumes an idle position in a normal operation of the plant and a predetermined test position for function testing of the safety valve. The test position of the bypass valve is established such that a predetermined fluid flow through the bypass valve is permitted.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the controlling the position of a pneumatic actuator comprising: a pneumatically adjustable actuating element (5); a pneumatic actuating drive (6) for adjusting the actuating element (5); an electro-pneumatic position controller (1) for pneumatically driving the actuating drive (6) as a function of a position controller set point and a controlled variable; and at least one main pneumatic power amplifier (10) with bypass throttle for amplifying the power output of the position controller (1) and for pneumatically driving the actuating drive (6). In addition, a pilot control pneumatic power amplifier (9) with a bypass throttle for preamplifying the pneumatic power output of the position controller (1) is installed between the position controller (1) and the main power amplifier (10).

Abstract: Both improved protection against explosions and the possibility of performing diagnoses even when the I/P converter has been disconnected are to be provided by a position controller 5 for a pressure medium-operated actuating system, the controller being designed to be connected by a pneumatic line to a pneumatic drive 4-equipped actuator 1 of an actuating element, especially an actuating element of a safety valve 2, where the actuator 1 has an electric power line 6 for controlling an I/P converter 7 according to the live-zero principle, and where the I/P converter 7 can be driven by an electrically controlled switch 10. The goal is achieved in that the switch 10 is designed to be driven by an additional circuit 11, which is connected to the power line 6 and installed in the position controller and which monitors the current in the power line 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for monitoring a control apparatus having at least one actuating drive, a valve, a spindle, and a positioner, whereby a reversal of direction of a valve spindle, by means of manipulated variable changes that are well-defined, reproducible and uniform, supplies useful information for the monitoring of the state of the control apparatus. For example, a comparison with target values and a diagnosis can take place by means of measurement and processing of valve positions (h) and the times (t) at which the valve positions are assumed, during the reversal motion. In addition, during times of uniform motion, the speed of movement or, respectively, in the case of predetermined valve positions, the allocated runtime, can additionally be determined. Moreover, given an inverted direction of motion further diagnosis possibilities can be supplied by means of repetition of the measurement and processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus, comprising an actuating drive and an actuator connected therewith, whereby the actuator comprises at least one valve face and a throttle element that works herewith. The throttle element can be moved relative to the valve face by means of an actuating spindle connected with the actuating drive for the execution of a rotational and/or piston motion. The actuating spindle is sealed against the valve interior chamber at a first sealing location. A second sealing location likewise seals the actuating spindle, and, between the two sealing locations. There is a test chamber that is accessible via at least one control terminal, to which chamber a pressure sensor is connected. The pressure sensor is connected with an evaluation unit for monitoring the operation of the control apparatus.