EP3498659B1 - Method and device for filling a fill product - Google Patents

Method and device for filling a fill product Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3498659B1
EP3498659B1 EP18212636.7A EP18212636A EP3498659B1 EP 3498659 B1 EP3498659 B1 EP 3498659B1 EP 18212636 A EP18212636 A EP 18212636A EP 3498659 B1 EP3498659 B1 EP 3498659B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
filling
time
control
control valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18212636.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3498659A1 (en
Inventor
Anton Huber
Josef Doblinger
Florian Angerer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Krones AG
Original Assignee
Krones AG
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to SI201830913T priority Critical patent/SI3498659T1/en
Publication of EP3498659A1 publication Critical patent/EP3498659A1/en
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Publication of EP3498659B1 publication Critical patent/EP3498659B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/286—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to flow rate control, i.e. controlling slow and fast filling phases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/34—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by timing of filling operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/281—Profiled valve bodies for smoothing the flow at the outlet of the filling nozzle

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method.
  • Methods and devices for free-jet filling of beverages are known, in which a volume flow of the beverage is enabled and interrupted by opening and closing a filling valve.
  • a container to be filled is located at a distance from a filling product outlet below the filling valve, so that when the filling valve is open, the beverage can flow freely through a container opening of the container into the container. If the container is filled with the drink, the filling valve is closed and the flow of filling product is interrupted as a result.
  • it is known to determine the quantity of filled filling product by means of a flow meter assigned to the filling valve.
  • the filling valve is closed at high speed.
  • the cross section available to the filling product in the filling valve is successively reduced, usually by moving a first valve surface, preferably a valve cone, relative to a second valve surface, preferably a valve seat, towards the second valve surface. Due to the narrowing of the cross section, the filling product located in the filling valve undergoes additional acceleration, as a result of which the free jet breaks off and filling product can squirt, in particular laterally. On the one hand, this results in a loss of filling product. In addition, as a result, filling product reaches the outside of the container to be filled and/or parts of the system.
  • the rapid closing of the filling valve can lead to pressure surges in the filling element or in a line conducting the filling product to the filling valve, since the filling product is also accelerated against the actual filling flow direction when it is closed. These pressure shocks or their energy must be compensated.
  • gas bubbles are contained in the line, these can have a resilient effect due to their compressibility, so that vibrations occur in the line. These oscillations can be detected by the flow meter and interpreted as the quantity that has flowed through, which can lead to errors in determining the quantity of the filled filling product.
  • the filling valve and the control valve at the same time in order to interrupt the filling product volume flow.
  • the volume flow reaching the filling valve decreases, so that less filling product then flows through the filling valve during the closing of the filling valve and thus less filling product is additionally displaced or additionally accelerated when the filling valve is closed.
  • the control valve usually has a different closing time than the filling valve. If the filling valve reaches the completely closed position before the control valve, the above-mentioned pressure surge and the filling product can splatter. If the control valve is in the completely closed position before the filling valve, air can enter the filling valve and the jet can break off.
  • the DE 10 2014 117 831 A1 describes a method and a device for filling a container with a filling product according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7.
  • the EP 2 942 289 A1 describes a device and a method for filling flexible containers.
  • the object is achieved by a method for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, with the features of Claim 1 solved.
  • Advantageous developments of the method result from the dependent claims and the present description and the figures.
  • a method for bottling a filling product preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, comprising providing a filling product flow through a filling product line by opening a filling valve arranged in the filling product line and an associated control valve for controlling a volume flow, and closing it of the control valve and closing of the fill valve to stop the flow of fill product at the end of fill.
  • the control valve and the filling valve are closed in a synchronized manner.
  • control valve and the filling valve are controlled in such a way that the control valve and the filling valve move into the closed position essentially at the same time or in a fixed time relationship and preferably only with a small time offset.
  • the filling valve can be closed at high speed while pressure shocks in the filling product and splashing and/or uncontrolled tearing off of the flow or jet of filling product can be reduced or even avoided altogether. Accurate and clean filling can therefore be achieved by the synchronized closing of the filling valve and control valve.
  • control valve and the filling valve are controlled with an offset time. This can ensure that the control valve and the filling valve move to the closed position synchronously, even if they have different closing speeds. Consequently, particularly precise and clean filling can be achieved as a result.
  • the closing of the control valve is triggered by a first control command from a controller and the closing of the filling valve is triggered by a second control command from the controller, the second control command being triggered with a delay in time from the first control command by the offset time.
  • the second control command can be triggered by the offset time after the first control command or by the offset time before the first control command, depending on whether the control valve has a longer closing time or a shorter closing time than the filling valve.
  • the second control command is preferably triggered by the offset time after the first control command.
  • the individual offset time is determined according to a preferred embodiment, with the offset time preferably being the difference between a closing time of the control valve and a closing time of the Filling valve is determined.
  • the offset time can be provided particularly precisely.
  • a plurality of pairs of control valve and filling valve are provided in the device and/or system, in which the individual pairs have different activation times and delay times due to the structure of the device and/or system, one can be used for each pair or each pairing corresponding offset time can be provided particularly precisely in a simple manner.
  • a particularly simple and precise determination of the offset time in particular taking into account the components that are present in any case in a device and/or system having the filling valve and the control valve, can be achieved according to a further preferred embodiment in that the offset time is based on a flow measurement of the filling product in of the filling product line is determined, with the closing time of the filling valve being determined on the basis of the flow measurement.
  • the closing time of the filling valve is determined based on a change in the flow over time, ie a first derivation of the flow over time. As a result, the closing time can be determined particularly precisely.
  • the closing time of the filling valve is determined in relation to a minimum, preferably a first minimum, of the change in flow over time that follows the triggering of the second control command, the closing time of the filling valve being defined as a period of time between the triggering of the second control command and the time when the minimum occurs. Due to the rapid decrease in flow when the filling valve is closed, a clear minimum arises in the course of the change in flow over time, which can be measured in a simple manner and reliably. Furthermore, a time offset between the occurrence of the minimum and the point in time at which the filling valve reaches the closed position is marginal.
  • the associated offset time is determined individually for each individual pair of control valve and filling valve of the provided plurality of pairs of control valve and filling valve, synchronized closing for each the plurality of control valve and inflation valve pairs are provided.
  • the control valve preferably switches to control the volume flow between at least two different volume flows. For example between a higher and a lower volume flow or between a volume flow and no volume flow.
  • the control valve can also be designed as a simple switching valve.
  • the control valve for controlling the volume flow preferably switches between more than two different volume flows.
  • the control valve of the volume flow particularly preferably switches steplessly, the control valve particularly preferably setting the volume flow proportionally and being able to be designed as a proportional valve.
  • a device for bottling a filling product preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet process, comprising a filling valve arranged at the end of a filling product line for opening and closing the filling product line and a control valve upstream of the filling valve for controlling a volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve .
  • a controller is provided which is set up to close the control valve and the filling valve in a synchronized manner.
  • a flow meter is preferably provided for measuring the flow or the volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve or to the control valve.
  • control valve is preferably a proportional valve, which can be positioned in a controlled manner via a corresponding control.
  • the controller can specify a specific stroke position for the proportional valve, and this moves to this stroke position in a defined and reliable manner.
  • a proportional valve can have a stepping motor as an actuator, for example, so that a precise and reproducible control of a desired stroke position is possible.
  • the control valve can also be a switching valve, by means of which it is possible to switch between at least two different volume flows.
  • the control valve can also be switched between an open position with a first volume flow and a closed position in which no volume flow flows through the control valve.
  • the control valve can preferably switch between a number of different volume flows in order to regulate the volume flow.
  • the filling valve is preferably designed in the form of a simple switching valve, which can be designed, for example, as a seat valve.
  • the filling valve is moved from a fully closed position to a fully open position and vice versa by means of an appropriate actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator. Intermediate positions are not possible.
  • a filling product outlet is preferably provided for letting out filling product, preferably in a free jet.
  • the controller is set up to activate the control valve and the filling valve with a time offset by an offset time.
  • the controller is set up to output a first control command to close the control valve and to output a second control command to close the filling valve, offset in time with respect to the first control command.
  • the controller is set up to determine the offset time, the offset time preferably being determined from the difference between a closing time of the control valve and a closing time of the filling valve.
  • a flow meter is assigned to the filling valve and the control valve, with the controller being set up to determine the offset time based on a flow measurement of the flow of the filling product through the filling product line, the closing time of the filling valve being determined on the basis of the flow measurement.
  • the controller is set up to determine the closing time of the filling valve based on a change in the flow rate over time.
  • the controller is set up to determine the closing time of the filling valve in relation to a minimum, preferably a first minimum, of the change over time in the flow rate measured by means of a flow meter, which follows the triggering of the second control command, the closing time of the filling valve being defined is as a time period between the triggering of the second control command and the point in time at which the minimum occurs.
  • This measurement of the flow and the determination of the closing time of the filling valve is preferably carried out when the control valve is not moving and particularly preferably when the control valve is fully open.
  • a plurality of pairs consisting of a filling valve and a control valve assigned to it are provided, with the associated offset time preferably being determined individually for each individual pair of control valve and filling valve.
  • FIG 1 a side view of a device 1 for filling a filling product is shown schematically.
  • the device 1 shown here can be used in particular for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method.
  • the device 1 has a filling valve 3 arranged at the end of a filling product line 5 for opening and closing the filling product line 5 and a control valve 2 upstream of the filling valve 3 for controlling a volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve 3 .
  • a flow meter 4 is provided on the filling product line 5 for determining a flow rate or volume flow of filling product through the filling product line 5 .
  • the filling valve 3 is in the form of a pneumatically operated filling valve 3 .
  • tubing 6 is provided, by means of which pneumatic air can be supplied to the filling valve 3 in order to switch the filling valve 3 accordingly.
  • the flow meter 4 is arranged upstream of the control valve 2 .
  • the control valve 2 is arranged between the flow meter 4 and the filling valve 3 .
  • a filling product outlet 10 is provided, from which filling product to be filled can emerge in free flow.
  • the filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 assigned to it together form a pair 7 of filling valve 3 and control valve 2 .
  • Each pair 7 can have its own flow meter 4 assigned to it.
  • control valve 2 is designed in such a way that it can switch steplessly.
  • the control valve 2 is designed here as a proportional valve.
  • control valve 2 for controlling the volume flow can also switch between at least two different volume flows.
  • control valve 2 can switch between a higher and a lower volume flow or between a volume flow and no volume flow at all.
  • control valve 2 can also be designed as a simple switching valve.
  • control valve 2 preferably switches to control the volume flow between more than two different volume flows.
  • figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a filler carousel of the device 1 figure 1 in an overall view. On the circumference of the filler carousel there are a large number of pairs 7 consisting of filling valve 3 and control valve 2, as in figure 1 arranged so as to produce a continuous flow of filled containers.
  • the device 1 also has a controller 8 which is in communication via connections 9 with the individual pairs 7 made up of the filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 .
  • the controller 8 is set up to close the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 of each pair 7 in a synchronized manner.
  • FIG. 12 schematically shows a circuit diagram of part of the method for controlling the device 1 of FIGS figures 1 and 2 .
  • figure 3 shows a control valve lift curve 12, a first control signal 13 for specifying the lift of the control valve 12, a valve cone lift curve 14 of a valve cone of the filling valve 3 and a second control signal 16 for specifying the switching of the valve cone of the filling valve 3 over time.
  • the filling valve 3 is preferably designed in the form of a simple switching valve, which can be designed as a seat valve, for example.
  • the filling valve 3 is moved from a fully closed position to a fully open position and vice versa by means of a corresponding actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator.
  • a corresponding actuator for example a pneumatic actuator.
  • intermediate positions are not possible.
  • the control valve 2 is preferably a proportional valve which can be positioned in a controlled manner via a corresponding control.
  • the controller can specify a specific stroke position for the proportional valve, and this moves to this stroke position in a defined and reliable manner.
  • a proportional valve can have a stepping motor as an actuator, for example, so that a precise and reproducible control of a desired stroke position is possible.
  • Reference number 120 indicates an open position of control valve 2 .
  • the open position 120 of the control valve 2 a maximum possible volume flow of the filling product to be filled can flow in the direction of the filling valve 3 .
  • the closed position indicated by reference number 122 the volume flow to the filling valve 3 is prevented.
  • the reference number 130 indicates an "open" signal position specified by the controller 8, via which a predetermined stroke of the control valve 2 can be controlled or adjusted, and the reference number 132 indicates a "closed" signal position of the first control signal 13.
  • intermediate positions between the open position 120 and the closed position 122 can also be controlled in the control valve 2 .
  • the ramp of the first control signal 13 is followed by the position of the control valve between the open position 120 and the closed position 122.
  • the indicated ramp of the position and the ramp of the control signal 13 run synchronously.
  • the control signal 13 is triggered at a time T 1 by the controller 1, which causes the control valve 2 to close.
  • the control valve 2 thereby moves successively along the ramp from the open position 120 to the closed position 122, which it reaches at time T 3 .
  • the control valve 2 therefore has a closing time t R which corresponds to the period from time T 1 to time T 3 .
  • This closing time depends on the control and cannot be arbitrarily accelerated due to the construction of the control valve 2. In other words, the closing time of the controller is known.
  • reference number 140 indicates an open position of filling valve 3 .
  • the valve cone of the filling valve 3 In the open position 140 the valve cone of the filling valve 3 is in a raised position, so that there is a maximum flow cross-section in the filling valve 3 .
  • the closed position indicated by the reference number 142 the volume flow through the filling valve 3 is interrupted.
  • Reference number 160 indicates an "open" signal position specified by controller 8 and reference number 162 indicates a "closed” signal position of second control signal 16 .
  • the filling valve 3 can only assume the open or the closed position - intermediate positions are not possible due to the structure of the filling valve 3.
  • the valve cone of the filling valve 3 moves along the curve indicated by the reference mark 14' into the closed position 142.
  • the filling valve 3 needs to move from the open position 140 to get to the closed position 142, the closing time t F . Since the closing time t F of the filling valve 3 is shorter than the closing time t R of the control valve 2, the filling valve 3 already reaches the closed position 142 when the control valve 2 is not yet closed. This can result in pressure surges induced by the closing of the filling valve 3 in the filling product line 5 and thus oscillations of the filling product in the filling product line 5, which can be incorrectly interpreted by the flow meter 4 as an additional flow.
  • the pressure surges can be prevented if the second control signal is triggered at time T 3 after the control valve 2 has reached the closed position 122, as indicated by reference numeral 16''.
  • the filling valve 3 consequently only begins then, as indicated by reference number 14''. indicated to approach the closed position 142.
  • air from the environment can get into the filling product line 5 .
  • the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 are closed synchronously.
  • the filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 reach the closed position 122 or 142 essentially at the same time T 3 .
  • the control signal 16 is therefore triggered by the closing time t F before the time T 3 , referred to here as the time T 2 .
  • the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 are controlled with an offset time t V , the closing of the control valve 2 being triggered by the first control command 13 at time T 1 and the closing of the filling valve 2 being triggered by the second control command 16 at time T 2 is triggered, the second control command 16 being offset in time by the offset time t V relative to the first control command 13 .
  • the filling valve 3 is switched between the open position 140 and the closed position 142 by a control circuit.
  • the speed, and therefore the closing time t F is consequently not regulated by the controller.
  • the closing times differ between the individual pairs 7 of the device 1.
  • the offset time t V is determined for each pair.
  • the offset time t V is determined from the difference between the closing time t R of the control valve 2 and the closing time t F of the filling valve 3.
  • the closing time t F of the filling valve 3 is determined for this using the flow measurement.
  • the controller 8 determines a change over time in the flow rate measured by the flow meter 4 through the filling product line 5. For this purpose, the actual filling of the filling product in regular operation, in which filling product is filled into containers to be filled, is preceded by the flow rate during a closing process of the filling valve 3 is determined.
  • figure 4 a graphic representation of the measured flow rate 18 in ml/s of the filling product over the time in seconds for one of the filling valves 3 of the device 1 is shown schematically and by way of example, determined by the controller 8 .
  • the control valve 2 is held in a predetermined open switching position over the entire measuring range shown.
  • the second control signal which actuates the filling valve 3 , is again indicated by the reference number 16 .
  • the filling valve 3 is held in the open position, as indicated by reference number 160 .
  • the flow 18 here corresponds to the flow in a filling phase 180.
  • T S the second control command 16 for switching the filling valve 3 to the closed position 162 is issued.
  • the reaction in the sense of a change in flow 18 takes place with a time delay, in this exemplary embodiment by approximately 0.4 seconds, referred to here by reference numeral 182 as the closing phase. This delay is due to the construction associated inertia of the actuator of the filling valve 3 and the used and bottled media instead.
  • FIG. 12 schematically shows the graphic representation of the flow rate 18.
  • FIG figure 4 and its derivative 20 (calculated in the controller 8) over time.
  • a clear, characteristic minimum 22 of the derivative 20 forms marginally shortly before the closing time T G is reached.
  • This clear minimum 22 of the derivative 20 is detected by the controller 8 and the time T M is assigned to it by the controller 8 as the time at which the minimum 22 occurs.
  • the closing time t F of the filling valve 3, which the filling valve 3 requires after the triggering of the control command 16 in order to reach the closed position, is now determined in relation to this minimum 22 of the time derivative 20 of the flow rate, which follows the triggering of the second control command 16 18.
  • the closing time t F is defined as the length of time between the triggering of the second control command 16 at the point in time T S and the point in time T M at which the first minimum 22 of the derivation of the flow 18 over time occurs.
  • the determined and defined closing time t F is an approximation of the actual closing time, which corresponds to the time span between the times T S and T G .
  • the aforementioned method is used for each individual pair 7 of control valve 2 and filling valve 3 of the provided plurality of pairs 7 determined individually.
  • the determination by the controller 8 can be carried out at least partially in parallel take place. This can also be determined for each filling product with its respective individual viscosity and temperature.

