Actuating device

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device (10) for a processing system, comprising an actuating drive (12) with a drive rod (12a) that is mounted in the actuating drive (12) in an axially movable manner, an actuating valve (16) with a valve housing (16f), a connecting housing (14), and an adjusting rod (26) which is arranged coaxially to the drive rod (12a). The drive rod (12a) is connected to a first end of the adjusting rod (26) by means of a first rod coupling (24a), and the actuating valve (16) has a valve rod (16a), which can be moved axially in the valve housing (16f) and which is guided by the valve housing, and a valve element, in particular in the form of a valve cone (16b), which is connected to the valve rod (16a) at a first end, wherein the second end of the valve rod (16a) is connected to the second end of the adjusting rod (26) in a coaxial manner by means of a second rod coupling (24b), and the valve cone (16b) interacts with a valve seat (16e) in order to regulate a process fluid in the valve housing (16f). The drive rod (12a), the valve rod (16a), and the adjusting rod (26) are designed and connected together so as to transmit a drive force of the actuating drive (12) to the valve element, and the connecting housing (14) comprises a first housing part (18) and a second housing part (20) which are releasably connected together one behind the other such that the first housing part (18) is connected to the actuating drive (12) and the second housing part (20) is releasably connected to the valve housing (16f). The first rod coupling (24a) is arranged in the first housing part (18), and the second rod coupling (24b) is arranged in the second housing part (20).

Description

[0001] actuator

[0002] The invention relates to an actuating device for a process plant according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a system of an actuating device according to the type specified in claim 18.

[0003] In process engineering plants, for example, process fluid flows in pipes are fed to process engineering processes via control valves. The process fluid flows must be adjusted according to specific control variables, including the flow rate, depending on the process and operation. Furthermore, these process fluid flows can be fed continuously or discontinuously into a process engineering process within the process engineering plant. The control valves are used to control and regulate these process fluid flows.

[0004] Such control devices have been known for some time and typically comprise an actuator and a control valve. The actuator is provided with an actuator housing and an actuator stem mounted in the actuator housing. The actuator housing is connected to the control valve, namely the control valve housing, via a connecting housing, for example a yoke. A valve seat is provided in the control valve housing and is arranged between the inlet with an inlet opening and the outlet with an outlet opening of the control valve. The inlet is fluidically connected to the outlet. A valve rod with a valve element, for example a valve cone, is arranged in the control valve. The valve rod is designed to be axially movable and is mounted in a guided manner in the valve housing.Through the interaction of the valve element and the valve seat, for example by raising and lowering the valve element, the flow rate of a process fluid flowing through the control valve can be adjusted.

[0005] In the valve housing, the actuator stem and valve stem are coaxially connected by a rod coupling. The rod coupling can be equipped with an anti-rotation device that prevents the actuator stem or valve stem from rotating relative to the valve element during operation.

[0006] To configure new control devices, a variety of actuators and control valves of different sizes can be combined. For this purpose, the lengths of the connecting housing and the actuator and valve stem must be matched to the maximum stroke of the actuator and valve element, and appropriate connecting housings must be provided.

[0007] The DE°20 o2020 o 102° 122°U1, for example, discloses an indirect connection between the actuator and valve stems. An adjusting rod is arranged between the actuator and valve stems. At one end of the adjusting rod, the adjusting rod is connected to the actuator stem via a rod coupling. At the other end, the adjusting rod is connected to the valve stem via another rod coupling. This allows an appropriate adjusting rod of the required length to be installed, depending on the size of the actuator and / or control valve and the desired stroke positions of the valve element.

[0008] However, the problem is that the adjustability of the possible stroke positions is limited to the total length of the connecting housing. This requires the connecting housing to be aligned to the most unfavorable height configuration of the valve stem, actuator stem, and adjusting rod, or to the maximum stroke. This results in a disproportionately large connecting housing for smaller actuators and control valves with a smaller maximum stroke, which requires an unnecessarily large amount of installation space.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a control device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that the connecting housing can be easily and variably adapted to different types and sizes of actuators and different types and sizes of control valves without requiring too much installation space.

[0010] The problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

[0011] The invention is based on the finding that a multi-part design of the connecting housing allows a simple adaptation of the length of the connecting housing to different sizes of actuators and control valves by means of parts of the connecting housing.

[0012] According to the invention, the connecting housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The two housing parts are detachably connected to one another. The first housing part is connected to the actuator. The second housing part is detachably connected to the valve housing. The first rod coupling is arranged in the first housing part, and the second rod coupling is arranged in the second housing part.

