Flow controller, valve arrangement and method

US11561560B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Festo SE & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Valentin Falkenhahn · Stuttgart, DE
• Gerhard Gommel · Notzingen, DE
• Daniel Klassen · Eßlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2021
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 23, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/7761
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A flow controller includes a valve unit for influencing the flow of a fluid through a fluid channel, a flow sensor for detecting the flow of the fluid through the fluid channel, a pressure sensor arrangement for detecting a fluid pressure of the fluid, and a control unit which is adapted to, in response to the flow being within a measurement range of the flow sensor, assume a first operating mode, and, in the first operating mode, to perform a first closed-loop flow control on the basis of the flow detected by the flow sensor, and, in response to the flow being outside the measurement range of the flow sensor, assume a second operating mode, and, in the second operating mode, to perform an open-loop flow control on the basis of the detected fluid pressure and/or to perform a second closed-loop flow control on the basis of the detected fluid pressure.