EP2126376A1

EP2126376A1 - Fluid-technical device that can be supplied via a fluid line with electrical energy

Info

Publication number: EP2126376A1
Application number: EP08707431A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sascha Schille
Original assignee: Festo SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Festo SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2007-02-28
Filing date: 2008-01-31
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-31
Also published as: EP2126376B1; WO2008104260A1; DE102007009677A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid-technical, particularly a pneumatic, device, such as an actuator (12c), or a valve arrangement (28c), having a connection for a fluid line (73), wherein the connection comprises at least one electrical contact (79a, 79b). In the fluid line, a channel (74) is disposed for a pressure medium (19) for the fluid-technical supply or actuation of the device, and further at least one electrical conductor (75a, 75') for the electrical supply with electrical energy of at least one electrical component (44) of the device. The invention provides that the at least one electrical component (44) comprises a communication unit (65, 67, 86, 89) for wireless data communication.

Description

FESTO AG & Co., Ruiter Strasse 82, 73734 Esslingen

Fluidic device which can be supplied with electrical energy via a fluid line

The invention relates to a fluid power device, for example a pneumatic device, e.g. an actuator or a valve arrangement, having a connection for a fluid line containing at least one electrical contact, in which a channel for a pressure medium for fluid supply or actuation of the device and at least one electrical conductor for the electrical supply of at least one electrical component of the device is arranged with electrical energy.

Such a fluidic device can be seen for example from DE 100 49 958 B4. A valve arrangement controls an actuator, for example a pneumatic cylinder, via fluid lines which, in addition to a pressure channel, for example a compressed air channel, additionally have one or two electrical conductors. Between the valve assembly and the actuator then a circuit is formed, via which the valve assembly on the one hand supplies the actuator with electrical energy and on the other hand communicates data.

However, the data transmission on the electric circuit may be disturbed or not reliably maintained in some operating cases. For example, chip tion influences on the electrical circuit, vibrations or the like interfere with the data communication.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide reliable communication in a fluid power device of the type mentioned in the introduction.

To solve the problem is provided in a fluid power device of the type mentioned that the at least one electrical component comprises a communication device for wireless external data communication.

The inventive concept provides that the external communication of the fluid power device is wireless. Although the device may internally have wireless communication means, such as communicating between the sensor and the local controller on a wireless internal bus. However, it is advantageous that the fluidic device externally communicates exclusively wirelessly. Possible faults on wire cables are thereby excluded. However, the electrical power is supplied via a fluid line which additionally has electrical power supply conductors. By external communication is meant communication with superimposed, sibling, and subordinate other components or devices of, for example, an automation system. For example, if the fluid power device is a pneumatic actuator, it communicates wirelessly with a superimposed controller, e.g. a valve battery or a control module of a programmable logic controller or the like.

The fluid power device communicates wirelessly with its separate units. The wirelessly communicating electrical component is preferably arranged in or on a housing of the fluid power device.

The invention proposes a separation of tasks in which the fluid line with the at least one electrical conductor provides the electrical power supply and the data communication with external devices, e.g. a superimposed device (control device, monitoring device etc.) or a subordinate device (actuator, valve or the like) or a sibling device, e.g. between two parallel pneumatic drives, done wirelessly. Voltage fluctuations or voltage failures in the electrical conductor thus do not affect the data communication.

It is understood that the fluid line can also have a plurality of print media channels and / or a plurality of electrical conductors. The data is, for example, reporting data, e.g. Sensor data, time data or the like. Also program data, parameter data or configuration data are according to the invention

20 communicates wirelessly. For example, the fluid power device can be programmed, parameterized or configured wirelessly. Also, control data for actuating the fluidic device, for example switching commands or the like, are expediently communicated wirelessly.

25 nicked.