Description

Technisches Gebiettechnical field

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren.The present invention relates to a method and a device for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method.

Technischer HintergrundTechnical background

Es sind Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Freistrahlabfüllen von Getränken bekannt, bei welchen ein Volumenstrom des Getränks durch Öffnen und Schließen eines Füllventils ermöglicht und unterbrochen wird. Ein zu befüllender Behälter befindet sich dabei beabstandet von einem Füllprodukt-Auslass unterhalb des Füllventils, so dass das Getränk bei geöffnetem Füllventil im Freistrahl durch eine Behälteröffnung des Behälters in den Behälter eintreten kann. Ist der Behälter mit dem Getränk befüllt, wird das Füllventil geschlossen und dadurch der Füllproduktstrom entsprechend unterbrochen. Hierbei ist es bekannt, die Menge an abgefülltem Füllprodukt mittels eines dem Füllventil zugeordneten Durchflussmessers zu ermitteln.Methods and devices for free-jet filling of beverages are known, in which a volume flow of the beverage is enabled and interrupted by opening and closing a filling valve. A container to be filled is located at a distance from a filling product outlet below the filling valve, so that when the filling valve is open, the beverage can flow freely through a container opening of the container into the container. If the container is filled with the drink, the filling valve is closed and the flow of filling product is interrupted as a result. In this context, it is known to determine the quantity of filled filling product by means of a flow meter assigned to the filling valve.

Um ein möglichst genaues Abfüllergebnis erzielen zu können, wird das Füllventil mit hoher Geschwindigkeit geschlossen. Beim Schließen des Füllventils wird der dem Füllprodukt zur Verfügung stehende Querschnitt im Füllventil sukzessive verringert, in der Regel, indem eine erste Ventilfläche, bevorzugt ein Ventilkegel, relativ zu einer zweiten Ventilfläche, bevorzugt einem Ventilsitz, auf die zweite Ventilfläche zubewegt wird. Aufgrund der Querschnittsverengung erfährt das sich im Füllventil befindliche Füllprodukt eine zusätzliche Beschleunigung, wodurch der Freistrahl abreißen und es zu einem Spritzen, insbesondere zu einem seitlichen Verspritzen, von Füllprodukt kommen kann. Zum einen kommt es dadurch zu einem Verlust an Füllprodukt. Zudem gelangt dadurch Füllprodukt an die Außenseite des zu befüllenden Behälters und/oder an Teile der Anlage.In order to be able to achieve the most accurate filling result possible, the filling valve is closed at high speed. When the filling valve is closed, the cross section available to the filling product in the filling valve is successively reduced, usually by moving a first valve surface, preferably a valve cone, relative to a second valve surface, preferably a valve seat, towards the second valve surface. Due to the narrowing of the cross section, the filling product located in the filling valve undergoes additional acceleration, as a result of which the free jet breaks off and filling product can squirt, in particular laterally. On the one hand, this results in a loss of filling product. In addition, as a result, filling product reaches the outside of the container to be filled and/or parts of the system.

