EP2401514B1 - Proportional control valve for pneumatic applications - Google Patents

Proportional control valve for pneumatic applications Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2401514B1
EP2401514B1 EP10708109A EP10708109A EP2401514B1 EP 2401514 B1 EP2401514 B1 EP 2401514B1 EP 10708109 A EP10708109 A EP 10708109A EP 10708109 A EP10708109 A EP 10708109A EP 2401514 B1 EP2401514 B1 EP 2401514B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
control valve
proportional control
signal
setpoint
valve
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EP10708109A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2401514A1 (en
Inventor
Max Schrobenhauser
Jochen Schaible
Günther RAUSCH
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Hoerbiger Automatisierungstechnik Holding GmbH
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Hoerbiger Automatisierungstechnik Holding GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B13/00—Details of servomotor systems ; Valves for servomotor systems
    • F15B13/02—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors
    • F15B13/04—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with a single servomotor
    • F15B13/044—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with a single servomotor operated by electrically-controlled means, e.g. solenoids, torque-motors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a proportional control valve for pneumatic applications comprising a piezoelectrically controllable valve element, a sensor for measuring an actual value of a controlled variable, an electrical interface for receiving a nominal value for the controlled variable representative setpoint signal and a control electronics. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to an assembly of a signal generator and a connected to the signal generator valve of the aforementioned type and a method for operating such a module.
  • Proportional control valves of the type mentioned, which are suitable for a variety of pneumatic applications, are known from the prior art, in the context of the present invention is particularly intended to such proportional control valves, in which the aforementioned components (ie the piezoelectrically controllable valve element, the control electronics, the electrical interface and the sensor) as a structural unit (eg within a housing) are realized.
  • Such valves are used for example in a pneumatic system of machines, such as printing or paper machines, where they - often in confined spaces - must be installed at certain points in the compressed air lines leading the pneumatic system of the machine.
  • Proportional control valves of the aforementioned type require for their operation a current or voltage supply, with which in particular the electrical power (or the electrical energy) for the operation of the control electronics and for adjusting the piezoelectrically actuable valve element is provided. Also, the actual value of the control variable determining and providing in the form of an electronic signal sensor requires as part of such a proportional control valve usually a supply of electrical energy.
  • an electrically pneumatic system with a piezoelectrically switchable 3/2 directional control valve is known in which the signal emitted by a controller for controlling a driver stage of the valve is generated and transmitted in the form of a digital pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
  • PWM digital pulse width modulated
  • the in the DE 195 34 017 C2 With regard to the signal transmission by means of said PWM signal, the type of digital communication described relates exclusively to the communication path between the control electronics provided there and the electrical input of the 3/2-way valve functioning as a valve element and thus gives no indication, as in the case of a generic proportional control valve with integrated control electronics to a separate power or power supply, which supplies the entire proportional control valve (including control electronics) with electrical energy, can be omitted.
  • the shows DE 3717260 A1 a designed as a solenoid valve proportional valve, wherein the control and power supply of the power stage of the solenoid valve via a pulse width modulated control signal. It is not a control valve, in which with the aid of a control electronics from the actual value obtained by a sensor and represented by a desired signal Setpoint a control signal must be calculated. Rather, the control signal is supplied there by an external microprocessor, which obviously has a separate power / voltage supply. A continuous comparison between the actual value and the desired value in the sense of a closed control loop is, in the case of the magnetic valve or the circuit arrangement described for this purpose, different from generic proportional control valves according to US Pat DE 3717260 A1 not provided.
  • the object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective as possible and easy to install in pneumatic systems Proportionalregelventil in which can be dispensed with a separate power or power supply to operate the proportional control valve. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the provision of an assembly of a signal generator and a proportional control valve, which satisfies the above task, as well as a method for operating the module.
  • the electrical interface is a 2-wire interface for receiving a pulse width modulated digital command signal, wherein the proportional control valve is adapted to the entire electrical energy (or power) to operate of the proportional control valve from the digital target signal to win.
  • the entire electrical energy (or power) for operation of the proportional control valve can be obtained from the desired signal, it follows immediately that - in addition to the electrical 2-wire interface for receiving a digital and pulse width modulated setpoint signal - no further electrical interface to Power or voltage supply of the entire proportional control valve (including its components) is necessary or intended.
  • the electrical energy for operation of the control electronics, the operation of the sensor and the adjustment (or operation) of the piezoelectrically actuated valve element is completely recovered from the incoming to the electrical 2-wire interface digital command signal.
  • a proportional control valve for connection to digital signal transmitter with 2-wire interface, for example in the form of a commercially available 2-wire bus system provided.
  • the proportional control valve according to the invention need only be connected to the digital signal transmitter via commercially available 2-conductor connection cables, without the need for a separate line or a separate connection for an external power or voltage supply.
  • Corresponding cable break monitoring units are known from the prior art, for example as part of digital signal transmitters.
  • a piezoelectrically actuable valve element is used, which is characterized by a particularly low energy consumption.
  • This is preferably a valve element with a so-called pneumatic booster, that is to say a valve element with a piezopneumatic precursor and a pneumatic power stage connected downstream of it, as is the case for example in the case of the German patent application DE 10 2008 057 415.5 known proportional pressure control valve is the case.
  • the communication between the control electronics providing the actuating signal for the valve element and the piezoelectric actuator of the proportional control valve can take place in an analogue or digital manner.
  • the electronic control uses the algorithms known from the state of the art in order to calculate an appropriate control signal for the piezoelectric actuator of the (piezoelectrically controllable) valve element from the actual value and setpoint value.
  • the sensor comes - depending on the controlled variable provided in the specific pneumatic application - different types of sensor in question (eg pressure or flow sensors), which, in view of the only limited available from the PWM signal electrical energy as possible resorted to a - in energy terms - particularly economical sensor.
  • sensors are - also in a cost-effective design - known from the prior art.
  • a proportional control valve which is characterized by great flexibility in a variety of installation situations.
  • the distance between the proportional control valve to an external power supply is irrelevant, since the - the control electronics preferably in unit-containing - proportional control valve just does not have to be connected to an external power or voltage source.
  • the valve according to the invention can serve as a low-cost component for a pneumatic system and there for the replacement of - for cost reasons, still popular today - are used manual regulators.
  • the proportional control valve has a decoupling circuit arranged between electrical interface and control electronics, with which from the digital reference signal on the one hand for the operation of the proportional control valve necessary electrical power and on the other one for the desired value characteristic input signal for the control electronics is coupled out.
  • the aforementioned decoupling circuit is preferably designed in structural unit with the other components of the proportional control valve according to the invention, which is preferably done by an arrangement within a housing containing the entire proportional control valve incl. Control electronics and sensor.
  • the proportional control valve is a pressure regulating valve for pneumatic applications, in which case a sensor is preferably to be selected as the sensor. Alternatively, however, it may also be a flow control valve with a flow sensor.
  • the pressure sensor is then advantageously arranged such that the output-side pressure on the valve element is determined as the actual value for the controlled variable.
  • the digital command signal received at its electrical interface by the proportional control valve according to the invention is preferably a pulse width modulated signal from DC pulses (emitted at predetermined time intervals) with an amplitude in the range of about 20 to about 30 V, common signal transmitters having a voltage amplitude of 24 volts to have. Other voltage amplitudes are However, in the context of the present invention conceivable in principle.
  • the design of the RC element is to be made in a suitable function of the repetition rate of the voltage pulses in the desired signal.
  • valve element is adjustable or adjusted from a predefined fail-safe position against a spring force.
  • a predefined fail-safe position for example a venting position.
  • a spring force can e.g. be applied by a suitably arranged spring.
  • the present invention relates not only to the proportional control valve according to the invention as such, but also an assembly of a digital signal transmitter and at least one connected via a connecting cable to the signal generator and proportional control valve according to the invention.
  • the signal generator and connection cable for generating and transmitting the digital pulse width modulated signal in 2-wire design in the form of commercially available and relatively cheap bus systems are available.
  • Such signal generators are in particular also available with a plurality of output interfaces which can be controlled independently of one another, so that preferably a connection of a plurality of proportional control valves of the type according to the invention to a signal transmitter is also made possible in an assembly according to the invention.
  • interconnect cable used in the assembly may be a non-shielded 2-conductor cable of conventional design. Expensive shielded cables, as they must be used in previously known 3-conductor systems with separate power supply or power supply, it is therefore not necessary in the context of the present invention.
  • control signal provided by the control electronics is an analog signal, whereby a particularly cost-effective way to control the piezoelectric actuator of the proportional control valve according to the invention is taken.
  • valve element of the proportional control valve in the absence of a desired signal under the action of a spring force in a pre specified fail-safe state is switched. This is, for example, a blocking or venting position of the valve element.
  • the drawing shows a schematic representation of an assembly 1 according to the invention from a digital signal transmitter 2 and a proportional control valve 3 connected thereto via a 2-conductor cable.
  • the presently designed as a pressure control valve proportional control valve 3 is formed as a unit of a piezoelectrically controllable valve element 4, an electrical 2-wire interface 5a for receiving a digital pulse width modulated command signal 6, a control electronics 7 and a pressure sensor 8.
  • the PWM signal generated by the digital signal generator 2 -if possibly by evaluating a programmable logic controller for this purpose-is made available there at a 2-conductor interface 5b and transmitted via a two-wire connection cable 5c to the corresponding 2-conductor interface 5a of the proportional control valve 3 according to the invention.
  • the valve element 4 has an input 9 and an output 10, with which it is input and output side with a pressure-carrying line of a pneumatic Systems (not shown) can be connected. It is, as the valve element 4 can be schematically seen in the drawing, executed in the manner of a 3/3-valve and thus adjustable between a passage, a blocking and a venting position, wherein the valve element 4 via a piezoelectric actuator 11 is activated or actuated.
  • the proportional control valve further comprises a decoupling circuit 12, with which decoupled from the applied to the 2-wire interface 5 target signal 6 for operating the entire proportional control valve 3 (including all its components) necessary energy and the control electronics 7 is supplied. This is done by using an RC element formed by a resistor 13a and a capacitor 13b by voltage tapping the voltage applied at point 14 of the circuit diagram on the capacitor 13b against the ground potential.
  • the resistor 13a of the RC element upstream diode 15 prevents unwanted discharge of the voltage applied to the capacitor 13b.
  • the RC element is dimensioned such that the voltage which can be tapped off by the control loop never falls below a minimum voltage necessary for the operation of the proportional valve 3 between two successive DC voltage pulses of the digital command signal 6.
  • the piezoelectrically controlled Valve element 4 requires only in the case of its adjustment of a (low) power consumption.
  • control electronics 7 This is compared by the control electronics 7 with the provided by the pressure sensor 8 in the form of an electrical signal available actual value for the voltage applied to the output 10 of the valve output pressure, whereupon a suitable control signal for the piezoelectric actuator 11 of the valve element 4 is generated.
  • valve element 4 By a suitably arranged spring 18 (shown here only schematically), the valve element 4 can be biased in a suitable fail-safe state.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Indication Of The Valve Opening Or Closing Status (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Proportionalregelventil für pneumatische Anwendungen umfassend ein piezoelektrisch ansteuerbares Ventilelement, einen Sensor zur Messung eines Istwerts einer Regelgröße, eine elektrische Schnittstelle zum Empfang eines den Sollwert für die Regelgröße repräsentierenden Sollsignals sowie eine Regelelektronik. Ferner betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung auch eine Baugruppe aus einem Signalgeber und einem mit dem Signalgeber verbundenen Ventil der vorgenannten Art sowie ein Verfahren zum Betrieb einer solchen Baugruppe.The present invention relates to a proportional control valve for pneumatic applications comprising a piezoelectrically controllable valve element, a sensor for measuring an actual value of a controlled variable, an electrical interface for receiving a nominal value for the controlled variable representative setpoint signal and a control electronics. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to an assembly of a signal generator and a connected to the signal generator valve of the aforementioned type and a method for operating such a module.

