Position controller, and method for manufacturing a position controller

Abstract

The invention relates to a position controller (1) for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control fitting, such as a control valve, of a process plant, which position controller comprises: an electro-pneumatic converter (3), such as an I / P converter; a printed circuit board (5) which comprises supply electronics (50) for actuating the electro-pneumatic converter (3); and a housing (11) which surrounds an interior (100). According to the invention, a supporting body (6) is provided which is inserted into the interior (100) and to which the printed circuit board (5) is fastened, wherein the housing (11) and the supporting body (6) are designed to match one another in order to divide the interior (100), in particular pneumatically, into an electronics compartment (110) for accommodating at least one electrical and / or electronic component, in particular the supply electronics (50), and a converter compartment (130) for accommodating the electro-pneumatic converter (3).

Description

[0001] Positioner and method for manufacturing a positioner

[0002] The invention relates to a positioner for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control valve, such as a control valve, in a process plant, such as a chemical plant, in particular a petrochemical plant, a power plant, a brewery, or the like. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a positioner.

[0003] EP 0 587 170 B1 describes an electropneumatic signal converter that is modular in design and explosion-proof. A current-pressure converter is arranged in a hollow housing section that has a pneumatic supply connection and a pneumatic output for controlling an actuator. The housing also comprises a box section with electrical contacts housed therein. Electrical, pneumatic, and electropneumatic components are housed in the housing. The housing has an electronics housing module for the electrical components and a screw-in pressure housing module for the pneumatic and electropneumatic components. The electronics housing module is separated from the pressure housing module by a module wall, through which conductors are routed in an explosion-proof manner to contact the electropneumatic components. A pressure sensor is also arranged in the electronics housing module.The joint arrangement of the current-pressure transducer and pneumatic components, all of which generate exhaust air, in the same chamber makes precise monitoring and control difficult.

[0004] Improper use of electropneumatic positioners poses a risk that dirt introduced into the housing chamber could lead to deposits on the positioner electronics and electropneumatics. Dirt deposits can cause damage or malfunctions, for example, due to short circuits in electrical contacts. Experience has shown that dirt can be expected to enter the positioner if, for example, the pneumatic pressure supply is damaged or contaminated, or if a poor-quality pneumatic pressure supply is used.

[0005] If an explosive and / or flammable gas, such as natural gas, is to be used as the pneumatic medium, there is also a requirement that any leakage of the flammable gas at the positioner is not permitted. The flammable pneumatic medium must be discharged through a manifold. Such flammable gases can also have a corrosive effect and cause damage to electronic components. Furthermore, it is conceivable that electrical currents could cause ignition.

[0006] In conventional positioners, circuit boards are provided for the various electronic components, which are arranged at a distance from the current-pressure converter and individually encapsulated in different compartments. This results in considerable space requirements. It also requires a large number of feedthroughs, resulting in a correspondingly high manufacturing and assembly effort and a risk of leakage.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a positioner that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, which is particularly simple, space-saving, and / or cost-effective to manufacture, and / or is suitable for use with a critical pneumatic medium, such as a corrosive, contaminated, explosive, and / or flammable pneumatic medium. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, a positioner for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control valve, such as a control valve, in a process plant, in particular a petrochemical plant, a power plant, a food processing plant, in particular a brewery, or the like, is provided. The positioner comprises an electropneumatic converter, a circuit board, and a housing.

[0009] In particular, the electropneumatic converter can be implemented as a current-pressure converter. An electropneumatic converter implements an electropneumatic component of a position controller. An electropneumatic converter is preferably designed and configured to adjust a converter pressure depending on an electrical signal. Preferably, an electropneumatic converter is designed and configured to adjust the converter pressure based on, on the one hand, a pneumatic source that provides a pressurized pneumatic medium, such as room air, nitrogen, or the like, at a supply pressure, and, on the other hand, a pneumatic sink, such as the atmosphere, which defines a reference pressure, for example, corresponding to the ambient pressure.Further preferably, an electropneumatic converter is configured to adjust the converter pressure taking into account an electrical signal, in particular an analog or digital one, such as a current signal or a voltage signal. For example, the electropneumatic converter can be implemented as a current-pressure converter and, in particular, adjust the converter pressure proportionally or at least substantially proportionally to a current signal. The electropneumatic converter is preferably designed and configured to provide the converter pressure for at least one other pneumatic component, such as a pneumatic amplifier, at an active input or active output. A pneumatic component preferably refers to a purely pneumatic or mechanical-pneumatic component, in particular free of electronics.In other words, it should be clear that, within the scope of the present disclosure, a distinction can be made between, on the one hand, purely pneumatic components, on the other hand, purely electronic components, and, furthermore, electropneumatic hybrid components. For operation with a flammable pneumatic medium, in particular natural gas, the at least one electronic component, the at least one electropneumatic converter, and / or the optional at least one pneumatic sensor can be operated in an intrinsically safe manner.

[0010] The circuit board comprises supply electronics for the electropneumatic converter. Optionally, the circuit board can comprise control and / or regulation electronics for actuating the electropneumatic converter. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the control and / or regulation electronics for the electropneumatic converter to be distributed among several electronic components, in particular circuit boards of the position controller, preferably comprising the circuit board. A circuit board can generally refer to a preferably flat component made of an electrically insulating material, such as a preferably fiber-reinforced plastic material, a ceramic material, laminated paper, or the like, to which electrical and / or electronic components are attached. Circuit boards can commonly be designed as so-called printed circuit boards.In particular, the circuit board has conductor tracks on at least one surface, preferably on two opposing surfaces. The conductor tracks are preferably firmly attached to the at least one surface of the circuit board, for example, printed or soldered. Additionally or alternatively, the circuit board can be equipped with feedthroughs to electrically connect conductor tracks on a first surface, for example, the top side, to conductor tracks on a second surface, for example, the bottom side. Electrical and / or electronic components, such as microchips, microprocessors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, contacts, plug connections, or the like, can be attached, for example, glued, clamped, screwed, and / or soldered, to at least one surface of the circuit board, preferably with electrical contact to conductor tracks.A printed circuit board generally has a flat shape, wherein the surface outline can preferably be adapted to the housing accommodating the printed circuit board, for example, semicircular. The printed circuit board preferably has a width dimension and a length dimension that are essentially of the same order of magnitude or whose dimensions differ from each other by no more than a hundred times, in particular no more than ten times. The printed circuit board has a thickness dimension that is significantly smaller than the width dimension and the length dimension of the printed circuit board, wherein the thickness of the latter is, for example, at least ten times, in particular at least a hundred times, smaller. Feedthroughs or the like extend through the printed circuit board in the thickness dimension.