The at least one electrical conductor in the fluid line is used exclusively for electrical power supply. The at least one electrical component, however, preferably communicates exclusively wirelessly, in any case not above 0, the at least one electrical conductor which is provided for energy supply purposes in the fluid line. An electrical buffer memory is preferred to compensate for voltage fluctuations or power failures. The buffer memory contains, for example, an accumulator, a capacitor or the like, for storing electrical energy. The buffer memory is expediently electrically connected to at least one electrical conductor in the fluid line or to the fluid line. Preferably, the buffer memory is connected between the at least one component to be supplied with electrical energy, which communicates wirelessly, lo and the one or more electrical conductors of the fluid line. Thus, the buffer compensates for any voltage fluctuations.

The buffer memory is repeatedly charged via the electrical energy obtained on the fluid line. This distinguishes the buffer from a battery whose energy content has been exhausted after some time. The battery increases the maintenance of a fluid power device, since the battery must be replaced from time to time.

Furthermore, it is expedient to provide a converter device for voltage or current conversion in the fluidic device, so that the electrical energy obtained via the fluid line can be adapted to the electrical conditions of the fluidic device. The converter device is also connected between the electrical conductors and the at least one electrical component. Further, the converter means may be connected between the buffer memory and the electrical component.

The at least one electrical component expediently comprises a sensor, a local control or a monitoring device. Also an electric valve drive can form an electrical component supplied with electrical energy via the fluid line according to the invention. The sensor is, for example, a pressure sensor, a position sensor or the like.

5 In the fluid power device, various circuit concepts can be realized.

For example, it is possible that only a single electrical conductor of the fluid line is sufficient to supply the fluid power device with electrical energy. At the lo single electrical conductor is a supply potential. The device, however, can be applied to a ground potential, for example.

Furthermore, it is conceivable for the fluidic device to have a second connection for a second fluid line. i5, wherein an electrical contact is provided on the second connection for an electrical conductor contained in the second fluid line. Between the electrical conductors of the first and second fluid line or the electrical contacts of the first and second terminal is a

20 supply voltage on. For example, a ground potential is provided on the electrical conductor of the second fluid line.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the fluid line contains, for example, two electrical lines, between which a 2s electrical supply potential is applied. One of the electrical conductors, for example, a ground conductor.

It is understood that the fluidic device may also have connections for fluid lines without electrical conductors. To increase the security of supply, it is also conceivable, for example, for a plurality of electrical conductors to have the same electrical potential. A single fluid line may, for example, have a plurality of electrical conductors. The conductors can also be contained in a first and at least one second fluid line. The contacts associated with the electrical conductors at the one or more connections of the fluidic device for the fluid line (s) then have the same potential and are expediently connected in parallel.

Furthermore, it is possible that different supply voltages are provided on different conductors which are arranged in a single fluid line or in a plurality of fluid lines. Thus, different supply potentials can be provided for different purposes. For example, electronic components for control tasks or data communication can be supplied with a supply voltage of 5 volts. For other purposes, such as valve actuators, higher supply voltages may be provided, e.g. 24 volts.

The fluidic device is expediently a pneumatic device, that is, the pressure medium is compressed air.

The fluid power device expediently has a valve arrangement. The at least one electrical component advantageously comprises a drive means for actuating at least one valve of the valve arrangement. The drive means is supplied with electrical energy received from the fluid conduit.

The valve arrangement expediently contains communication means for wireless communication with a superimposed one Control device or a monitoring device. The control device and the monitoring device can form a single structural unit. The valve arrangement advantageously also has communication means for wireless communication with at least one actuator, which it fluidly controls.

The valve assembly may, for example, form or comprise a single valve or a valve battery, wherein at least two valve assemblies, e.g. Valve modules are arranged side by side in a row direction. Furthermore, it is possible that the pneumatic device has or forms a pneumatic actuator. The actuator is, for example, a pneumatic cylinder with or without a piston rod.

A fluid-technical valve arrangement can be arranged on the actuator. With the valve arrangement, the actuator is fluidly controlled or actuated. The at least one actuator disposed on the valve preferably includes drive means which are supplied with electrical energy, which is obtained from the fluid conduit.

