Fluid handling – Systems – With flow control means for branched passages
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-01-30
Fox, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With flow control means for branched passages
C137S269000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179006
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a tabular assembly base for the detachable mounting of a valve unit, in which several valve modules are placed together as an assembly group, load ducts, adapted to be connected with loads to be controlled, being formed in the assembly base, such load ducts being associated in groups with different valve modules of the valve unit and communicating with power ducts of the respectively associated valve module when the valve unit is mounted.
1. Description of the Prior Art
The German patent publication 4,413,657 C1 discloses a valve unit composed of several valve modules placed in a row together with terminally arranged terminating modules, which are collected together with the formation of a unit. The necessary connections with the loads to be driven are produced by connecting pressure medium lines which lead to the loads, by power fluid ducts, which open at the lower side of the unit, directly with the respective valve modules.
Alternatively to this a connection of the loads using a plate-like “pneumatic multi-pole” as a tabular assembly base as sold by the assignee. In this respect it is a question of a plain plate, on which the previously assembled valve unit is attached bodily in a detachable fashion. The pressure medium lines leading to the loads are in this case connected with the assembly base so that in case of need the valve unit may be removed without the pressure medium lines having to be removed separately. Furthermore the supply and removal of the pressure medium required for the operation of the valve modules, as for example compressed air, can be via the assembly base.
However it has turned out that the known pneumatic multipole designed in the form of a plain plate is not always able to do justice to the ever increasing requirements as regards flexibility and adaptability. Thus, dependent on the number of the valve modules, assembly bases with different dimensions required. This makes it necessary to take many different measures as regards stockholding and logistics, which are not without effect on the costs of manufacture. Furthermore, the operator of the valve unit as well must completely replace the tabular assembly base if the unit is to be further developed.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is consequently to create a tabular assembly base of the type initially mentioned, which while reducing costs of manufacture renders possible substantially more flexible and adaptable application.
In order to achieve this object the assembly base is in a modular manner composed of a plurality of individual base segments joined together as a rigid unit, such units including a plurality of connection segments associated with at least one valve module and having at least one group of load ducts, such connection segments being at least partially fitted with at least one electrical and/or fluid power functional unit associated with a load duct.
Accordingly the invention contemplates an assembly base which still has plate-like rigid properties and may be employed as a fluid power multipole. However as compared with the prior art there are substantially better possibilities of universal application, since individual assembly of the assembly base is possible as an adaptation to the associated valve unit. Subsequent enlargement of the valve unit can take place without any difficulty by suitable further additions to the assembly base with a suitable number of connection segments. Stockholding and logistics complexity in connection with the manufacture of the assembly base is considerably reduced, since on the basis of a certain number of standardized connection segments a large number of different assembly bases may be produced. It has further turned out that functionality may be increased in an extremely simple fashion as well using the modularly designed assembly base. Thus it is possible for connection segments to be individually or jointly provided with electrical and/or fluid power functional units, which cooperate with one or more of the load ducts extending in the associated connection segment in order in the desired manner to influence the supply of pressure medium to the connected load, to monitor such supply of pressure medium or cause some desired function to be performed in a manner dependent on the supply of pressure medium. Only one connection segment must be installed, which has the desired functional unit, substitution or addition of suitably fitted connection segments being possible if required later. The invention thus provides an assembly base which is extremely adaptable and flexible not only as regards the mechanical aspect in relation to the structure but also as regards functionality.
Advantageous further developments of the invention are recited in the claims. The selection of the functional units to be employed is practically unlimited. Thus for instance plain fluid power functional units such as check valves, pressure controllers or so-called choke check valves, that is to say combinations of a choke and a check valve, can be employed. As electrical functional units—the term “electrical” also the being understood to mean electronic structures—pressure detection units would be possible for example, which operate on the basis of a p/e transducer and may be employed as pressure switches, which when certain pressure level is reached—in the case of vacuum applications as well—produce signals which may be further processed, as for instance for controlling the valve unit or at least the valve module associated with it. Purely electrical interrogation functions are naturally also possible.
A particularly compact structure is produced if the all or at least some of the functional units are integrated in the associated connection segment or installed therein.
The connection segments may if necessary be so designed that, in the assembled state of the valve unit thereon, only one module or simultaneously several adjacently placed modules are arranged of them. In this case there is also the possibility of associating a single group of load ducts with a common connection segment, such ducts then having a larger cross section in order to allow for higher flow rates.
At a position which is at the end in terms of the direction of assembly, it is possible to provide base segments, which are designed in the form of coupling segments and render possible the coupling up of further groups of components, the possibility of coupling further elements not necessarily being limited to assembly bases in accordance with the invention.
It is furthermore an advantage to provide a terminal segment at the end of the row of connection segments and—in the case of the presence of coupling segments—between the arrangement of the connection segments and a respective coupling segment, such terminal segment being fitted with supply and/or discharge ducts, which when the valve unit is mounted communicate with supply and venting ducts, which are formed in one or two connection modules of the valve unit and are supplied via the valve modules with pressure medium or via which the vented air coming from the loads and any pilot valves may be discharged.
A particularly simple structure is produced if the individual base segments of the assembly base are braced together by means of ties extending in the direction of assembly so that if required there is the possibility of replacing individual connection segments, of adding extra connection segments or removing any connection segment, which is no longer required.
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3111139 (1963-11-01), Beckett et al.
patent: 3589387 (1971-06-01), Raymond
patent: 4170214 (1979-10-01), Gill et al.
patent: 5301717 (1994-04-01), Goedecke
patent: 22 64 091 A1 (1973-07-01), None
patent: 28 12 927 A1 (1979-10-01), None
patent: 42 22 637 A1 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 42 29 054 A1 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 44 13 657 C1 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 0 002 187 A1 (197
Beyer Dieter
Stoll Kurt
Festo AG & Co.
Fox John
Hoffman & Baron LLP
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