Proportionalregelventile der eingangs genannten Art, die sich für verschiedenste pneumatische Anwendungen eignen, sind aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt, wobei im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung insbesondere an solche Proportionalregelventile gedacht ist, bei denen die vorgenannten Bestandteile (d.h. das piezoelektrisch ansteuerbare Ventilelement, die Regelelektronik, die elektrische Schnittstelle und der Sensor) als Baueinheit (z.B. innerhalb eines Gehäuses) realisiert sind. Solche Ventile werden beispielsweise in einem pneumatischen System von Maschinen, wie z.B. Druck- oder Papiermaschinen, eingesetzt, wo sie - häufig unter beengten Platzverhältnissen - an bestimmten Stellen in den Druckluft führenden Leitungen des pneumatischen Systems der Maschine installiert werden müssen. Proportionalregelventile der vorgenannten Art bedürfen zu ihrem Betrieb einer Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung, mit welcher insbesondere die elektrische Leistung (bzw. die elektrische Energie) zum Betrieb der Regelelektronik und zur Verstellung des piezoelektrisch ansteuerbaren Ventilelements zur Verfügung gestellt wird. Auch der den Istwert der Regelgröße ermittelnde und in Form eines elektronischen Signals bereitstellende Sensor bedarf als Teil eines solchen Proportionalregelventils in aller Regel einer Versorgung mit elektrischer Energie.Proportional control valves of the type mentioned, which are suitable for a variety of pneumatic applications, are known from the prior art, in the context of the present invention is particularly intended to such proportional control valves, in which the aforementioned components (ie the piezoelectrically controllable valve element, the control electronics, the electrical interface and the sensor) as a structural unit (eg within a housing) are realized. Such valves are used for example in a pneumatic system of machines, such as printing or paper machines, where they - often in confined spaces - must be installed at certain points in the compressed air lines leading the pneumatic system of the machine. Proportional control valves of the aforementioned type require for their operation a current or voltage supply, with which in particular the electrical power (or the electrical energy) for the operation of the control electronics and for adjusting the piezoelectrically actuable valve element is provided. Also, the actual value of the control variable determining and providing in the form of an electronic signal sensor requires as part of such a proportional control valve usually a supply of electrical energy.