Weiterhin kann es durch das schnelle Schließen des Füllventils zu Druckschlägen im Füllorgan beziehungsweise in einer das Füllprodukt zum Füllventil leitenden Leitung kommen, da Füllprodukt beim Schließen auch entgegen der eigentlichen Abfüllflussrichtung beschleunigt wird. Diese Druckschläge beziehungsweise deren Energie muss kompensiert werden. Insbesondere, wenn Gasblasen in der Leitung enthalten sind, können diese aufgrund ihrer Kompressibilität federnd wirken, so dass in der Leitung Schwingungen entstehen. Diese Schwingungen können von dem Durchflussmesser erfasst und als durchgeflossene Menge interpretiert werden, was zu Fehlern in der Ermittlung der Menge des abgefüllten Füllprodukts führen kann.Furthermore, the rapid closing of the filling valve can lead to pressure surges in the filling element or in a line conducting the filling product to the filling valve, since the filling product is also accelerated against the actual filling flow direction when it is closed. These pressure shocks or their energy must be compensated. In particular, if gas bubbles are contained in the line, these can have a resilient effect due to their compressibility, so that vibrations occur in the line. These oscillations can be detected by the flow meter and interpreted as the quantity that has flowed through, which can lead to errors in determining the quantity of the filled filling product.

Weiterhin ist es bekannt, den Volumenstrom des Getränks zum Füllventil mittels eines dem Füllventil vorgelagerten Regelventils zu regeln. Auf diese Weise können unterschiedliche Füllprofile abhängig vom Füllprodukt und dem zu befüllenden Behälter abgefahren werden.Furthermore, it is known to control the volume flow of the beverage to the filling valve by means of a control valve upstream of the filling valve. In this way, different filling profiles can be run depending on the filling product and the container to be filled.

Hierbei ist es weiterhin bekannt, zum Unterbrechen des Füllproduktvolumenstroms das Füllventil und das Regelventil zeitgleich anzusteuern. Während des Schließens des Regelventils verringert sich der zum Füllventil gelangende Volumenstrom, so dass während des Schließens des Füllventils dann weniger Füllprodukt durch das Füllventil strömt und damit beim Schließen des Füllventils weniger Füllprodukt zusätzlich verdrängt beziehungsweise zusätzlich beschleunigt wird. Das Regelventil weist jedoch üblicher Weise eine andere Schließzeit als das Füllventil auf. Gelangt das Füllventil vor dem Regelventil in die komplett geschlossene Position, kann es zu dem vorgenannten Druckschlag sowie zum Verspritzen von Füllprodukt kommen. Gelangt das Regelventil vor dem Füllventil in die komplett geschlossene Position, kann Luft in das Füllventil eindringen und der Strahl kann abreißen.In this context, it is also known to control the filling valve and the control valve at the same time in order to interrupt the filling product volume flow. During the closing of the control valve, the volume flow reaching the filling valve decreases, so that less filling product then flows through the filling valve during the closing of the filling valve and thus less filling product is additionally displaced or additionally accelerated when the filling valve is closed. However, the control valve usually has a different closing time than the filling valve. If the filling valve reaches the completely closed position before the control valve, the above-mentioned pressure surge and the filling product can splatter. If the control valve is in the completely closed position before the filling valve, air can enter the filling valve and the jet can break off.

Die DE 10 2014 117 831 A1 beschreibt ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt gemäß den Oberbegriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 7. Die EP 2 942 289 A1 beschreibt eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zum Befüllen flexibler Behälter.The DE 10 2014 117 831 A1 describes a method and a device for filling a container with a filling product according to the preambles of claims 1 and 7. The EP 2 942 289 A1 describes a device and a method for filling flexible containers.

Darstellung der ErfindungPresentation of the invention

Ausgehend von dem bekannten Stand der Technik ist es eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein verbessertes Verfahren zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren, sowie eine entsprechende Vorrichtung bereitzustellen.Proceeding from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, and a corresponding device.

Die Aufgabe wird durch ein Verfahren zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren, mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen des Verfahrens ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen sowie der vorliegenden Beschreibung und den Figuren.The object is achieved by a method for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, with the features of Claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments of the method result from the dependent claims and the present description and the figures.

Entsprechend wird ein Verfahren zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren, vorgeschlagen, umfassend das Bereitstellen eines Füllproduktstroms durch eine Füllproduktleitung durch Öffnen eines in der Füllproduktleitung angeordneten Füllventils und eines zugeordneten Regelventils zum Regeln eines Volumenstroms, und das Schließen des Regelventils und das Schließen des Füllventils, um den Füllproduktstrom am Füllende zu beenden. Erfindungsgemäß werden das Regelventil und das Füllventil synchronisiert geschlossen.Accordingly, a method for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, is proposed, comprising providing a filling product flow through a filling product line by opening a filling valve arranged in the filling product line and an associated control valve for controlling a volume flow, and closing it of the control valve and closing of the fill valve to stop the flow of fill product at the end of fill. According to the invention, the control valve and the filling valve are closed in a synchronized manner.

Mit anderen Worten werden das Regelventil und das Füllventil derart angesteuert, dass das Regelventil und das Füllventil im Wesentlichen zeitgleich beziehungsweise in einer festen zeitlichen Beziehung und bevorzugt lediglich mit einem geringen Zeitversatz in die geschlossene Position gelangen.In other words, the control valve and the filling valve are controlled in such a way that the control valve and the filling valve move into the closed position essentially at the same time or in a fixed time relationship and preferably only with a small time offset.

Dadurch, dass das Regelventil und das Füllventil synchronisiert geschlossen werden, kann eine im Wesentlichen ideale Strahleinschnürung des aus dem Füllventil austretenden Strahls des Füllprodukts erzielt werden. Dem aufgrund des schließenden Regelventils geringer werdenden Volumenstrom an Füllprodukt steht aufgrund des Schließens des Füllventils ein sukzessive geringer werdender Durchlassquerschnitt am Füllventil zur Verfügung, so dass die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit durch das Füllventil im Wesentlichen beibehalten werden kann. Durch das synchronisierte Schließen ist der Volumenstrom zum Füllventil in dem Zeitpunkt, in welchen das Füllventil in die geschlossene Position gelangt, im Wesentlichen unterbunden beziehungsweise lediglich marginal. Folglich kann ein Verspritzen durch eine Beschleunigung von beim Schließen des Füllventils dieses durchströmenden Füllprodukts im Wesentlichen vermieden werden. Folglich kann das Füllventil mit hoher Geschwindigkeit geschlossen werden und dabei dennoch Druckschläge im Füllprodukt sowie ein Verspritzen und/oder ein unkontrolliertes Abreißen des Füllproduktstroms beziehungsweise -strahls vermindert oder gar ganz vermieden werden. Durch das synchronisierte Schließen von Füllventil und Regelventil kann mithin ein genaues und sauberes Abfüllen erzielt werden.Due to the fact that the control valve and the filling valve are closed in a synchronized manner, an essentially ideal jet constriction of the jet of the filling product emerging from the filling valve can be achieved. Due to the closing of the filling valve, a successively decreasing passage cross section is available at the filling valve for the volume flow of filling product, which is decreasing due to the closing control valve, so that the flow rate through the filling valve can essentially be maintained. As a result of the synchronized closing, the volume flow to the filling valve is essentially prevented or only marginally at the point in time at which the filling valve reaches the closed position. Consequently, a spattering caused by an acceleration of this filling product flowing through when the filling valve is closed can be essentially avoided. As a result, the filling valve can be closed at high speed while pressure shocks in the filling product and splashing and/or uncontrolled tearing off of the flow or jet of filling product can be reduced or even avoided altogether. Accurate and clean filling can therefore be achieved by the synchronized closing of the filling valve and control valve.

Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausbildung des Verfahrens werden das Regelventil und das Füllventil um eine Versatzzeit zeitversetzt angesteuert. Dadurch kann sichergestellt werden, dass das Regelventil und das Füllventil synchron in die geschlossene Position gelangen, auch wenn sie unterschiedliche Schließgeschwindigkeiten aufweisen. Mithin kann dadurch ein besonders genaues und sauberes Abfüllen erzielt werden.According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the control valve and the filling valve are controlled with an offset time. This can ensure that the control valve and the filling valve move to the closed position synchronously, even if they have different closing speeds. Consequently, particularly precise and clean filling can be achieved as a result.

Gemäß der Erfindung wird das Schließen des Regelventils durch einen ersten Steuerbefehl einer Steuerung ausgelöst und das Schließen des Füllventils wird durch einen zweiten Steuerbefehl der Steuerung ausgelöst, wobei der zweite Steuerbefehl um die Versatzzeit zeitversetzt zum ersten Steuerbefehl ausgelöst wird. Hierdurch ist ein besonders exaktes synchronisiertes Schließen möglich. Der zweite Steuerbefehl kann dabei um die Versatzzeit nach dem ersten Steuerbefehl oder um die Versatzzeit vor dem ersten Steuerbefehlt ausgelöst werden, je nachdem, ob das Regelventil eine längere Schließzeit oder eine kürzere Schließzeit aufweist als das Füllventil. Bevorzugt wird der zweite Steuerbefehl um die Versatzzeit nach dem ersten Steuerbefehlt ausgelöst.According to the invention, the closing of the control valve is triggered by a first control command from a controller and the closing of the filling valve is triggered by a second control command from the controller, the second control command being triggered with a delay in time from the first control command by the offset time. As a result, a particularly precise, synchronized closing is possible. The second control command can be triggered by the offset time after the first control command or by the offset time before the first control command, depending on whether the control valve has a longer closing time or a shorter closing time than the filling valve. The second control command is preferably triggered by the offset time after the first control command.