Advantageously, the actuator forms part of a fluid power system in which the actuator is fluidly controllable by a designed as a separate assembly valve assembly via the fluid line and the valve assembly via the at least one electrical conductor contained in the fluid line with electrical energy. The valve arrangement is, for example, a single-valve module or a valve battery to which the actuator is connected.

Several actuators of this type can be connected to the valve battery, that is, the valve battery is supplied or controls the respective actuators fluidly via the fluid lines and supplies the actuators in addition with electrical energy via electrical conductors that are included in the leading to the actuators fluid lines. It is particularly preferred if the valve arrangement and the at least one actuator exclusively communicate wirelessly. The at least one electrical component of the actuator expediently contains communication means for wireless communication with the valve arrangement. The communication means can also be designed for communication with a superimposed control device or monitoring device, for example a programmable logic controller, a master computer or the like.

In the case of the valve arrangement, for example a valve battery, it is advantageous if it can be supplied with fluid and electricity via a fluid line with a channel for a pressure medium and at least one electrical conductor. For example, the valve arrangement is in turn connected to a compressed air source or maintenance unit, which not only provides pressure medium, but also via the at least one electrical conductor contained in the fluid line electrical energy.

The compressed-air source and / or the maintenance unit can form building units which are remote from the valve arrangement, that is to say remote. Furthermore, an integral concept is conceivable in which the compressed air source / the maintenance unit and the valve arrangement, for example the valve battery, form an overall assembly, for example in the manner of a battery.

In the case of the valve arrangement and the actuator, which supplies the valve arrangement with electrical energy via the fluid line, it is expedient to be able to arrange in each case a buffer store. be net. These buffer memories can be self-sufficient, that is to say local units which serve for the respective supply of the valve arrangement and of the actuator.

It is expedient if the buffer memories are connected in parallel, so that the buffer memories complement each other alternately and / or provide a higher total electrical storage capacity.

Embodiments will be explained with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 shows an automation system with two valve batteries, a control device and a control center,

2 shows a valve battery with a remote maintenance and supply device, which supplies the valve battery i5 via a fluid line with a fluid channel and electrical lines fluidly and electrically,

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the valve battery according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a fluid line with a fluid channel and two electrical conductors, and FIG

Figure 5 is a schematic view of an arrangement with a fluidic actuator on which a valve arrangement is locally arranged. The embodiments of the invention show partially similar or equivalent components, which are provided with the same reference numerals and only once each described.

In an automation system 10, valve batteries IIa, IIb actuate fluid-technical actuators, for example actuators 12a, 12b, in terms of fluid technology. The valve batteries IIa, IIb are pneumatic valve batteries, the actuators 12a, 12b pneumatic cylinders. By way of example, the actuators 12 are shown as pneumatic cylinders with piston rods, with piston-rod-free variants or pneumatic drives, which additionally have an electric drive part, so-called hybrid drives, being possible.

The automation system 10 has a hierarchical structure with superimposed, sibling and subordinate components. A control center 14 with control computers 15a, 15b controls the valve batteries IIa, IIb directly or indirectly via an intermediate control device 13, for example a programmable logic controller.

In the automation system 10, a wireless communication concept is realized throughout, it being possible in principle to use one or the other wired communication connection instead of wireless communication connections, for example a wired fieldbus connection between the control center 14 and the valve battery IIa or Control device 13 and the valve battery IIb.

An operating device 17 is used, for example, for parameterizing and configuring the valve battery IIb, for displaying functions of the valve battery IIb or the like, and communicates wirelessly with the valve battery IIb. At the actors 12a, 12b wirelessly communicating sensor assemblies 23a, 23b are arranged with sensors 24a, 24b. The sensors 24a communicate wirelessly with the valve battery IIa. The valve battery IIb communicates wirelessly with a camera 25.