Im Stand der Technik ist hierzu an einem Proportionalregelventil der eingangs genannten Art häufig ein separater Eingang für die Energieversorgung vorgesehen, was sich als kostenintensiv und hinsichtlich der zusätzlichen Verkabelung des Ventils mit einer möglicherweise weit entfernten Strom- bzw. Spannungsquelle als umständlich in der Installation erweist. Es ist ferner bereits bekannt, ein gattungsgemäßes Proportionalregelventil mit einer so genannten 3-Leiterschnittstelle auszustatten, über welches das Ventil unter Verwendung eines dreiadrigen Verbindungskabels mit einem - eine korrespondierende 3-Leiterschnittstelle aufweisenden - Sollwertgeber verbunden wird. Der Sollwertgeber dient dabei gleichzeitig zur Energieversorgung für das Ventil und zur Erzeugung des Sollsignals, indem zwei der insgesamt drei Leiter, von denen einer das Erdpotential definiert, zur Übertragung des Sollsignals Verwendung finden, während der dritte Leiter zur separaten Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung des Proportionalregelventils dient. Solche 3-Leiter-Systeme sind vergleichsweise kostenintensiv, auch hinsichtlich der zu verwendenden Verbindungskabel, Verbindungsstecker und Sollwertgeber.In the prior art this is often provided on a proportional control valve of the type mentioned a separate input for the power supply, which proves to be costly and in terms of additional wiring of the valve with a possibly far away power or voltage source as cumbersome in the installation. It is also already known to provide a generic proportional control valve with a so-called 3-wire interface, via which the valve is connected using a three-wire connection cable with a - a corresponding 3-wire interface having - setpoint generator. The setpoint generator serves simultaneously to supply power to the valve and to generate the desired signal by two of the three conductors, one of which defines the ground potential, find use for transmitting the desired signal, while the third conductor for separate power supply or power supply of the proportional control valve serves. Such 3-wire systems are relatively expensive, also with regard to the connection cable to be used, connector and setpoint generator.

Aus der DE 195 34 017 C2 ist ferner ein elektrischpneumatisches System mit einem piezoelektrisch schaltbaren 3/2-Wegeventil bekannt, bei welchem das von einem Regler zur Ansteuerung einer Treiberstufe des Ventils ausgesandte Signal in Form eines digitalen pulsweitenmodulierten (PWM) Signals erzeugt und übertragen wird. Die in der DE 195 34 017 C2 beschriebene Art der digitalen Kommunikation betrifft hinsichtlich der Signalübertragung mittels des genannten PWM-Signals ausschließlich den Kommunikationsweg zwischen der dort vorgesehenen Regelelektronik und dem elektrischen Eingang des als Ventilelement fungierenden 3/2-Wegeventils und gibt somit keinen Hinweis, wie bei einem gattungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil mit integrierter Regelelektronik auf eine separate Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung, die das gesamte Proportionalregelventil (inkl. Regelelektronik) mit elektrischer Energie versorgt, verzichtet werden kann.From the DE 195 34 017 C2 Furthermore, an electrically pneumatic system with a piezoelectrically switchable 3/2 directional control valve is known in which the signal emitted by a controller for controlling a driver stage of the valve is generated and transmitted in the form of a digital pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. The in the DE 195 34 017 C2 With regard to the signal transmission by means of said PWM signal, the type of digital communication described relates exclusively to the communication path between the control electronics provided there and the electrical input of the 3/2-way valve functioning as a valve element and thus gives no indication, as in the case of a generic proportional control valve with integrated control electronics to a separate power or power supply, which supplies the entire proportional control valve (including control electronics) with electrical energy, can be omitted.

Schließlich zeigt die DE 3717260 A1 ein als Magnetventil ausgestaltetes Proportionalventil, bei welchem die Ansteuerung und Stromversorgung der Leistungsstufe des Magnetventils über ein pulsweitenmoduliertes Steuersignal erfolgt. Dabei handelt es sich nicht um ein Regelventil, bei welchem unter Zuhilfenahme einer Regelelektronik aus dem von einem Sensor gewonnenen Istwert und dem durch ein Sollsignal repräsentierten Sollwert ein Steuersignal berechnet werden muss. Vielmehr wird dort das Steuersignal von einem externen Mikroprozessor geliefert, der offensichtlich über eine separate Strom-/Spannungsversorgung verfügt. Ein kontinuierlicher Abgleich zwischen Istwert und Sollwert im Sinne eines geschlossenen Regelkreises ist bei dem Magnetventil bzw. der hierzu beschriebenen Schaltungsanordnung, anders als bei gattungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventilen, nach der DE 3717260 A1 nicht vorgesehen.Finally, the shows DE 3717260 A1 a designed as a solenoid valve proportional valve, wherein the control and power supply of the power stage of the solenoid valve via a pulse width modulated control signal. It is not a control valve, in which with the aid of a control electronics from the actual value obtained by a sensor and represented by a desired signal Setpoint a control signal must be calculated. Rather, the control signal is supplied there by an external microprocessor, which obviously has a separate power / voltage supply. A continuous comparison between the actual value and the desired value in the sense of a closed control loop is, in the case of the magnetic valve or the circuit arrangement described for this purpose, different from generic proportional control valves according to US Pat DE 3717260 A1 not provided.

