System for operating hydraulically actuated valves

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of Claim 1.

A device of this kind is known from DE 372-B-1550, wherein existing on a tanker fittings, such as slides, Valves and the like, by a double-acting hydraulic Adjustment be adjusted via a valve are controlled, the actuation of which is removed by a Central disposed hydraulic control valve is controlled. To save hydraulic control lines, are at the control valve is a pressure port, a control terminal and a Return connection in connection with a particular hydraulic Circuit, said to each fitting hydraulic lines to lead. For the pressure medium supply of the central control site on the one hand and the valves on the other hand are of drive motors driven pumps provided.

From EP-A-0482329 is a hydraulic actuator for control and known control valves, said on a support block hydraulic control cylinder, an electric drive motor, Compensation memory and a position detector are mounted. Inside the support block hydraulic lines are provided.

The pressure medium lines used on ships to control the hydraulically actuated valves from a central Supply source have various adverse effects as compressibility of the pressure medium in long Lines, it can at hydraulically clamped fittings open load, there occur leakage possibilities below deck and on deck, there are problems with pollution, it is consuming flushing of all piping systems before commissioning and after necessary repairs, and take it Throttling losses at the controls. Especially playing the safety relevance of the entire system an essential Role.

In shipbuilding partially about 80 to 140 taps of a central supply station with hydraulic pressure medium fed. If the central main pressure line to damage, so a pressure buildup is no longer possible and the entire plant is inoperative.

However, for reasons of reliability of the pan and occurring servomotors considering the high Impact forces and moments to be the central pressure medium supply used for the various fittings, since attempts with decentralized electric motors arranged as drive means, driving the valve with a mechanical gearbox, showed that these drives could not withstand the loads, in particular because of the operation of such valves occurring impact forces. These drive systems has therefore enforced the hydraulic and claims.

The invention has for its object, while maintaining the advantages of the hydraulic systems that since decades to have proved, a simplification of these systems to achieve and in particular the security relevance of these systems to increase, at the same time reducing costs and improved environmental compatibility.

This object is inventively achieved by the features in the characterizing part of claim 1 dissolved. All the elements for actuating the valves are integrated into one unit, wherein each station or unit has a mini power source and any in piping. In this way the individual fittings are locally supplied with pressure medium, while the drive is still centrally by a carried Controller from, but instead of electric lines the hitherto customary hydraulic pipes.

These decentralized compact units for the valves give Compared to the conventional system, the following advantages:<ul><li>Through decentralized supply sources at a loss Driving operational all other fittings, so that no total failures occur and be highest Safety results. </li><li>There are no large quantities of oil in the hydraulic system available, since all supply lines to the compact units omitted. Reducing the quantities of oil increases the environmental friendliness of the system.</li><li>By saving the entire piping system with Rinse and central supply unit and the elaborate Control cabinets results in a cost-effective Construction.</li><li>Due to the compact design of the drive, it is possible precise torque and lifting power at to obtain rotary drives and servomotors.</li><li>By assembling the hydraulic unit with integrated Supply pump shocks damped, as in the bilge, ballast, cargo and fuel valves occur.</li><li>By compact design occur no throttling losses more on as controls, as in previous she hydraulic systems necessary accounts and opening and close the valve with rotary actuators means carried out reverse rotation of the drive unit.</li><li>Overall, a tremendous energy saving since in contrast to previous systems, the actuators only are turned on during the operation, while in central supply stations, the operating pressure constantly must be maintained (24 hours / day).</li><li>Another advantage of the hydraulic-electric compact design is that a continuous adjustment of the Drive unit can be made, the individual being adapted to the various sizes in relation to pan and Stroke time.</li></ul>