In the case of the automation system 10, the data communication is wireless throughout, while the energy transmission occurs in part via electrical lines, which may also be contained in fluid lines. Furthermore, local or decentralized electrical supply components provided in the valve batteries 12a, 12b are provided, e.g. electrical

Energy sources (solar cells, fuel cells or the like) or electrical energy converters or generators, by vibration or by exhaust air of the actuators 12a, 12b or by a pressure medium 19, e.g. Compressed air can be driven, the e.g. Provide compressed air sources 18a, 18b.

An advantageous variant of the invention can provide that the automation system 10 communicates wirelessly with a uniform standard, for example following a wireless Ethernet standard. One such standard is, for example, the so-called Wi-Fi standard (wireless fidelity). But other standards, for example, based on IEEE 802.15.4 standards are conceivable. For example, the ZigBee Alliance has set such a standard. It is understood that the components of the automation system 10 may communicate with each other by radio, by infrared or other wireless communication techniques. However, it is also conceivable that different wireless technologies are used for different communication purposes within the automation system 10, for example Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IrDa. Control modules 26a, 26b control and monitor further modules of the valve batteries IIa, IIb, for example valve modules 27a, 27b and a maintenance arrangement 38b. The valve modules 27a, 27b are lined up in a row direction with the control modules 26a, 26b. The valve modules 27a, 27b form valve assemblies 28a, 28c.

For example, a valve module 27a controls the actuator 12a via fluid lines 29a. The valve module 27a acts on the fluid lines 29a, 29b in a housing 30 linearly movably arranged piston 31 with compressed air, so that a piston rod 32 extends or retracts from the housing 30 and actuates an object 33. In the valve modules 27a, not shown electrically actuated valves are provided, which act on the actuator 12a with compressed air or vent. In the valve modules 27a, for example, a not shown in the drawing pressure medium channel is arranged, in which the compressed air source 18 feeds compressed air 19. Fluid sections on the underside of the valve modules 27a, which are not visible in the figure, contain channel sections for forming the

2o pressure medium channel.

The sensors 24a, 24b are, for example, position sensors which detect the respective position, in particular the end position, of the piston 31. It is understood that other sensors are possible, such as pressure sensors, optical sensors 25 or the like.

The valve battery IIb contains a fluid distributor 36, for example a plate, in which compressed air channels 35 run. The compressed air source 18b feeds the compressed air 19 into one of the pressure medium channels 35 at a compressed air connection 37. However, it would also be conceivable that the valve modules 27b have channel sections for forming a fluid distributor. The compressed air connection 37 is arranged on a maintenance arrangement 38 of the valve battery IIb with maintenance modules 39, 40, for example a filter and an oiler, for the treatment of the compressed air 19. The maintenance arrangement 38 forms an integral part of the valve battery IIb. The maintenance modules 39, 40 are lined up in the row direction to the control module 26b and to a communication module 41b of the valve battery IIb.

One of the valve modules 27b controls by way of example the actuator 12a, which substantially equals the actuator 12b. On the piston rod of the actuator 12b, however, an electrically operable gripper 34 for gripping an object 33b is arranged at the free end.

The control module 26a wirelessly communicates with the overriding control center 14, for example in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard, and the sensors 24a, e.g. based on Bluetooth or Zig-Bee. The control module 26a wirelessly receives control data or commands from the control center 14 and transmits to the control center 14 wireless monitoring data, for example position data of the piston 31. In the case of the valve battery IIa, the wireless concept is consistently implemented. The internal communication of the modules of the valve battery IIa is wireless. The control module 26a wirelessly transmits control data to the valve modules 27a, for example for switching the respective valves, wirelessly receives monitoring data, for example functional messages of the respective valves.

The control device 13 communicates wirelessly, for example according to the Wi-Fi standard with the control center 14 and with subordinate components, for example the valve battery Hb, via a remote communication module 63. In the case of the valve battery IIb, a more modular concept is realized in comparison to the valve battery IIa with regard to the wireless communication. Although the control module 26b has a communication device 65 with an antenna 66 for direct, wireless communication with the control device 13 controlling and superimposed on it. However, the separate communication module 41b is used for communication with the sensor arrangement 23b. The communication module 41b wirelessly communicates with the sensors 24b according to the Bluetooth standard, for example. The communication module 41b contains for communication with the sensor arrangement 23b a wireless communication device 67 for receiving and / or transmitting data by means of an antenna 68.