Vor diesem Hintergrund ist es die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein möglichst kostengünstiges und einfach in pneumatische Systeme zu installierendes Proportionalregelventil bereitzustellen, bei welchem auf eine separate Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung zum Betrieb des Proportionalregelventils verzichtet werden kann. Ferner liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Bereitstellung einer der vorstehenden Aufgabenstellung gerecht werdenden Baugruppe aus einem Signalgeber und einem Proportionalregelventil sowie ein Verfahren zum Betrieb der Baugruppe zu Grunde.Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective as possible and easy to install in pneumatic systems Proportionalregelventil in which can be dispensed with a separate power or power supply to operate the proportional control valve. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the provision of an assembly of a signal generator and a proportional control valve, which satisfies the above task, as well as a method for operating the module.

Diese Aufgabe wird bei einem Proportionalregelventil der eingangs genannten Art erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, dass die elektrische Schnittstelle eine 2-Leiter-Schnittstelle zum Empfang eines pulsweitenmodulierten digitalen Sollsignals ist, wobei das Proportionalregelventil dazu eingerichtet ist, die gesamte elektrische Energie (bzw. Leistung) zum Betrieb des Proportionalregelventils aus dem digitalen Sollsignal zu gewinnen. Aus der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung, wonach die gesamte elektrische Energie (bzw. Leistung) zum Betrieb des Proportionalregelventils aus dem Sollsignal gewinnbar ist, ergibt sich unmittelbar, dass - neben der elektrischen 2-Leiterschnittstelle zum Empfang eines digitalen und pulsweitenmodulierten Sollsignals - keine weitere elektrische Schnittstelle zur Strom- oder Spannungsversorgung des gesamten Proportionalregelventils (inkl seiner Bestandteile) notwendig oder vorgesehen ist. Mithin wird die elektrische Energie zum Betrieb der Regelelektronik, zum Betrieb des Sensors und zur Verstellung (bzw. zum Betrieb) des piezoelektrisch betätigbaren Ventilelements vollständig aus dem an der elektrischen 2-Leiter-Schnittstelle eingehenden digitalen Sollsignal gewonnen.This object is achieved in a proportional control valve of the type mentioned in the present invention, that the electrical interface is a 2-wire interface for receiving a pulse width modulated digital command signal, wherein the proportional control valve is adapted to the entire electrical energy (or power) to operate of the proportional control valve from the digital target signal to win. From the solution according to the invention, according to which the entire electrical energy (or power) for operation of the proportional control valve can be obtained from the desired signal, it follows immediately that - in addition to the electrical 2-wire interface for receiving a digital and pulse width modulated setpoint signal - no further electrical interface to Power or voltage supply of the entire proportional control valve (including its components) is necessary or intended. Thus, the electrical energy for operation of the control electronics, the operation of the sensor and the adjustment (or operation) of the piezoelectrically actuated valve element is completely recovered from the incoming to the electrical 2-wire interface digital command signal.

Damit wird im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung ein Proportionalregelventil zum Anschluss an digitale Signalgeber mit 2-Leiterschnittstelle, z.B. in Form eines handelsüblichen 2-Leiter-Bus-Systems, bereitgestellt. Das erfindungsgemäße Proportionalregelventil muss lediglich über handelsübliche 2-Leiter-Verbindungskabel mit dem digitalen Signalgeber verbunden werden, ohne dass es dabei einer separaten Leitung bzw. eines separaten Anschlusses für eine externe Strom- oder Spannungsversorgung bedarf. Ferner ist vorteilhaft, dass es unter erfindungsgemäßer Nutzung der 2-Leiter-Technik zum Zwecke der Überwachung des Betriebs des Proportionalregelventils möglich ist, das zwischen Signalgeber und Proportionalventil angeordnete Verbindungskabel einer kontinuierlichen Kabelbruchüberwachung im Sinne eines Monitoring zu unterziehen. Entsprechende Kabelbruchüberwachungseinheiten sind aus dem Stand der Technik, z.B. als Bestandteil von digitalen Signalgebern, bekannt.Thus, in the context of the present invention, a proportional control valve for connection to digital signal transmitter with 2-wire interface, for example in the form of a commercially available 2-wire bus system provided. The proportional control valve according to the invention need only be connected to the digital signal transmitter via commercially available 2-conductor connection cables, without the need for a separate line or a separate connection for an external power or voltage supply. Furthermore, it is advantageous that it is possible under the inventive use of the 2-wire technology for the purpose of monitoring the operation of the proportional control valve, the arranged between the signal generator and proportional valve connection cable to undergo a continuous cable break monitoring in the sense of a monitoring. Corresponding cable break monitoring units are known from the prior art, for example as part of digital signal transmitters.

Als besonders vorteilhaft erweist sich der Umstand, dass im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung auf ein piezoelektrisch ansteuerbares Ventilelement zurückgegriffen wird, welches sich durch einen besonders geringen Energiebedarf auszeichnet. Bevorzugt handelt es sich dabei um ein Ventilelement mit einem so genannten pneumatischen Booster, also ein Ventilelement mit einer piezopneumatischen Vorstufe und einer dieser nachgeschalteten pneumatischen Leistungsstufe, wie dies z.B. bei dem aus der deutschen Patentanmeldung DE 10 2008 057 415.5 bekannten proportionalen Druckregelventil der Fall ist.Particularly advantageous is the fact that in the context of the present invention, a piezoelectrically actuable valve element is used, which is characterized by a particularly low energy consumption. This is preferably a valve element with a so-called pneumatic booster, that is to say a valve element with a piezopneumatic precursor and a pneumatic power stage connected downstream of it, as is the case for example in the case of the German patent application DE 10 2008 057 415.5 known proportional pressure control valve is the case.

