Operating Method for a Valve System, Control Unit and Computer Program Product

Abstract

A valve system having a valve with a moveable armature and a pneumatic actuation apparatus, a controller, a computer program product for simulating operating behavior of the valve system and an operating method for the valve system, wherein the valve is provided in an active operating state and a valve position to be approached is specified, a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached that is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus is determined, a differential pressure in the pneumatic actuation apparatus is changed and the differential pressure present is detected, and the differential pressure present is stabilized if a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

Claims

1. An operating method for a valve system having a valve with a moveable armature and a pneumatic actuation apparatus, the method comprising: a) providing the valve in an active operating state and specifying a valve position to be approached; b) determining a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached which is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus; c) changing a differential pressure present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus and detecting the differential pressure present; and d) stabilizing the differential pressure present when a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

2. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein steps b) to d) are performed without mechanical, electromechanical, magnetic, capacitive or optical detection of a present valve position.

3. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve position to be approached lies between two end positions of the armature.

4. The operating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the valve position to be approached lies between two end positions of the armature.

5. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the differential pressure is formed based on at least one of a first and second chamber pressure; and wherein the at least one of the first and second chamber pressure is detected at a first or second pressure line of the valve.

6. The operating method as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second chamber pressure is determined via a pressure sensor with a measuring accuracy of up to +/−10 mbar.

7. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the settable threshold value corresponds to up to 0.1% to 3.0% of a stroke length of the pneumatic actuation apparatus.

8. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a corresponding target differential pressure is determined during step (b) while taking into account hysteresis.

9. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least steps b) and c) are performed repeatedly in order to travel through a specifiable traversing profile of the armature.

10. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of steps a) to d) is performed while taking into account an assembly orientation of the valve system.

11. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating method comprises self-calibration of the valve system in which the end positions are approached to determine a pressure-time characteristic.

12. A valve system comprising: a valve; and a pneumatic actuation apparatus in which setting a differential pressure causes an armature of the valve to be movable; wherein a specifiable valve position is settable in a radial direction via the differential pressure as a sole input variable to save installation space of the valve system.

13. The valve system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a first and/or second chamber pressure are each settable via a pressure line.

14. The valve system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a controller unit; wherein the controller is configured to: a) provide the valve in an active operating state and specify a valve position to be approached; b) determine a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached which is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus; c) change a differential pressure present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus and detect the differential pressure present; and d) stabilize the differential pressure present when a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

14. The valve system as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a controller unit; wherein the controller is configured to: a) provide the valve in an active operating state and specify a valve position to be approached; b) determine a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached which is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus; c) change a differential pressure present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus and detect the differential pressure present; and d) stabilize the differential pressure present when a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

15. A controller for actuating an armature on a pneumatic actuation apparatus for a valve system, the controller being configured to receive measurement signals for a first and a second chamber pressure and to output control signals for setting at least one of the first and second chamber pressures, and wherein the controller is further configured to: a) provide a valve in an active operating state and specify a valve position to be approached; b) determine a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached which is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus; c) change a differential pressure present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus and detect the differential pressure present; and d) stabilize the differential pressure present when a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

16. A computer program product for simulating the operating behavior of a valve system which is connectable to a fluid line, the valve system including a valve and a pneumatic actuation apparatus in which setting a differential pressure causes an armature of the valve to be movable, and a specifiable valve position is settable in a radial direction via the differential pressure as a sole input variable to save installation space of the valve system, the computer program product including program code which, when executed by a controller, causes operation of the valve system, the program code comprising: a) program code for providing the valve in an active operating state and specifying a valve position to be approached; b) program code for determining a target differential pressure corresponding to the valve position to be approached which is to be set in the pneumatic actuation apparatus; c) program code for changing a differential pressure present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus and detecting the differential pressure present; and d) program code for stabilizing the differential pressure present when a deviation between the differential pressure present and the target differential pressure falls below a settable threshold value in terms of amount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention is described in more detail below in figures with reference to an embodiment. The figures are be read as mutually complementary in that the same reference symbols in different figures have the same technical meaning, where the features of the embodiments can be combined with the features outlined above, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows schematically an exemplary circuit arrangement of an inventive resonant converter;

