Piab Aktiebolag

Xerex Ab

Piab Ab

Gustaf Wigren

Peter Engborg

Simon Ahlin Högfeldt

Daniel Söderman

Daniel SÖDERMAN

Simon Ahlin HÖGFELDT

A vacuum system () and method () used for creating a dynamically controlled vacuum system () for lifting processes (Wc) are disclosed. The compressed air used for an ejector () is varied by calculating the required vacuum levels (V) during the lifting process (Wc). This reduces the air consumption.

Controlling a vacuum system comprising a vacuum generator arrangement

A method for controlling a vacuum generator () in a vacuum system () for transportation of objects, which vacuum system () comprises a vacuum generator () driven by a compressed air flow via a first on/off valve (), wherein the vacuum generator () is arranged to be brought in flow connection with the vacuum gripper means () comprised in the vacuum system (), in order to supply vacuum to the vacuum gripper means () in result of the compressed air flow, wherein the vacuum system () comprises a second valve (), which is arranged to supply compressed air into the vacuum system (); one centralized pressure sensor () used for monitoring a system pressure (P) inside the vacuum system () and for adaptive blow-off; and a vacuum system controller (), wherein if the on/off valve () is not flowing air to the vacuum generator (), the vacuum system controller () indicates a state of no vacuum generation, and the second valve () is activated, allowing an amount of compressed air to flow into the vacuum-system () for blow-off, using vacuum system properties being characterized with respect to volume and flow-restriction in relation to the blow-off capacity of the blow-off function and for every release cycle wherein blow-off is terminated and excessive air injected into the system is released through the vacuum gripper means, analyzing pressure propagation following blow-off for calculating a duration of when the vacuum system () is being fully pressure-equalized (E) in parts of the vacuum gripper means by using a compensation factor (k), wherein the compensation factor (k) is stored and used for the next release cycle.

Controlling a vacuum system comprising a vacuum generator

The invention relates to energy saving in vacuum systems by means of a method and a controller enabling to consider the fluctuation in system-pressure of a system by determining a maximum system-pressure SH and a minimum system-pressure Sfor each working cycle Wbased on a determined target system-pressure pand a pre-set system-pressure pfor the current working cycle W(n=1, 2, 3, . . . ). The method is especially adapted to fluctuations in system-pressure level of a vacuum system comprising a vacuum gripper tool.

A controller for controlling a vacuum generator in a vacuum system for transportation of objects, which vacuum system comprises a vacuum generator driven by a compressed air flow via a first on/off valve, to supply vacuum to a vacuum gripper, the vacuum system comprises a second valve arranged to supply compressed air into the vacuum system; a pressure sensor for monitoring a system-pressure inside a vacuum chamber; and the controller that is arranged to communicate with the first on/off valve, the second valve and the pressure sensor; and when the on/off valve is not flowing air to the vacuum generator, and the controller indicates a state of no vacuum generation, and if a fluctuation from a pressure-equilibrium to a negative time-derivative of the system-pressure is detected, the controller is arranged to activate the second valve, allowing compressed air to flow into the vacuum-chamber for compensation to re-establish the pressure-equilibrium.

An object-sensing valve configured for integration in the suction duct () of a vacuum gripper includes a flexible and back-springing tongue (), one end () of which is anchored by the side of the suction duct and the other end () of which extends freely outside a mouth (') to the suction duct, the tongue dimensioned to be forced by an air flow (F) to bend towards the mouth of the suction duct and to cover the mouth incompletely in the loaded state of the tongue.

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Vaxholm, Sweden

Gustaf Wigren