Although it would be conceivable that the valve battery IIb as well as the valve battery IIa for internal communication, in particular bus-like communication has wireless communication means, such as waveguide communication means or schematically illustrated communication means in their individual valve modules. Thus, antennas 57 'are shown for the purpose of illustrating the valve modules 27b. However, the valve battery IIb communicates internally via a wired bus 69, to which the modules of the valve battery IIb are connected.

In the case of the valve battery IIb, a fuel cell 51 forms an electrical supply component 48b. Instead of the fuel cell 51 or in addition to this, a solar cell 51 'could be provided. The fuel cell 51 is, for example, a separate unit from the valve battery IIb. But it is also conceivable that the fuel cell 51 forms an integral part of the valve battery IIb. The fuel cell 51 feeds electrical energy into an electrical supply line 50b of the valve battery IIb one. To the supply line 50b, the components or modules of the valve battery Hb are connected. For example, the valve module 27b feeds electrical energy from the supply line 50b into an electrical conductor 43 of a fluid line 42b.

The valve battery Hb supplies the sensor arrangement 23b with electrical energy via the electrical conductor 43 in a fluid line 42b, with which the actuator 12b is connected to the valve battery IIb. At the electrical conductor 43 is an electrical supply potential. The actuator 12b or the sensor arrangement 23b is connected to a ground potential MP. A battery or other local voltage source is thus not required in the actuator 12b. The electrical conductor 43 runs, for example, in an inner space of the fluid line 42. The sensor arrangement 23b forms an electrical component 44 which communicates wirelessly with a communication device 45 wirelessly with the superimposed valve battery Hb. The sensors 24b are connected to the communication device 45 via electrical conductors, not shown.

A valve battery Hc with valve modules 27c, a communication module 41c for wireless communication and a control module 26c is supplied with compressed air by a maintenance arrangement 38c. The maintenance arrangement 38c contains maintenance modules 39c, 40c, for example a dehumidifier, an oiler, a filter or the like. The valve battery Hc could, for example, be integrated into the automation system 10 instead of the valve battery Hb.

A compressed air source 18 c supplies the maintenance arrangement 38 c with compressed air 19 via a connection 37. A power source 71, for example a solar cell, a fuel cell or The like, feeds via a line 72 electrical power or electrical energy in the maintenance arrangement 38 a.

The maintenance arrangement 38c feeds the compressed air 19 'processed by it into the valve battery 11c via a fluid line 73. The fluid line 73 includes a pressure medium channel 74 and two electrical conductors 75a, 75b for the electrical supply of the valve battery llc. The conductors 75a, 75b are arranged, for example, in a jacket 76 of the fluid line 73. At the conductor 75a, for example, there is a supply voltage U with respect to the electrical conductor 75b, which has, for example, ground potential MP.

It goes without saying that electrical conductors in a fluid line according to the invention can, for example, also be arranged on an outer circumference of a jacket and / or that a fluid line can have only a single conductor, for example the fluid line 42b and / or a fluid line more than two electrical conductor, such as a conductor 75 ', which is indicated at the fluid line 73 as an optional variant.

For example, the supply voltage U can also be applied to the electrical conductor 75 ', so that a conductor impedance is given, or a second supply voltage which, for example, is greater or less than the supply voltage U.

The fluid line 73 is connected to a terminal 77 of the valve battery llc. The valve modules 27c of the valve battery llc likewise each have a connection 77 with electrical contacts 79a, 79b for connecting electrical conductors contained in fluid lines. For example, the conductors 75a, 75b are in the inserted state of the fluid line 73 with the contacts 79a, 79b, which are connected to electrical supply lines 83a, 83b of the valve battery llc. Thus, the power source 71 or electrical energy source feeds electrical energy via the fluid line 73 into the valve battery 11c. The modules 27 c, 41 c and 26 c of the valve battery II b are connected to the electrical supply lines 83 a, 83.