[0011] The housing encloses an interior space. The housing preferably consists of at least two detachably connected shell parts, by which the interior space is completely defined. The shell parts forming the housing can, for example, be implemented as a pot-shaped base body with at least one opening and a detachable cover which completely closes the opening in a normal, assembled state. The housing can be designed and configured for the preferably dust- and / or water-protected accommodation of electrical, electronic, electro-pneumatic, pneumatic, and other components. The housing is preferably designed such that the interior is formed as a pressure-encapsulated space. The housing can, for example, be designed according to protection class IP65 or better.An enclosure for the dust- and / or water-protected housing of electrical components can, for example, be defined according to a protection type of the so-called International Protection Code (IP Code). Protection types can describe the degree of protection the enclosure offers against contact, foreign bodies, water, and the like. IP codes can be defined, for example, according to IEC 529, EN 60529, DIN VDE 0470-1 in the 2014 version applicable. The first digit of the IP code indicates protection against foreign bodies and contact, with a higher value indicating greater protection. The first digit can have the following meaning: 3: protected against solid foreign bodies larger than 2.5 mm and against contact with tools; 4: protected against solid foreign bodies larger than 1 mm and against contact with wires; 5: protected against dust and contact; 6: sealed against dust, protected against contact. The second digit of the IP code refers to protection against water.The second digit can have the following meaning: 3: protected against spray water; 4: protected against splash water; 5: protected against jet water; 6: protected against strong jet water or heavy seas; 7: protected against temporary submersion; 8: protected against permanent submersion. For example, the housing can meet protection class IP 65, IP 66, IP 67, IP 68, or IP 69.

[0012] The position controller according to the invention comprises a support body inserted into the interior. The circuit board is fastened to the support body. The support body can in particular be plate-shaped, wherein such a support body can be referred to as a support plate. The term plate-shaped can refer to a body that is relatively flat in relation to the volume of the housing. The support plate can, for example, have a plate width and a plate length that are significantly greater than the plate height. The plate length and / or the plate width is or are at least 5 times, preferably at least 10 times, as large as the plate height. Plate width, plate height and plate length can generally refer to dimensional specifications of the support plate that are oriented transversely, in particular vertically, relative to one another. The plate length can be greater than the plate width.The plate length can, for example, be in the range of 1 to 8 times, 5 to 2 times, or even 1 to 2 times the plate width. The support plate can, for example, be circular or ring-shaped, with the diameter of the circle or ring corresponding to the plate width and length.

[0013] The housing and the support body are coordinated with one another, in particular for the pneumatic subdivision of the interior into an electronics compartment and a converter compartment. The electronics compartment is designed to accommodate at least one electrical and / or electronic component. In particular, the electronics compartment is designed to accommodate the supply electronics, and / or alternatively or additionally, the electronics compartment can be designed to accommodate control and / or regulation electronics, or the like. The converter compartment is designed to accommodate the electropneumatic converter. For example, the support body can implement a wall part that can be inserted into the interior in order to divide the interior into an electronics compartment on the one hand and a converter compartment on the other. In particular, the support body, preferably together with the circuit board, forms a room divider for the interior.The support body can preferably be shaped to match a contour, in particular an inner circumferential contour, in the interior of the housing. It can be preferred for the support body to be shaped to the interior at least in sections. For example, the width and / or length of the support body can be matched to a clear width of the interior. The support body and the housing, in particular the interior, can for example have a cross-section that is complementary at least in sections. In a normal operating state of the positioner, the support body spatially and / or pneumatically separates the electronics compartment from the transducer compartment. In a normal operating state of the positioner, the support body can realize a pressure-tight separation of the housing interior into the transducer compartment on the one hand and the electronics compartment on the other.A pressure-resistant area or pressure-resistant compartment of the positioner can, for example, be designed and configured to be pressure-resistant for an environment with an explosive or flammable atmosphere. For example, different areas in the housing can be separated from each other by means of the support body to meet the explosion protection requirements "Ex d," i.e., the ignition protection type of the pressure-resistant enclosure "Ex d." The design according to the invention allows for the realization of a particularly simple, cost-effective, compact, and reliable positioner. By dividing the interior into an electronics compartment and a separate converter compartment, corrosion and / or contamination on electronic components, particularly on the circuit board, can be avoided.The interior of the housing can preferably be equipped with one or more pneumatic and / or pressure-tight partitions to form a pressure-enclosed space. Preferably, the converter compartment forms at least one pressure-enclosed space. In particular, the electronics compartment forms another pressure-enclosed space.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the electropneumatic converter is arranged, in particular fastened, on a side of the support body that faces away from the electronics compartment and / or the circuit board. If the electropneumatic converter is fastened to the support body, it may be preferred that the electropneumatic converter be electrically connectable to the circuit board, for example by means of a plug or the like. In an alternative embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the circuit board has a connection point on its surface facing the converter compartment for the preferably detachable fastening of the electropneumatic converter to the circuit board. It may be preferred that the circuit board be arranged on the side of the support body facing the electronics compartment.The connection point can be realized, for example, by a connector, a plug receptacle, or the like. The electropneumatic converter is preferably arranged, in particular attached, to a side of the circuit board facing away from the electronics compartment.

