METHOD FOR COMMISSIONING ACTUATORS

• US 20090150107A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB AG (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Scholz, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/94
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/002 Calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2652 Single actuator operates plural outlets simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3012 Common actuator for control valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/538 Expansible chamber operated by valve actuator for draining riser
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/12 with fluid-pressure actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/1208 with measuring, indicating or control means

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for commissioning pneumatically operated actuators that are controlled by a positioner. To determine the drive type, a constant flow of pneumatic fluid is applied to the actuator during commissioning while a drive-specific characteristic curve of the fed back position is recorded over time. Then the measured characteristic curve is compared with a given specimen characteristic curve. The drive type is inferred from the level of difference or agreement between the drive-specific characteristic curve and the specimen characteristic curve.

Claims

1. A method for commissioning pneumatically operated actuators that are controlled by a positioner, comprising:

a constant flow of pneumatic fluid is applied to the actuator during commissioning,

while the pneumatic fluid is applied, a drive-specific characteristic curve of the fed back position is recorded over time,

the measured characteristic curve is compared with a given lo specimen characteristic curve, and

the drive type of the actuator is inferred from the level of difference or agreement between the drive-specific characteristic curve and the specimen characteristic curve.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the given specimen characteristic curve is determined by idealizing known characteristic curves of one of the two drive types to be distinguished.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the level of agreement between the characteristic curve of the observed actuator and the specimen characteristic curve is determined by cross-correlation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the level of agreement between the characteristic curve of the observed actuator and the specimen characteristic curve is determined by cross-correlation.

5. An arrangement for commissioning an actuator, comprising:

a positioner capable of determining a drive type based on a constant flow of pneumatic fluid applied to the actuator;

a lifting rod mechanically caused to be moved by the constant flow of pneumatic fluid to the actuator; and

a position sensor that senses the movement of the lifting rod for feedback signaling to the positioner, wherein the positioner records data for a drive-specific characteristic curve based on the feedback signal for comparison of the measured characteristic curve with a given specimen characteristic curve to infer the drive type.

6. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the drive type is inferred based on a level of difference or agreement between the drive-specific characteristic curve and the specimen characteristic curve.

7. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is a pneumatically operated actuator.