Sensor device for a fluid power apparatus

• US 8,332,179 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Festo SE & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
• Inventors: Nolle, Gerhard, Arbter, Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Moffat, Jonathan C Teixeira
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENSON, MISCHITA L
• Application Number:
  US12/042,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20080243422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,743 Days
• Field of Search: 702/50, 702/104, 702/138
• US Class Current: 702/138
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0839 Stacked plate type valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/085 Electrical controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/086 Sensing means, e.g. pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0867 Data bus systems
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0889 Valves combined with electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/005 Fault detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6336 representing a state of the output member, e.g. position, speed or acceleration

Abstract

A sensor device for a fluid power apparatus and in particular a pneumatic cylinder comprises at least one sensor for producing at least one sensor value on the basis of a property or a condition of the fluid power apparatus, and a sensor communication means for the transmission of the at least one sensor value. As regards the sensor device there is a provision such that it includes a reading means for reading apparatus identification data characterizing the fluid power apparatus and the sensor device is adapted for the transmission of the apparatus identification data by way of the sensor communication means.

Claims

1. A sensor device for a fluid power apparatus, the sensor device comprising:

a housing separate from the fluid power apparatus;

at least one sensor for producing at least one sensor value on the basis of a property or a condition of the fluid power apparatus, the at least one sensor being disposed in the housing; and

a sensor communication means for the transmission of the at least one sensor value, the sensor communication means being disposed in the housing, wherein the sensor device includes a reading means configured to obtain apparatus identification data representing at least one mechanical property of the fluid power apparatus that is not sensed in the fluid power apparatus by the at least one sensor, the sensor device being adapted for transmission of the apparatus identification data by using the sensor communication means, the sensor device being configured to convert or complement the at least one sensor value based on the apparatus identification data, the reading means being connected with a receiving means for the reception of apparatus identification data transmitted by the fluid power apparatus or reading apparatus identification data from an apparatus memory of the fluid power apparatus, said device being adapted for locating second apparatus identification data in the sensor memory on the basis of first apparatus identification data transmitted by the fluid power apparatus.

2. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus identification data includes at least one physical property of the fluid power apparatus.

3. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, comprising a sensor memory in which the apparatus identification data are stored.

4. The sensor device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises memory sensor identification data characterizing the sensor device stored therein and the sensor device is responsible for output of the sensor identification data by way of the sensor communication means.

5. The sensor device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sensor memory is able to be programmed by a user with the apparatus identification data.

6. The sensor device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the sensor memory is a non-volatile memory.

7. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reading means is connected with a receiving means for the reception of apparatus identification data transmitted by the fluid power apparatus or reads apparatus identification data from an apparatus memory of the fluid power apparatus.

8. The sensor device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the receiving means is designed for wireless communication with the fluid power apparatus.

9. The sensor device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said device is adapted for locating second apparatus identification data in the sensor memory on the basis of first apparatus identification data transmitted by the fluid power apparatus.

10. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor communication means include at least one bus interface and in particular a field bus interface.

11. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said device is adapted for automatic transmission of apparatus identification data as part of a signing up procedure on coupling with an automated system.

12. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said device includes an electrical energy storage means and in particular a long term storage means.

13. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor device exhibits an energy economy function, in which it switches over to an energy saving quiescent mode after a predetermined time.

14. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor device constitutes an integral component of the fluid power apparatus.

15. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor device is in the form of an intermediate module able to be operated remote from the fluid power apparatus.

16. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor device constitutes a sensor module able to be arranged on the fluid power apparatus and detachably secured in place thereon.

17. The sensor device as set forth in claim 16, comprising electrical contacts for providing a connection with a memory of the fluid power apparatus when the sensor device is arranged on the fluid power apparatus.

18. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid power apparatus includes a valve or a power cylinder or a servicing device or a vacuum means.

19. The sensor device as set forth in claim 1, comprising diagnostic means for retrieving diagnostic data as regards the fluid power apparatus.

20. The sensor device as set forth in claim 19, wherein said sensor device is adapted for the output of the diagnostic data using a display arranged on the sensor device.