Die Kommunikation zwischen der das Stellsignal für das Ventilelement bereitstellenden Regelelektronik und dem piezoelektrischen Aktor des Proportionalregelventils kann auf analoge oder digitale Weise erfolgen. Die Regelelektronik bedient sich der insoweit aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Algorithmen, um aus Istwert und Sollwert ein geeignetes Stellsignal für den piezoelektrischen Aktor des (piezoelektrisch ansteuerbaren) Ventilelements zu berechnen.The communication between the control electronics providing the actuating signal for the valve element and the piezoelectric actuator of the proportional control valve can take place in an analogue or digital manner. The electronic control uses the algorithms known from the state of the art in order to calculate an appropriate control signal for the piezoelectric actuator of the (piezoelectrically controllable) valve element from the actual value and setpoint value.

Als Sensor kommen - abhängig von der in der spezifischen pneumatischen Anwendung vorgesehenen Regelgröße - verschiedene Sensortypen in Frage (z.B. Druck- oder Durchflusssensoren), wobei auch hier in Anbetracht der aus dem PWM-Signal nur begrenzt zur Verfügung stehenden elektrischen Energie möglichst auf einen - in energetischer Hinsicht - besonders sparsamen Sensor zurückgegriffen wird. Solche Sensoren sind - auch in kostengünstiger Bauart - aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt.The sensor comes - depending on the controlled variable provided in the specific pneumatic application - different types of sensor in question (eg pressure or flow sensors), which, in view of the only limited available from the PWM signal electrical energy as possible resorted to a - in energy terms - particularly economical sensor. Such sensors are - also in a cost-effective design - known from the prior art.

Es wird im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung somit ein Proportionalregelventil geschaffen, welches sich durch große Flexibilität hinsichtlich verschiedenster Einbausituationen auszeichnet. Die Entfernung zwischen Proportionalregelventil bis zu einer externen Energieversorgung ist unerheblich, da das - die Regelelektronik bevorzugt in Baueinheit beinhaltende - Proportionalregelventil gerade nicht an eine externe Strom- oder Spannungsquelle angeschlossen werden muss. Insbesondere kann das erfindungsgemäße Ventil als Low-Cost-Bauteil für ein Pneumatiksystem dienen und dort zum Ersatz von - aus Kostengründen noch heute gerne verwendeten - Handreglern dienen.It is thus created in the context of the present invention, a proportional control valve, which is characterized by great flexibility in a variety of installation situations. The distance between the proportional control valve to an external power supply is irrelevant, since the - the control electronics preferably in unit-containing - proportional control valve just does not have to be connected to an external power or voltage source. In particular, the valve according to the invention can serve as a low-cost component for a pneumatic system and there for the replacement of - for cost reasons, still popular today - are used manual regulators.

In einer ersten bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, dass das Proportionalregelventil einen zwischen elektrischer Schnittstelle und Regelelektronik angeordneten Entkopplungsschaltkreis aufweist, mit welchem aus dem digitalen Sollsignal zum einen die zum Betrieb des Proportionalregelventils notwendige elektrische Leistung und zum anderen ein für den Sollwert charakteristisches Eingangssignal für die Regelelektronik ausgekoppelt wird.In a first preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the proportional control valve has a decoupling circuit arranged between electrical interface and control electronics, with which from the digital reference signal on the one hand for the operation of the proportional control valve necessary electrical power and on the other one for the desired value characteristic input signal for the control electronics is coupled out.

Der vorgenannte Entkoppelungsschaltkreis ist bevorzugt in baulicher Einheit mit den sonstigen Komponenten des erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventils ausgestaltet, was bevorzugt durch eine Anordnung innerhalb eines das gesamte Proportionalregelventil inkl. Regelelektronik und Sensor beinhaltenden Gehäuses geschieht.The aforementioned decoupling circuit is preferably designed in structural unit with the other components of the proportional control valve according to the invention, which is preferably done by an arrangement within a housing containing the entire proportional control valve incl. Control electronics and sensor.

In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, dass es sich bei dem Proportionalregelventil um ein Druckregelventil für pneumatische Anwendungen handelt, wobei dann als Sensor ersichtlich bevorzugt ein Drucksensor zu wählen ist. Alternativ hierzu kann es sich jedoch auch um ein Durchflussregelventil mit einem Durchflusssensor handeln.In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the proportional control valve is a pressure regulating valve for pneumatic applications, in which case a sensor is preferably to be selected as the sensor. Alternatively, however, it may also be a flow control valve with a flow sensor.

Im erstgenannten Fall ist dann vorteilhaft der Drucksensor so angeordnet, dass der ausgangsseitige Druck am Ventilelement als Istwert für die Regelgröße bestimmt wird.In the former case, the pressure sensor is then advantageously arranged such that the output-side pressure on the valve element is determined as the actual value for the controlled variable.

Bei dem von dem erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil an seiner elektrischen Schnittstelle empfangenen digitalen Sollsignal handelt es sich bevorzugt um ein pulsweitenmoduliertes Signal aus (in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen ausgesendeten) Gleichspannungspulsen mit einer Amplitude im Bereich von etwa 20 bis etwa 30 V, wobei gängige Signalgeber eine Spannungsamplitude von 24 Volt haben. Auch andere Spannungsamplituden sind jedoch im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung grundsätzlich denkbar.The digital command signal received at its electrical interface by the proportional control valve according to the invention is preferably a pulse width modulated signal from DC pulses (emitted at predetermined time intervals) with an amplitude in the range of about 20 to about 30 V, common signal transmitters having a voltage amplitude of 24 volts to have. Other voltage amplitudes are However, in the context of the present invention conceivable in principle.

