Arrangement using fluid technology and valve arrangement and actuator for the same

Abstract

A fluid power arrangement and valve arrangement ( 12 ) with an actuator ( 10 ) for it. The actuator ( 10 ) is able to be operate by means of the valve arrangement ( 12 ) via at least one first and first second fluid line ( 13 and 14 ) using fluid power, at least one electrical component ( 37, 38 and 46 ), adapted for connection with a control module ( 39 and 61 ), being arranged on the actuator ( 10 ). In this case there is a provision such that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and the actuator ( 10 ) are connected together by way of two electrical connections ( 28 and 29 ) included in the fluid lines ( 13 and 14 ), by way of which fluid lines the valve arrangement ( 12 ) supplies the actuator ( 10 ) with electrical energy and furthermore the actuator ( 10 ) and the valve arrangement ( 12 ) are provided respectively with signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41 and 44 ) for establishing an signal connection (SV) between the at least one electrical component ( 37,38 and 39 ) and the control module ( 39 and 61 ) by way of and the second electrical connection ( 28 and 29 ).

1 . A fluid power arrangement comprising at least one fluid power actuator ( 10 ), which may be operated by means of a valve arrangement ( 12 ) via at least one first and one second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) using fluid power, at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  46 ) being provided on the actuator ( 10 ) for connection with a control module ( 39  and  61 ), characterized in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and the actuator ( 10 ) are connected together by way of a first and a second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ), by way of which electrical connection the valve arrangement ( 12 ) supplies the actuator ( 10 ) with electrical energy by the provision of a voltage (UV), the first electrical connection ( 28 ) being by way of the first fluid line ( 13 ) and the second electrical connection ( 29 ) being by way of the second fluid line ( 14 ) or by way of a joint ground potential (MP) between the actuator ( 10 ) and the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and the actuator ( 10 ) and the valve arrangement ( 12 ) are respectively provided with signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41  and  44 ) for establishing a signal connection (SV) between the at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  46 ) and the control module ( 39  and  61 ) by way of the first and the second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ).  
     
     
         2 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one electrical component is a sensor ( 37  and  38 ) responsive to at least one operational state of the actuator ( 10 ).  
     
     
         3 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in  claim 1  or in  claim 2 , characterized in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41 ) of the actuator ( 10 ) as communication module comprise a modulator for modulating the voltage (UV) with monitoring signals and in that signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 44 ) associated with the valve arrangement ( 12 ) comprise a demodulator for getting the monitoring signal from the voltage (UV).  
     
     
         4 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical component is an electrical drive member and/or a display element ( 46 ).  
     
     
         5 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 44 ) associated with the valve arrangement ( 12 ) comprise, as communication means, a modulator for the supply of control signals by modulation of the voltage (UV) and in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41 ) of the actuator ( 10 ) comprise a demodulator for de modulation of the control signals from the voltage (UV).  
     
     
         6 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 44 ) associated with the valve arrangement ( 12 ) constitute a component of the valve arrangement ( 12 ).  
     
     
         7 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41  and  44 ) associated with the valve arrangement ( 12 ) comprise a bus interface for communication between the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and the control module ( 39  and  61 ).  
     
     
         8 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 10 ) and/or the valve arrangement ( 12 ) include connection means ( 15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 ) adapted for the connection of the first and/or second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) and more particularly designed in the form of plug connection means, in the case of which connection means both a fluid power and also an electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ) is produced preferably using a single manipulation.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claim, characterized in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) includes at least one valve ( 19 ) and in that the first and/or the second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) are directly connected with the at least one valve ( 19 ) and/or the ducts ( 20  and  21 ), leading to the valve ( 19 ), of the valve arrangement ( 12 ).  
     
     
         10 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in  claim 9 , characterized in that the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41  and  44 ) associated with the valve arrangement ( 12 ) are provided on the valve or valves ( 19 ).  
     
     
         11 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) includes a single valve or a multiple valve arrangement.  
     
     
         12 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or the second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) are designed in the form of flexible hose lines.  
     
     
         13 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve arrangement is preferably made up of modules ( 11   a  and  11   b ) constituting a valve cluster ( 60 ).  
     
     
         14 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control module ( 39 ) constitutes a component of the valve arrangement ( 12 ).  
     
     
         15 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) are arranged in a pair on a common side of the actuator ( 10 ).  
     
     
         16 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  39 ) communicates by a wireless connection with the signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41  and  44 ) of the actuator ( 10 ).  
     
     
         17 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and the actuator ( 10 ) transmit data along the signal connection (SV) serially and more particularly with the aid of a field bus protocol or some other digital signal sequence.  
     
     
         18 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and/or the second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) respectively comprise only one single electrical conductor ( 28  and  29 ).  
     
     
         19 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for signal production the signal producing means ( 41  and  44 ) set a different, preferably impressed current flow on the signal connection (SV).  
     
     
         20 . The fluid power arrangement as set forth in  claim 19 , characterized in that the signal producing means ( 41  and  44 ) comprises a triac and/or a transistor and/or a resistor with a predetermined current flow conducting potential.  
     
     
         21 . An actuator for a fluid power arrangement, which by means of a valve arrangement ( 12 ) by way of at least one first and one second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) is able to be operated by fluid power, on which at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  46 ), provided for connection with a control module ( 39  and  61 ), is arranged, characterized in that the actuator ( 10 ) comprises connection means ( 17  and  18 ) for a first and a second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ), by way of which said actuator ( 10 ) may be supplied with electrical energy by the provision of a voltage (UV), the first electrical connection ( 28 ) being included in the first fluid line ( 13 ) and the second electrical connection ( 29  being included in the second fluid line ( 14 ) or by way of a ground potential (MP), and in that the actuator ( 10 ) comprises signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 41 ) for establishing a signal connection (SV) between the at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  41 ) and the control module ( 39  and  61 ) by way of the first and the second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ).  
     
     
         22 . A valve arrangement for a fluid power arrangement comprising at least one fluid power actuator ( 10 ) which by means of the valve arrangement ( 12 ) is able to be operated by way of at least one first and one second fluid line ( 13  and  14 ) using fluid power and on which at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  46 ) is arranged, said component being provided for connection with a control module ( 39  and  61 ), characterized in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) includes connection means ( 15  and  16 ) for a first and a second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ) with the actuator ( 10 ), by way of which the valve arrangement ( 12 ) may supply the actuator ( 10 ) with electrical energy by the provision of a voltage (UV), the first electrical connection ( 28 ) being included in the first fluid line ( 13 ) and the second electrical connection ( 29  being included in the second fluid line ( 14 ) or being by way of a common ground potential (MP) between the actuator ( 10 ) and the valve arrangement ( 12 ) and in that the valve arrangement ( 12 ) has signal producing and/or signal detecting means ( 44 ) for the establishment of a signal connection (SV) between the at least one electrical component ( 37 ,  38  and  46 ) and the control module ( 39  and  61 ) by way of and the second electrical connection ( 28  and  29 ).