For example, embodiments of the invention are hereinafter explained with reference to the drawing. Show it:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>schematically shows the construction of units from fitting and decentralized drive,</dd><dt>Fig.2</dt><dd>a schematic diagram of the electrical control the valve of Fig. 1,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>schematic representation of another embodiment the monitoring of the valves,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a further embodiment of the control of several fittings,</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a modification of the drive with bus interfaces,</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>Details integrated into the unit bus interface,</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>an attached in a side view of a fitting Drive unit,</dd><dt>Fig. 8</dt><dd>a section through the drive unit of Fig. 7, and</dd><dt>Fig. 9</dt><dd>a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 partly in section.</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 shows schematically two fittings in the form of a valve 1 and a Slew Drive 2 with spring return, the piston the Slew Drive 2 sided with leverage against the Force of a spring 3 is exposed, while the piston of the Valve 1 from both sides directly through lines 4 and 5 applied within the housing of the assembly with pressure medium becomes. are between the two lines 4 and 5 two pressure relief valves 6 integrated into the unit, the as a safety device in Temparaturerhöhung, expansion of the pressure medium and the like. serve. Between the two pressure limiting valves performs a line 42 to a reservoir 11. 9 check valves are in the lines 4.5 reproduced that the valve in the preselected position hold and only open when the pressure in the back line 5b betw. 4 is constructed as by intersecting dashed Lines indicated in FIG. 1. The control of the Valve 1 is in direction OPEN / CLOSE on the reverse rotation an electric motor 7, which drives a pump 8 which within the compact unit between lines 4.5 is arranged with the pump 8 depending on the direction of rotation Pressure medium is provided. The two lead lines 4, 5 to the reservoir 11, which is small formed, before the end of these two lines 4, 5 in each case a pressure relief valve 10 is arranged. With 40 against each other connected non-return valves referred to, the pump 8 when the direction is to the right example. on the left check valve 40 pressure medium from the reservoir 11 via the line 45 aspirates while the right non-return valve 40 locks and vice versa. With 41 an adjustable throttle is designated, in the conveying direction of the pump 8 between the two lines is 4, 5 are connected. By means of adjustable throttle 41 is a continuous adjustment and thus an individual Adjustment of the drive unit to the different nominal sizes possible in relation to swivel or stroke times. By setting this throttle, it is possible, from the flow of the pump a partial flow of these adjustable throttle on the intake side the pump back pass, for example. to the driving speed adjust the valve. With 43 a cock is in a Connection line between the lines 4 and 5 designates, the connected to the line 42 to the reservoir 11 and for a any manual operation is provided.

The pressure relief valves 10 between the pump 8 and Reservoir 11 protect the system against overpressure and simultaneously serving the lifting power of the drive because they a corresponding pressure can be adjusted. Since the both sides of the pump 8 arranged pressure relief valves 10 can be set differently, it is possible to that the pump in one direction of rotation at a higher pressure builds than in the other direction of rotation. By setting the pressure relief valves 10 is an exact torque and Lifting power for rotary actuators and actuators possible by the pressure relief valves 10 to the desired Pressure can be set.

At 46, 46 'is in each case provided with a check valve Following the fittingmeans who associated with the Lines 4 and 5 is connected. These connectors can be connected to a hand pump, the valve 1 be able to adjust, for example, if power failure the pump 8 should not be operable. is in 47 in Fig. 1, the parting plane between the armature 1 and 2 and the formed by the reproduced hydraulic circuit drive unit 48 are indicated. With 49 and 49 'is in each case a Pressure switch denotes the line connected to the 4 or 5 is. Instead of the reverse rotation of the electric motor 7 for Reversal of the pressure medium on both sides the valve or the valve 1, it is also possible to use a provide only one direction rotating electric motor, 8 downstream of the pump an electrically switchable control valve is, by means of which the pressure supplied by the pump 8 reversed on one or the other pressure medium line 4 or 5 can be.

Instead of acting in both directions throttle 41 can in the unit A and parallel taps between the two pressure medium lines 4 and 5 are provided, wherein means of a cock, the pressure medium line 5 the reservoir 11 is connected, while by means of the other Cock the pressure medium line 4 to the reservoir 11 connectable is. In this way, the swivel or stroke time may be in the a direction be set differently than in the opposite direction, by the two valves open at different distances are such that from the respective pressure line 4 or 5 is a diverted different subset in the reservoir 11 becomes. This is not shown in Fig. 1, connected in parallel Valves can also be provided instead of the tap 43, wherein the mechanical adjustment of the valve 1 both Valves are opened, so that the two pressure medium lines 4 and 5 are connected to the reservoir 11, the mechanical Adjustment of the valve or the valve 1 to allow.