Um das synchronisierte Schließen von Regelventil und Füllventil besonders genau zu ermöglichen, ohne Eingriffe in die übrige Parameter der Steuerung vornehmen zu müssen, wird gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausbildung die individuelle Versatzzeit ermittelt, wobei bevorzugt die Versatzzeit aus der Differenz einer Schließzeit des Regelventils und einer Schließzeit des Füllventils ermittelt wird.In order to enable the synchronized closing of the control valve and filling valve particularly precisely, without having to intervene in the other parameters of the controller, the individual offset time is determined according to a preferred embodiment, with the offset time preferably being the difference between a closing time of the control valve and a closing time of the Filling valve is determined.

Dadurch ist es möglich, für die Versatzzeit den jeweils in einer Vorrichtung und/oder Anlage verbauten Paaren aus Regelventil und Füllventil Rechnung zu tragen. Mithin kann die Versatzzeit besonders genau bereitgestellt werden. Insbesondere, wenn eine Mehrzahl von Paaren aus Regelventil und Füllventil in der Vorrichtung und/oder Anlage vorgesehen sind, bei welchen aufgrund des Aufbaus der Vorrichtung und/oder Anlage unterschiedliche Ansteuerzeiten und Verzögerungszeiten die einzelnen Paare vorliegen, kann so für jedes Paar beziehungsweise jede Paarung eine entsprechende Versatzzeit auf einfache Weise besonders genau bereitgestellt werden.This makes it possible to take account of the respective pairs of control valve and filling valve installed in a device and/or system for the offset time. Consequently, the offset time can be provided particularly precisely. In particular, if a plurality of pairs of control valve and filling valve are provided in the device and/or system, in which the individual pairs have different activation times and delay times due to the structure of the device and/or system, one can be used for each pair or each pairing corresponding offset time can be provided particularly precisely in a simple manner.

Eine besonders einfache und genaue Ermittlung der Versatzzeit, insbesondere unter Berücksichtigung der in einer das Füllventil und das Regelventil aufweisenden Vorrichtung und/oder Anlage ohnehin vorliegenden Komponenten, kann gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung darüber erzielt werden, dass die Versatzzeit basierend auf einer Durchflussmessung des Füllprodukts in der Füllproduktleitung ermittelt wird, wobei die Schließzeit des Füllventils anhand der Durchflussmessung ermittelt wird.A particularly simple and precise determination of the offset time, in particular taking into account the components that are present in any case in a device and/or system having the filling valve and the control valve, can be achieved according to a further preferred embodiment in that the offset time is based on a flow measurement of the filling product in of the filling product line is determined, with the closing time of the filling valve being determined on the basis of the flow measurement.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung wird die Schließzeit des Füllventils anhand einer zeitlichen Änderung des Durchflusses, mithin einer ersten Ableitung des Durchflusses über die Zeit, ermittelt. Hierdurch kann die Schließzeit besonders genau ermittelt werden.According to a further preferred embodiment, the closing time of the filling valve is determined based on a change in the flow over time, ie a first derivation of the flow over time. As a result, the closing time can be determined particularly precisely.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung wird die Schließzeit des Füllventils in Bezug auf ein der Auslösung des zweiten Steuerbefehls nachgelagertes Minimum, bevorzugt einem ersten Minimum, der zeitlichen Änderung des Durchflusses ermittelt, wobei die Schließzeit des Füllventils definiert wird als eine Zeitdauer zwischen dem Auslösen des zweiten Steuerbefehls und dem Zeitpunkt, an dem das Minimum auftritt. Aufgrund der beim Schließen des Füllventils raschen Abnahme des Durchflusses entsteht im Verlauf der zeitlichen Änderung des Durchflusses ein deutliches Minimum, das messtechnisch in einfacher Weise und sicher erfasst werden kann. Ferner ist ein Zeitversatz zwischen dem Auftreten des Minimums und dem Zeitpunkt, in welchem das Füllventil in die geschlossene Position gelangt, marginal. Demgemäß kann dadurch auf einfache Weise ohne Eingriffe in die Verfahrensparameter zur übrigen Steuerung/Regelung der Vorrichtung beziehungsweise Anlage eine nahezu ideale Synchronisierung des Schließens des Regelventils und des Füllventils erzielt werden. Diese Messung wird bevorzugt bei unverändert gehaltenem Regelventil und besonders bevorzugt bei vollständig geöffnetem Regelventil durchgeführt.According to a further preferred embodiment, the closing time of the filling valve is determined in relation to a minimum, preferably a first minimum, of the change in flow over time that follows the triggering of the second control command, the closing time of the filling valve being defined as a period of time between the triggering of the second control command and the time when the minimum occurs. Due to the rapid decrease in flow when the filling valve is closed, a clear minimum arises in the course of the change in flow over time, which can be measured in a simple manner and reliably. Furthermore, a time offset between the occurrence of the minimum and the point in time at which the filling valve reaches the closed position is marginal. Accordingly, an almost ideal synchronization of the closing of the control valve and the filling valve can be achieved in a simple manner without intervention in the process parameters for the remaining control/regulation of the device or system. This measurement is preferably carried out with the control valve kept unchanged and particularly preferably with the control valve fully open.

Wenn gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausbildung bei einer vorgesehenen Mehrzahl von Paaren aus Regelventil und Füllventil für jedes individuelle Paar aus Regelventil und Füllventil der vorgesehenen Mehrzahl von Paaren aus Regelventil und Füllventil jeweils die zugehörige Versatzzeit individuell ermittelt wird, kann auf einfache Weise ein synchronisiertes Schließen für jedes der Mehrzahl von Paaren aus Regelventil und Füllventil bereitgestellt werden.If, according to a further preferred embodiment, with a plurality of pairs of control valve and filling valve provided, the associated offset time is determined individually for each individual pair of control valve and filling valve of the provided plurality of pairs of control valve and filling valve, synchronized closing for each the plurality of control valve and inflation valve pairs are provided.

Das Regelventil schaltet bevorzugt zur Regelung des Volumenstroms zwischen mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen. Beispielsweise zwischen einem höheren und einem geringeren Volumenstrom oder zwischen einem Volumenstrom und keinem Volumenstrom. Mit anderen Worten kann das Regelventil auch als einfaches Schaltventil ausgebildet sein.The control valve preferably switches to control the volume flow between at least two different volume flows. For example between a higher and a lower volume flow or between a volume flow and no volume flow. In other words, the control valve can also be designed as a simple switching valve.

Bevorzugt schaltet das Regelventil zur Regelung des Volumenstroms zwischen mehr als zwei unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen.The control valve for controlling the volume flow preferably switches between more than two different volume flows.

Besonders bevorzugt schaltet das Regelventil des Volumenstrom stufenlos, wobei das Regelventil den Volumenstrom besonders bevorzugt proportional einstellt und als Proportionalventil ausgebildet sein kann.The control valve of the volume flow particularly preferably switches steplessly, the control valve particularly preferably setting the volume flow proportionally and being able to be designed as a proportional valve.

Die oben gestellte Aufgabe wird weiterhin durch eine Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren, mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 7 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen, der Beschreibung und den Figuren.The object set above is also achieved by a device for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method, with the features of claim 7 . Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

Entsprechend wird eine Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts, bevorzugt zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren, vorgeschlagen, umfassend ein am Ende einer Füllproduktleitung angeordnetes Füllventil zum Öffnen und Schließen der Füllproduktleitung und ein dem Füllventil vorgelagertes Regelventil zum Regeln eines Volumenstroms des Füllprodukts zum Füllventil. Erfindungsgemäß ist eine Steuerung vorgesehen, die dazu eingerichtet ist, das Regelventil und das Füllventil synchronisiert zu schließen.Accordingly, a device for bottling a filling product, preferably for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet process, is proposed, comprising a filling valve arranged at the end of a filling product line for opening and closing the filling product line and a control valve upstream of the filling valve for controlling a volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve . According to the invention, a controller is provided which is set up to close the control valve and the filling valve in a synchronized manner.

Durch die Vorrichtung können die hinsichtlich des Verfahrens beschriebenen Vorteile und Wirkungen analog erzielt werden.The advantages and effects described with regard to the method can be achieved analogously by the device.

Bevorzugt ist ferner ein Durchflussmesser zum Messen des Durchflusses beziehungsweise des Volumenstromes des Füllprodukts zum Füllventil beziehungsweise zum Regelventil vorgesehen.Furthermore, a flow meter is preferably provided for measuring the flow or the volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve or to the control valve.

Das Regelventil ist in der Vorrichtung und im oben beschriebenen Verfahren bevorzugt ein Proportionalventil, welches über eine entsprechende Ansteuerung gesteuert positioniert werden kann. Mit anderen Worten kann die Steuerung eine bestimmte Hubposition des Proportionalventils vorgeben und dieses fährt diese Hubposition definiert und zuverlässig an. Ein Proportionalventil kann beispielsweise einen Schrittmotor als Aktuator aufweisen, so dass eine präzise und reproduzierbare Ansteuerung einer gewünschten Hubposition möglich wird.In the device and in the method described above, the control valve is preferably a proportional valve, which can be positioned in a controlled manner via a corresponding control. In other words, the controller can specify a specific stroke position for the proportional valve, and this moves to this stroke position in a defined and reliable manner. A proportional valve can have a stepping motor as an actuator, for example, so that a precise and reproducible control of a desired stroke position is possible.

Das Regelventil kann auch ein Schaltventil sein, mittels dessen zwischen mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen geschaltet werden kann. Beispielsweise kann das Regelventil auch zwischen einer geöffneten Stellung mit einem ersten Volumenstrom und einer geschlossenen Stellung, bei der das Regelventil von keinem Volumenstrom durchflossen wird, geschaltet werden. Bevorzugt kann das Regelventil zwischen mehreren unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen schalten, um eine Regelung des Volumenstroms zu erreichen.The control valve can also be a switching valve, by means of which it is possible to switch between at least two different volume flows. For example, the control valve can also be switched between an open position with a first volume flow and a closed position in which no volume flow flows through the control valve. The control valve can preferably switch between a number of different volume flows in order to regulate the volume flow.

