Patent Abstract:
A fluid control system for security relevant control and a fluid control actuator, a local control means for a fluid control system, a software module for a local control means of a fluid control system and a method for the operation of a fluid control system. The fluid control actuator ( 10 ) is controlled by control instrumentality means ( 30 ) of a local control means ( 50 ). A sensor ( 16, 17, 27, 41  and  42 ) transfers information concerning operational states of the fluid control system to the local control means ( 50 ). For this purpose there is a provision such that the local control means ( 50 ) determines from such information whether there is a security relevant situation and if necessary performs a predetermined function. The security relevant functions are integrated in the fluid control system so that same is able to be employed as prefabricated unit.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a fluid control system for the security orientated control of at least one fluid power actuator or actor, comprising at least one local control means for the control of the fluid power actuator by way of control instrumentality means of the fluid control system, at least one sensor being provided for the transfer of at least one information item in relation to at least one operational state of the fluid power system to the local control means. 
     Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid control actuator, a local control means for a fluid control system, a software module for a local control means of a fluid system and to a method for the operation of a fluid control system. 
     One system, of the type to which the invention relates, and termed a “fluid control” system may for example be operated as a pneumatic system with the aid of compressed air or as a hydraulic system with the aid of hydraulic oil as a pressure medium or “fluid”. In this case an electrical control means controls, by way of control instrumentality means, as for example valves, the flow of the pressure medium for the operation of the fluid control actuator or actuators. Such an actuator is for example a fluid power cylinder. The respective operational state of the fluid control system is in this case monitored with the aid of a sensor. It may for example be attached to the fluid control actuator of a position sensing system, which provides the control means with information as regards the respective position of the actuator so that same may, on the basis of the information, influence the position of the actuator by suitably acting on it with the pressure medium. 
     In the case of known fluid control a basic assumption is that by suitable design of the fluid control system it is possible to prevent a security risk occurring within the respective fluid control system. Protection against accidental changes in the condition of, or position in, the fluid control system, as for instance a sudden movement of a piston in a fluid power cylinder owing to a defect of a valve controlling the fluid power cylinder, is however not provided for. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the invention is to provide security functions for fluid control systems. 
     This object is to be attained by a fluid control system for the security relevant control of at least one fluid control actuator, having at least one local control means for the control of the fluid control actuator by way of control instrumentality means of the fluid control system, there being at least one sensor for the provision of at least one item of information as regards at least one operational state of the fluid control system to the local control means, characterized in that the local control means is so designed that it can evaluate at least one item of information for detecting at least one security relevant state and that, given at least one security relevant state, it implements at least one predetermined consequential action. 
     The object is furthermore to be attained by a fluid control actuator in accordance with the technical teaching of claim  16 , by a control means in accordance with the technical teaching of claim  17 , by a software module in accordance with the technical teaching of claim  18  and by a method in accordance with the technical teaching of claim  19 . 
     In this respect the invention is based on the notion of integrating security relevant functions in the fluid control system for the control of the actuator, such functions fulfilling simple and also advanced requirement classes, for instance in accordance with the European standard EN 941-1. The fluid control actuator can for instance be a valve arrangement, a pneumatic drive or a servicing unit. The control instrumentality means may for example comprise a valve arrangement, and be operated by an electronic control module as a local control means. If within the control instrumentality means, the local control means or the controlled fluid control actuator a security relevant, improper function occurs, the local control means will recognize this problem and will initiate consequential action to deal with it. 
     The local control means ensures that a security relevant state does not pass unrecognized. The monitoring of the security function can then be attuned to the respective fluid control system in a optimum fashion and more particularly to the actuator, which is to be controlled. Sensor instrumentalities, which are in any case present, may then be employed for the security functions as well. It is however also possible that with the aid of some additional sensors even higher security criteria may be attained. Moreover, the fluid control system may be utilized as a complete, compact and prefabricated unit, already having integrated security functions, which for instance may cooperate with a higher order control means. They then do not have to be matched to the locally required security functions in an elaborate manner. The local control means may also transmit and receive messages specially adapted for;the transfer of security relevant information and for the issue of security relevant commands. 
     The fluid control system in accordance with the invention, which is security orientated, may also be designed as part of a fluid control actuator or actor. Thus for instance the fluid control system may be integrated in a locally controlled valve arrangement, which may be a single valve or a valve group, that is to say a so-called valve island. Furthermore, the security orientated system in accordance with the invention may be a component of a fluid drive, as for example of a pneumatic gripper, a pneumatic cylinder or a pneumatic linear drive. A switch-on valve, a servicing device, as for instance an oiler or a “pneumatic emergency off means” may be controlled by an external or integrated fluid control system in a security orientated manner. Thus in accordance with the invention shut off valves integrated in a pneumatic cylinder may be controlled. 