Diese durch ihre Signalbreite den Sollwert für die Regelgröße repräsentierenden Rechtecksignale werden kontinuierlich wiederholt, wobei im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung insbesondere solche PWM-Signale bevorzugt werden, bei denen das digitale Sollsignal mit Wiederholungsraten im Bereich von 1Hz bis 10 kHz moduliert ist. Dies erweist sich als ausreichend, um im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung aus dem Sollsignal ein ausreichendes Maß an Energie zum Betrieb des gesamten Proportionalregelventils auszukoppeln, wenngleich prinzipiell auch außerhalb des vorstehend genannten Bereichs liegende Frequenzen denkbar sind.These square-wave signals, which represent the setpoint value for the controlled variable by their signal width, are repeated continuously, with PWM signals in which the digital nominal signal is modulated at repetition rates in the range from 1 Hz to 10 kHz being preferred in the context of the present invention. This proves to be sufficient to decouple in the context of the present invention from the desired signal, a sufficient amount of energy to operate the entire proportional control valve, although in principle also outside the range mentioned above frequencies are conceivable.

Der in einem erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil zur Entkopplung der gesamten Betriebsenergie für das Proportionalregelventil dienende Entkopplungsschaltkreis umfasst bevorzugt ein (eine Tiefpasswirkung entfaltendes) RC-Glied, welches in seiner Zeitkonstante (τ = R*C) so bemessen ist, dass die entkoppelte und am Kondensator anliegende Spannung zwischen zwei Gleichspannungssignalen des Sollsignals nie unter eine für den Betrieb der Regelektronik notwendige Mindestspannung abfällt. Insoweit ist also die Bemessung des RC-Glieds in geeigneter Abhängigkeit von der Wiederholungsrate der Spannungspulse in dem Sollsignal zu tätigen.The decoupling circuit serving in a proportional control valve according to the invention for decoupling the entire operating energy for the proportional control valve preferably comprises an RC element (unfolding a low-pass effect) whose time constant (τ = R * C) is such that the decoupled voltage applied to the capacitor between two DC signals of the desired signal never falls below a minimum voltage necessary for the operation of the control electronics. In that regard, so the design of the RC element is to be made in a suitable function of the repetition rate of the voltage pulses in the desired signal.

Schließlich kann im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung noch vorgesehen sein, dass das Ventilelement aus einer vordefinierten Fail-Safe-Stellung gegen eine Federkraft verstellbar ist bzw. verstellt wird. Bei einem Defekt im System, durch den z.B. kein Stellsignal mehr auf den piezoelektronischen Aktor des Ventils erzeugt werden kann, wird dann das Ventilelement unter Einwirkung der Federkraft in eine vorab definierte Fail-Safe-Stellung (z.B. eine Entlüftungsstellung) gebracht. Eine solche Federkraft kann z.B. von einer geeignet angeordneten Feder aufgebracht werden.Finally, it can still be provided in the context of the present invention that the valve element is adjustable or adjusted from a predefined fail-safe position against a spring force. In case of a defect in the system through which e.g. If no control signal can be generated on the piezoelectric actuator of the valve, the valve element is then brought under the action of the spring force into a predefined fail-safe position (for example a venting position). Such a spring force can e.g. be applied by a suitably arranged spring.

Wie bereits weiter oben ausgeführt betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung neben dem erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil als solchem, auch eine Baugruppe aus einem digitalen Signalgeber und wenigstem einem über ein Verbindungskabel mit dem Signalgeber verbundenen und erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil.As stated above, the present invention relates not only to the proportional control valve according to the invention as such, but also an assembly of a digital signal transmitter and at least one connected via a connecting cable to the signal generator and proportional control valve according to the invention.

Es sei an dieser Stelle nochmals darauf hingewiesen, dass Signalgeber und Verbindungskabel zur Erzeugung und Übertragung des digitalen, pulsweitenmodulierten Signals in 2-Leiter-Ausführung in Form von handelsüblichen und vergleichsweise günstigen Bus-Systemen erhältlich sind. Derartige Signalgeber sind insbesondere auch mit mehreren - voneinander unabhängig ansteuerbaren - Ausgangsschnittstellen erhältlich, so dass in einer erfindungsgemäßen Baugruppe bevorzugt auch ein Anschluss mehrerer Proportionalregelventile der erfindungsgemäßen Art an einen Signalgeber ermöglicht ist.It should be noted at this point again that the signal generator and connection cable for generating and transmitting the digital pulse width modulated signal in 2-wire design in the form of commercially available and relatively cheap bus systems are available. Such signal generators are in particular also available with a plurality of output interfaces which can be controlled independently of one another, so that preferably a connection of a plurality of proportional control valves of the type according to the invention to a signal transmitter is also made possible in an assembly according to the invention.

Es versteht sich im Übrigen von selbst, dass sämtliche vorgenannten Aussagen zu bevorzugten Weiterbildungen bzw. Ausgestaltungen des erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventils auch für die erfindungsgemäße Baugruppe und den darin enthaltenen Signalgeber gelten, so dass zur Vermeidung von Wiederholungen insoweit auf die vorstehenden Ausführungen verwiesen wird.Incidentally, it goes without saying that all the above statements on preferred developments or refinements of the proportional control valve according to the invention also apply to the assembly according to the invention and the signal generator contained therein, so that reference is made to the above statements to avoid repetition.

Es sei jedoch ausdrücklich festgehalten, dass das in der Baugruppe verwendete Verbindungskabel ein nicht abgeschirmtes 2-Leiter-Kabel herkömmlicher Bauart sein kann. Teure abgeschirmte Kabel, wie diese bei bisher bekannten 3-Leiter-Systemem mit separater Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung verwendet werden müssen, bedarf es im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung somit nicht.It is to be expressly understood, however, that the interconnect cable used in the assembly may be a non-shielded 2-conductor cable of conventional design. Expensive shielded cables, as they must be used in previously known 3-conductor systems with separate power supply or power supply, it is therefore not necessary in the context of the present invention.