[0027] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a structure of a first embodiment of the valve system in accordance with the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 a diagram of a first embodiment of the operating method in accordance with the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 3 a flow chart of a second embodiment of the claimed operating method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the structure of a first embodiment of the inventive valve system 30. The valve system 30 comprises a valve 10 that has an armature 12 that can be moved along an actuation direction 17 via a pneumatic actuation apparatus 20. The armature 12 can be moved between two end positions 27 that are defined by a stop of the armature 12 on a valve housing 11 and a valve seat 14. The valve 10 is connected to a fluid line 16 through which a pipe axis 15 is defined. The valve 10 is configured to regulate a throughflow of a medium 25 through the pipe 16 in dependence on a present valve position 13, i.e., a position of the armature 12 along the actuation direction 17. The pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 comprises a diaphragm 23 via which the regions with a first or a second chamber pressure 21, 22 are separated. The first chamber pressure 21 is provided via a pressure line 32. The first chamber pressure 21 causes deformation of the diaphragm 23 so that the armature 12 can be moved along the actuation direction 17. Furthermore, the first chamber pressure 21 on the pressure line 32 can be detected by a pressure sensor 34 that can be positioned at substantially any position along the pressure line 32. The pressure sensor 34 has a measuring accuracy of up to +/−10 mbar. This is symbolized in FIG. 1 by the partially interrupted pressure line 32. The first chamber pressure 21 detected by the pressure sensor 34 is sent in the form of measurement signals 33 to a control unit 40 (controller) assigned to the valve system 30, in particular the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20. The control unit 40 (controller) is suitable for receiving and processing the measurement signals 33. Likewise, the control unit 40 is suitable for setting the first chamber pressure 21 via a control signal 35.

[0031] The first and second chamber pressures 21, 22 result in differential pressure 18 acting on the diaphragm 23 in the actuation direction 17 via which the armature 12 of the valve 10 can be positioned. In particular, the first and second chamber pressures 21, 22 result in pressure forces 19. The valve system 30 has a radial distance 26 between the valve 10 and the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20. Herein, the term radial distance 26 should be understood in the sense of a radial direction 36 that is defined with respect to the pipe axis 15. The radial distance 26 between the valve 10 and the actuation direction 20 is minimized. In particular, the radial distance 26 is dimensioned such that no displacement transducer can be attached between the valve 10 and the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20. The valve system 30 is formed without a mechanical, electromechanical or optical displacement transducer. As a result, the valve system 30 is more compact in the radial direction 36.

[0032] The valve system 30 is suitable for operation in accordance with an operating method 100 that can be implemented via the control unit 40. The control unit 40 is formed as a local control unit 42 that is directly connected to the valve system 30. In a first step 110, the operating method 100 starts with an active operating state of the valve system 30 in which it is installed and operational. In the first step 110, a valve position 24 to be approached is specified via a user input 37. A second step 120 in which a target differential pressure 28 corresponding to the valve position 24 to be approached is determined is performed via the control unit 40. This occurs via a value table, an algorithm, artificial intelligence and/or a formula stored in the control unit 40.

[0033] Likewise, the control unit 40 (controller) performs a third step 130 in which the differential pressure 18 present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 is detected. To this end, the pressure sensor 34 receives measurement signals 33 reflecting the first chamber pressure 21. Similarly, in the third step 130, the first chamber pressure 21 is set in order to adapt the differential pressure 18 present to the target differential pressure 28. For this purpose, the control unit 40 outputs control signals 35 that act on the supply of compressed air in the pressure line 35. Here, an actuation direction of the armature 12, in particular hysteresis stored in the control unit 40, is taken into account. The movement of the armature 12 sets a traversing profile 43 for the valve 10, and thus also for the valve system 30.

[0034] In addition, the operating method 100 comprises a fourth step 140 in which the differential pressure 18 present is compared with the target differential pressure 28 by determining a deviation between them. If the deviation between the target differential pressure 28 and the differential pressure 18 present falls below a settable threshold value 29, then the differential pressure 18 present is stabilized. The target differential pressure 28 corresponds to the valve position 24 to be approached. Accordingly, the armature 12 reaches the valve position to be approached 24 in the fourth step 140. As a result, the armature 12, and thus the valve 10 and the valve system 30 achieve increased actuation accuracy. The structure of the valve system 30 in FIG. 1 is mapped in a computer program product 60 configured to simulate the operating behavior of the valve system 30. For this purpose, the computer program product 60 is formed as a digital twin.

