In a method for the encryption communication in a process plant, one or more keys for coding of electronic signals regarding the process plant, such as actuation signals, measurement signals, state signals, warning signals or such, are provided. The one or more keys are transmitted as acoustic signal via a ductwork guiding plant fluid, particularly a process fluid or an auxiliary fluid, from the first communication partner to the second communication partner. The process plant can be a chemical plant, a power plant, or a food-processing plant. The communication can be between a first and a second communication partner, which can include at least one field device, such as an actuator for adjusting a process fluid and/or a control electronics for supervising, controlling and/or regulating processes of the process plant.

A shot peening valve controller comprises a hub connector configurable for connecting or operating one or more shot peening valve; a microprocessor that is connected to the hub connector; and a human-machine interface that is connected to the microprocessor. The human-machine interface is configured to operate the one or more shot peening valves respectively.

A data collection device and method for determining a backflow condition in a water distribution system. The data collection device receives a first data communication from a first node, the first data communication indicating a first possible backflow condition at the first node. The data collection device receives additional data communications from one or more second nodes, the additional data communications indicating backflow conditions at the second nodes. The data collection device aggregates and analyzes the first data value and the additional data values and determines that an actual backflow condition exists based on the aggregated data values and a known relationship between the first node and the second nodes. The data collection device may then perform action(s) in response to determining the backflow condition, such as reporting the backflow condition, requesting updated reporting from the nodes, closing appropriate valves, initiating pumps to increase water pressure, flushing the system, etc.

In one aspect, a system (110) for performing an action is disclosed. In one arrangement and embodiment, the system (110) comprises: a tool (118) operable to perform at least the action; a controller (122); storage (124) storing electronic program instructions for controlling the controller (122); and an input/output means (126). In one form, the controller (122) is operable, under control of the electronic program instructions, to: receive input via the input means; process the input, and on the basis of the processing, control the tool to perform the action. In one embodiment, the action comprises a hydraulic tuning action in respect of a system, such as a hydraulic pump (114), comprising a hydraulic circuit.

In a method for the encryption communication in a process plant, one or more keys for coding of electronic signals regarding the process plant, such as actuation signals, measurement signals, state signals, warning signals or such, are provided. The one or more keys are transmitted as acoustic signal via a ductwork guiding plant fluid, particularly a process fluid or an auxiliary fluid, from the first communication partner to the second communication partner. The process plant can be a chemical plant, a power plant, or a food-processing plant. The communication can be between a first and a second communication partner, which can include at least one field device, such as an actuator for adjusting a process fluid and/or a control electronics for supervising, controlling and/or regulating processes of the process plant.

An apparatus is described for controlling fluid flow and in particular fluid flow through a microfluidic multi-port control valve assembly of a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) unit. The flow control apparatus has a localized data repository for storing cumulative wear indications of components of the apparatus. The stored information travels with the apparatus allowing for more reliable predictive failure of components of the apparatus.

In one aspect, an actuator for actuating a device comprises driving means adapted to be operatively connected to the device, and operable to receive a reaction element for engaging the device. The driving means further comprises an output adapted to be operatively engaged with the device for actuation of the device whilst the reaction element is engaging the device.

A hydraulic control loop controls a hydraulic adjusting cylinder. The cylinder has a cylindrical housing and a displaceable piston therein. The piston divides the housing interior into a first and a second hydraulic chamber. A first hydraulic valve supplies the first hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pressure of the first hydraulic chamber is adjustable by controlling the first hydraulic valve. A second hydraulic valve supplies the second hydraulic chamber with hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic chamber is adjustable by controlling the second hydraulic valve. A control device controls the two hydraulic valves. In a position control state, the second hydraulic valve is controlled by a position control signal dependent on the working position of the piston and the first hydraulic valve is controlled by an adjusted position control signal, that is generated on the basis of the position control signal.

A method is for producing, for a hydraulic machine having an actuator, a setpoint-value trajectory satisfying predefined limitations in order to influence an output variable of the hydraulic machine. A trajectory of unlimited setpoint values is fed to a trajectory planning function, which produces the setpoint-value trajectory from the trajectory of unlimited setpoint values. In the trajectory planning function, the trajectory of unlimited setpoint values is differentiated at least twice in order to obtain a trajectory of unlimited setpoint values that is differentiated n times. In the trajectory planning function, at least one limitation is applied to the differentiated trajectory of unlimited setpoint values in order to obtain a differentiated trajectory of limited setpoint values. The differentiated trajectory of limited setpoint values is fed to a filter integrator chain in order to obtain the setpoint-value trajectory.

The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels adjusts the angular orientation of a solar panel to maximize exposure of an upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The pneumatic solar tracking system includes a base and a platform supported above the base. The platform has an opening formed therein. A plurality of pneumatic actuators are supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform. The solar panel is supported on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connect the lower surface of the solar panel to respective pistons of the plurality of pneumatic actuators. Each of the pivotal connectors pivots along at least two orthogonal axes. An optical sensor is provided for detecting and tracking the angular position of the sun.