Das Füllventil ist in der Vorrichtung und im oben beschriebenen Verfahren bevorzugt in Form eines einfachen Schaltventils ausgeführt, welches beispielsweise als Sitzventil ausgebildet sein kann. Das Füllventil wird mittels eines entsprechenden Aktuators, beispielsweise eines pneumatischen Aktuators, von einer vollständig geschlossenen Position in eine vollständig geöffnete Position bewegt und umgekehrt. Zwischenpositionen sind nicht möglich.In the device and in the method described above, the filling valve is preferably designed in the form of a simple switching valve, which can be designed, for example, as a seat valve. The filling valve is moved from a fully closed position to a fully open position and vice versa by means of an appropriate actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator. Intermediate positions are not possible.

Ferner ist am Ende der Füllproduktleitung beziehungsweise des Füllventils bevorzugt ein Füllproduktauslass zum Auslassen von Füllprodukt, bevorzugt im Freistrahl, vorgesehen.Furthermore, at the end of the filling product line or the filling valve, a filling product outlet is preferably provided for letting out filling product, preferably in a free jet.

Gemäß der Erfindung ist die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet, das Regelventil und das Füllventil um eine Versatzzeit zeitversetzt anzusteuern.According to the invention, the controller is set up to activate the control valve and the filling valve with a time offset by an offset time.

Gemäß der Erfindung ist die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet, einen ersten Steuerbefehl zum Schließen des Regelventils auszugeben und um die Versatzzeit zeitversetzt zum ersten Steuerbefehl einen zweiten Steuerbefehl zum Schließen des Füllventils auszugeben.According to the invention, the controller is set up to output a first control command to close the control valve and to output a second control command to close the filling valve, offset in time with respect to the first control command.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet, die Versatzzeit zu ermitteln, wobei bevorzugt die Versatzzeit aus der Differenz einer Schließzeit des Regelventils und einer Schließzeit des Füllventils ermittelt wird.According to a further preferred embodiment, the controller is set up to determine the offset time, the offset time preferably being determined from the difference between a closing time of the control valve and a closing time of the filling valve.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist dem Füllventil und dem Regelventil ein Durchflussmesser zugeordnet, wobei die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet ist, die Versatzzeit basierend auf einer Durchflussmessung des Durchflusses des Füllprodukts durch die Füllproduktleitung zu ermitteln, wobei die Schließzeit des Füllventils anhand der Durchflussmessung ermittelt wird.According to a further preferred embodiment, a flow meter is assigned to the filling valve and the control valve, with the controller being set up to determine the offset time based on a flow measurement of the flow of the filling product through the filling product line, the closing time of the filling valve being determined on the basis of the flow measurement.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet, die Schließzeit des Füllventils anhand einer zeitlichen Änderung des Durchflusses zu ermitteln.According to a further preferred embodiment, the controller is set up to determine the closing time of the filling valve based on a change in the flow rate over time.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist die Steuerung dazu eingerichtet, die Schließzeit des Füllventils in Bezug auf ein der Auslösung des zweiten Steuerbefehls nachgelagertes Minimum, bevorzugt einem ersten Minimum, der zeitlichen Änderung des mittels eines Durchflussmessers gemessenen Durchflusses zu ermitteln, wobei die Schließzeit des Füllventils definiert ist als eine Zeitdauer zwischen dem Auslösen des zweiten Steuerbefehls und dem Zeitpunkt, an dem das Minimum auftritt. Diese Messung des Durchflusses und die Ermittlung des Schließzeitpunkts des Füllventils wird bevorzugt bei unbewegtem Regelventil und besonders bevorzugt bei vollständig geöffnetem Regelventil durchgeführt.According to a further preferred embodiment, the controller is set up to determine the closing time of the filling valve in relation to a minimum, preferably a first minimum, of the change over time in the flow rate measured by means of a flow meter, which follows the triggering of the second control command, the closing time of the filling valve being defined is as a time period between the triggering of the second control command and the point in time at which the minimum occurs. This measurement of the flow and the determination of the closing time of the filling valve is preferably carried out when the control valve is not moving and particularly preferably when the control valve is fully open.

Gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist eine Mehrzahl von Paaren aus Füllventil und diesem jeweils zugeordneten Regelventil vorgesehen, wobei bevorzugt für jedes individuelle Paar aus Regelventil und Füllventil die zugehörige Versatzzeit individuell ermittelt wird.According to a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of pairs consisting of a filling valve and a control valve assigned to it are provided, with the associated offset time preferably being determined individually for each individual pair of control valve and filling valve.

Kurze Beschreibung der FigurenBrief description of the figures

Bevorzugte weitere Ausführungsformen der Erfindung werden durch die nachfolgende Beschreibung der Figuren näher erläutert. Dabei zeigen:

Figur 1
schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts;
Figur 2
schematisch eine Draufsicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1;
Figur 3
schematisch ein Schaltdiagramm eines Teiles eines Verfahrens zum Steuern der Vorrichtung aus den Figuren 1 und 2;
Figur 4
schematisch eine graphische Darstellung eines Durchflusses über die Zeit; und
Figur 5
schematisch eine graphische Darstellung des Durchflusses aus Figur 4 und dessen Ableitung über die Zeit.
Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. show:
figure 1
schematically a side view of a device for filling a filling product;
figure 2
schematically shows a plan view of the device figure 1 ;
figure 3
schematically shows a circuit diagram of part of a method for controlling the device from FIGS figures 1 and 2 ;
figure 4
schematically a graphical representation of a flow rate over time; and
figure 5
schematically shows a graphic representation of the flow figure 4 and its derivative over time.

Detaillierte Beschreibung bevorzugter AusführungsbeispielDetailed description of preferred embodiments

Im Folgenden werden bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiele anhand der Figuren beschrieben. Dabei werden gleiche, ähnliche oder gleichwirkende Elemente in den unterschiedlichen Figuren mit identischen Bezugszeichen versehen, und auf eine wiederholte Beschreibung dieser Elemente wird teilweise verzichtet, um Redundanzen zu vermeiden.Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is sometimes dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

In Figur 1 ist schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung 1 zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts gezeigt. Die hier dargestellte Vorrichtung 1 kann insbesondere zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren verwendet werden. Die Vorrichtung 1 weist ein am Ende einer Füllproduktleitung 5 angeordnetes Füllventil 3 zum Öffnen und Schließen der Füllproduktleitung 5 und ein dem Füllventil 3 vorgelagertes Regelventil 2 zum Regeln eines Volumenstroms des Füllprodukts zum Füllventil 3 auf. Ferner ist an der Füllproduktleitung 5 ein Durchflussmesser 4 zum Ermitteln eines Durchflusses beziehungsweise Volumenstroms von Füllprodukt durch die Füllproduktleitung 5 vorgesehen.In figure 1 a side view of a device 1 for filling a filling product is shown schematically. The device 1 shown here can be used in particular for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method. The device 1 has a filling valve 3 arranged at the end of a filling product line 5 for opening and closing the filling product line 5 and a control valve 2 upstream of the filling valve 3 for controlling a volume flow of the filling product to the filling valve 3 . Furthermore, a flow meter 4 is provided on the filling product line 5 for determining a flow rate or volume flow of filling product through the filling product line 5 .

Das Füllventil 3 ist im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel in Form eines pneumatisch betriebenen Füllventils 3 dargestellt. Zum Antrieb des pneumatisch betriebenen Füllventils 3 ist eine Verschlauchung 6 vorgesehen, mittels welcher dem Füllventil 3 Pneumatikluft zugeführt werden kann, um entsprechend ein Schalten des Füllventils 3 zu erreichen.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filling valve 3 is in the form of a pneumatically operated filling valve 3 . To drive the pneumatically operated filling valve 3 , tubing 6 is provided, by means of which pneumatic air can be supplied to the filling valve 3 in order to switch the filling valve 3 accordingly.

Der Durchflussmesser 4 ist stromaufwärts des Regelventils 2 angeordnet. Mit anderen Worten ist das Regelventil 2 zwischen dem Durchflussmesser 4 und dem Füllventil 3 angeordnet.The flow meter 4 is arranged upstream of the control valve 2 . In other words, the control valve 2 is arranged between the flow meter 4 and the filling valve 3 .

Am Ende der Füllproduktleitung 5 beziehungsweise des Füllventils 3 ist ein Füllproduktauslass 10 vorgesehen, aus welchem abzufüllendes Füllprodukt im Freistahl austreten kann.At the end of the filling product line 5 or the filling valve 3, a filling product outlet 10 is provided, from which filling product to be filled can emerge in free flow.

Das Füllventil 3 und das diesem zugeordnete Regelventil 2 bilden gemeinsam ein Paar 7 aus Füllventil 3 und Regelventil 2 aus. Jedem Paar 7 kann jeweils ein eigener Durchflussmesser 4 zugeordnet sein.The filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 assigned to it together form a pair 7 of filling valve 3 and control valve 2 . Each pair 7 can have its own flow meter 4 assigned to it.

Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Regelventil 2 so ausgebildet, dass es stufenlos schalten kann. Das Regelventil 2 ist hier als Proportionalventil ausgebildet.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control valve 2 is designed in such a way that it can switch steplessly. The control valve 2 is designed here as a proportional valve.

In einer alternativen Ausgestaltung kann das Regelventil 2 zur Regelung des Volumenstroms auch nur zwischen mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen schalten. Beispielsweise kann das Regelventil 2 zwischen einem höheren und einem geringeren Volumenstrom oder zwischen einem Volumenstrom und gar keinem Volumenstrom schalten. Mit anderen Worten kann das Regelventil 2 auch als einfaches Schaltventil ausgebildet sein.In an alternative embodiment, the control valve 2 for controlling the volume flow can also switch between at least two different volume flows. For example, the control valve 2 can switch between a higher and a lower volume flow or between a volume flow and no volume flow at all. In other words, the control valve 2 can also be designed as a simple switching valve.

Bevorzugt jedoch schaltet das Regelventil 2 zur Regelung des Volumenstroms zwischen mehr als zwei unterschiedlichen Volumenströmen.Figur 2 zeigt schematisch eine Draufsicht auf ein Füllerkarussell der Vorrichtung 1 aus Figur 1 in einer Gesamtansicht. Am Umfang des Füllerkarussells ist eine Vielzahl von Paaren 7 aus Füllventil 3 und Regelventil 2 wie in Figur 1 gezeigt angeordnet, um auf diese Weise einen kontinuierlichen Strom an befüllten Behältern zu produzieren.However, the control valve 2 preferably switches to control the volume flow between more than two different volume flows. figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a filler carousel of the device 1 figure 1 in an overall view. On the circumference of the filler carousel there are a large number of pairs 7 consisting of filling valve 3 and control valve 2, as in figure 1 arranged so as to produce a continuous flow of filled containers.