Und schließlich betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung noch ein Verfahren zum Betrieb der vorgenannten Baugruppe umfassend die folgenden Schritte:

  1. a) kontinuierliches Aussenden eines digitalen, pulsweitenmodulierten Sollsignals durch den Signalgeber, wobei das Sollsignal den Sollwert für die Regelgröße repräsentiert
  2. b) Empfang des Sollsignals an der elektrischen Schnittstelle des Proportionalregelventils
  3. c) Entkoppeln einer Strom- bzw. Spannungsversorgung für das Proportionalregelventil und eines Eingangssignals für die Regelelektronik aus dem Sollsignal
  4. d) Vergleich des durch ein Sensorsignal repräsentierten Istwerts für die Regelgröße mit dem durch das Eingangssignal an der Regelelektronik repräsentierten Sollwert für die Regelgröße durch die Regelelektronik und
  5. e) Ausgabe eines geeigneten Stellsignals für den piezoelektrischen Aktor des Ventilelements durch die Regelelektronik, wenn Istwert und Sollwert nicht übereinstimmen, wobei
  6. f) die elektrische Leistung zum Betrieb der Regelelektronik und des Sensors sowie zur Verstellung des Ventilelements vollständig aus dem Sollsignal entkoppelt wird.
Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for operating the aforementioned assembly comprising the following steps:
  1. a) continuous transmission of a digital, pulse width modulated desired signal by the signal generator, wherein the desired signal represents the desired value for the controlled variable
  2. b) receiving the desired signal at the electrical interface of the proportional control valve
  3. c) decoupling a current or voltage supply for the proportional control valve and an input signal for the control electronics from the desired signal
  4. d) Comparison of the represented by a sensor signal actual value for the controlled variable with the value represented by the input signal to the control electronics setpoint for the controlled variable by the control electronics and
  5. e) output of a suitable actuating signal for the piezoelectric actuator of the valve element by the control electronics, if actual value and setpoint do not match, wherein
  6. f) the electrical power for operation of the control electronics and the sensor and for adjusting the valve element is completely decoupled from the desired signal.

Auch im Rahmen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens werden somit bevorzugt alle bereits vorstehend erläuterten Aspekte der vorliegenden Erfindung und seiner Weiterbildungen verwirklicht.Also in the context of the method according to the invention, therefore, all aspects of the present invention and its developments already explained above are preferably realized.

In einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens kann vorgesehen sein, dass das von der Regelelektronik bereitgestellte Stellsignal ein analoges Signal ist, wodurch ein besonders kostengünstiger Weg zur Ansteuerung des piezoelektrischen Aktors des erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventils beschritten wird.In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention can be provided that the control signal provided by the control electronics is an analog signal, whereby a particularly cost-effective way to control the piezoelectric actuator of the proportional control valve according to the invention is taken.

Ferner ist im Rahmen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens bevorzugt dafür Sorge zu tragen, dass das Ventilelement des Proportionalregelventils bei Ausbleiben eines Sollsignals unter Einwirkung einer Federkraft in einen vorab festgelegten Fail-Safe-Zustand geschalten wird. Bei diesem handelt es sich z.B. um eine Sperr- bzw. Entlüftungsstellung des Ventilelements.Furthermore, in the context of the method according to the invention, it is preferable to ensure that the valve element of the proportional control valve, in the absence of a desired signal under the action of a spring force in a pre specified fail-safe state is switched. This is, for example, a blocking or venting position of the valve element.

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Die Zeichnung zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine erfindungsgemäße Baugruppe 1 aus einem digitalen Signalgeber 2 und einem hiermit über ein 2-Leiter-Kabel verbundenes erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventil 3.The drawing shows a schematic representation of an assembly 1 according to the invention from a digital signal transmitter 2 and a proportional control valve 3 connected thereto via a 2-conductor cable.

Das vorliegend als Druckregelventil ausgestaltete Proportionalregelventil 3 ist als Baueinheit aus einem piezoelektrisch ansteuerbaren Ventilelement 4, einer elektrischen 2-Leiterschnittstelle 5a zum Empfang eines digitalen pulsweitenmodulierten Sollsignals 6, einer Regelelektronik 7 sowie einem Drucksensor 8 gebildet. Das von dem digitalen Signalgeber 2 - ggfs. unter Auswertung einer speicherprogrammierbaren Steuerung hierfür - erzeugte PWM-Signal wird dort an einer 2-Leiterschnittstelle 5b zur Verfügung gestellt und über ein zweiadriges Verbindungskabel 5c zur korrespondierenden 2-Leiterschnittstelle 5a des erfindungsgemäßen Proportionalregelventils 3 übertragen.The presently designed as a pressure control valve proportional control valve 3 is formed as a unit of a piezoelectrically controllable valve element 4, an electrical 2-wire interface 5a for receiving a digital pulse width modulated command signal 6, a control electronics 7 and a pressure sensor 8. The PWM signal generated by the digital signal generator 2 -if possibly by evaluating a programmable logic controller for this purpose-is made available there at a 2-conductor interface 5b and transmitted via a two-wire connection cable 5c to the corresponding 2-conductor interface 5a of the proportional control valve 3 according to the invention.

Das Ventilelement 4 weist einen Eingang 9 und einen Ausgang 10 auf, mit denen es eingangs- und ausgangsseitig mit einer druckführenden Leitung eines pneumatischen Systems (nicht dargestellt) verbunden werden kann. Es ist, wie sich den das Ventilelement 4 in der Zeichnung schematisch zeigenden Schaltzeichen entnehmen lässt, in Art eines 3/3-Ventils ausgeführt und somit zwischen einer Durchleitungs-, einer Sperr- und einer Entlüftungsstellung verstellbar, wobei das Ventilelement 4 über einen piezoelektrischen Aktor 11 angesteuert bzw. betätigt wird.The valve element 4 has an input 9 and an output 10, with which it is input and output side with a pressure-carrying line of a pneumatic Systems (not shown) can be connected. It is, as the valve element 4 can be schematically seen in the drawing, executed in the manner of a 3/3-valve and thus adjustable between a passage, a blocking and a venting position, wherein the valve element 4 via a piezoelectric actuator 11 is activated or actuated.

Das Proportionalregelventil weist ferner einen Entkopplungsschaltkreis 12 auf, mit welchem aus dem an der 2-Leiterschnittstelle 5 anliegenden Sollsignal 6 die zum Betrieb des gesamten Proportionalregelventils 3 (inkl aller seiner Bestandteile) notwendige Energie entkoppelt und der Regelelektronik 7 zugeführt wird. Dies erfolgt unter Verwendung eines aus einem Widerstand 13a und einem Kondensator 13b gebildeten RC-Glieds durch Spannungsabgriff der im Punkt 14 des Schaltplans am Kondensator 13b gegen das Erdpotential anliegenden Spannung.The proportional control valve further comprises a decoupling circuit 12, with which decoupled from the applied to the 2-wire interface 5 target signal 6 for operating the entire proportional control valve 3 (including all its components) necessary energy and the control electronics 7 is supplied. This is done by using an RC element formed by a resistor 13a and a capacitor 13b by voltage tapping the voltage applied at point 14 of the circuit diagram on the capacitor 13b against the ground potential.