[0015] According to one embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the transducer compartment comprises at least one receptacle. The receptacle can also be referred to as a transducer receptacle. In the region of the receptacle, the support body delimits a passage that extends from the housing to the circuit board. Preferably, the receptacle is at least partially delimited by a base, a peripheral wall, and / or another housing wall section of the housing. The peripheral wall refers to the part of the housing that laterally delimits the interior, including any recesses in the base. The receptacle can be formed, for example, by an indentation in the housing, such as a recess in the base, or the like. A housing indentation is generally delimited by one or more housing wall sections. It can be preferred that the receptacle is delimited on the one hand by the housing and on the other hand by the support body with the circuit board held thereon.The support body and the circuit board border the receptacle. The circuit board preferably delimits the receptacle at least partially. The electropneumatic converter is preferably arranged at least partially, in particular completely, within this receptacle. The feedthrough can form part of a chamber which implements the receptacle. The interior of the housing can preferably be subdivided into a plurality of subregions, wherein a first subregion or several first subregions can be assigned to the converter compartment and a second subregion or several second subregions can be assigned to the electronics compartment. The various subregions can be implemented by chambers within the housing. A first subregion of the interior is preferably implemented by the receptacle for the electropneumatic converter.A plurality of first sub-areas can be separated from one another, in particular pneumatically and / or pressure-tight, for example by housing wall sections. Preferably, the various sub-areas inside the housing form individually pressure-encapsulated spaces. Individual pressure-encapsulated spaces are pressure-tight relative to one another. The sub-area assigned to the transducer compartment, which accommodates the electropneumatic transducer, forms a first individually pressure-encapsulated space. A plurality of individual sub-areas assigned to the transducer compartment, each of which accommodates at least one or exactly one pneumatic sensor, form a plurality of second individually pressure-encapsulated spaces.An exchange of pneumatic medium into and / or out of a pressure-encapsulated chamber is preferably possible in normal operation exclusively via a specific number of predetermined pneumatic lines, preferably exactly one pneumatic line, exactly two pneumatic lines, or exactly three pneumatic lines. Preferably, the first pressure-encapsulated chamber is equipped with exactly two pneumatic lines, namely the ventilation line and an exhaust air duct. Preferably, the second pressure-encapsulated chambers each have only exactly one pneumatic line. The electronics compartment can implement a further individually pressure-encapsulated chamber, wherein the electronics compartment can be free of a pneumatic line or equipped with exactly one pneumatic line, in particular designed as a vent line. Optionally, the pneumatic compartment can form an additional individually pressure-encapsulated chamber.The number of pneumatic lines with which the pneumatic compartment is equipped may preferably correspond to the sum of the pneumatic lines of the first and second pressure-enclosed space.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the converter compartment comprises at least one further receptacle in which at least one pneumatic sensor is arranged. The further receptacle can also be referred to as a sensor receptacle. A pneumatic sensor can, for example, be a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or the like, or a combination of several or all of the aforementioned sensors. The converter compartment can, in particular, have several receptacles for a plurality of pneumatic sensors. It should be understood that, alternatively or additionally, at least one pneumatic sensor can be arranged in the receptacle for the electropneumatic converter. The at least one further receptacle is preferably at least partially delimited by a base, a peripheral wall, and / or another housing wall section of the housing.The at least one further receptacle can be formed, for example, by an indentation in the housing or the like, which can be framed by the base and a housing wall section. The support body and the circuit board preferably border the further receptacle. In particular, the support body delimits a further passage in the region of the further receptacle, which leads, in particular from the housing, to the pneumatic sensor and / or to the circuit board. The further passage can lead to a pneumatic sensor arranged, in particular fastened, on the circuit board. Preferably, a further first sub-region of the interior is realized by the further receptacle for the pneumatic sensor. Several further first sub-regions can be separated from one another, in particular pneumatically and / or pressure-tight, for example by housing wall sections.For example, the positioner can comprise a transducer receptacle and several sensor receptacles in the transducer compartment, which are pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separated from each other. It may be preferable for various measuring points to be provided in the positioner, and for at least one of the several different pneumatic sensors to be assigned to each of the different measuring points.According to a preferred development, the position controller in the converter compartment comprises a plurality of, in particular, further receptacles with different pneumatic sensors arranged therein in order to detect different pressures in the position controller, for example a pressure of the pneumatic medium at an inlet and / or outlet of the electropneumatic converter, a pressure of the pneumatic medium at a supply inlet of the position controller connected to a pneumatic source and / or a pressure of the pneumatic medium at a control output of the position controller for actuating a pneumatic actuator.

[0017] In a further development of a position controller with at least one pneumatic sensor, the latter is arranged on a surface of the circuit board facing the transducer compartment. Alternatively or additionally, the pneumatic sensor is held on the circuit board. It may be preferred for the at least one pneumatic sensor to be firmly connected to the circuit board, for example soldered. It may be preferred for control and / or regulating electronics to be arranged on the circuit board, in particular on its upper side, which is connected for signal transmission by conductor tracks and / or feedthroughs or the like to the at least one pneumatic sensor, which is arranged in particular on the underside of the circuit board. The at least one pneumatic sensor, in particular the plurality of pneumatic sensors, preferably all pneumatic sensors of the position controller, are arranged on the surface of the circuit board facing away from the electronics compartment.The circuit board can carry a plurality of pneumatic sensors. Preferably, the pneumatic sensor or sensors are electrically connected to the circuit board. In particular, it is conceivable that at least one pneumatic sensor is or are arranged in one or more of the at least one further receptacle and separately from the circuit board, for example on a separate circuit board, on the support body, the housing, or the like. Preferably, a plurality of different pneumatic sensors are arranged on the same surface of the circuit board facing the transducer compartment. It may be preferred that the at least one pneumatic sensor is arranged in the region of the further feedthrough on the circuit board. In a support body, in particular a support plate with a plurality of feedthroughs, different pneumatic sensors can be arranged in the respective region of the plurality of feedthroughs.Preferably, at least one pneumatic sensor is arranged in the area of ​​the feedthrough for the electropneumatic converter.

[0018] According to one embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, at least one sealing element, such as a sealing ring, is held on the support body in order to pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separate the transducer compartment, in particular the receptacle (the transducer receptacle) and / or the at least one further receptacle (the at least one sensor receptacle), from the electronics compartment. In particular, at least one sealing element, preferably a sealing ring, is arranged between the support body and the circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, in particular at least one sealing element, preferably a sealing ring, is arranged between the support body and the housing. In an interior space composed of several chambers, each of the chambers can be assigned at least one sealing element in order to pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separate the respective chamber from one or more other chambers.For example, at least one sealing element can be assigned to each receptacle and / or further receptacle. It may be preferred that at least one sealing element, preferably two sealing elements each, in particular one sealing element each at the opposite ends of the sides of the passage or passages, be arranged on a support element at each passage.