     As an example the control means may in accordance with the invention check an information item, as supplied by a sensor for monitoring the movement speed of an actuator, as to whether a predetermined speed of movement of the actuator is being exceeded. In such a case the sensor may even be employed for a plurality of functions, on the one hand for the control of the speed of movement as regards a predetermined value and on the other hand for checking to see whether the actuator has exceeded a security relevant speed of movement. 
     Further advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. 
     Once the local control means has detected the existence of a security relevant state, it may for instance cause the fluid control actuator to assume a secure state of operation as a consequential action, such state being for example a so-called “emergency stop” function, in the case of which the actuator is halted. 
     Moreover, the local control means may, for example by way of an LED or a loudspeaker, signalize the presence of the security relevant state and thus facilitate the location of a fault by the operator. Furthermore the local control means may transmit a message concerning the presence of the security relevant state to a higher order control means, if the local control means acts for example as a slave on a bus and is controlled and monitored by the higher order control means functioning as a master. In this case it is also possible for the higher order control means to give an instruction to the local control means for bringing the fluid control actuator into a safe operational state, that is to say for instance the above mentioned “emergency halt” function. 
     In a particularly preferred form of the invention the fluid control system comprises fluid power and/or electrically operated switching off means, which are able to be controlled by the local control means for switching off the effective function of the control instrumentality means as regards the fluid control actuator. The switching off means are for instance check valves placed between the control instrumentality means and the actuator. This means that it is possible for the control instrumentality means to be switched off and therefore decoupled from the actuator, when a fault occurs in the control instrumentality means. Thus for example a valve may leak so that the actuator will assume an irregular, undesired position. The local control means can find such a fault for example using control checking means cooperating with same, as for example pressure sensors, for checking the control instrumentality means. 
     Moreover, using the switching off means it is possible to cause the local control means firstly to at least partly switch off the effective function of the control instrumentality means by means of the switching off means and then to perform a check of the control instrumentality means. In this case the control instrumentality means may be operated without any undesired influence on the actuator and for example to run through a check cycle. Such a check cycle is for example performed in each case prior to operation of the control instrumentality means so that same are only employed for operation of the actuator, when they function correctly. The control instrumentality means may also be checked cyclically so that any malfunction of the control instrumentality means will be detected, if same as such have been idle for a long period of time. 
     In accordance with a further possible form of the invention the switching off means are also checked using for example sensors arranged on the switching off means, which detect changes in the state of the switching off means and signalize such information to the local control means. The local control means will then determine whether the signalized changes in state are in accordance with predetermined, expected changes in state or whether a malfunction, which may possibly be security relevant, of the switching off means is involved. The local control means can then signalize this malfunction to, for example, the higher order control means or cause an “emergency halt” function to take place. The control means may also perform the check on the switching off means cyclically or in each case after operation of the control instrumentality means or of the switching off means. 
     The fluid control system can also be instructed by the higher order control means by way of check instruction to check both the switching off means cyclically or in each case for each received check instruction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The invention will be described in the following with reference to working embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with a fluid control system, which is controlled by a local control means and acts on a fluid power cylinder. 
     FIG. 2 is a table of the performance of a check on the working example of FIG. 1 with the fluid power cylinder in a first position. 
     FIG. 3 is a table as in FIG. 2 with a further check run but with the fluid power cylinder in the second state. 
     FIG. 4 shows a second working example of the invention with less or modified components than in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a fluid power cylinder  10  as a fluid actuator comprising a piston  11  and a piston rod  12  which are able to reciprocate in a working space  13 . A fluid as a pressure medium, in the present case compressed air, is able to flow through a cylinder end plate and a line  14  therein at the end of the working space  13  into such space. Accordingly the piston  11  assumes its first (retracted) position the piston rod  12  consequently moves into the working space  13 , when at the opposite end facing the face of the piston  11  and at the end plate of the working space  13  by way of a line  15  air displaced by the moving piston is able to escape and the working space  13  is vented. When however by way of the line  15  compressed air flows into the working space  13 , the piston  11  moves into the second position the piston rod  12  therefore moves out of the working space  13  providing air can flow out through the line  14 . A sensor  16  detects whether the piston  11  has moved out. A sensor  17  detects whether the piston  11  has moved in. Instead of the,fluid power cylinder  10  the actuator may be in the form of a linear drive, a servicing unit for the preparation of compressed air or a pneumatically operated valve as a fluid control actuator. 
