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A method for detecting output-side leaks in a double cone air power booster is proposed. Initially, a reference curve is recorded which relates a control variable for the outlet pressure to the outlet pressure. During operation, at least one steady state is determined, wherein only steady states preceded by a drop in the output pressure of the double cone air power booster are considered. Values of the control variable and the output pressure belonging to the steady state are determined and compared with the reference curve. If the output pressure determined is smaller by a specified tolerance than the output pressure to be expected according to the reference curve for the control variable determined, an output-side leakage is determined. In this way, leaks in the consumer system connected to a double-cone air power booster, for example a pneumatic control valve actuator, can be detected in an uncomplicated manner, which can save costs for maintenance requirements that are detected too late. Additional components are not required.

In a method for diagnosing control system of a process engineering plant having a plurality of actuating units for setting a process fluid and a central unit, at least one actuating-unit-specific control raw datum, such as a setpoint value, an actual value, a setpoint-actual difference value, or a control value, is detected; a particularly local diagnosis code is generated by one of the plurality of actuating units based on the at least one detected control raw datum; the diagnosis code is transmitted from the actuating unit to a central unit; a local diagnosis code, is transformed into a global diagnosis codes; a logical condition for a diagnosis deduction logic is defined such that when the logical condition is applied to at least one diagnosis code, the diagnosis deduction logic determines a predetermined deduction result; and a deduction result is determined based on the at least one diagnosis code.

A positioner for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control instrument, such as a control valve, of a process plant, may include an electropneumatic converter, such as a current-pressure converter; a circuit board which carries supply electronics for the electropneumatic converter a casing which comprises at least one electronics compartment in which at least one electronic component of the positioner, in particular the supply electronics, is accommodated, and a converter compartment, in which the electropneumatic converter is accommodated. The electronics compartment and the converter compartment may be spatially separated from one another. The converter compartment may be delimited at least partially by the circuit board.

A positioner for a pneumatic actuator for operating a control element, such as a control valve, in a process engineering system, is described. The positioner may include an electropneumatic converter, such as a current-to-pressure converter, a circuit board comprising supply electronics for operating the electropneumatic converter, and a housing surrounding an interior space. A support body that may be inserted into the interior space is may be provided, to which the circuit board may be attached. The housing and the carrier are coordinated with each other to pneumatically subdivide the interior space into an electronics compartment for accommodating at least one electrical and/or electronic component, such as the supply electronics, and a converter compartment for accommodating the electro-pneumatic converter.

An actuator device for a process plant, such as a chemical, power, or food processing facility, includes a pneumatically operated control valve with an electrical actuator (e.g., I/P converter, solenoid valve, position controller, or drive) for performing a test function. At least one sensor verifies the test function and sends a signal describing the result. An electronic monitoring device, separate from the actuator, receives a trigger signal indicating when the test function starts and a functionally safe signal from the sensor. The device's electronic system monitors the relationship between the trigger and sensor signals to confirm correct operation.

An actuator device for a process engineering plant, such as a chemical, power, or food processing plant, may include a pneumatically operated control valve with an electric actuator. The actuator, which may function as a drive or as part of a control or safety valve, can support the operating state(s) for executing a safety function, such as moving the valve to a defined safety position. The device may also include at least one sensor configured to detect the actuator's ability to perform the safety function and to transmit a corresponding signal. An electronic monitoring unit, which may be separate from the actuator, can feature a functionally safe output for triggering the actuator and a functionally safe input for receiving the sensor signal. The monitoring unit may be configured to assess the operational relationship between the received signal and the actuator's triggering to ensure reliable execution of the safety function.

The invention relates to a measuring device ( 10 ) for recording at least one force and/or torque curve resulting when a control valve ( 32 ) is actuated by an actuating drive ( 34 ), comprising a housing ( 11 ) which can be arranged between the control valve ( 32 ) and the actuating drive ( 34 ). The housing ( 11 ) is provided with a first and a second connecting wall ( 14, 16 ) and at least one connecting element ( 18 ) which connects the first and the second connecting wall ( 14, 16 ). The first connecting wall ( 14 ) is connected to the actuating drive ( 34 ), and the second connecting wall ( 16 ) is connected to the control valve ( 32 ). A connecting shaft ( 12 ) for connecting a drive shaft of the actuating drive ( 34 ) to an actuating shaft of a control valve ( 32 ) is arranged in a central through-opening ( 14 c, 16 c ) in the two connecting walls ( 14, 16 ). The connecting shaft ( 12 ) penetrates the measuring device ( 10 ). The connecting shaft ( 12 ) is arranged at a distance from and freely rotatable with respect to the connecting walls ( 14, 16 ), and at least one resilient element is provided between the first connecting wall ( 14 ) and the connecting element ( 18 ), with a measuring unit being provided in the housing ( 11 ). The measuring unit has at least two sub-measuring units. The first sub-measuring unit is in the form of a torque sensor unit, and the second sub-measuring unit is in the form of a rotational-angle sensor unit. The sub-measuring units each have a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. The signal receivers are arranged in a common measuring module ( 20 ). The invention is characterized in that the first signal transmitter is arranged on the first connecting wall ( 14 ), and the second signal transmitter is arranged on the connecting shaft ( 12 ).

In a semi-finished product for a valve housing, such as a control valve housing or a fitting housing, may include an additively manufactured body having a built-up direction in which the body is formed in layers. The body may include an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bridge section, and a neck portion for the valve or the fitting delimiting a channel structure to be formed for process fluid. The body forms an inner surface to be directed towards a process fluid and an outer surface to be facing the surroundings. The inner or outer surface may have at least one overhang surface with respect to the built-up direction, the overhang angle of which does not exceed an angular threshold value of at most 75°.

Methods for testing the operability of a safety valve, as well as a solenoid valve for triggering a safety valve, and corresponding devices are proposed. The safety valve has a solenoid valve which is used to vent the pneumatic actuator in a safety case. Initially, a safety case is triggered. The position course of the valve member is recorded, and the time required until the safety position is reached is compared with a reference value. From this, it can be reliably concluded whether the assumption of the fail-safe position was caused by the solenoid valve or by the positioner. The measured values of pressure sensors can also be taken into account and allow further diagnostics to be carried out if operability is not assured. If the result of the test is positive, maintenance intervals can be optimized.

The invention relates to a cage valve ( 10 ) comprising a valve housing ( 12 ) with a valve inlet ( 14 ) and a valve outlet ( 16 ), a valve cage ( 20 ) which is arranged between the valve inlet and valve outlet ( 14, 16 ) in the flow channel, and a valve element ( 18 ) which is movably supported in the valve housing ( 12 ) in the axial direction (a) with respect to the valve cage ( 20 ), wherein the valve cage ( 20 ) has a guide region, which guides the valve element ( 18 ) in the axial direction (a), and a throttle region, which has multiple throttle channels ( 22 ) that are mutually spaced in the axial direction and are arranged in a distributed manner when viewed in the circumferential direction (u), so that different throttle rates can be set on the basis of the axial position of the valve element ( 18 ) relative to the valve cage ( 20 ).