Die dem Widerstand 13a des RC-Glieds vorgeschaltete Diode 15 verhindert eine unerwünschte Entladung der am Kondensator 13b anliegenden Spannung. Das RC-Glied ist hinsichtlich seiner Zeitkonstante so bemessen, dass die vom Regelkreis abgreifbare Spannung auch zwischen zwei einander nachfolgenden Gleichspannungspulsen des digitalen Sollsignals 6 nie unter eine zum Betrieb des Proportionalventils 3 notwendige Mindestspannung fällt. Insoweit ist von Vorteil, dass das piezoelektrisch angesteuerte Ventilelement 4 nur im Falle seiner Verstellung einer (geringen) Leistungsaufnahme bedarf.The resistor 13a of the RC element upstream diode 15 prevents unwanted discharge of the voltage applied to the capacitor 13b. With regard to its time constant, the RC element is dimensioned such that the voltage which can be tapped off by the control loop never falls below a minimum voltage necessary for the operation of the proportional valve 3 between two successive DC voltage pulses of the digital command signal 6. In that regard, it is advantageous that the piezoelectrically controlled Valve element 4 requires only in the case of its adjustment of a (low) power consumption.

Ferner wird mit dem Entkoppelungsschaltkreis 12 am Punkt 17 des Schaltplans mittels eines aus zwei Widerständen 16a, 16b bestehenden Spannungsteilers ein noch immer für den Sollwert charakteristisches Eingangssignal für die Regelelektronik 7 aus dem Sollsignal 6 entkoppelt.Furthermore, with the decoupling circuit 12 at point 17 of the circuit diagram by means of a voltage divider consisting of two resistors 16a, 16b, an input signal for the control electronics 7, which is still characteristic of the desired value, is decoupled from the desired signal 6.

Dieses wird von der Regelelektronik 7 mit dem vom Drucksensor 8 in Form eines elektrischen Signals zur Verfügung gestellten Istwert für den am Ausgang 10 des Ventils anliegenden Ausgangsdrucks verglichen, woraufhin ein geeignetes Stellsignal für den piezoelektrischen Aktor 11 des Ventilelements 4 erzeugt wird.This is compared by the control electronics 7 with the provided by the pressure sensor 8 in the form of an electrical signal available actual value for the voltage applied to the output 10 of the valve output pressure, whereupon a suitable control signal for the piezoelectric actuator 11 of the valve element 4 is generated.

Durch eine geeignet angeordnete Feder 18 (hier nur schematisch dargestellt) kann das Ventilelement 4 in einen geeigneten Fail-Safe-Zustand vorgespannt werden.By a suitably arranged spring 18 (shown here only schematically), the valve element 4 can be biased in a suitable fail-safe state.

Claims (13)

  1. A proportional control valve (3) for pneumatic applications, comprising a piezoelectrically controllable valve element (4), a sensor (8) for measuring an actual value of a controlled variable, an electrical interface (5a) for receiving a setpoint signal (6) which represents the setpoint value for the controlled variable, and an electronic regulating device (7),
    characterised in that
    the electrical interface (5a) is a 2-conductor interface for receiving a pulse-width modulated digital setpoint signal (6), wherein the proportional control valve (3) is designed to obtain the total electrical energy for operating the proportional control valve (3) from the digital setpoint signal (6).
  2. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the proportional control valve (3) comprises a decoupling circuit (12) disposed between electrical interface (5a) and electronic regulating device (7), by means of which decoupling circuit the electrical energy required for the operation of the proportional control valve (3) on the one hand and an input signal for the electronic regulating device (7) characteristic of the setpoint value on the other hand are decoupled from the digital setpoint signal (6).
  3. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the proportional control valve (3) is a pressure control valve and the sensor (8) is a pressure sensor.
  4. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 3,
    characterised in that
    the controlled variable is the output pressure on the valve element (4).
  5. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the digital pulse-width modulated setpoint signal (6) is a signal comprising direct voltage pulses with an amplitude in the range from approximately 20 to approximately 30 V.
  6. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 5,
    characterised in that
    the digital pulse-width modulated setpoint signal (6) is modulated with repetition rates in the range from 1 Hz to 10 kHz.
  7. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 5,
    characterised in that
    the decoupling circuit for decoupling the electric power for the proportional control valve comprises an RC-element (13a, 13b), which is rated in its time constant (τ) in such a way that the decoupled voltage between two direct voltage signals of the setpoint signal never falls below a minimum voltage required for the operation of the proportional control valve (3).
  8. The proportional control valve (3) according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the valve element (4) can be adjusted from a predefined fail-safe position against a spring force.
  9. An assembly (1) comprising a digital signal transmitter (2) and at least one proportional control valve (3) according to any one of the preceding claims connected via a connecting cable (5c) to the signal transmitter (2).
  10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the connecting cable (5c) is a non-shielded 2-conductor cable.
  11. A method for operating an assembly (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 10 comprising the following steps:
    a) continuous emission of a digital, pulse-width modulated setpoint signal by a signal transmitter (2), wherein the setpoint signal represents the setpoint value for the controlled variable
    b) reception of the setpoint signal at the electrical interface (5a) of the proportional control valve (3)
    c) decoupling of a current or voltage supply for the proportional control valve (3) and an input signal for the electronic control device (7) from the setpoint signal
    d) comparison of the actual value for the controlled variable represented by a sensor signal with the setpoint value for the controlled variable represented by the input signal at the electronic control device (7) by means of the electronic control device (7) and
    e) outputting of a suitable setpoint signal for a piezoelectric actuator (11) of the valve element (4) by the electronic control device (7), when the actual value and setpoint value do not agree, wherein
    f) the electric power for operating the electronic control device (7) and the sensor (8) and for adjusting the valve element (4) is completely decoupled from the setpoint signal.
  12. The method according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the setpoint signal is an analog signal.
  13. The method according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the valve element (4) of the proportional control valve (3), in the absence of a setpoint signal, is switched by the action of a spring force into a previously fixed fail-safe state.
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EP2401514A1 (en) 2012-01-04
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