Method for detecting the drive type of an actuator (II)

US8281705B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ABB AG · US

Inventors

• Thomas Kleegrewe · Minden, DE
• Stefan Engelke · Haste, DE
• Andreas Stelter · Minden, DE
• Wolfgang Scholz · Minden, DE
• Urs E. Meier · Aesch, CH
• Detlef Pape · Nussbaumen, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 5, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 9, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 7, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B21/22
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for detecting the drive type of an actuator, e.g., a pneumatic actuator, having a positioner for operating a final control element in a process engineering plant. The actuator is connected to the positioner by a mounting set, the positioner comprising an electronic control unit, which uses a microcontroller to receive one or more input signals, and to output actuating signals to control the flow of gas to or from the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensors are equipped with a rotational measuring system. During commissioning of the actuator, the relationship between the drive volumes and the position signal is found and compared with transfer characteristics of known drive types. Where there is a match between the transfer characteristic defined by the value pairs of the given actuator and one of the transfer characteristics of the known drive types, the identified drive type is assigned to the given actuator.