[0019] According to one embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the housing has a peripheral wall and a base at least partially surrounded by the peripheral wall and having a recess corresponding to the circuit board. The circuit board can preferably be inserted at least partially or completely into the recess of the housing. In such a position controller, the electronics compartment can be defined in the interior of the housing above the recess and the transducer compartment below the support body inserted into the recess. In an embodiment in which the transducer receptacle and / or optionally the sensor receptacle(s) are partially delimited by a respective feedthrough, essentially only the section of the respective receptacle formed by the feedthrough is arranged in the recess.Adjacent to the recess, one or more recesses can be formed in the housing, wherein a first recess can be designed to at least partially accommodate the electropneumatic transducer and wherein further recesses can be designed to at least partially accommodate at least one pneumatic sensor each. The support body is shaped to fit the interior, in particular the recess. In particular, a free space is provided between the support body and the housing, in particular the peripheral wall and / or another housing wall section, in the region of the recess. With the aid of such a free space, assembly steps, such as potting the support body within the housing, can be simplified.By flooding the free space with a potting compound, a potting structure can also be easily formed which encapsulates the support body in the area of ​​the feedthroughs in order to form a boundary region that delimits the receptacles in a pressure-tight manner. Additionally or alternatively, a cavity is formed between the support body and the circuit board. The cavity is at least partially, preferably completely, delimited on the one hand by the circuit board and on the other hand by the support body. According to a further development, the support body comprises a plurality of support sections, such as columns, struts or the like, for supporting the circuit board. The at least one cavity is formed between the plurality of support sections. If necessary, even a plurality of cavities can be formed between the plurality of support sections.The cavities between the carrier on the one hand and the circuit board and / or housing on the other hand allow the space around the chambers to be cast, thereby strengthening the effective seal.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the position controller according to the invention, the circuit board is at least partially enclosed by an encapsulation, in particular a potting compound. Preferably, the circuit board is enclosed by the encapsulation at least in the area of ​​the supply electronics. The encapsulation can preferably seal, or at least substantially seal, the supply electronics from the electronics compartment.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the support body is at least partially encapsulated, in particular by a potting compound. In particular, the encapsulation encloses the support body in the region of the feedthrough and / or the further feedthrough or further feedthroughs. By encapsulating the support body, a solid wall of sufficient strength to separate the compartments can be realized, for example when natural gas is used in the converter compartment. Particularly preferably, an encapsulation, in particular in a potting compound, at least partially encloses both the support body and the circuit board. A potting compound is preferably provided on the circuit board and / or the support body at least in the region of the converter receptacle and / or the at least one sensor receptacle. In a design of a position controller with a free space laterally between the support body and the housing, it can be provided that the potting compound preferably completely fills the free space.Additionally or alternatively, in another embodiment of a position controller with at least one cavity between the support body and the circuit board, the encapsulation can at least partially, preferably completely, fill this at least one cavity. The encapsulation, in particular the encapsulation, can implement a sealing element. By encapsulating the circuit board and / or the support body, a preferably pressure-tight sealing element can be formed to separate the electronics compartment from the converter compartment. By encapsulating the circuit board, a protective layer can be formed for the electronic components arranged on the circuit board, such as supply electronics for the electropneumatic converter and / or control and / or regulation electronics for actuating the electropneumatic converter. The encapsulated components are particularly well protected against damage, contamination, or corrosion caused by pneumatic media.The free spaces between the carrier and / or circuit board on the one hand and the housing on the other hand allow the space around the chambers to be cast, thereby strengthening the effective sealing.

[0022] According to one embodiment of a position controller according to the invention, the supply electronics, as well as, if applicable, the control and / or regulation electronics, are arranged on a surface of the circuit board facing the electronics compartment. Preferably, the supply electronics, as well as, if applicable, the control and / or regulation electronics, are arranged on a first, in particular upper, side opposite the second, in particular lower, side, which comprises the surface for the electropneumatic converter and / or the at least one pneumatic sensor.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for producing a position controller for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control valve, such as a control valve, of a process plant. The method according to the invention comprises providing a printed circuit board with supply electronics provided thereon, as well as optionally control and / or regulating electronics provided thereon, and an electropneumatic converter preferably provided thereon or detachably connectable to the printed circuit board, for example. Optionally, the provided printed circuit board can be provided with at least one pneumatic sensor. Furthermore, the method according to the invention comprises providing a housing, in particular a pot-shaped housing, with an interior space and providing a support body that can be inserted into the housing. The printed circuit board is then inserted into the interior space.The circuit board, which is preferably installed in the interior, is attached to the housing by means of the support body.

[0024] In the method according to the invention, the interior space is divided by the support body into an electronics compartment, which accommodates the supply electronics, and a converter compartment, which accommodates the electropneumatic converter. The support body can be used to spatially subdivide the interior space into the electronics compartment on the one hand and the converter compartment on the other. It can be preferred that the support body be used to pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly subdivide the interior space into an electronics compartment and a converter compartment. The electronics compartment can also accommodate only preferably purely electrical and / or preferably purely electronic components, a control and / or regulating electronics. Additionally or alternatively, one or more pneumatic sensors can be accommodated in the converter compartment.In this case, the support body and the interior space defined by the housing can form a plurality of chambers in the transducer compartment that are spatially separated from one another, for example by partition walls, and in particular pneumatically and / or pressure-tight. It can be preferred that a receptacle for the electropneumatic transducer is formed by inserting the support body into the interior space. Alternatively or additionally, at least one further receptacle for at least one pneumatic sensor can be formed by inserting the support body into the interior space. For example, a support body inserted in the interior of the housing can form a transducer chamber in which the electropneumatic transducer is or can be received, and a sensor chamber spatially separated from the transducer chamber in which a pneumatic sensor is or can be received.The support body and / or the housing can be manufactured or equipped with partition walls, for example the housing can be manufactured integrally with partition walls, for example as an injection-molded part.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing method according to the invention, the printed circuit board is fastened to the support body and inserted into the interior together with the support body. The printed circuit board can be fastened to the support body, for example, with an adhesive, such as glue or solder, and / or with a connecting means, such as a screw. In this way, the support body can serve as an assembly aid for the printed circuit board. With the aid of the support body, an error-free and precise adjustment of a clearly predetermined insertion position of the printed circuit board in the interior of the housing can be easily implemented. By fastening the printed circuit board to the support body before insertion into the interior, the handling of the printed circuit board for its assembly can be considerably simplified.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing method according to the invention, at least one pneumatic sensor is provided, in particular coupled to the circuit board. Preferably, at least one pneumatic sensor is accommodated by the converter compartment. In a converter compartment divided into different chambers, a pneumatic sensor can be arranged together with the electropneumatic converter in the converter compartment. Alternatively or additionally, at least one pneumatic sensor can be arranged in a respective sensor chamber that is spatially and optionally pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separated from the converter chamber. Multiple sensor chambers can also be provided in the converter compartment, which are spatially and optionally pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separated from one another.