The same hydraulic circuit construction is at the fitting 2 provided, instead of the safety device in a second pressure limiting valve 6, a magnetically operable Valve 12 is provided which connects to the reservoir for leading line 42 is connected and for example. during power failure the pressurized side of the armature 2 releases, so that the spring 3 can close the valve. at Pressurizing the valve 2 takes the check valve in the valve 12 to the effect, so that the return line to the is blocked reservoir. In this arrangement, the pump turns 8 eg. only to the left so that the line 5 unexploded comes. As for the unit A, the pressure limiting valve 6, which is connected to the pressure conduit 4, with return conduit 42. Reservoir for 11th

The reproduced by phantom lines of blocks compact unit can be used in a common or composite be arranged housing. The individual compact units are labeled A, B and C referred to, wherein for a C any other Equipement and other such compact units may be provided, eg. for the burner valves, control valves and the like. Fittings. The individual units are hydraulically sealed and only with an electrical supply line 14 which from one of the fittings remote controller 13 to the individual electric motors 7 lead.

The hydraulic circuit of the instrument of FIG. 1 differs itself. of the known hydraulic circuits Usually, the valves are 4/2-way valves on the Control cabinets controlled by hydraulic lines, corresponding throttling losses occur. In the hydraulic Circuit of Fig. 1, all valves are rotation reversal the electric motor actuated throttle free.

By compact design, the advantages of electric exploited control and maintain the advantages of the hydraulic , whereby substantially all hydraulic controls are integrated in the unit and separate In piping.

Through the compact construction, the controlled oil volumes very low. A Druckmittelkompressibilität does not noticeable, and open or closed valves can in the preselected position by pressure fluid or expansion compressibility can not be changed. This results in a higher degree of safety over the known systems.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a first embodiment of the electric Control of the valves of the reproduced in Fig. 1 Art. The building blocks A, B and C, the larger in a Distance can be arranged from one another, from Controller 13 of controlled, the one on a ship in be placed considerable distance from the building blocks can.

For electric motor 7 of the pressure on both sides fitting 1 introduces three-wire cable 14 with a neutral conductor N and two conductors L_ON and L_TOThat the electric motor 7 in the direction of rotation left or right apply. In the two conductors L_ON and L_TO a switch is respectively 15a or 15b arranged on the a signal from a limit switch, not shown, of the End position of the actuator receives the associated conductor interrupts to turn off the electric motor 7 when the Actuator of the valve 1 reaches the driven end position Has. In controller 13, the line 14 to a circuit 16 connected to the power line 17 of 220 volt AC is connected. With 18 a control line is of 24 V DC referred to the control and display elements like a switch 19 and indicator lamps 20 connected are connected with the circuit sixteenth

The unit B is in the controller 13 a corresponding circuit 16 'assigned to the connected in the same manner is, the line 14 'consists of a two-core cable, after the electric motor 7 'rotate in only one direction must, because the valve 2 spring-loaded in the opposite direction is. In conductors L_ON in turn is a switch 15 'is arranged. The reproduced in Figure 1 solenoid valve 12 to unlock the on the fitting 2 fitting hydraulic pressure is such between the conductor L_ON and the neutral conductor N connected that with a closed switch 15 ', the solenoid valve 12 shown in Fig. 1 reproduced hydraulic line via the check valve turned on so that the hydraulic built up in the valve Pressure is maintained. The release of pressure is carried out by Power disconnected from the conductor L_ON in the circuit 16 or in a corresponding manner during a power failure, so that the Solenoid valve 12 releases the flow from the faucet 2 and 3 the spring the valve closes.

The reproduced in FIG. 2, the control apparatus operates as follows. For example, if the unit A of the swivel drive. 1 of the Open position is to be moved into the closed position, is the switch 19 is operated from the control panel 13 in direction, so that by the circuit 16, the power line 17 to the conductor L_TO is connected. The two switches 15a, 15b are closed in the rest position, so that power to the motor flows. Here, the electric motor 7 rotates for example. To the right, to the swivel drive 1 has reached its closed position. at Reaching the closed position is not shown on the travel-dependent limit switches the switch 15 b is opened and so that the electric motor 7 is turned off. Correspondingly, is to open the related Slew Drive 1 flap the switch 19 is switched to position ON, whereupon on the Circuit 16 of the conductors L_ON connected to the power line 17 becomes. When the open position is reached, in turn, the switch 15 a is opened, so that the electric motor is turned off.

