Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve (10, 30) for adjusting a flow rate value of said control valve, comprising a valve housing (12) as well as a housing-mounted throttling structure (14, 34, 52) which covers a flow channel and includes at least two passages (16, 36, 54), furthermore a second closing structure (18, 40, 56) which can be moved relative to the housing-mounted throttling structure (14, 34, 52), which closing structure (18, 40, 56) can be moved so as to close the passages (16, 36, 54) in such a way that the flow rate through the passages covered by the closing structure is lower than the flow rate through the uncovered passages (16, 36, 54). The invention is characterized in that guide means (22, 44) are arranged outside a passage area of the housing-mounted throttling structure (14, 34, 54) defined by passages (16, 36, 52), said guide means (22, 44) acting to support and guide the movable closing structure (18, 40, 56) spaced from the housing-mounted throttling structure (14, 34, 52).

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 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 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: A functional test apparatus for a field device, particularly for a quick-acting gate valve for an emergency system, preferably of a chemical installation, of a gas burner or the like, with the field device configured to change or to be changed to a specific operating mode, particularly a safety or emergency operating mode, in case there is no power supply, comprises at least one device for detection of operating data for the field device, and at least one non-volatile memory for saving the detected operating data, at least one electrical energy buffer is provided which acts on the device for detention of operating data and on the non-volatile memory for supplying them with power, such that the operating data of the field device is detected and is saved in a non-volatile manner at least while the field device is making a transition to the specific operating mode.

Abstract: A method and a device test the operating safety of a process control device with a control element and an actuator to move the control element, as well as a position controller in a safety circuit. A control unit is connected with the position controller and is coupled to the actuator such that the actuator can be operated to move the control element from an initial condition to a final condition in the event of an incident with the aid of a controlling of the actuator by the control unit. A measurement device acquires measurement signals indicating movement of the control element from the initial condition. The position controller comprises a control signal generator to generate a control signal for partial movement of the control element in a test cycle for the process control device, and to transmit the control signal via a signal connection from the position controller to the control unit.

Abstract: A method and device prevent a critical operating state of a control device with a control element and an actuator, as well as an acceleration sensor and an evaluation unit. An evaluation unit input is coupled to the acceleration sensor and a further input receives external desired values for the control device. The acceleration sensor acquires acceleration measurement values for the control device, these being transmitted to the evaluation unit, with the evaluation unit deriving assessment values from these values. The evaluation unit determines internal desired values and outputs them for control of the control device.