Die Vorrichtung 1 weist ferner eine Steuerung 8 auf, welche über Verbindungen 9 jeweils mit den einzelnen Paaren 7 aus Füllventil 3 und Regelventil 2 in Kommunikation steht. Die Steuerung 8 ist dazu eingerichtet, das Regelventil 2 und das Füllventil 3 eines jeden Paares 7 jeweils synchronisiert zu schließen.The device 1 also has a controller 8 which is in communication via connections 9 with the individual pairs 7 made up of the filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 . The controller 8 is set up to close the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 of each pair 7 in a synchronized manner.

Im Folgenden wird mit Bezug auf die Vorrichtung gemäß der Figuren 1 und 2 ein Verfahren zum Abfüllen eines Füllprodukts beschrieben. Das hier dargestellte Verfahren kann insbesondere zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in einer Getränkeabfüllanlage im Freistrahlverfahren verwendet werden. Das Verfahren wird hierbei mittels der Figuren 3 bis 5 veranschaulicht.In the following, with reference to the device according to the figures 1 and 2 describes a method for filling a filling product. The method presented here can be used in particular for bottling a beverage in a beverage bottling plant using the free jet method. The method is here by means of Figures 3 to 5 illustrated.

Figur 3 zeigt schematisch ein Schaltdiagramm eines Teiles des Verfahrens zum Steuern der Vorrichtung 1 aus den Figuren 1 und 2. In Figur 3 sind eine Regelventil-Hubkurve 12, ein erstes Steuersignal 13 zum Vorgeben des Hubes des Regelventils 12, eine Ventilkegel-Hubkurve 14 eines Ventilkegels des Füllventils 3 und ein zweites Steuersignal 16 zum Vorgeben des Schaltens des Ventilkegels des Füllventils 3 über die Zeit gezeigt. figure 3 FIG. 12 schematically shows a circuit diagram of part of the method for controlling the device 1 of FIGS figures 1 and 2 . In figure 3 shows a control valve lift curve 12, a first control signal 13 for specifying the lift of the control valve 12, a valve cone lift curve 14 of a valve cone of the filling valve 3 and a second control signal 16 for specifying the switching of the valve cone of the filling valve 3 over time.

Das Füllventil 3 ist bevorzugt in Form eines einfachen Schaltventils ausgeführt, welches beispielsweise als Sitzventil ausgebildet sein kann. Das Füllventil 3 wird mittels eines entsprechenden Aktuators, beispielsweise eines pneumatischen Aktuators, von einer vollständig geschlossene Position in eine vollständig geöffnete Position bewegt und umgekehrt. Zwischenpositionen sind hingegen nicht möglich.The filling valve 3 is preferably designed in the form of a simple switching valve, which can be designed as a seat valve, for example. The filling valve 3 is moved from a fully closed position to a fully open position and vice versa by means of a corresponding actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator. However, intermediate positions are not possible.

Das Regelventil 2 ist bevorzugt ein Proportionalventil, welches über eine entsprechende Ansteuerung gesteuert positioniert werden kann. Mit anderen Worten kann die Steuerung eine bestimmte Hubposition des Proportionalventils vorgeben und dieses fährt diese Hubposition definiert und zuverlässig an. Ein Proportionalventil kann beispielsweise einen Schrittmotor als Aktuator aufweisen, so dass eine präzise und reproduzierbare Ansteuerung einer gewünschten Hubposition möglich wird.The control valve 2 is preferably a proportional valve which can be positioned in a controlled manner via a corresponding control. In other words, the controller can specify a specific stroke position for the proportional valve, and this moves to this stroke position in a defined and reliable manner. A proportional valve can have a stepping motor as an actuator, for example, so that a precise and reproducible control of a desired stroke position is possible.

Mit dem Bezugszeichen 120 ist eine offene Position des Regelventils 2 angedeutet. In der offenen Position 120 des Regelventils 2 kann ein maximal möglicher Volumenstrom des abzufüllenden Füllprodukts in Richtung des Füllventils 3 fließen. In der mit dem Bezugszeichen 122 angedeuteten geschlossenen Position ist der Volumenstrom zum Füllventil 3 unterbunden. Mit dem Bezugszeichen 130 ist eine durch die Steuerung 8 vorgegebene Signalstellung "offen", über welche ein vorgegebener Hub des Regelventils 2 regelbar beziehungsweise einstellbar ist, und mit dem Bezugszeichen 132 eine Signalstellung "geschlossen" des ersten Steuersignals13 angedeutet.Reference number 120 indicates an open position of control valve 2 . In the open position 120 of the control valve 2 a maximum possible volume flow of the filling product to be filled can flow in the direction of the filling valve 3 . In the closed position indicated by reference number 122, the volume flow to the filling valve 3 is prevented. The reference number 130 indicates an "open" signal position specified by the controller 8, via which a predetermined stroke of the control valve 2 can be controlled or adjusted, and the reference number 132 indicates a "closed" signal position of the first control signal 13.

In dem Regelventil 2 sind entsprechend auch Zwischenstellungen zwischen der offenen Position 120 und der geschlossenen Position 122 ansteuerbar. Der Rampe des ersten Steuersignals 13 folgt entsprechend die Position des Regelventils zwischen der offenen Position 120 und der geschlossenen Position 122. Die eingezeichnete Rampe der Position und die Rampe des Steuersignals 13 verlaufen synchron.Accordingly, intermediate positions between the open position 120 and the closed position 122 can also be controlled in the control valve 2 . The ramp of the first control signal 13 is followed by the position of the control valve between the open position 120 and the closed position 122. The indicated ramp of the position and the ramp of the control signal 13 run synchronously.

Wie Figur 3 zu entnehmen, wird zu einem Zeitpunkt T1 durch die Steuerung 1 das Steuersignal 13 ausgelöst, welches ein Schließen des Regelventils 2 bewirkt. Das Regelventil 2 bewegt sich dadurch sukzessive entlang der Rampe von der geöffneten Position 120 in die geschlossene Position 122, welche es im Zeitpunkt T3 erreicht. Das Regelventil 2 weist mithin eine Schließzeit tR auf, welcher der Dauer vom Zeitpunkt T1 bis zum Zeitpunkt T3 entspricht. Diese Schließzeit hängt von der Ansteuerung ab und kann aufgrund der Konstruktion des Regelventils 2 nicht beliebig beschleunigt werden. Mit anderen Worten ist die Schließzeit der Steuerung bekannt.How figure 3 can be seen, the control signal 13 is triggered at a time T 1 by the controller 1, which causes the control valve 2 to close. The control valve 2 thereby moves successively along the ramp from the open position 120 to the closed position 122, which it reaches at time T 3 . The control valve 2 therefore has a closing time t R which corresponds to the period from time T 1 to time T 3 . This closing time depends on the control and cannot be arbitrarily accelerated due to the construction of the control valve 2. In other words, the closing time of the controller is known.

Ferner ist mit dem Bezugszeichen 140 eine offene Position des Füllventils 3 angedeutet. In der offenen Position 140 befindet sich der Ventilkegel des Füllventils 3 in einer gehobenen Position, so dass ein maximaler Strömungsquerschnitt im Füllventil 3 vorliegt. In der mit dem Bezugszeichen 142 angedeuteten geschlossenen Position ist der Volumenstrom durch das Füllventil 3 unterbrochen. Mit dem Bezugszeichen 160 ist eine durch die Steuerung 8 vorgegebene Signalstellung "offen" und mit dem Bezugszeichen 162 eine Signalstellung "geschlossen" des zweiten Steuersignals 16 angedeutet. Das Füllventil 3 kann nur die offene oder die geschlossene Position einnehmen - Zwischenpositionen sind aufgrund der Struktur des Füllventils 3 nicht möglich.Furthermore, reference number 140 indicates an open position of filling valve 3 . In the open position 140 the valve cone of the filling valve 3 is in a raised position, so that there is a maximum flow cross-section in the filling valve 3 . In the closed position indicated by the reference number 142, the volume flow through the filling valve 3 is interrupted. Reference number 160 indicates an "open" signal position specified by controller 8 and reference number 162 indicates a "closed" signal position of second control signal 16 . The filling valve 3 can only assume the open or the closed position - intermediate positions are not possible due to the structure of the filling valve 3.

Wird, wie mittels des Bezugszeichens 16' angedeutet, das zweite Steuersignal zeitgleich mit dem ersten Steuersignal 13 ausgelöst, gelangt der Ventilkegel des Füllventils 3 entlang der mittels des Bezugseichens 14' angedeuteten Kurve in die geschlossene Position 142. Das Füllventil 3 benötigt, um von der offenen Position 140 in die geschlossene Position 142 zu gelangen, die Schließzeit tF. Da die Schließzeit tF des Füllventils 3 kürzer ist, als die Schließzeit tR des Regelventils 2, gelangt das Füllventil 3 bereits in die geschlossene Position 142, wenn das Regelventil 2 noch nicht geschlossen ist. Dadurch kann es zu durch das Schließen des Füllventils 3 induzierte Druckschläge in der Füllproduktleitung 5 und somit zu Schwingungen des Füllprodukts in der Füllproduktleitung 5 kommen, welche fälschlicherweise durch den Durchflussmesser 4 als zusätzlicher Durchfluss interpretiert werden können.If, as indicated by the reference numeral 16', the second control signal is triggered at the same time as the first control signal 13, the valve cone of the filling valve 3 moves along the curve indicated by the reference mark 14' into the closed position 142. The filling valve 3 needs to move from the open position 140 to get to the closed position 142, the closing time t F . Since the closing time t F of the filling valve 3 is shorter than the closing time t R of the control valve 2, the filling valve 3 already reaches the closed position 142 when the control valve 2 is not yet closed. This can result in pressure surges induced by the closing of the filling valve 3 in the filling product line 5 and thus oscillations of the filling product in the filling product line 5, which can be incorrectly interpreted by the flow meter 4 as an additional flow.