Furthermore, each connection 77 has a pressure medium connection 80, which is fluidically tightly connected to the pressure medium channel 74 in the inserted state of the fluid line 73. The pressure medium flows via the pressure medium connection 80 into a fluid line 81 of the valve battery 11c. The fluid line 81 is arranged, for example, in channel sections of the valve modules 27c or a fluid distributor.

Valves 82 of the valve modules 27c are connected to the fluid line 81 and act as terminals serving connections 77 and 78 with compressed air or allow a backflow of compressed air or exhaust air to.

The connections 77 are combined electro-fluidic connections, while the connections 78 are pure pressure medium connections or fluid connections. Via the connections 77, the valve modules 27c can supply electrical components connected to electrical components. For example, a further fluid line 73 with integrated electrical conductors 75a, 75b is connected to one of the connections 77 for the fluidic control and electrical supply of an actuator 12c. The conductors 75a, 75b are thus connected to the supply lines 83a, 83b of the valve battery llc. Alternatively, it would also be possible for an electrical conductor 75b ^{1 to be} arranged, for example, in a fluid line 29c '. Instead of the connection 78, the connection 78 'is then connected to an electrical contact 79b', which is connected to the supply line 83b. Thus, the power supply of the actuator 12c and the sensor assembly 23c would be realized via a circuit in which, for example, the supply voltage U applied to the electrical conductor 75a and the ground potential MP at the electrical conductor 75b ^first To connect the electrical lo wire 75b ¹ , for example, a second electrical connection 77 'is provided.

The modules of the valve battery 11c advantageously each have an electrical buffer 84. Also in the case of the actuators and / or sensors i5 connected to the valve battery 11c, it is expedient to provide electrical buffer memories, such as, for example, a buffer memory 85 at the actuator 12c. The sensors 24c are connected via lines not shown to the buffer memory 85 and are supplied by this with electrical energy. The fluid line 73 is, for example, in FIG

20 a connection 77 of the actuator 12c inserted.

If electrical supply interruptions or voltage fluctuations occur due to, for example, vibrations of the fluid lines 73, the buffer memories 84, 85 compensate for this. They are optional and might not exist

25 be. It e.g. It is also possible that only the valve battery llc one or more buffer memory 84 and the actuator 12c has no buffer memory or only the actuator 12c its buffer memory 85 and the buffer valve no buffer 84 is provided. Furthermore, the valve battery could

30 llc also have a single central buffer memory. The buffer memories 84, 85 include, for example, accumulators and / or capacitors. Particularly useful are so-called double-layer capacitors or electrochemical double-layer capacitors (English, electrochemical double layer capacitor S - EDLC), or other capacitors having a high electrical storage capacity.

The buffer memory 84, 85 are suitably connected in parallel, so that overall the electrical storage capacity of the fluid power arrangement is increased, which consists of the tolbatterie Venlo 11c and the connected actuators, the actuator 12c.

The valve battery 11c is controlled by the control module 26c. For example, the valve modules 27c forming a valve arrangement 28c receive control commands for actuating the valves 82 from the control module 26c. The control module 26c and the remaining modules of the valve battery 11c, namely the valve modules 27c and a communication module 41c, communicate wirelessly. Each module 26c, 27c, 41c has a communication means 86 and an antenna 87 for wireless ven-

20 tilbatterie-internal communication, which is conveniently bus-like. Alternatively, the modules 26c, 27c, 41c could also communicate by wire, e.g. via internal bus lines.

The control module 26c communicates with a communication means 65 and an antenna 66 wirelessly with a higher-level control device, for example the control device 13 and / or the control center 14. The communication module 41c is provided for communication with subordinate actuators and / or sensors. This has a communication 3o device 67 and an antenna 68 for wireless communication, for example, with a sensor assembly 23 c, the Actuator 12c is arranged. Sensors 24c of the sensor arrangement 23c communicate wirelessly with the valve battery 11c by means of a communication device 89.