[0035] A first embodiment of the inventive operating method 100 is depicted in a diagram 50 in FIG. 2. The aspects of the operating method 100 depicted in FIG. 2 can be transferred to the operating method 100 shown in FIG. 1. The diagram 50 has a horizontal time axis 52 and a vertical size axis 54. The operating method 100 starts with an active operating state in the first step 110 in which a valve system 30 suitable for executing the outlined operating method 100 is mounted in an operative manner. Meanwhile, a differential pressure 18 present in a pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 of the valve system 30 is substantially constant. The first step 110 ends with a user input 37 by means of which a valve position 24 to be approached is specified.

[0036] In a second step 120, a control unit 40 determines a target differential pressure 28 corresponding to the valve position 24 to be approached. For this purpose, the control unit 40 has a value table symbolized in FIG. 2. This is followed by a third step 130 in which the differential pressure 18 present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 (not shown in further detail) is increased. For this purpose, a first chamber pressure 21 that is also present in the pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 is determined. The increase in the first chamber pressure 21 causes a present valve position 13 of the armature 12 (as indicated in FIG. 1) to change. The measurement signals 33 are evaluated in a regulating circuit 38 and corresponding control signals 35 are generated in order to adapt the differential pressure 18 present.

[0037] At the end of the third step 130, the differential pressure 18 present approaches the target differential pressure 28. The target differential pressure 28 has a tolerance margin 31 that is substantially determined by two threshold values 29 that are above or below the target differential pressure 28 respectively. The fact that the tolerance margin has been reached is identified when a deviation between the differential pressure 18 present and the target differential pressure 28 has fallen below one of the threshold values 29 in terms of amount. The threshold values 29 can, for example, be set by a user. Furthermore, the tolerance margin 31 defines an actuation accuracy 39 that can be achieved with the valve system 30, i.e., an achievable positional accuracy of the armature 12 after approaching a specified valve position 24. The outlined identification of the tolerance margin 31 from the differential pressure 18 occurs in a fourth step 140.

[0038] In the fourth step 140, the differential pressure 18 present is also stabilized so that the present valve position 13 is also stabilized in the region of the specified valve position 24. The mode of operation of the described operating method 100 in a valve system 30, as, for example, shown in FIG. 1, can be simulated by a computer program product. The computer program product 60 has interfaces for inputting and outputting data reflecting the mode of operation outlined in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the computer program product 60 is formed as a digital twin.

[0039] The sequence of a second embodiment of the inventive operating method 100 is depicted schematically in FIG. 3. Here, the operating method 100 starts from a first step 110 in which a valve system 30, such as depicted in FIG. 1, is provided in an active operating state. A user input 37 occurs via which a traversing profile 43 to be traveled through is specified. The traversing profile 43 comprises a first, second and third valve position 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 to be approached that are linked to one another. This is followed by a second step 120 in which a target differential pressure 28 corresponding to the first valve position 24.1 to be approached for a pneumatic actuation apparatus 20 (not shown) of the valve system 30 is determined. This is followed by a third step 130 in which the differential pressure 18 is determined via measurement signals 33 and compared with the target differential pressure 28. In the third step 130, control signals 35 are used to adapt the differential pressure 18 present. This occurs via a regulating circuit 38 in a control unit 40 of the valve system 30.

[0040] The foregoing is followed by a fourth step 140 in which the differential pressure 18 present is compared with the target differential pressure 28. If the deviation between the differential pressure 18 present and the target differential pressure 28 falls below a settable threshold value 29 at least in terms of an amount, then the differential pressure 18 is stabilized. This is followed by a first branch 145 in which a check is made to determine whether the last of the valve positions 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 to be approached has already been reached. If at least one valve position 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 to be approached has not yet been reached, then the method 150 returns to the second step 120. The second, third and fourth step 120, 130, 140 are then repeated for the subsequent valve position 24.2, 24.3 to be approached. Otherwise, the first branch 145 leads to an end state 200 in which the operating method 100 ends. The operating behavior of the associated valve system 30 can be simulated in a computer program product 60 formed as a digital twin.

[0041] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.