[0027] According to a further development of a manufacturing method according to the invention, at least one sealing element, such as a sealing ring, is arranged on the support body, the circuit board and / or the housing. Preferably, the at least one sealing element pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separates the transducer compartment, in particular a receptacle for the electropneumatic transducer and / or at least one further receptacle for the at least one pneumatic sensor, from the electronics compartment. It may be preferred that two or more sealing elements, in particular sealing rings, are provided for pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly insulating the transducer receptacle. Furthermore, it may be preferred that two or more sealing elements, in particular sealing rings, are provided for pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly insulating the at least one sensor receptacle.Preferably, at least one sealing element, preferably a sealing ring, is arranged per receptacle for sealing contact with the support body on the one hand and the circuit board on the other. Additionally or alternatively, at least one sealing element, preferably a sealing ring, is arranged per receptacle for sealing contact with the support body on the one hand and the housing on the other. For example, the support body can be formed with at least one passage for the electropneumatic converter and / or at least one pneumatic sensor, and the at least one sealing element can be arranged on this passage.

[0028] According to another embodiment of a method according to the invention, which can be combined with the previous ones, the circuit board and / or the support body is / are at least partially encased in an encapsulation, in particular a potting compound, preferably after insertion into the interior space. The circuit board and / or the support body is / are preferably positioned in a predetermined operating position in the interior space of the housing and held in the operating position during the application of the encapsulation, in particular during the production of the potting compound. Preferably, the circuit board and / or the support body is / are first inserted into the interior space and then the encapsulation, in particular the potting compound, is produced. The encapsulation, in particular the potting compound, can preferably be applied at least in the area of ​​the supply electronics and, if applicable, the control and / or regulation electronics.The encapsulation, especially the potting, can optionally be made of a sealing material to act as a gasket. The encapsulation can protect the circuit board from contamination and corrosion.

[0029] Preferably, a position controller according to the invention is manufactured as described above using the manufacturing method according to the invention. It may be preferred that the position controller described above be manufactured according to the manufacturing method according to the invention.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Further properties, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure i is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a position controller according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a position controller according to the invention with a potting compound enclosing the circuit board; Figure 3 shows another cross-sectional view of the position controller according to Figure 2;

[0033] Figure 4 is a plan view of the interior of the positioner according to Figure 2;

[0034] Figure 5 is a plan view of the interior of the positioner according to Figure 4 without support body and circuit board;

[0035] Figure 6 is a perspective detailed view of a support plate from a first direction;

[0036] Figure 7 is a perspective detailed view of the support plate according to Figure 6 from a second direction;

[0037] Figure 8 is a sectional view through the support plate with the circuit board attached to it;

[0038] Figure 9 shows a perspective detailed view of the circuit board;

[0039] Figure 10 is a detailed view of a cover part for covering a vent channel from the electronics compartment through the housing of a position controller according to the invention;

[0040] Figure 11 is a sectional view through the cover part with through holes and the ventilation channel according to Figure 10;

[0041] Figure 12 shows a detailed view of the cover part;

[0042] Figure 13 is a view of the housing of the positioner according to Figure 10 from below;

[0043] Figure 14 is a detailed view of an alternative cover part with groove channels;

[0044] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the positioner according to Figure 10; and

[0045] Figure 16 is a schematic representation of a position controller according to the invention.

[0046] In the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the figures, the same or similar components are provided with the same or similar reference numerals to simplify readability.

[0047] It should be understood that the directional information used here is relative to one another and refers to the illustrations, and is not to be understood as a limitation with regard to the installation situation. A positioner according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 1. A first embodiment of a positioner 1 is shown in Figure 1, and another embodiment of a positioner 1 with a potting compound 53 is shown in Figure 2.

[0048] The position controller 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises, as essential components, an electropneumatic converter 3, which may be referred to below as a current-pressure converter, and a printed circuit board 5, which may be referred to below as a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board 5 is essentially flat. For insertion into a cylindrical housing 11, the printed circuit board 5 can have a partially annular or partially circular cross-section.

[0049] The circuit board 5 is equipped with electrical conductor tracks (not shown in detail) and at least one electronic component, which can also be referred to as an electronic component. Electronic components that implement the supply electronics 50 are arranged on the circuit board 5. Other electronic components include, for example, a plug connector 55 for electrically and / or signal-transmitting connecting the supply electronics 50 of the circuit board 5, for example to a supply unit, a higher-level control unit, or the like, of the position controller 1 (not shown in detail). The electropneumatic converter 3 is connected to the circuit board 5. The electropneumatic converter 3 can be permanently connected to the circuit board 5, for example by soldering. Alternatively, the electropneumatic converter 3 can be equipped with a plug, and the circuit board can be equipped with a corresponding socket or plug receptacle 57.The circuit board 5 is also equipped with supply electronics (not shown in detail) for the electropneumatic converter 3. Furthermore, the circuit board can be equipped with control and / or regulation electronics, or parts thereof, for actuating the electropneumatic converter 3. In the exemplary embodiments described below, the circuit board 5 is also equipped with one or more electropneumatic components or hybrid components.

[0050] The position controller 1 comprises a housing 11. The housing encloses an interior space 100. The printed circuit board 5 and the electropneumatic transducer 3 are arranged within the housing 11. The printed circuit board 5 is expediently arranged within the housing 11 in such a way that it divides it into, on the one hand, an electronics compartment 110, in which at least one electronic component of the position controller 1 is arranged, and, on the other hand, a transducer compartment 130, in which the electropneumatic transducer 3 is accommodated. The printed circuit board 5 is preferably a one-piece, flat body with a top side 51 and a bottom side 52. The electronics compartment 110 extends from the top side 51, and the transducer compartment 130 extends from the bottom side 52. The electronics component is arranged on the top side 51. The electropneumatic converter 3 is arranged on the underside 52, as shown exemplarily in Figures 7 and 8.On the underside 52, in addition to the electropneumatic converter 3, for example, four pneumatic sensors 4 can be arranged (Figure 9).