[0013] This allows the second housing section to be easily removed and installed as needed, allowing it to be replaced with a differently dimensioned second housing section. This allows for easy installation and adaptability to various actuators and control valves.

[0014] The second rod coupling is connected to the adjusting rod on one side and to the valve rod on the other side via a screw connection. Specifically, the second rod coupling has an internal thread, while the adjusting rod and the valve rod each have an external thread. The screw-in depth of the adjusting rod and / or the valve rod allows for fine adjustment of the required length.

[0015] Furthermore, the internal thread of the second rod coupling can be split into two parts, with a left-hand thread on one side and a right-hand thread on the other. The external threads of the adjusting rod and the valve rod are each designed to complement each other. This makes it possible to finely adjust the length of the unit consisting of the adjusting rod, second rod coupling, and valve rod by rotating the second rod coupling.

[0016] This allows easy length adjustment of the unit consisting of the adjusting rod, second rod coupling and valve rod.

[0017] Preferably, the first housing part is detachably connected to the actuator. This allows the first housing part to be easily installed and replaced.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second housing part has a plurality of connecting rods. The connecting rods extend between the valve housing and the first housing part. This allows the second housing part to be easily assembled and adapted to the required dimensions. A simple connection between the first housing part and the valve housing is also possible.

[0019] Preferably, the second housing part has four connecting rods.

[0020] The connecting rods were preferably manufactured by cold forming. Cold forming ensures high strength of the connecting rods, making them robust and torsionally rigid, resistant to external forces.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second housing part has a connecting flange arranged between the connecting rods and the control valve, wherein the connecting flange has receptacles in which the connecting rods are arranged. The second housing part can be easily connected to the control valve via the connecting flange. Furthermore, the connecting rods are connected, in particular screwed, to the connecting flange. This creates a rigid frame that protects the valve rod and adjustment rod arranged within the second housing part.

[0022] Preferably, the second housing part has an anti-rotation device which is arranged between the second housing part and the second rod coupling and acts in such a way that a rotational movement of the valve rod about its longitudinal axis can be prevented.

[0023] The valve element, especially in the form of a valve cone, is exposed to high process pressures. With asymmetrical cone geometries, this can lead to a torque on the actuator stem. High torques can cause the valve stem to twist at the stem coupling. This is counteracted by the anti-twist device.

[0024] Furthermore, the anti-twist device ensures that the flow characteristics and the associated flow characteristics are maintained in the case of asymmetric control contours of valve elements.

[0025] Preferably, the anti-rotation device in the second housing part is configured such that it is arranged vertically adjustable along a connecting rod. This allows the anti-rotation device to be mounted at a specific position on the connecting rod as required. For example, the anti-rotation device can be adapted to valve rods of different lengths. Furthermore, the anti-rotation device can be moved along with the axial movement or stroke of the unit consisting of the actuator rod, adjusting rod, and valve rod.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a stroke indicator device is provided in the second housing part. The stroke indicator device is arranged on a connecting rod between the second rod coupling and the first housing part. The stroke indicator device detects and visualizes an axial movement of the unit consisting of the second rod coupling, adjusting rod, and valve rod relative to the second housing part.

[0027] Preferably, the stroke indicator is formed by a marking element arranged on the associated connecting rod and by a pointer element arranged on the second rod coupling. By axially moving the valve rod by a specific travel distance, the first rod coupling is also moved by this travel distance. This travel distance can be visualized using the markings.

[0028] To ensure a simple connection between the actuator and the first housing part on one side, and between the first housing part and the second housing part on the other side, the first housing part has two opposing mounting plates. The mounting plates are aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the actuator stem. The first mounting plate is designed to be connected to the actuator. The second mounting plate is designed to be connected to the second housing part.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first housing part has two opposing side plates, each parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive rod, which are connected to the mounting plates. The side plates are designed, in particular, as mounting plates.

[0030] The rectangular base frame of the first housing part is preferably designed as a cast construction. The rectangular design of the first housing part creates several surfaces to which components or structures can be easily attached.

[0031] Preferably, at least one side plate has a receiving structure for additional functional units. The receiving structure enables, in particular, a positive connection with another functional unit. This allows functional units to be easily attached to the first connecting housing and, if necessary, replaced.

[0032] Preferably, the first receiving structure is designed as a NAMUR rib. The first receiving structure can also be designed as another, different standardized interface.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a position controller forms a functional unit. The position controller controls the actuator.

[0034] Preferably, a stroke sensing device forms a functional unit. The stroke sensing device is designed to detect the axial movement of the unit consisting of the first rod coupling, drive rod, and adjusting rod and convert it into a corresponding signal.

