Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Thomas Gnoss

Rainer Lochschmied

Martin Wetzel

Armin Wiegand

Bernd Schmiederer

Mike Schmanau

Michael Heger

Nils Cooper

Anton Pallek

Dominik Bartnick

Thomas Preiß

Toni Plakinger

An example control unit may include: a processor; an output device; a valve element; an actuator; and a sensor for the position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a first signal to measure a position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a second signal to measure a position of the valve element. The processor calculates a degree of wear based on the first value and the second value and the second number of valve cycles. The processor compares the degree of wear to a predefined threshold value and generates an output signal if the degree of wear exceeds the predefined threshold value.

Determining and accounting for wear on a valve

A method is disclosed for diagnosing a valve assembly having valve members serially arranged along a flow channel of the valve assembly connecting at least one inlet and at least one outlet of the valve assembly. All of the serially arranged valve members of the valve assembly are opended to allow fluid to flow through the flow channel. The flow of fluid through the flow channel is measured by at least one sensor. At least one of the valve members is openend, and at least one sensor checks for fluid leakage caused by at least one faulted valve member. The at least one sensor may include a flow sensor, e.g., a mass flow sensor.

Valve operation and diagnosis

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Muggensturm, Germany

Thomas Gnoss