Die Druckschläge können verhindert werden, wenn, wie mittels der Bezugszeichen 16" das zweite Steuersignal zum Zeitpunkt T3 ausgelöst wird, nachdem das Regelventil 2 in die geschlossene Position 122 gelangt ist. Das Füllventil 3 beginnt folglich erst dann, wie mittels des Bezugszeichens 14" angedeutet, die geschlossene Position 142 anzufahren. Dadurch kann jedoch aufgrund des dann geöffneten Füllventils 3 und des gleichzeitig geschlossenen Regelventils 2, durch welches entsprechend kein Gegendruck an Füllprodukt bereitgestellt werden kann, Luft aus der Umgebung in die Füllproduktleitung 5 gelangen.The pressure surges can be prevented if the second control signal is triggered at time T 3 after the control valve 2 has reached the closed position 122, as indicated by reference numeral 16''. The filling valve 3 consequently only begins then, as indicated by reference number 14''. indicated to approach the closed position 142. As a result, however, due to the filling valve 3 then being opened and the control valve 2 being closed at the same time, through which no counter-pressure can be provided on the filling product, air from the environment can get into the filling product line 5 .

Um dieses Verhalten zu verbessern, werden das Regelventil 2 und das Füllventil 3 synchronisiert geschlossen. Im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel gelangen dadurch das Füllventil 3 und das Regelventil 2 im Wesentlichen zum gleichen Zeitpunkt T3 in die geschlossene Position 122 beziehungsweise 142. Hierfür muss sich der Ventilkegel des Füllventils 3 entlang der mittels des Bezugseichens 14 angedeuteten Kurve bewegen. Das Steuersignal 16 wird mithin um die Schließzeit tF dem Zeitpunkt T3 vorgelagert ausgelöst, hier als Zeitpunkt T2 bezeichnet. Mit anderen Worten werden das Regelventil 2 und das Füllventil 3 um eine Versatzzeit tV zeitversetzt angesteuert, wobei das Schließen des Regelventils 2 durch den ersten Steuerbefehl 13 zum Zeitpunkt T1 ausgelöst wird und das Schließen des Füllventils 2 durch den zweiten Steuerbefehl 16 zum Zeitpunkt T2 ausgelöst wird, wobei der zweite Steuerbefehl 16 um die Versatzzeit tV zeitversetzt zum ersten Steuerbefehl 13 ausgelöst wird.In order to improve this behavior, the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 are closed synchronously. In the present exemplary embodiment, the filling valve 3 and the control valve 2 reach the closed position 122 or 142 essentially at the same time T 3 . The control signal 16 is therefore triggered by the closing time t F before the time T 3 , referred to here as the time T 2 . With others In other words, the control valve 2 and the filling valve 3 are controlled with an offset time t V , the closing of the control valve 2 being triggered by the first control command 13 at time T 1 and the closing of the filling valve 2 being triggered by the second control command 16 at time T 2 is triggered, the second control command 16 being offset in time by the offset time t V relative to the first control command 13 .

Im vorliegenden Fall wird das Füllventil 3 durch eine Steuerschaltung zwischen der offenen Position 140 und der geschlossenen Position 142 geschaltet. Die Geschwindigkeit, mithin die Schließzeit tF wird durch die Steuerung folglich nicht geregelt. Zudem unterscheiden sich die Schließzeiten zwischen den einzelnen Paaren 7 der Vorrichtung 1.In the present case, the filling valve 3 is switched between the open position 140 and the closed position 142 by a control circuit. The speed, and therefore the closing time t F , is consequently not regulated by the controller. In addition, the closing times differ between the individual pairs 7 of the device 1.

Um ein synchronisiertes Schließen entsprechend der Bezugszeichen 12 und 14 eines jeden Paares 7 bereitstellen zu können, wird jeweils die Versatzzeit tV für ein jedes Paar ermittelt. Vorliegend wird Versatzzeit tV ermittelt aus der Differenz der Schließzeit tR des Regelventils 2 und der Schließzeit tF des Füllventils 3. Die Schließzeit tF des Füllventils 3 wird hierfür anhand der Durchflussmessung ermittelt.In order to be able to provide a synchronized closing according to the reference symbols 12 and 14 of each pair 7, the offset time t V is determined for each pair. In the present case, the offset time t V is determined from the difference between the closing time t R of the control valve 2 and the closing time t F of the filling valve 3. The closing time t F of the filling valve 3 is determined for this using the flow measurement.

Zu diesem Zwecke ermittelt die Steuerung 8 eine zeitliche Änderung des durch den Durchflussmesser 4 gemessenen Durchflusses durch die Füllproduktleitung 5. Hierfür wird, dem eigentlichen Abfüllen des Füllprodukts im Regelbetrieb, bei welchem Füllprodukt in zu befüllenden Behälter gefüllt wird, vorgelagert, der Durchfluss während eines Schließvorgangs des Füllventils 3 ermittelt.For this purpose, the controller 8 determines a change over time in the flow rate measured by the flow meter 4 through the filling product line 5. For this purpose, the actual filling of the filling product in regular operation, in which filling product is filled into containers to be filled, is preceded by the flow rate during a closing process of the filling valve 3 is determined.

Figur 4 ist schematisch und beispielhaft eine von der Steuerung 8 ermittelte graphische Darstellung des gemessenen Durchflusses 18 in ml/s des Füllprodukts über die Zeit in Sekunden für eines der Füllventile 3 der Vorrichtung 1 gezeigt. Das Regelventil 2 ist hierbei über den gesamten dargestellten Messbereich in einer vorgegebenen offenen Schaltstellung gehalten. figure 4 a graphic representation of the measured flow rate 18 in ml/s of the filling product over the time in seconds for one of the filling valves 3 of the device 1 is shown schematically and by way of example, determined by the controller 8 . The control valve 2 is held in a predetermined open switching position over the entire measuring range shown.

Mit dem Bezugszeichen 16 ist wiederum das zweite Steuersignal, welches das Füllventil 3 ansteuert, angedeutet. Im Anfangsbereich des dargestellten Messbereichs wird das Füllventil 3 in der offenen Stellung gehalten, wie mit dem Bezugszeichen 160 angedeutet. Der Durchfluss 18 entspricht hier dem Durchfluss in einer Abfüllphase 180. Zum Zeitpunkt TS wird der zweite Steuerbefehl 16 zum Schalten des Füllventils 3 in die geschlossene Stellung 162 ausgegeben. Wie aus Figur 4 sofort ersichtlich, erfolgt die Reaktion im Sinne einer Änderung des Durchflusses 18 zeitversetzt, in dieser beispielhaften Ausführungsform um etwa 0,4 sec, vorliegend anhand des Bezugszeichens 182 als Schließphase bezeichnet. Diese Verzögerung liegt in den mit dem Aufbau verbundenen Trägheiten des Aktuators des Füllventils 3 und der verwendeten und abgefüllten Medien statt.The second control signal, which actuates the filling valve 3 , is again indicated by the reference number 16 . In the beginning of the measuring range shown, the filling valve 3 is held in the open position, as indicated by reference number 160 . The flow 18 here corresponds to the flow in a filling phase 180. At the time T S the second control command 16 for switching the filling valve 3 to the closed position 162 is issued. How out figure 4 Immediately apparent, the reaction in the sense of a change in flow 18 takes place with a time delay, in this exemplary embodiment by approximately 0.4 seconds, referred to here by reference numeral 182 as the closing phase. This delay is due to the construction associated inertia of the actuator of the filling valve 3 and the used and bottled media instead.

Im Anschluss an die Schließphase 182 stellt sich ein abnehmender, schwingender Volumenstrom an, welcher im Wesentlichen aufgrund von durch das Schließen des Füllventils 3 erzeugten Schwingungen im Füllprodukt hervorgerufen und durch den Durchflussmesser 4 als Durchfluss 18 interpretiert wird. Mithin stellt der Übergang 186 zwischen der Schließphase 182 und der Schwingungsphase 184 den Zeitpunkt TG des Erreichens der geschlossenen Position dar.Following the closing phase 182 there is a decreasing, oscillating volume flow which is essentially caused by the oscillations in the filling product generated by the closing of the filling valve 3 and which is interpreted by the flow meter 4 as flow 18 . Consequently, the transition 186 between the closing phase 182 and the oscillation phase 184 represents the point in time T G when the closed position is reached.

Figur 5 zeigt schematisch die graphische Darstellung des Durchflusses 18 aus Figur 4 sowie dessen (in der Steuerung 8 berechnete) Ableitung 20 über die Zeit. Wie sofort aus Figur 5 ersichtlich, bildet sich marginal kurz vor Erreichen des Schließzeitpunkts TG ein deutliches, charakteristisches Minimum 22 der Ableitung 20 aus. Dieses deutliche Minimum 22 der Ableitung 20 wird durch die Steuerung 8 erfasst und diesem der Zeitpunkt TM als Zeitpunkt, an welchem das Minimum 22 auftritt, durch die Steuerung 8 zugeordnet. figure 5 FIG. 12 schematically shows the graphic representation of the flow rate 18. FIG figure 4 and its derivative 20 (calculated in the controller 8) over time. Like right away figure 5 As can be seen, a clear, characteristic minimum 22 of the derivative 20 forms marginally shortly before the closing time T G is reached. This clear minimum 22 of the derivative 20 is detected by the controller 8 and the time T M is assigned to it by the controller 8 as the time at which the minimum 22 occurs.

Die Schließzeit tF des Füllventils 3, welche das Füllventil 3 nach dem Auslösen des Steuerbefehls 16 benötigt, um in die geschlossene Stellung zu gelangen, wird nun ermittelt in Bezug auf diesem der Auslösung des zweiten Steuerbefehls 16 nachgelagerten Minimum 22 der zeitlichen Ableitung 20 des Durchflusses 18. Hierbei wird die Schließzeit tF definiert als die Zeitdauer zwischen dem Auslösen des zweiten Steuerbefehls 16 zum Zeitpunkt TS und dem Zeitpunkt TM, an dem das erste Minimum 22 der Ableitung des Durchflusses 18 nach der Zeit auftritt.The closing time t F of the filling valve 3, which the filling valve 3 requires after the triggering of the control command 16 in order to reach the closed position, is now determined in relation to this minimum 22 of the time derivative 20 of the flow rate, which follows the triggering of the second control command 16 18. Here, the closing time t F is defined as the length of time between the triggering of the second control command 16 at the point in time T S and the point in time T M at which the first minimum 22 of the derivation of the flow 18 over time occurs.