[0035] The stroke sensing device is preferably designed as a contactless position measuring system or as a limit signal transmitter.

[0036] A further aspect of the invention relates to a system of an actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of second housing parts of different lengths, a plurality of differently designed actuators and / or control valves, and a plurality of differently designed adjusting rods are provided.

[0037] By using second housing sections and adjusting rods of different lengths, the actuator can be variably adapted to the size of the actuator and control valve without having to replace the entire connecting housing. This eliminates unnecessary installation space. This provides a maximum degree of modularity while simultaneously minimizing the overall height of the actuator.

[0038] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0039] In the description, claims, and drawings, the terms and associated reference symbols used in the list of reference symbols below are used. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of the actuator;

[0040] Fig. 2 a side view of the actuator, and

[0041] Fig. 3 is a perspective view from above of the actuator without a control valve.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of the actuator 10.

[0043] The actuator 10 comprises an actuator 12, a connecting housing 14 and a control valve 16. The connecting housing 14 is formed in two parts and comprises a first housing part 18 and a second housing part 20. The actuator 12 is formed rotationally symmetrically about an axis 22.

[0044] The actuator 12 comprises an actuator housing 12c, which is internally separated by a support plate-diaphragm arrangement 12b into a working chamber 12f and a return chamber 12g. The actuator housing 12c is provided with a pneumatic input connection 12h, via which the working chamber 12f can be subjected to a control pressure. The working chamber 12f is separated from the return chamber 12g in a fluid-tight manner by the support plate-diaphragm arrangement 12b. Return springs 13 are arranged in the return chamber 12g. Via a control pressure, the support plate-diaphragm arrangement 12b is moved in one direction against the force of the return springs 13 and, when the control pressure decreases, in the other direction by the force of the return springs 13. The actuator 12 is a conventional actuator.

[0045] The actuator 12 is connected to one end of the connecting housing 14, namely the first housing part 18. The other end of the connecting housing 14, namely the second housing part 20, is connected to the control valve 16.

[0046] The actuator 12 has a drive rod 12a in the actuator housing 12c, which extends partially into the first housing part 18 and is designed to be movable in the axial direction along the axis 22 over the actuator 12. An adjusting rod 26 is arranged partially in the first housing part 18.

[0047] A first end of the actuator rod 12a is connected in the first housing part 18 via a first rod coupling 24a to a first end of the adjusting rod 26 such that an axial movement of the actuator rod 12a can be transmitted. The actuator rod 12a and the adjusting rod 26 are arranged coaxially to each other and to the axis 22. The other end of the actuator rod 12a is connected to the support plate-diaphragm assembly 12b of the actuator 12 in the actuator housing 12c.

[0048] The first rod coupling 24a has two sides, with a threaded receptacle being introduced into the first rod coupling 24a from each side.

[0049] The first rod coupling 24a is designed such that the drive rod 12a is screwed into the first rod coupling 24a from the first side via an external thread with a corresponding internal thread of the first rod coupling 24a. The adjusting rod 26 is screwed into the first rod coupling 24a from the other side.

[0050] Other positive-locking connections between the drive rod 12a and the first rod coupling 24a and the adjusting rod 26 and the first rod coupling 24a are also conceivable.

[0051] The first housing part 18 is sealed to the outside and is connected to the actuator housing 12c via a mounting plate 18c. The actuator rod 12a is mounted in a guide 12e. Sealing elements 12d are inserted into the guide 12e, which pneumatically seal the working chamber 12f of the actuator 12.

[0052] The first housing part 18 can also be detachably connected to the actuator housing 12c.

[0053] The adjusting rod 26 extends into the second housing part 20. The other end of the adjusting rod 26 is connected in the second housing part 20 via a second rod coupling 24b to a valve rod 16a of the control valve 16, which extends into the second housing part 20. The adjusting rod 26 and the valve rod 16a are arranged coaxially with each other. The other end of the valve rod 16a is connected to a valve cone 16b in the control valve 16.

[0054] The second rod coupling 24b has a split internal thread. A right-hand thread is introduced on a first side and a left-hand thread on a second side. The adjusting rod 26 has an external thread at its other end, which is screwed in from the first side of the second rod coupling 24b. The valve rod 16a is screwed in from a second side of the second rod coupling 24b. This makes it possible to easily adjust the length of the unit consisting of the adjusting rod 26, the second rod coupling 24b, and the valve rod 16a by rotating the second rod coupling 24b.

[0055] It is also conceivable that a left-hand thread is introduced into the second rod coupling 24b from the first side and a right-hand thread from the second side.