Instead of a single switch 19 in Steurpult can also for example, two switches. be provided, one for the Open position and one for the closed position. Equally a switch operation for driving the circuit 16 possible.

So that the end position shown on the control panel 13 is, is monitored in the circuit 16 by a measuring circuit, whether via the conductor L_ON or L_TO Current flows or the Conductor in question is interrupted by the switch 15th It are indicator lights 20 for OPEN, CLOSED and for a fault indicator provided if the actuator in the valve, the End position should not reach. This is a Timer is monitored in the circuit 16, the usual on the Duration of the actuator of the valve is adjusted. Becomes For example, none of the travel-dependent limit switches a End position of the actuator, and thus displayed the associated Switch 15 is not opened, the motor 7 continues to operate. This is in the circuit 16 via the timer as a disturbance detected and indicated by the corresponding lamp, then from the circuit 16 is turned off from the motor 7, after a shutdown via the switch 15 does not take place.

The control device of the unit B is working in a corresponding Wise. To open the valve 2 against the force of the spring 3 For example, the switch 19 'on the control panel 13 is operated, so that the conductor RUN with the power line 17 is connected and the engine is started. After Reaching the end position is the limit and 15'geöffnet power to the motor 7 'is interrupted. This is in the Circuit 16 'by monitoring the flow of current in the conductor determined and indicated by the lamp 20 '. To the Closing of the valve 2 by spring force, it is sufficient, by Switching the switch 19 'the connection between the power line 17 and the conductor to stop, whereby about the solenoid valve 12, the hydraulic pressure on the actuating piston of the 2 valve removed and the valve is closed by spring force becomes.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in which on the fitting 1 Limit switch 23 for detecting the end position of the actuator are provided. apply this limit switch 23 Switch 24 in the conductors of a display cable 25, which for Controller 13 performs.

For the limit switches 23, various embodiments be provided, for example. mechanical limit switches, electrical Limit switches and the like. The position feedback due to the limit switches 23, 24 may have a position indicator made directly.

In Fig. 3 are pressure switches 43a, 43b in the electric motor carrying conductors of the supply line 14 which are acted upon by the pressure of the pressure medium. These Pressure switches are used to stop the engine 7 when the end position has been reached and by continued operation of the engine an increased pressure is built up on the switch 43 for responsive engine shutdown. The limit switches serve 23, 24 only to indicate the end position.

A operated by the Slew Drive 1 flap is in the Closed position often pressed into a sealing ring, so that is needed to open the door of a higher pressure than when starting from the open position toward the closed position. When the door opens in such a case is, thus, a higher start-up pressure is required to the an opening of the pressure switch 43a performs. This would premature interruption of the engine operation triggered. Around To avoid this, when the structural unit A is a bypass line 21 on the pressure switch 43a provided in a position limit switch 22 is arranged, which for example. to a flap rotation 3-5 °, the bypass line 21 keeps closed, so that even if you quickly open the pressure switch 43a of Motor 7 is supplied with power. Does the flap pivotal movement performed by 3 to 5 ° from the closed position, so opens the switch 22, while the pressure switch 43a already is closed because by moving out of the door of the Closed position, the pressure in the swivel drive back to the usual Pressure level is decreased, so that the motor 7 with current is supplied until the end position is reached.

While in the known hydraulic systems readjustment the limit switch is required, are obtained by Construction according to the invention, wherein all hydraulic controls are integrated into a compact unit, a Automatic end limit by switching off the electric motor by the limit switch or pressure switch.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the control of the units A, B and C by means of a bus system, in which the individual structural units schematically at 7 of the electric motor, and at 24 the arrangement is indicated by limit switches, as shown in FIG. 3 are reproduced for display of the achieved end position of the actuator. In controller 13 is a bus system 26, via the line 18 and 27 with a 24 V voltage with is supplied. Further, the bus system 26 with the individual Control and display elements 19, 20 which for the individual structural units A, B and C in the controller according to shown in FIG. 2 are provided.

From the central bus system 26 in the controller 13 performs a Bus line 28 to a unit arranged on the A bus system substation 29, in turn, via a bus line 30 with the following bus-substation 29 is connected to the next assembly is associated with B. Correspondingly, the bus 29 of the following units are connected. The motor power supply in this embodiment is at 31 on the respective sub-station 29 the bus system. From the respective bus system substation 29 performs a connection wiring 32 for each unit. At this Embodiment, it is possible to a bus system substation 29 also connect multiple units simultaneously, if multiple units are locally close to each other, so that without major wiring effort by a bus system substation 29 can be driven, as in C 'indicated.

