Method and device for adjusting a valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a valve, where an adjustment of a property of the valve and a verification of a function of the valve are carried out, the adjustment and verification being performed in an automated manner.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for adjusting a valve

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting a valve, where an adjustment of a property of the valve is made and a verification of a function of the valve is carried out.

[0002] According to the prior art, it is known to magnetize one or more magnets of an electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV) in such a way that the EHSV has the function that, in the event of control of the coils of the EHSV, a corresponding flow rate is set through the EHSV.

[0003] It is known that the magnetization of the magnet or magnets is carried out by manually placing a magnetizing device on the EHSV, in order to adjust the magnet or magnets of the EHSV to an empirical value.

[0004] Next, the behavior of the EHSV is checked and / or tested using a hydraulic test bench.

[0005] If the behavior of the EHSV does not meet the EHSV requirements, the magnetizing device is manually repositioned on the EHSV, and the magnetization is adjusted. To do this, the value to which the magnet(s) are set is manually adjusted on the magnetizing device by setting the magnetization intensity.

[0006] This process is repeated until the function of the EHSV meets the requirements.

[0007] The disadvantage of the prior art is, in particular, that several steps are carried out manually. In particular, the adjustment of the magnetizing device, the placement of the magnetizing device or the magnetizing head of the magnetizing device on the EHSV, and the testing or verification of the behavior using the hydraulic test bench are at least started manually each time.

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to improve a process mentioned above, in particular with a view to reducing manual activities.

[0009] This objective is achieved by the method having the characteristics of independent claim 1. The advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0010] Therefore, according to the invention, it is envisaged that the setting and verification will be carried out in an automated manner.

[0011] The function of the valve is preferably based at least in part on the property of the valve.

[0012] Preferably, an automatic and / or automated magnetization of an EHSV is carried out.

[0013] The complete process can be partially automated, i.e., for example with at least one manual activity, or fully automated, i.e., for example without any manual activity. A fully automated execution of the process is preferred.

[0014] Preferably, at least the setting and verification are carried out in a fully automated manner.

[0015] The function of the valve can be a flow rate through the valve as a function of a valve control. The function can therefore be a valve behavior based on a characteristic. In other words, a valve characteristic can be set automatically.

[0016] Preferably, the property of the valve is a magnetization of one or more components, in particular magnets, of the valve and / or the function of the valve is a behavior of the valve according to a characteristic based on the magnetization.

[0017] Preferably, automated magnetization and automated adjustment of the magnetic intensity of one or more valve magnets are carried out.

[0018] Preferably, the adjustment and verification are to be carried out only once or repeated iteratively until the valve has the required function.

[0019] Preferably, the setting and verification follow each other automatically as long as the valve does not have the function, in particular with predefined tolerances.

[0020] Preferably, prior to adjustment and verification, the valve is disposed of automatically and / or in an automated or manual manner in a device, in particular a test bench.

[0021] Preferably, prior to adjustment and verification, an adjustment device, in particular a magnetizing device, is disposed automatically and / or automatically on the valve so as to adjust the property, in particular the magnetization of one or more components, of the valve, preferably the adjustment device being removed automatically and / or automatically from the valve after successful verification.

[0022] The adjustment device may be a magnetizing device.

[0023] Preferably, the adjustment is carried out automatically by the adjustment device, for example after the adjustment device has been placed on the valve, and / or in an automated manner.

[0024] Preferably, an automated feeding or delivery of the adjustment device is carried out.

[0025] Preferably, it is envisaged that a first adjustment of the property is carried out with one or more empirical values.

[0026] Preferably, it is provided that a setting of the property which follows the first setting is carried out automatically with values ​​determined on the basis of one or more empirical values ​​and / or on the basis of a first check or a check of the function which follows the first check.

[0027] Preferably, after adjustment and verification, further adjustments of one or more other properties of the valve and / or further checks of one or more other functions of the valve are carried out automatically and / or in an automated manner.

[0028] Preferably, the valve is intended to be an electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV), in particular for an aircraft, preferably an airplane.

[0029] This also applies in a preferred configuration of the invention to all other servovalves.

[0030] The invention also relates to a device with means which are designed to implement a method according to the invention.

[0031] The device may be a test bench and / or include the adjustment device.

[0032] Preferably, the device and / or the adjustment device are automated. As a result, the complete magnetization and function verification of the valve can be carried out automatically.