[0056] The second housing part 20 comprises four connecting rods 20a. The second housing part 20 has a stroke indicator 28. The stroke indicator 28 is arranged between the adjusting rod 26 and the second rod coupling 24b and a connecting rod 20a. A marking element 28a is provided on one connecting rod 20a. The marking element 28a has a scale for detecting and illustrating an axial movement of the unit consisting of the valve rod 16a, adjusting rod 26, and drive rod 12a.

[0057] The connecting rods 20a are cold-formed.

[0058] Furthermore, an anti-rotation device 30 is provided in the second housing part 20. This device is arranged between a connecting rod 20a and the second rod coupling 24b. The anti-rotation device 30 has a clamping area 30a and a support area 30b. The anti-rotation device 30 is axially guided in the support area 30b between two adjacent connecting rods 20a and is connected to the second rod coupling 24b in the clamping area 30a via a radially acting clamping connection. The anti-rotation device 30 is designed to counteract and prevent any rotational movement of the second rod coupling 24b or of the valve rod 16a with valve cone 16b.

[0059] The anti-twist device 30 is designed to be height-adjustable due to the axial guidance along two connecting rods 20a.

[0060] The second housing part 20 further comprises a connecting flange 32. The connecting rods 20a are screwed to threaded receptacles of the connecting flange 32. The connecting flange 32 is connected to the control valve 16. The valve rod 16a is mounted in a guided manner in the connecting flange 32. Seals (not shown here) are provided which seal the control valve 16 to the valve rod 16a. The control valve 16 comprises a valve housing 16f with an inlet 16c and an outlet 16d. A valve seat 16e is arranged between the inlet 16c and the outlet 16d. The inlet 16c and the outlet 16d are fluidly connected via the valve seat 16e.

[0061] The end of the valve stem 16a has a valve cone 16b. The valve cone 16b interacts with the valve seat 16e. The axial position of the valve cone 16b relative to the valve seat 16e allows the process fluid flowing through the control valve 16 to be controlled and the flow rate to be adjusted.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the actuator 10.

[0063] The first housing part 18 has a NAMUR rib 34 on a connecting plate 18d. Additional components, such as a stroke sensor, can be mounted on the NAMUR rib 34. This sensor detects the axial movement of the unit consisting of the first rod coupling 24a, drive rod 12a, and adjustment rod 26 and converts it into a corresponding signal. For example, the stroke sensor can be designed as a non-contact position measuring system or as a limit switch.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view obliquely from above of the actuator 12 and the connecting housing 14 in the connected state.

[0065] The first housing part 18 has two opposite side plates 18a, 18b. A position controller 36 is arranged on the second side plate 18b and is connected to the second side plate 18b.

[0066] The side plates 18a, 18b are designed so that additional functional units, such as controllers or sensors, can be attached.

[0067] The rectangular first housing part 18 is formed by two side plates 18a, 18b, two connecting plates 18d, and two mounting plates 18c. The first housing part 18 is formed in one piece.

[0068] Several sets of different connecting rods 20a are provided, each with different lengths. Furthermore, it is possible to use different types and sizes of actuators 12 and control valves 16 for the actuator 10. The length of the connecting rods 20a allows the second housing part to be easily adapted to the requirements of the different actuators 12 and control valves 16 in terms of the required stroke and size, so that a disproportionate amount of installation space is not required for the actuator 10. The length of the connecting housing 14 is thus optimally adapted to the required requirements.

[0069] List of reference symbols

[0070] 10 Actuator

[0071] 12 Actuator

[0072] 12a Actuator rod 12

[0073] 12b Support plate-diaphragm arrangement of the actuator 12

[0074] 12c Actuator housing

[0075] 12d Sealing elements of the actuator 12

[0076] 12e Guide of the actuator 12

[0077] 12f Working chamber of the actuator 12

[0078] 12g Actuator return chamber 12

[0079] 12h pneumatic input connection of the actuator 12

[0080] 13 Return spring

[0081] 14 connection housings

[0082] 16 Control valve

[0083] 16a Valve stem of the control valve 16

[0084] 16b Valve cone of control valve 16

[0085] 16c Inlet of control valve 16

[0086] 16d Outlet of control valve 16

[0087] 16e Valve seat of the control valve 16

[0088] 16f Valve housing of control valve 16

[0089] 18 first housing part

[0090] 18a first side plate of the first housing part 18

[0091] 18b second side plate of the first housing part 18

[0092] 18c Mounting plate of the first housing part 18

[0093] 18d Connecting plate of the first housing part 18

[0094] 20 second housing part 20a connecting rod of the second housing part 20

[0095] 22 Axis

[0096] 24a first rod coupling

[0097] 24b second rod coupling 26 adjusting rod

[0098] 28 Stroke indicator device

[0099] 28a Marking element of the stroke indicator 28

[0100] 30 Anti-twist device

[0101] 30a Clamping area of ​​the anti-twist device 30 30b Support area of ​​the anti-twist device 30