[0051] The circuit board 5 is in a normal assembly arrangement of the positioner

[0052] I is housed in its interior space 100. In the operationally assembled state of the positioner 1, the interior space 100 is divided into the electronics compartment 110 and the converter compartment 130. The printed circuit board 5 is firmly connected to the housing 11, for example, by screwing. Figure 2 shows the fastening of the printed circuit board 5 to the housing 11 by means of a fastening screw 109, which holds the printed circuit board 5 to the bottom 115 of the housing 11, which borders the interior space 100. A recess 105 complementary to the printed circuit board 5 is recessed into the bottom 115 of the housing 10, into which the printed circuit board 5 is inserted.

[0053] As shown, for example, in the embodiments of position controllers 1 according to Figures 1, 2 or 15, the printed circuit board 5 can be fixed to the housing by means of a support body 6

[0054] II. In the operationally assembled state, the support body 6 is arranged between the circuit board 5 and the base 115 of the housing 11. The support body 6 has a support section 60, which is inserted into the recess 105 together with the circuit board 5. A free space 125 is provided between the circuit board 5 and the peripheral wall 120 of the housing 11. A hollow space or cavity 65 is formed in sections between the support body 6 and the circuit board 5.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a support body 6 with a substantially annular disk shape. The support body 6 can be divided into three regions, namely the support section 60, a seat section 62 offset therefrom, and a step 63 connecting the support section 60 to the seat section 62. The circuit board 5 is arranged in the region of the support section 60. If a firm connection of the circuit board 5 to the support body 6 is desired, several fastening means (not shown in detail), such as screws or clips, can be provided. The fastening means can be designed to preload the circuit board 5 against the support body 6. The support body 6 is penetrated by a feedthrough 61 for the electropneumatic converter 3 and further feedthroughs 64 for the pneumatic sensors 4 (see Fig. 3). The feedthroughs 61, 64 are formed in the support section 60.

[0056] The seat portion 62 can be formed at least partially with a shape complementary to the interior 100 of the housing 10 in order to define a clear position of the support plate 6 and the printed circuit board 5 pre-mounted thereon, if applicable. For example, the seat portion 62 can be equipped with one or more projections 66 and / or recesses that are shaped to match the housing 11. Alternatively or additionally, the support plate 6 can have eccentric mounting aids 67 in order to cooperate, for example, with the inside of a peripheral wall 120 and / or other wall sections in a housing 11 of essentially cylindrical shape.

[0057] Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment of a position controller 1 in which the printed circuit board 5 is encapsulated using a potting compound 53. The potting compound 53 encloses the majority of the printed circuit board 5. The top side 51 of the printed circuit board 5, with the exception of the connector 55, is completely covered by the potting compound 53, whereby the electrical conductor tracks and electronic components arranged on the surface 51 of the printed circuit board 5 are insulated and protected from corrosive influences. The potting compound 53 can be made, for example, from an air-curing plastic, for example polyurethane. It can be expedient to first attach the printed circuit board 5 to the support body 6 and then insert them together into the interior 100 and then coat it with the potting compound 53.If the circuit board 5 is overmolded with potting material in the interior 100 and thereby encapsulated, the cavity 65 and the free space 125 can be partially or even completely filled with the potting compound 53. The potting compound 53 can realize a positive connection between the circuit board 5 and the housing 11. The potting compound 53 can form a sealing element that causes or at least contributes to the fluidic, preferably pressure-tight, separation of the converter compartment 130 from the electronics compartment 110.

[0058] In the operationally assembled state of the position controller 1, at least one sealing element can be provided for the pneumatic and / or pressure-tight separation of the electronics compartment 110 from the converter compartment 130. For this purpose, the at least one sealing element is expediently arranged between the circuit board 5 and the housing 11. Sealing elements can be implemented, for example, as sealing rings.

[0059] Figure 6 shows the top side 71 of a support body 6, where a sealing ring 152 is inserted into a receptacle surrounding the feedthrough 61. The other feedthroughs 64 are also equipped with a respective sealing ring 142 on the top side 71 of the support body 6. In the area of ​​the feedthroughs 61, 64, the support body 6, in the normal installed state, for example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is in contact with the underside 52 of the printed circuit board 5. In the normal installed state, the sealing rings 152, 142 seal between the support body 6 and the printed circuit board 5.

[0060] Figure 7 shows the underside 72 of the support body 6, which, in the normal installed state, is in contact with the base 115 of the housing 11 in the area of ​​the feedthroughs 61, 64. The electropneumatic converter 3 covers the converter feedthrough for contacting the circuit board 5. A sealing ring 132 is inserted around the electropneumatic converter and the feedthrough 61 thus occupied, into a sealing receptacle that is shaped to fit the electropneumatic converter 3. Circular sealing rings 162 are arranged in corresponding receptacles on the other feedthroughs 64. In the normal installed state, the sealing rings 132, 162 seal between the support body 6 and the housing 11.

[0061] The cross-sectional view according to Figure 2 extends through the electropneumatic transducer 3 and the partial area of ​​the transducer compartment 130, which forms a receptacle 131 for the electropneumatic transducer 3, which can be referred to as transducer receptacle 131. The cross-sectional view according to Figure 3 extends through a pneumatic sensor 4 in the partial area of ​​the transducer compartment 130, which forms a further receptacle 131 for this pneumatic sensor 4, which can also be referred to as sensor receptacle 141. Optionally, a pneumatic sensor 4 is arranged in the transducer receptacle 131 (see Figure 9).

[0062] The transducer receptacle 131 shown in Figure 2 forms a chamber that is pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separated from the electronics compartment 110. The receptacle 131 is partially delimited by a housing area 104 at the bottom 115 of the housing 11. Opposite the housing 11, the receptacle 131 is delimited by the printed circuit board 5. Between the printed circuit board 5 and the housing 11, the feedthrough 61 through the support body 6 delimits the transducer receptacle 131. The encapsulation 53 and the sealing elements, for example in the form of sealing rings 132, 162 (see Figures 6, 7), ensure reliable fluidic insulation of the transducer receptacle 131 in the transducer compartment 130 from the electronics compartment 110 as well as from other receptacles 141 in the transducer compartment 130.