Compared to the embodiments according to Figs. 2 and 3, in which to each unit a line must be relocated, resulting in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is a simplification of the cabling, characterized in that only one bus line 28 from the Controller 13 causes the individual units.

A further embodiment with an integrated bus interface FIG. 5, in which as in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 a central bus system 26 is arranged in the controller, and the activation and position signaling on the 24 V control voltage takes place. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 is integrated in each unit includes a bus interface 33, respectively via a bus 30 to the bus interface the next unit is connected. Also in this embodiment the force is power supply separately to each Unit via a line 31 from the Near Assembly existing network.

Fig. 6 illustrates the reproduced in Fig. 5 bus interface 33 in conjunction with the motor control and the limit switches. The unit corresponds to the reproduced in Fig. 3 A unit with the limit switches 24 and the pressure switches 15a, 15b. As shown, within the unit the limit switches to a serial / parallel interface 34 connected to a control logic circuit 35 and coming from the central bus 26 bus line 28 connected is. Furthermore, the interface 34 is connected to the drive connected and switched on there, the switching elements 36 for the ON-OFF control of the electric motor 7 via the contacts 37, which lie in the power line 31st The switching element 38 provides the power supply for the interface 34 and the control logic 35 ready. The motor control and feedback the limit switches occurs on the internal wiring in the structural unit.

By the use of a bus system according to FIGS. 4 and 5 can also provide additional information transmitted to the controller are, for example, via intermediate positions of the actuator, if, instead of the additional limit switch 24, the structural units with potentiometers or corresponding components for continuous feedback of the position of Actuator fitted.

The embodiments of a control device described including the compact hydraulic circuit of FIG. 1 can be used not only in shipbuilding advantageous but also in the chemical and industrial area when control and Actuators are provided with and without quick conclusion.

Fig. 7 shows an applied on both sides with pressure medium Fitting 1 according to the valve 1 of the unit A on in Fig. 1, wherein the piston is not illustrated in FIG. 7 a rack mounted in a fitting 1 pinion a Shaft 50 drives, with a not shown door may be connected, or the like.. At 46, 46 'are shown in Fig. 1 reproduced connections shown that to connect serve a hydraulic Notaggregats or a hand pump.

In the embodiment shown, is at the bottom the fitting 1, a flange 51 in the form of a flat surface screwed, on which by means of screws, the housing 52 of the in attached Fig. 1 schematically reproduced drive unit 48 is. In the elongated housing 52, the electric motor 7 and arranged driven by the electric motor pump eighth In the area of ​​the pump 8, the housing includes 52 hydraulic Switching elements and valves, and a small pressure medium reservoir 11, as indicated schematically in Fig. 1 is. The hydraulic lines 4 and 5 of Fig. 1, by the Flange portion 51 out of the separation plane 47 in Fig. 1 corresponds between valve 1 and drive unit 48th At 53 is shown in FIG. 8, a filler pipe for the pressure medium respectively.

The approximately tubular housing 52 is at the both ends each 'Sealed by a lid 54 and 54th At the tubular housing 52 is a control box 55 molded, which is also screwed tight by a cover. In the control box 55 are cable glands 56, 57 (Fig. 7) for the energy supply of the electric motor and for a separate signal cable. Both cables are in the control box 55 connected to a terminal strip 58th

Fig. 9 shows the valve 1 comprises means 59 which at the Shaft 50 is disposed around and for detecting the end positions of the piston of the valve 1 is used. A sealed Pipe piece 60 connects the switch 55 with this device 59, which is not shown electric lines of the device 59 to the terminal block 58 in the control box 55 to lead. FIGS. 8 and 9 show in a lateral extension of the housing 52 disposed pressure switch 49, 49 'of Fig. 1. In this area, the pressure relief valves 6 is arranged in the housing 52nd

Fig. 9 shows a handle 61 of the tap 43 of Fig. 1, by means of the pressure medium lines 4 and 5 and open to the Reservoir 11 may be connected, for example if the shaft 50 to be rotated by a tool manually.