The valve battery 11c and the actuator 12c are supplied with electrical energy via electrical conductors which are contained in fluid lines. For communication, wireless communication means 65, 67, 86, 89. The buffer memory 84, 85 and the fluid lines 73 with their electrical leads 75a, 75b, the terminals 77 with the electrical contacts 79a, 79b, form supply components 48c for electrical supply.

In an actuator 112, the inventive concept is realized in which electrical conductors are provided in a fluid line for electrical supply and the communication is wireless. The actuator 112 is for example a single-acting pneumatic cylinder 113, in which a piston 131 is arranged to be linearly movable in a housing 130. A piston rod 132 arranged on the piston 131 penetrates a cover 133 of the housing 130. Between the piston 131 and the cover 133 a spring 135 is arranged, which holds the

Piston 131 moves in the direction of a cover 133 opposite the second end stop, which is defined by a cover 134.

A valve 181, for example a 2/2-way valve, acts on the other side of the piston 131 with compressed air. A compressed air source 118 supplies the valve assembly 128 via a fluid line 142 with a pressure medium channel 74 with compressed air. In addition, the fluid line 142 includes an electrical conductor into which an electrical energy source 171 feeds electrical energy. The actuator 112 has an electro-fluidic connection 177, to which the fluid line 142 is connected. A fluid channel 178 leads from the connection 177 to the valve 181. Furthermore, an electrical line 179 leads to an electrical buffer memory 184 of the actuator 112. The buffer memory 184 supplies via sensors 180 sensors 125a, 125b of the sensor arrangement 123 and an electric valve drive 183 and a Communication device 189 for wireless communication with electrical energy. The sensors 125a, 125b are, for example, end position sensors or other position sensors for detecting the position of the piston 131. The sensors 125a, 125b and the valve drive 183 are connected to the communication device 189 with data lines 188. The communication device 189 communicates wirelessly with a superordinate device, for example the control device 13 or the control center 14 of the automation system 10. The sensors 125a, 125b transmit sensor data wirelessly with the aid of the communication device 189. The valve 181 receives, for example, wirelessly via the communication device 189 control commands. Thus, also in the actuator 112, the electrical energy transmission is wired, wherein the one or more electrical conductors form part of a fluid line, and the communication is carried out wirelessly.

Claims

claims

A fluidic device, in particular an actuator (12a, 12b, 12c, 112) or valve arrangement (28a, 28b, 28c, 128), having a connection for a fluid line (42b, 29c ') containing at least one electrical contact (79a, 79b), 73;

5 142), in which a channel (74) for a pressure medium (19) for fluidic supply or actuation of the device and at least one electrical conductor (43; 75a, 75 ', 143) for the electrical supply of at least one electrical component (44) A device with electrical energy is arranged in order, characterized in that the at least one electrical component (44) comprises a communication device (45; 65, 67; 86, 89; 189) for wireless data communication.

2. Fluid technical device according to claim 1, characterized in that i5 indicates that the at least one electrical component

(44) comprises communication means (45; 65,67; 86,99; 189) for wireless external data communication with a superimposed subordinate or peripheral external device (14,16a, IIb).

3. The fluidic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one electrical conductor (43; 75a, 75 '; 143) of the fluid line (42b; 29C, 73; 142) is provided exclusively for the supply of electrical energy.

4. Fluidtechnische device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electrical buffer memory (84, 85, 184), in particular an accumulator and / or a capacitor, for storing the elec tric energy.

5. Fluid technical device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a transducer device (88) for voltage and / or current conversion of voltage applied to the electrical conductor (43; 75a, 75 '; 143) voltage ( U) or via the at least one electrical conductor (43, 75a, 75 ', 143) current flowing.

6. Fluid technical device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one electrical component (44) comprises a sensor (24a, 24b; 24c) i5 and / or a local controller (26a, 26b, 26c) and / or a monitoring device and / or an electric valve drive (182).