[0102] 32 connecting flange

[0103] 34 NAMUR rib

[0104] 36 positioners

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. A control device (10) for a process plant, comprising an actuator (12) with an actuating rod (12a) mounted axially movably in the actuator (12), a control valve (16) with a valve housing (16f), a connecting housing (14), and an adjusting rod (26) arranged coaxially to the actuating rod (12a), wherein the actuating rod (12a) is connected to a first end of the adjusting rod (26) by means of a first rod coupling (24a), and the control valve (16) has a valve rod (16a) that is axially movable in the valve housing (16f) and guided thereby, and a valve member, in particular in the form of a valve cone (16b), connected to the valve rod (16a) at a first end, wherein the second end of the valve rod (16a) is coaxially connected to the second end of the adjusting rod (26) by a second rod coupling (24b), and the valve cone (16b) in the valve housing (16f) cooperates with a valve seat (16e) for regulating a process fluid,wherein the drive rod (12a), the valve rod (16a) and the adjusting rod (26) are designed to transmit a drive force of the actuator (12) to the valve member and are connected to one another, characterized in that the connecting housing (14) comprises a first housing part (18) and a second housing part (20) which are detachably connected to one another one behind the other such that the first housing part (18) is connected to the actuator (12) and the second housing part (20) is detachably connected to the valve housing (16f), and wherein the first rod coupling (24a) is arranged in the first housing part (18) and the second rod coupling (24b) is arranged in the second housing part (20).

2. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first housing part (18) is designed to be detachable from the actuator (12).

3. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second housing part (20) has a plurality of connecting rods (20a) which are arranged between the valve housing (16f) and the first housing part (18).

4. Actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the second housing part (20) has four connecting rods (20a).

5. Actuator according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by cold-formed connecting rods (20a).

6. Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second housing part has a connecting flange (32) which is arranged between the connecting rods (20a) and the control valve (16), wherein the connecting flange (32) has receptacles in which the connecting rods (20a) are arranged.

7. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second housing part (20) has an anti-rotation device (30) which is arranged between the second housing part (20) and the second rod coupling (24b) and acts such that a rotational movement of the valve rod (16a) about its longitudinal axis (22) is prevented.

8. Actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that the anti-rotation device (30) is arranged in the second housing part (20) along a connecting rod (20a) so as to be height-adjustable.

9. Actuator according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that a stroke indicator device (28) is provided in the second housing part (20), which is arranged between the second rod coupling (24b) and the first housing part (18) on a connecting rod (20a) and detects and illustrates an axial movement of the unit comprising the second rod coupling (24b), adjusting rod (26) and valve rod (16a) in relation to the second housing part (20).

10. Actuating device according to one of claims 9, characterized in that the stroke indicator device (28) is formed by a marking element (28a) arranged on the associated connecting rod (20a) and by a pointer element arranged on the second rod coupling (24b).

11. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (18) has two opposite mounting plates (18c), wherein the mounting plates (18c) are aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis (22) of the drive rod (12a), and wherein the first mounting plate (18c) is designed such that it can be connected to the actuator (12) and the second mounting plate (18c) is designed such that it can be connected to the second housing part (20).

12. Actuator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (18) has two opposite side plates (18a, 18b) each formed parallel to the longitudinal axis (22) of the drive rod (12a) and connected to the mounting plates (18c).

13. Actuating device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one side plate (18a, 18b) has at least one receiving structure for further functional units, wherein the receiving structure in particular enables a positive connection with the further functional units.

14. Actuator according to claim 13, characterized in that at least a first receiving structure is designed as a NAMUR rib (34).

15. Actuating device according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a position controller (36) forms the functional unit.

16. Actuating device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a stroke sensing device forms the functional unit which detects the axial movement of the unit comprising the first rod coupling (24a), drive rod (12a) and adjusting rod (26) and converts it into a corresponding signal.

17. Actuator according to claim 16, characterized in that the stroke sensing device is designed as a contactless position measuring system or as a limit signal transmitter.

18. System of an actuating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by several second housing parts (20) of different lengths, several differently designed actuators (12) and / or control valves (16), and several adjusting rods of different lengths (26).

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