[0033] The adjustment device is preferably operated automatically and autonomously sets the values ​​required for adjustment, particularly for magnetization. A functional check is then performed automatically by a test bench. Preferably, if the valve function requirements are not met during the check, for example, if the parameters and / or the valve characteristic are not within the required range, the adjustment device autonomously sets new values ​​required for adjustment, particularly for magnetization, and re-magnetizes the valve or one or more valve magnets with or to these values. A functional check is then preferably performed again by the test bench.The adjustment and verification are preferably repeated until the valve function meets the requirements or the valve has the desired function.

[0034] Preferably, the adjustment device is delivered in an automated manner and the valve magnet or magnets are magnetized to an empirical value. For example, the adjustment device is positioned relative to the valve so that magnetization of the valve magnet or magnets can take place.

[0035] Preferably, the verification or test of the valve function is carried out by the test bench in an automated and / or automatic manner after adjustment.

[0036] If the valve does not have the desired function or behavior, the setting or magnetization can preferably be adjusted automatically, and the test or verification can preferably be carried out again.

[0037] Advantageously, a reduction in manual activities, a reduction in physical constraints, and / or an increase in process safety or security can be achieved. Advantageously, a reduced cycle time for valve adjustment can be obtained.

[0038] It is emphasized at this stage that the terms "a" and "an" do not necessarily refer to a single element, although this represents a possible embodiment, but may also designate a plurality of elements. Similarly, the use of the plural also includes the presence of the element in question in the singular, and vice versa, the singular also includes several elements in question. Furthermore, all the features of the invention described herein may be combined with each other or claimed individually.

[0039] Other advantages, features, and effects of the present invention will be derived from the description below of preferred embodiments with reference to the figure. The figure alone shows:

[0040] [Fig.1]: a schematic flow diagram of an example of an embodiment of a process according to the invention.

[0041] The embodiment example relates to an automated adjustment of a valve characteristic in the form of an EHSV.

[0042] The EHSV is then arranged in a device in the form of a test bench.

[0043] In the SI step, the setting of the characteristic is started automatically or manually by the test bench.

[0044] The test bench includes an adjustment device in the form of a magnetizing device.

[0045] In step S2, the magnetizing device is positioned automatically and / or automatically relative to the EHSV, so that magnetization of the EHSV magnets can take place.

[0046] In step S3, the magnets are magnetized automatically and / or automatically with an empirical value.

[0047] In step S4, a function of the EHSV is checked automatically and / or in an automated manner. It is checked whether the EHSV exhibits a desired function, for example, a desired behavior based on a desired characteristic.

[0048] In step S5, it is decided whether or not the EHSV exhibits the desired function. If the EHSV exhibits the desired function, in step S61, the magnetizing device is automatically and / or automatically removed from the EHSV and the next test point of the test bench is started.

[0049] If the EHSV does not exhibit the desired function, in step S62, the magnetization device settings are automatically and / or automatically adjusted to magnetize the EHSV magnets with one or more alternative values, and the EHSV magnets are magnetized with one or more alternative values. Then, starting in step S4, the EHSV function is again automatically and / or automatically checked or tested. Steps S62, S4, and S5 are repeated until the EHSV exhibits the desired function.

[0050] Preferably, the term "automatic" in the sense of the invention means that a step or process takes place autonomously without direct human intervention.

[0051] Preferably, the term "automated" in the context of the invention means that a step or process is carried out at least in part by one or more means without manual intervention, where, for example, a command to start the step or process can be attributed directly or indirectly to human intervention. Manual intervention is preferably a craft activity.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for adjusting a valve, wherein a property of the valve is adjusted and a function of the valve is verified, characterized in that the adjustment and verification are carried out in an automated manner.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the property of the valve is a magnetization of one or more components, in particular magnets, of the valve and / or the function of the valve is a behavior of the valve according to a characteristic based on the magnetization.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment and verification are carried out only once or are repeated iteratively until the valve has the required function.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve is disposed, prior to adjustment and verification, automatically and / or automatically or manually, in a device, in particular a test bench.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to adjustment and verification, an adjustment device, in particular a magnetizing device, is disposed automatically and / or automatically on the valve so as to adjust the property, in particular the magnetization of one or more components, of the valve, preferably the adjustment device being removed automatically and / or automatically from the valve after successful verification.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first adjustment of the property is made with one or more empirical values.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a property setting that follows the first setting is performed automatically with values ​​determined on the basis of one or more empirical values ​​and / or on the basis of a first check or a function check that follows the first check.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after adjustment and verification, further adjustments of one or more other valve properties and / or further verifications 7 of one or more other valve functions are performed automatically and / or in an automated manner.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve is an electro-hydraulic servovalve (EHSV), in particular for an aircraft, preferably an airplane.

10. Device with means which are designed to implement a method according to one of the preceding claims.