Abstract: A method of operating a diaphragm valve is specified. The diaphragm valve comprises a fluid housing having a valve seat formed therein, a diaphragm which cooperates with the valve seat to open or close a flow path through the fluid housing, and at least two sensors from the following group: a capacitive sensor, which is arranged such that the diaphragm is located at least in sections in the electric field of the capacitive sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a pH sensor, a stress sensor and a vibration sensor, wherein an index value is formed from the measured values of the different sensors by means of a data fusion algorithm at at least two points in time, wherein a degree of wear of the diaphragm is determined on the basis of a change in the index value. Furthermore, a diaphragm valve is specified.

Abstract: A safety module for a process valve and a system comprising a safety module and a process valve are provided. The safety module comprises at least a first interface complementary to a first connection interface of a drive module of the process valve and a second interface complementary to a second connection interface of a process valve actuator of the process valve, such that the safety module can be retrofitted in the process valve. The safety module further comprises at least one safety valve and fluid lines provided for fluidically coupling the safety valve to the drive module and the process valve actuator of the process valve. The at least one safety valve of the safety module is configured for forced venting of the process valve in a safety case.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve having a movable diaphragm (20) configured as a closure element has a valve housing (6) and an actuator (8), the diaphragm (20) being clamped between a flange (18) of the valve housing and a base (10) of the actuator (8) and being provided with a first identification means (32) in which data which are adapted to be read out wirelessly are stored. A further identification means (50, 56) is also fastened to the flange (18) and/or the base (10). The read-out surfaces of the further identification means (50, 56) are substantially at right angles to the read-out surface of the identification means (32) on the diaphragm (20).

Abstract: A film transducer for a pump is described, comprising at least one holding part arranged fixed, a displaceable switch unit and at least two electroactive composite film units which each have at least two electrodes. The electroactive composite film units are each assigned to the holding part and the switch unit. The electroactive composite film units have an actuation direction in which the electroactive composite film units lengthen when actuated, wherein the actuation direction lies in a plane spanned by the electroactive composite film units. Furthermore, a pump and a method for operating a pump are described.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve having a movable diaphragm (20) configured as a closure element has a valve housing (6) and an actuator (8), the diaphragm (20) being clamped between a flange (18) of the valve housing and a base (10) of the actuator (8) and being provided with a first identification means (32) in which data which are adapted to be read out wirelessly are stored. A further identification means (50, 56) is also fastened to the flange (18) and/or the base (10).

Abstract: A film transducer has a holding part, an electroactive composite structure which includes at least one deformable carrier and at least two electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the deformable carrier, and a load application member which is mounted to the composite structure. The holding part engages two ends of the composite structure facing away from each other and the load application member is arranged between the two ends of the composite structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve drive for actuating a valve, including a lifting element which shifts upon an actuation of the valve, and a displacement sensor by means of which the position of the lifting element can be detected, characterized in that the displacement sensor includes an elastically deformable dielectric film which is provided with at least two electrodes, the film being deformed by an adjustment of the lifting element.

Abstract: A film transducer for a pump is described, comprising at least one holding part arranged fixed, a displaceable switch unit and at least two electroactive composite film units which each have at least two electrodes. The electroactive composite film units are each assigned to the holding part and the switch unit. The electroactive composite film units have an actuation direction in which the electroactive composite film units lengthen when actuated, wherein the actuation direction lies in a plane spanned by the electroactive composite film units. Furthermore, a pump and a method for operating a pump are described.

Abstract: For monitoring diagnostic rules of a power system, an exemplary method is disclosed and includes collecting operational diagnostic data from a first primary device; identifying a change of a diagnostic indicator based on the operational diagnostic data; adapting a diagnostic rule to the identified change, wherein the diagnostic rule is applicable to the diagnostic data for determining a diagnostic warning which indicates a diagnostic state of a primary device; and providing a diagnostic warning of a second primary device by applying the adapted diagnostic rule to operational diagnostic data collected for the second primary device.

Abstract: A film transducer has a holding part and an electroactive multilayer composite structure including at least two deformable carriers which are each coated on at least one side with a planar electrode. The multilayer composite structure has an elongated basic shape and being clamped on its shorter sides in a fixing section in the holding part while its longer sides are free, the electrodes of the multilayer composite structure being alternately connected at the ends clamped in the holding part to a contact element which is arranged in the fixing section.

Abstract: A diaphragm actuator has a first frame part and a second frame part, between which at least two diaphragm layers are disposed in a stacked manner and formed as electro-active polymer layers. Furthermore, a method for producing a diaphragm actuator is described.

Abstract: A seat valve (10) is described having a valve body (12) which comprises at least two fluid openings (14, 16). Furthermore, the seat valve (10) comprises at least one valve seat (20), at least one valve element (22) which can be displaced in a translatory manner and at least one actuator (24) which is formed as an electro-active polymeric actuator and cooperates with the valve element (22).

Abstract: A slide valve comprises a bushing in which fluid openings are provided which extend through the wall of the bushing, a slide which is arranged adjustably in the bushing and is provided with at least one fluid duct, and an electroactive polymer actuator which can adjust the slide in the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve drive for actuating a valve, including a lifting element which shifts upon an actuation of the valve, and a displacement sensor by means of which the position of the lifting element can be detected, characterized in that the displacement sensor includes an elastically deformable dielectric film which is provided with at least two electrodes, the film being deformed by an adjustment of the lifting element.

Abstract: A film transducer has a holding part and an electroactive multilayer composite structure including at least two deformable carriers which are each coated on at least one side with a planar electrode. The multilayer composite structure has an elongated basic shape and being clamped on its shorter sides in a fixing section in the holding part while its longer sides are free, the electrodes of the multilayer composite structure being alternately connected at the ends clamped in the holding part to a contact element which is arranged in the fixing section.

Abstract: A film transducer has a holding part, an electroactive composite structure which includes at least one deformable carrier and at least two electrodes arranged on opposite sides of the deformable carrier, and a load application member which is mounted to the composite structure. The holding part engages two ends of the composite structure facing away from each other and the load application member is arranged between the two ends of the composite structure.

Abstract: A diaphragm actuator has a first frame part and a second frame part, between which at least two diaphragm layers are disposed in a stacked manner and formed as electro-active polymer layers. Furthermore, a method for producing a diaphragm actuator is described.

Abstract: A seat valve (10) is described having a valve body (12) which comprises at least two fluid openings (14, 16). Furthermore, the seat valve (10) comprises at least one valve seat (20), at least one valve element (22) which can be displaced in a translatory manner and at least one actuator (24) which is formed as an electro-active polymeric actuator and cooperates with the valve element (22).

Abstract: A diaphragm actuator has a first frame part and a second frame part, between which at least two diaphragm layers are disposed in a stacked manner and formed as electro-active polymer layers. Furthermore, a method for producing a diaphragm actuator is described.

Abstract: There is described a diaphragm valve (10) comprising a housing (12) which includes at least two fluid openings (22, 24, 26), at least one valve seat (28, 30), a valve element (32), and at least one actuator (38). The actuator (38) is an electroactive polymer actuator which is able to shift the valve element (32) in order to release and/or close the at least one valve seat (28, 30).