[0063] The sensor receptacle 141 shown in Figure 3 also forms a chamber that is pneumatically and / or pressure-tightly separated from the electronics compartment 110. The sensor receptacle 141 is partially delimited by another housing area 106 at the bottom 115 of the housing 11. The sensor receptacle 141 is also delimited relative to the housing 11 by the printed circuit board 5, and between the printed circuit board 5 and the housing 11 by the further feedthrough 64 of the support body 6. The sealing rings 142, 152 (cf. Figs. 6, 7) on the further feedthrough 64, optionally together with the encapsulation 53, ensure fluidic insulation of the sensor receptacles 141 in the converter compartment 130 from the electronics compartment 110 and, expediently, from other receptacles (not shown in detail) in the converter compartment 130.In order to detect at least one property, such as a pressure, a temperature or the like, of the pneumatic medium at a measuring point (not shown in detail) with the aid of the pneumatic sensor 4, a pneumatic line 174 extends from the sensor receptacle 141 to a pneumatic compartment 170 described below. The pneumatic line 147 is partially covered over its entire surface with a sintered filter 148 as an ignition barrier.

[0064] Several sub-areas of the positioner, for example the individual chambers that implement the transducer receptacle 131 or the sensor receptacles 141, the electronics compartment 110 and / or the pneumatic compartment 170, are preferably designed and configured to be pressure-tight for mutual pressure differences between the sub-areas of at least 50 mbar, in particular at least 100 bar, preferably at least 1 bar, particularly preferably at least 1 bar, and / or not more than 10 bar, in particular not more than 5 bar, preferably not more than 2.5 bar.

[0065] Two pneumatic lines, namely a ventilation line 173 and an exhaust air duct 139, extend from the converter receptacle 131 to the pneumatic compartment 170, as shown in Figure 5. The ventilation line 173 or the supply air duct is designed and configured to fluidically connect the converter chamber 131 and the electropneumatic converter 3 arranged therein to a pneumatic source (not shown in detail).

[0066] As shown in Figure 13, the pneumatic lines 139, 173, 174 can extend, for example, essentially parallel, from the converter compartment 130 in the interior 100 of the housing 11 through its housing wall to the pneumatic compartment 170. The positioner 1 with the pneumatic module 170 and the pneumatic components 7 accommodated therein is shown schematically in Figure 16. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pneumatic compartment 170 can be formed by a side chamber of the housing 11. A pneumatic interface 171 is provided in the pneumatic compartment 170, where pneumatic components 7 or a pneumatic module comprising several pneumatic components 7 can be attached (not shown in detail). The pneumatic interface 171 can, for example, be arranged on a housing section 107 of the wall section between the converter compartment 130 and the pneumatic compartment 170.The side space and the pneumatic module (not shown in detail) can, for example, be coordinated with one another in such a way that the pneumatic module realizes a form-complementary insert for preferably completely covering the side space.

[0067] The pneumatic module can, for example, be implemented as a single component block within which pneumatic channels and several pneumatic components 7, for example, pneumatic amplifiers, such as a preamplifier 175 and main amplifier 176, flow restrictors, and / or pressure reducers 172, are integrated. The exhaust air duct 139 can discharge a used pneumatic medium into the pneumatic compartment 170, which is connected to the environment or a collecting line for the isolated discharge of used pneumatic medium or exhaust gas from the positioner 1, so that the electronic components in the electronic compartment 110 do not come into contact with the pneumatic medium. The pneumatic sensors 4 can be connected to different measuring points with respect to the various pneumatic components 7 via pneumatic lines 174.

[0068] The electronics compartment 110 can be expediently insulated by hermetically sealing the interior 100 of the housing 11 with a cover. To prevent an undesirable negative pressure from forming in the electronics compartment 110 relative to the ambient pressure of the positioner 1, a vent line 119 can penetrate an outer wall 117 of the housing 11. Depending on the application, the vent line 119 can be either closed by means of a cover part 180, 181 or designed to be open to the environment.

[0069] The exemplary positioner 1 shown in Figure 16 has a housing 11 equipped with a flameproof "Ex d" cable gland 210, through which the supply electronics 50 and other electronic components arranged in the electronics compartment 110 can be supplied and, if necessary, controlled. For a particularly safe design, a Zener barrier 250 or similar device can additionally be provided. Beyond the cable gland 210, preferably in a flameproof connection compartment 200, a connection circuit board 220 can be arranged. The connection circuit board 220 can be connected to external components, for example, other components of a process plant, via at least one (here: three) flameproof "Ex d" cable glands 230. Figure 16 also shows a common vent 179 for exhaust air and for discharging pneumatic medium from the pneumatic compartment 170.For critical pneumatic media such as methane, the common vent can be connected to a manifold (not shown).

[0070] Figures 10-12 and 15 show a first variant of the cover part 180, which is penetrated by four through openings 182. Figures 13 and 14 show another variant of the cover part 181 with a groove channel 183. The cover part 180, 181 can be equipped as an asymmetrical plate with one or more (here: four) mounting holes 185. For attachment to the housing 11, the housing 11 can be designed with a projection 108 on its outer wall 117 for defining a mounting position for the cover part 180, 181, wherein this projection 108 is complementary in shape to the uniform mounting holes 185. The other mounting holes 185 can each be occupied by a screw 102 for fastening the cover part 180, 181. For explosive environments, an ignition barrier 118 can completely cover the vent line 119. The opening 111 of the vent line 119 is located on the outside of the outer wall 117 and can be covered with the cover part 180 / 181.The cover part 180, 181 can be placed in a first, open position in front of the opening 111, in which the vent line 119 fluidically communicates with the through-openings 182 or the grooved channel 183, so that the electronics compartment 110 is connected to the environment. A membrane 187 can be arranged between the opening 111 and the cover part 180 / 181. The membrane 187 is only active in the open position of the cover part or plate 180 / 181. The membrane 187 acts as a pressure compensation element. Designs with a pressure compensation element designed differently from a membrane are also conceivable.

[0071] Alternatively, the cover part 180 / 181, as shown in Figure 11, can be positioned in front of the opening 111 such that a portion of the cover part 180 / 181, which is free of through-openings, groove channels, and the like, covers the vent channel 119. A sealing element 186 surrounding the opening 111 in an annular manner is arranged between the cover part 180 / 181 and the outer wall 117. The membrane 187 can be realized integrally with the sealing element 186 as a pressure compensation element with an adhesive-attached O-ring (as a standard part). In the closed position of the cover part 180 / 181, the vent line 119 is closed by means of the sealing ring 186. In a state as shown in Figure 11, wherein the cover part 180 / 181 covers the opening 111 to close the electronics compartment 110, it is alternatively conceivable that the membrane 187 or a pressure compensation element is omitted or not mounted.