Mithin ist die ermittelte und definierte Schließzeit tF eine Näherung an die tatsächliche Schließzeit, welcher der Zeitspanne zwischen den Zeitpunkten TS und TG entspricht.Consequently, the determined and defined closing time t F is an approximation of the actual closing time, which corresponds to the time span between the times T S and T G .

Die Versatzzeit tV, mit welcher der zweite Steuerbefehl 16 dem ersten Steuerbefehl 13 zeitversetzt nachgelagert ausgelöst wird, ermittelt die Steuerung 8 aus der Differenz der Schließzeit tR des Regelventils 2 und der durch die Steuerung 8 ermittelten und definierten Schließzeit tF des Füllventils 3, mithin als tV = tR - tF.The offset time t V , with which the second control command 16 is triggered after the first control command 13 with a time delay, is determined by the controller 8 from the difference between the closing time t R of the control valve 2 and the closing time t F of the filling valve 3 determined and defined by the controller 8, consequently as t V = t R - t F .

Um die Schließzeit tF jedes Füllventils 3 der Vorrichtung 3 beziehungsweise die Versatzzeit tV eines jeden Paares 7 aus Füllventil und Regelventil 2 der Vorrichtung 3 zu ermitteln, wird das vorgenannte Verfahren für ein jedes individuelle Paar 7 aus Regelventil 2 und Füllventil 3 der vorgesehenen Mehrzahl von Paaren 7 jeweils individuell ermittelt. Um die benötigte Zeit hierzu möglichst gering zu halten, kann das Ermitteln durch die Steuerung 8 zumindest teilweise parallel erfolgen. Diese kann auch für jedes Füllprodukt mit seiner jeweils individuellen Viskosität und Temperatur ermittelt werden.In order to determine the closing time t F of each filling valve 3 of device 3 or the offset time t V of each pair 7 of filling valve and control valve 2 of device 3, the aforementioned method is used for each individual pair 7 of control valve 2 and filling valve 3 of the provided plurality of pairs 7 determined individually. In order to keep the time required for this as short as possible, the determination by the controller 8 can be carried out at least partially in parallel take place. This can also be determined for each filling product with its respective individual viscosity and temperature.

BezugszeichenlisteReference List

11
Vorrichtungcontraption
22
Regelventilcontrol valve
33
Füllventilfilling valve
44
Durchflussmesserflow meter
55
Füllproduktzufuhrfilling product supply
66
VerschlauchungTubing
77
PaarPair
88th
Steuerungsteering
99
VerbindungConnection
1010
Füllproduktauslassfill product outlet
1212
Regelventil-HubkurveControl valve lift curve
120120
Offene PositionOpen position
122122
Geschlossene Positionclosed position
1313
Erstes SteuersignalFirst control signal
1414
Ventilkegel-Hubkurvepoppet lift curve
140140
Offene PositionOpen position
142142
Geschlossene Positionclosed position
1616
Zweites SteuersignalSecond control signal
160160
Signalstellung "Offen"signal position "open"
162162
Signalstellung "Geschlossen"signal position "closed"
1818
Durchflussflow
180180
Abfüllphasefilling phase
182182
Schließphaseclosing phase
184184
Schwingungsphaseoscillation phase
186186
Übergangcrossing
2020
Ableitungderivation
2222
Minimumminimum
tFtF
Schließzeit FüllventilFill valve closing time
tRtR
Schließzeit RegelventilClosing time control valve
tVtv
Versatzzeitoffset time
TRTR
Steuerbefehl-AuslösezeitpunktControl command trigger time
TMTM
Zeitpunkt des Minimumstime of the minimum
TSTS
Schaltzeitpunkswitching time
TGTG
Schließzeitpunktclosing time

Claims (13)

  1. Method for filling a fill product, preferably for filling a beverage in a beverage filling plant by the free-jet method, comprising
    providing a fill product flow through a fill product line (5) by opening a filling valve (3) arranged in the fill product line (5) and an associated control valve (2) for controlling volumetric flow, and
    closing the control valve (2) and closing the filling valve (3) to stop the fill product flow at the end of filling, wherein
    closure of the control valve (2) and the filling valve (3) is synchronised, and the control valve (2) and the filling valve (3) are controlled with a time delay of an offset time (tV),
    characterised in that
    the closing of the control valve (2) is triggered by a first control command (13) of a controller (8) and the closing of the filling valve (3) is triggered by a second control command (16) of the controller (8), wherein the second control command (16) is triggered with a time delay of an offset time (tV) with respect to the first control command (13).
  2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the offset time (tV) is determined, the offset time (tV) preferably being determined from the difference between a closing time (tR) of the control valve (2) and a closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3).
  3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the offset time (tV) is determined on the basis of a flow measurement in the fill product line (5), the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) being determined by reference to the flow measurement.
  4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) is determined on the basis of a change in the flow (18) over time.
  5. Method according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) is determined with respect to a minimum (22), preferably a first minimum (22), of the change in the flow (18) over time subsequent to the triggering of the second control command (16), wherein the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) is defined as a time period between the triggering of the second control command (16) and the time (TM) at which the first minimum (22) occurs.
  6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the case of a predetermined plurality of pairs (7) of control valve (2) and filling valve (3), the associated offset time (tV) is determined individually in each case for each individual pair (7) of control valve (2) and filling valve (3), and/or in that the control valve (2) switches between at least two different volumetric flows in order to control the volumetric flow, and the control valve (2) preferably switches between more than two different volumetric flows in order to control the volumetric flow and particularly preferably switches continuously, wherein the control valve (2) particularly preferably adjusts the volumetric flow proportionally.
  7. Device (1) for filling a fill product, preferably for filling a beverage in a beverage filling plant by the free-jet method, comprising a controller (8), a filling valve (3) arranged at the end of a fill product line (5) for opening and closing the fill product line (5) and a control valve (2) arranged upstream of the filling valve (5) for controlling volumetric flow of the fill product to the filling valve (3), wherein
    the controller (8) is configured to synchronise closure of the control valve (2) and the filling valve (3),
    characterised in that
    the controller (8) is further configured to control the control valve (2) and the filling valve (3) with a time delay of an offset time (tV), to output a first control command (13) for closing the control valve (2) and to output a second control command (16) for closing the filling valve (3) with a time delay of the offset time (tV) with respect to the first control command (13).
  8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the controller (8) is configured to determine the offset time (tV), the offset time (tV) preferably being determined from the difference between a closing time (tR) of the control valve (2) and a closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3).
  9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that a flow meter (4) is associated with the filling valve (3) and the control valve (2), the controller (8) being configured in such a way that the offset time (tV) is determined on the basis of a flow measurement, the closing time of the filling valve (3) being determined by reference to the flow measurement.
  10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the controller (8) is configured to determine the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) on the basis of a change in the flow (18) over time.
  11. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the controller (8) is configured to determine the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) in relation to a minimum (22), preferably a first minimum (22), of the change in the flow (18) over time subsequent to the triggering of the second control command (16), wherein the closing time (tF) of the filling valve (3) is defined as a time period between the triggering of the second control command (16) and the time (TM) at which the minimum (22) occurs.
  12. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterised in that a plurality of pairs (7) of filling valve (3) and control valve (2) associated therewith is provided, wherein preferably for each individual pair (7) of control valve (2) and filling valve (3) the associated offset time (tV) is determined individually in each case.
  13. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the control valve (2) is configured to switch between at least two different volumetric flows in order to control the volumetric flow and the control valve (2) is preferably configured to switch between more than two different volumetric flows in order to control the volumetric flow and is particularly preferably configured to switch continuously, wherein the control valve (2) is particularly preferably configured as a proportional valve.
EP18212636.7A 2017-12-14 2018-12-14 Method and device for filling a fill product Active EP3498659B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SI201830913T SI3498659T1 (en) 2017-12-14 2018-12-14 Method and device for filling a fill product

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017130034.1A DE102017130034A1 (en) 2017-12-14 2017-12-14 Method and device for filling a filling product

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3498659A1 EP3498659A1 (en) 2019-06-19
EP3498659B1 true EP3498659B1 (en) 2023-04-26

Family

ID=64665651

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18212636.7A Active EP3498659B1 (en) 2017-12-14 2018-12-14 Method and device for filling a fill product

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US11111124B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3498659B1 (en)
CN (1) CN109956068B (en)
DE (1) DE102017130034A1 (en)
SI (1) SI3498659T1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102020129217A1 (en) * 2020-11-05 2022-05-05 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Device and method for filling containers with a filling product
DE102020132069A1 (en) * 2020-12-02 2022-06-02 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for filling containers with a filling product
DE102021134033B3 (en) * 2021-12-21 2023-05-17 Krohne Messtechnik Gmbh Method for operating a bottling plant and bottling plant

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US4363338A (en) * 1980-09-08 1982-12-14 Brown Albert M Liquid filling machine
SE520351C2 (en) * 1998-02-17 2003-07-01 Eco Lean Res & Dev As Filling method and filling device
DE10359492B3 (en) * 2003-12-13 2005-09-15 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Filling element for a filling machine
DE102005012507A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-21 Krones Ag Method and device related to the sterile filling of liquids
ES2313249T3 (en) * 2005-09-13 2009-03-01 Sidel Participations PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR FILLING A CONTAINER WITH AN AMOUNT OF DEFAULT LIQUID AND THE ASSOCIATED FILLING MACHINE.
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DE102009006795A1 (en) * 2009-01-30 2010-08-05 Krones Ag filling
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DE102014110161A1 (en) * 2014-07-18 2016-01-21 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Method for filling a container with a filling product by means of a proportional valve
DE102014117831A1 (en) * 2014-12-04 2016-06-09 Krones Ag Device for filling a container with a filling product
JP6831795B2 (en) * 2015-04-22 2021-02-17 テトラ ラバル ホールディングス アンド ファイナンス エス エイ Equipment and methods for filling products in containers
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DE102015122032A1 (en) * 2015-12-16 2017-06-22 Khs Gmbh filling

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102017130034A1 (en) 2019-06-19
CN109956068A (en) 2019-07-02
US11111124B2 (en) 2021-09-07
CN109956068B (en) 2022-10-21
US20190185309A1 (en) 2019-06-20
SI3498659T1 (en) 2023-06-30
EP3498659A1 (en) 2019-06-19

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