Electropneumatic field device

• US 9,285,056 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samson AG
• Original Assignee: Samson AG
• Inventors: Kolbenschlag, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reid, Jr., Charles
• Application Number:
  US13/327,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20120153633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 362/192, 362/205, 455/127.1, 455/91, 322/3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0033 using a permanent magnet, e.g. in combination with a reed relays
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1884 structurally associated with free piston engines

Abstract

In an electropneumatic field device for controlling a pneumatic actuator, an energy converter converts pneumatic energy of a pneumatic power supply of the actuator into electrical energy. An oscillating permanent magnet receives a compressed air pulse to perform a forward motion. A return device transmits a return force to the oscillating permanent magnet for performing a return motion opposite to the forward motion. An electrical voltage is induced into a coil of the energy converter by the forward and return motions of the oscillating permanent magnet. The return device is designed to generate a magnetic field that is polarized with respect to the oscillating permanent magnet such that a magnetic repulsion return force induces the return motion.

Claims

1. An electropneumatic field device system for supply with pneumatic energy, comprising:

a valve;

a pneumatic actuator for receiving said pneumatic energy and connected to actuate the valve;

an electropneumatic field controller controlling said pneumatic actuator by controlling said pneumatic energy to said pneumatic actuator;

an energy converter for converting the pneumatic energy also supplied to the pneumatic actuator into electrical energy;

said energy converter comprising

an oscillating permanent magnet that receives a compressed air pulse to perform a forward motion,

a return transmitting a return force to the oscillating permanent magnet resulting in a return motion opposite to the forward motion, an electrical voltage being induced in a coil of the energy converter by the forward and return motions of the oscillating permanent magnet,

the return being designed to generate a magnetic field that is polarized with respect to the oscillating permanent magnet such that a magnetic repulsion return force induces the return motion; and

a pressure controller for supplying said pneumatic energy to the energy converter.

2. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein the return comprises a stationary permanent magnet stationary with respect to the coil of the energy converter, and wherein equal poles of the oscillating permanent magnet and the stationary permanent magnet are assigned to each other and disposed opposite to each other.

3. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein the oscillating permanent magnet is attached to an actuating piston in a cavity of a housing of the energy converter for a translational forward and return motion so that the oscillating permanent magnet can plunge in and out of the coil, and wherein an air supply duct via which said pneumatic energy comprising compressed air can be administered for creation of the compressed air pulse is connected to a cylinder guide containing said actuating piston, and the cylinder guide defining a pneumatic pressure chamber that is hermetically sealed for generating the compressed air pulse, and which is also vented depending on a position of the oscillating permanent magnet.

4. The field device system according to claim 3 wherein said air supply duct can be blocked or cleared for generating the compressed air pulse along with an exhaust air duct built into the actuating piston.

5. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein said compressed air pulse is supplied into the pressure chamber by said pressure controller comprising an electropneumatic valve.

6. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein said pressure controller is provided as a pressure reducer and which is provided for administration of compressed air to keep supply pressure of the energy converter constant so that the oscillation of the piston is maintained.

7. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein the coil has an electrical contact for the induced electrical voltage and to which a power control circuit is connected to control a collected electrical power as a result of the induced electrical voltage to be dispensed to a user, the power control circuit being connected to an electrical storage, and the power control circuit loading excess electrical power into the storage device if generated electrical power exceeds consumption of a respective electrical load.

8. The field device system according to claim 7 wherein the power control circuit is preceded by a rectifier converting induced alternating current into a direct current.

9. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein an electrical control is connected to an electrical connection of the coil, the electrical control powering an electropneumatic valve as said pressure controller, said valve being in pneumatic connection with a pressure chamber of the energy converter, and the electrical control controlling the valve such that said compressed air pulse is created and operationally adjusted for the oscillating permanent magnet.

10. The field device system according to claim 1 wherein said compressed air pulse is generated by said pressure controller and is fed by said pressure controller through a supply duct to a pneumatic pressure chamber which performs said forward motion of said oscillating permanent magnet, or said compressed air pulse being generated by feeding said pneumatic energy to said pressure controller connected to a pressure chamber through an air supply duct, said pressure chamber having a supply and exhaust air passage which when aligned with said air supply duct allows compressed air to flow into said pressure chamber and which when aligned with a venting duct in a venting chamber housing containing said permanent magnet allows air to vent.

11. A method for providing an electrical power supply for a pneumatic field device system for supply with pneumatic energy, said field device system comprising a valve, a pneumatic actuator connected to actuate the valve, the pneumatic energy being supplied to the pneumatic actuator, and an electropneumatic field controller controlling said pneumatic actuator by controlling said pneumatic energy to said pneumatic actuator, comprising the steps of:

providing an energy converter for converting the pneumatic energy also supplied to the pneumatic actuator into electrical energy, said energy converter having an oscillating permanent magnet that receives a compressed air pulse to perform a forward motion, a return transmitting a return force to the oscillating permanent magnet resulting in a return motion opposite to the forward motion, and an electrical voltage being induced in a coil of the energy converter by the forward and return motions of the oscillating permanent magnet;

providing a pressure controller for supplying said pneumatic energy to the energy converter; and

generating a magnetic field with said return that is polarized with respect to the oscillating permanent magnet such that a magnetic repulsion return force induces the return motion.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said compressed air pulse is generated by said pressure controller and is fed by said pressure controller through a supply duct to a pneumatic pressure chamber which performs said forward motion of said oscillating permanent magnet, or said compressed air pulse being generated by feeding said pneumatic energy to said pressure controller connected to a pressure chamber through an air supply duct, said pressure chamber having a supply and exhaust air passage which when aligned with said air supply duct allows compressed air to flow into said pressure chamber and which when aligned with a venting duct in a venting chamber housing containing said permanent magnet allows air to vent.