[0072] The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments.

[0073] Reference symbol:

[0074] 1 positioner

[0075] 3 electropneumatic converter

[0076] 4 Pneumatic sensor

[0077] 5 circuit board

[0078] 6 supporting bodies

[0079] 7 Pneumatic components

[0080] 11 housings

[0081] 50 supply electronics

[0082] 51 Top side / surface (printed circuit board)

[0083] 52 Bottom / Surface (PCB)

[0084] 53 Casting

[0085] 55 connectors

[0086] 57 plug receptacle

[0087] 6o supporting section

[0088] 61 Implementation

[0089] 62 seating section

[0090] 63 level

[0091] 64 further implementation

[0092] 65 cavity

[0093] 66 lead

[0094] 67 Assembly aid

[0095] 70 Pneumatic module

[0096] 71 Top side (supporting body)

[0097] 72 Underside (supporting body)

[0098] 100 interior

[0099] 102 Screw

[0100] 104 Housing area

[0101] 105 Deepening

[0102] 106 other housing area

[0103] 107 Housing section

[0104] 108 lead

[0105] 109 Fixing screw

[0106] 110 Electronics compartment

[0107] 111 Mouth

[0108] 113 Ventilation duct 115 Floor

[0109] 117 Exterior wall

[0110] 118 sintered filters

[0111] 119 Ventilation line

[0112] 120 peripheral wall

[0113] 125 free space

[0114] 130 converter compartment

[0115] 131, 141 Recording

[0116] 132 Sealing ring

[0117] 138 sintered filters

[0118] 139 Exhaust air duct

[0119] 142 Sealing ring

[0120] 148 sintered filters

[0121] 152, 162 sealing ring

[0122] 170 Pneumatic compartment

[0123] 171 Pneumatic interface

[0124] 172 pressure reducers

[0125] 173, 174 Pneumatic line

[0126] 175 preamplifiers

[0127] 176 main amplifiers

[0128] 179 Collecting line i8o, 181 Cover part

[0129] 182 Canal drilling

[0130] 183 groove channel

[0131] 185 mounting hole

[0132] 186 Sealing element

[0133] 187 Membran

[0134] 200 connection space

[0135] 210 Cable entry

[0136] 220 connection circuit board

[0137] 230 cable entry

[0138] 250 Zener barrier

Claims

Claims:

1. Position controller (1) for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control valve, such as a control valve, of a process plant, comprising: an electropneumatic converter (3), such as a current-pressure converter; a printed circuit board (5) comprising supply electronics (50) for actuating the electropneumatic converter (3); and a housing (11) surrounding an interior space (100), characterized by a support body (6) inserted into the interior space (100) and to which the printed circuit board (5) is fastened, wherein the housing (11) and the support body (6) are matched to one another for the in particular pneumatic subdivision of the interior space (100) into an electronics compartment (110) for accommodating at least one electrical and / or electronic component, in particular the supply electronics (50), and a converter compartment (130) for accommodating the electropneumatic converter (3).

2. Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electropneumatic converter (3) is arranged, in particular fastened, on a side of the support body (6) facing away from the electronics compartment (110) and / or the printed circuit board (5).

3. Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converter compartment (130) comprises at least one receptacle (131) in which the electropneumatic converter (3) is arranged, wherein the support body (3) delimits a passage (61) in the region of the receptacle (131) which extends from the housing (11) to the printed circuit board (5).

4. Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the converter compartment (130) comprises at least one further receptacle (141) in which at least one pneumatic sensor (4), such as a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and / or a humidity sensor, is arranged, wherein the support body (6) in the region of the further receptacle (141) has a further A feedthrough (64) is limited, which leads, in particular from the housing (11), to the pneumatic sensor (4) and / or to the printed circuit board (5). Position controller (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pneumatic sensor (4) is arranged on a surface (52) of the printed circuit board (5) facing the transducer compartment (130) and / or that the pneumatic sensor (4) is held on the printed circuit board (5).Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing element, such as a sealing ring (132, 142, 152, 162), is held on the support body (6) in order to separate the transducer compartment (130), in particular the receptacle (131) and / or the at least one further receptacle (141), pneumatically and / or pressure-tight from the electronics compartment (110), wherein in particular at least one sealing element, such as a sealing ring (132, 162), is arranged between the support body (6) and the printed circuit board (5) and / or wherein at least one sealing element, such as a sealing ring (142, 152), is arranged between the support body (6) and the housing (11).Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (11) has a peripheral wall (120) and a base (115) which is at least partially surrounded by the peripheral wall (120) and has a recess (105) corresponding to the printed circuit board (5), and the support body (6) is shaped to match the interior space (100), in particular the recess (105), wherein a free space (125) is provided between the support body (6) and the housing (11), in particular the peripheral wall (120) and / or another housing wall section, in the region of the recess (105). Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cavity (65) is formed between the printed circuit board (5) and the support body (6).Position controller (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the support body (6) comprises a plurality of support sections, such as columns, struts or the like, for supporting the printed circuit board (5), wherein the at least one cavity (65) is formed between the support sections (xxx), in particular a plurality of cavities (65) are formed. Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed circuit board (5) is at least partially, preferably at least in the region of the supply electronics (3), enclosed by an encapsulation, in particular a potting compound (53). Position controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support body is partially, in particular at least in the region of the feedthrough (61) and / or the further feedthroughs (63), enclosed by an encapsulation, in particular a potting compound (53). Method for producing a position controller (1) for a pneumatic actuator for actuating a control valve, such as a control valve, of a process plant, comprising - Providing a circuit board (5) supply electronics (51) and at least one electropneumatic converter (3), - providing a housing (11) with an interior space (100) and a support body (6) insertable into the housing, - inserting the circuit board (5) into the interior (100); and - Fastening the printed circuit board (5) to the housing (11) by means of the support body (6), characterized in that the interior (100) is divided by the support body (6) into an electronics compartment (110) which accommodates the supply electronics (50), and a converter compartment (130) which accommodates the electropneumatic converter (3). Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the printed circuit board (5) is fastened to the support body (6) and the printed circuit board (5) is inserted into the interior (100) together with the support body (6). Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the printed circuit board (5) and / or the support body (6), preferably after insertion into the interior (100), is / are at least partially enclosed by an encapsulation, in particular a potting compound (53).

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