7. Fluid technical device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid line

20 (42b; 29c ', 73; 142) has a single electrical supply potential (U) for supplying electrical energy, and that the device is connectable or connected to a second potential, in particular a ground potential (MP). 5. 8. Fluidtechnische device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fluid line (73) at least two electrical conductors (75a, 75b), between which an electrical supply potential (U) is applied.

9. fluidic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a at least one second connection (77 ') for a second fluid line (29c').

10. Fluidic device according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one second connection (77 ') has an electrical contact (79b') for an electrical conductor (75 ') contained in the second fluid line (29C).

11. Fluidic device according to claim 10, characterized in that at the first connection (77) for the at least one electrical conductor (75a) contained in the first fluid line (73) and the at least one second in the second fluid line (29c ') contained electrical conductor (75 ') the same or a different potential is provided.

12. Fluid technical device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a pneumatic device and the pressure medium (19) compressed air.

13. Fluidic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises or forms a fluidic valve arrangement (28a, 28b, 28c, - 128), and that the at least one electrical component (44) via the fluid line (42b, 29c ', 73, 142) with electrical

25 comprises electrical power means for actuating at least one valve (82; 181) of the valve assembly (28a, 28b; 28c; 128).

14. Fluid technical device according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve arrangement (28a, 28b, 28c, 128) a valve battery (IIa, IIb, llc) is formed, wherein at least two valve assemblies or valve modules (27a, 27b, 27c) are arranged side by side in a row direction.

15. Fluidtechnische device according to one of the preceding 5 the claims, characterized in that it comprises a fluid technical, in particular pneumatic, actuator (12a, 12b, 12c, 112).

16. A fluidic device according to claim 15, characterized in that the actuator (12a, 12b, 12c, 112) is a pneumatic cylinder.

17. Fluid power device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the actuator (12a, 12b; 12c; 112) has a fluidic valve arrangement (28a, 28b; 28c; 128), and that the at least one electrical component i5 (44) Electric power means (182) powered by electrical energy via the fluid line (42b; 29C, 73; 142) for actuating at least one valve (82, 182) of the valve assembly (28a, 28b; 28c; 128).

18. A fluidic device according to claim 15 or 16, 20, characterized in that the actuator (12a, 12b; 12c; 112) forms part of a fluid power system, wherein the actuator (12a, 12b; 12c; 112) by a separate The valve arrangement (28a, 28b, 28c, 128) can be fluidly controlled via the fluid line (42b, 29c ', 73, 142) and can be controlled by the valve arrangement (28a, 28b, 28c, 128) via the at least one, in the fluid line (FIG. 42b, 29c ', 73, - 142) can be supplied with electrical energy (43, 75a, 75', 143).

19. The fluid power device according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one electrical component (44) of the at least one actuator (12a, 12b), which can be supplied with electrical energy via the fluid line (42b, 29c ', 73; 12c; 112) comprises communication means for wireless communication with the valve assembly (28a, 28b; 28c; 128) or a superimposed control device and / or monitoring device.

20. A fluidic device according to claim 18 or 19, lo characterized in that the valve arrangement is a valve arrangement (28c) according to claim 12 or 13, which via a fluid line (42b; 29c ', 73; 142), in which a channel (74 ) for a pressure medium (19) and at least one electrical conductor (43; 75a, 75 ', 143) is arranged, can be supplied fluidically and electrically.

21. Fluid technical device according to claim 20, characterized in that the at least one electrical component (44) of the valve arrangement (28c) communication means

(45; 89; 189) for wireless communication with the at least 20 an actuator (12a, 12b; 12c; 112) and / or a superimposed control device (13) or monitoring device.

22. Fluid technical device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the valve arrangement (28a, 28b;

25-28c; 128) and the at least one actuator (12a, 12b; 12c; 112) each comprise a buffer memory (84, 85; 184), and in that the buffer memories (84, 85; 184) are connected in parallel to provide a common memory capacity.