Festo Ag & Co

Festo Corporation

Festo Ag & Co. Kg

Karl-Heinz Förster

Josef Binder

Oliver Ahrens

Wolfgang Benecke

Frank J Langro

Frank Latino

Otto Szenn

Hans-Joerg Zobel

Wjatscheslaw Missal

Thomas Stärz

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the functional status of an electromagnetic valve having a solenoid and plunger including determining the electro-mechanical switching time of a valve based on characteristics of an electrical characteristic responsive to the solenoid; comparing the valve electro-mechanical switching time to a predetermined value; and generating a valve status signal dependant on the results of the comparison.

Method and apparatus for monitoring and determining the functional status of an electromagnetic valve

A method and apparatus for determining the service life of a cyclic system the method including the steps of determining at least one characteristic of the system to determine a characteristic value and determining a cycle time of the system. The at least characteristic value is applied to an algorithm in which the characterisitic value is integrated to determine a diagnostic value, and comparing the diagnostic value to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. The apparatus including a sensor for determining a system characteristic and a calculating unit operatively connected to the sensor. The calculating unit including circuitry for performing a mathematical integration on the system characteristic to determine a diagnostic value and comparing the diagnostic valve to a predetermined value to determine the performance status of the system. A notification device operatively connected to the calculating unit for indicating the operational status of the system.

Method and apparatus for diagnosing a cyclic system

A circuit board, which includes one or more sensors, is integrated in a fluid control device, such as a valve manifold and a base plate. The fluid control device selectively directs a fluid used to control pneumatic or hydraulic equipment. The sensors are used to measure physical characteristics of the fluid, such as flow rate, pressure, and temperature. A flow sensor includes a paddle and a support member. The paddle is disposed at least partially in an orifice and is displaced in response to fluid flow. The support member positions the paddle in the orifice and includes a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauges are disposed on only one side of the support member and are mechanically stressed in response to the paddle being displaced by the fluid flow.

Integrated fluid sensing device

A flow sensor includes sensors connected to a flexible membrane. The sensors detect ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of a medium. A method of sensing flow rate includes providing the flexible membrane; coupling the plurality of sensors to the flexible membrane; and detecting ambient temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the medium by the sensors. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, an operational amplifier, and a closed loop controller. The sensors are connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. The operational amplifier is connected to the Wheatstone bridge and outputs a pressure signal representative of the pressure of the medium. The closed loop controller is connected to the operational amplifier and controls a current through a heating element for a resistor in the bridge such that a voltage across the operational amplifier is substantially zero. The output of the closed loop controller represents the flow rate.

Multiple technology flow sensor

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Dresden, Germany

Karl-Heinz Förster