Safety valve featuring a highly sensitive response characteristic and an integrated electromagnetic reset

Prof. L. Zentner

Safety valves (gas flow controllers) are utilized in order to monitor the inlet and outlet of media in pipes and tubes. In case of manipulations, e.g. damages by excavators, a closing device interlocks the pipe as soon as a critical flow rate is exceeded. Currently, new gas flow controllers featuring a bistable switching behaviour are tested and made suitable for mass production. In the case of an average, the risk of explosions is thus significantly reduced by the employment of gas flow controllers. However, currently available gas flow controllers are applicable for flow rates larger than 3 m³/h only.

The goal of the project is the development of a novel safety valve featuring a highly sensitive response characteristic. It shall be suitable for smaller flow rates in the range from 1,3 to 3 m³/h and the employment within single consumer facilities. An integrated electromagnetic actuator realizes a reset function within the safety valve. A non-contacting feedback on the switching status is generated so that an electronic information on the switching status can be derived.

TU Ilmenau - Compliant Systems Grou
- project coordination -

AZ INTEC GmbH

11/2016 - 04/2019

The Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)