     The line  14  can be switched off by means of a routing valve  21 , compressed air then hot being able to flow into the working space  13  and air displaced by the piston  11  is not able to leave the working space  13 . The routing valves  20  and  21  accordingly act as switching off means and are so-called 2/2 way valves. A 2/2 way valve has an input and an output, which are separated from each other by the closed position of the respective routing valve or are connected together in an open position of the respective routing valve. The output of the routing valve  20  is connected with the line  14  and the output of the routing valve  21  is connected with the line  15 . The routing valves  20  and  21  are able to be acted upon by way of a line  22  by compressed air and then move into the open position. In the switching state of FIG. 1, the switched off position namely, the routing valves  21  and  22  are however not acted upon by compressed air and are held by a spring in the switched off position. At this point it is to be noted that the design of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely symbolic. The routing valves  20  and  121  can for instance also be driven electrically be held by compressed air in the neutral position or be replaced by other valve arrangements with a switching off function. 
     The line  22  receives compressed air by way of a routing valve  23  or is vented through it. The routing valve  23  is a 3/2 way valve having a power output for the line  22 , an input, which is connected with a pressure source  24 , and a venting output  25 . The routing valve  23  is held in FIG. 1 in the venting position as its neutral position, as indicated by a spring means, in the case of which the line  22  is vented through the venting opening  25 . By means of an electrical drive  26 , for instance a solenoid drive, it is possible for the routing valve  23  to be moved into a switching position, compressed air then flowing from the pressure source  24  into the line  22  and the routing valves  20  and  21  being moved into the switched on position. The line  22  is furthermore connected with a pressure sensor  27 , responsive to the pressure in the line  22 . The pressure sensor  27  serves as a switching off check means for checking the routing valves  20 ,  21  and  22  acting as switching off means. Instead of the pressure sensor  27  as switching off and checking means, sensors could for instance be utilized responsive to the position and arranged on the routing valves  20 ,  21  and  22 . 
     As control instrumentality means for the control of the fluid power cylinder  10  a routing valve  30  is employed, which in the present case is a 5/3 way valve having three positions, a neutral position  31 , a second (piston extended) position  32 , a first (piston retracted) position  33  and in all five inputs and outputs, of which one input is connected with a pressure source  34  for supply with compressed air, one respective output  35  and  36  serves for venting and one input/output is connected by way of line  37  with the routing valve  20  and one input/output is connected by way of a line  38  with the routing valve  21 . 
     In the following description of the function of the routing valve  30  the routing valves  20  and  22  will be assumed to be in the on position. The lines  14  and  37  and also the lines  15  and  38  are respectively connected with one another. In the illustrated neutral position  31 , which is for example set by springs arranged on the solenoid valve  30 , all five inputs and outputs of the routing valve  30  are separated from one another so that no controlling pressure forces or venting forces act on the fluid power cylinder  10  and same will essentially maintain its respective position. When a drive  39 , which is arranged on the routing valve  30 , is activated, the routing valve  30  will be moved into the second position  32 , in which the compressed air flows into the lines  38  and  15  and compressed air may leave by way of the lines  14  and  37  and furthermore the output  35 . The piston rod  12  then moves out of the fluid power cylinder  10 . If a drive  40 , which is also arranged on the routing valve  30 , is activated, the routing valve  30  will be moved into the first position  33  so that compressed air will on the one hand flow into the lines  14  and  37  and on the other hand may leave by way of the lines  38  and  15 . The piston rod  12  then moves into the fluid power cylinder  10 . Instead of the routing valve  30  other valve arrangements are possible. Thus for example instead of the routing valve  30  respectively a 3/3 way valve could arranged on the lines  37  and  38 , using which valves pressurization and, respectively, venting and furthermore shut down of the lines  37  and  38  will be possible. 
     For checking the respective pressure conditions a pressure sensor  41  is provided on the line  37  and a further pressure sensor  42  is provided on the line  38 . The pressure sensors  41  and  42  act as control checking means. Furthermore as a check and control means a sensor system could be provided, as for example in the form of end switches for monitoring the function of the routing valve  30 , on which it will be arranged. 
     The routing valves  20 ,  21  and  23 , which are connected together by the line  22  and are supplied from the pressure source, are switching off means for switching off the active function of the routing valve  30  acting as a control means. 
     The functions of the routing valves  23  and  30  are controlled by way of the respective drives  26  and furthermore  39  and  40  by the a local control means  50 . The local control means  50  possesses an input/output module  51 , a processor  52 , memory means  53  and interface modules  54  and  55  as connection means, which are respectively connected by connections, not illustrated, with each other. The local control means is operated by an operating system and furthermore by software modules, which are stored in the memory means  53  and whose program code sequences are implemented by the processor  52 . The memory means  52  comprise for instance RAM modules for data to be temporarily stored and flash memory modules and/or ROM modules for long term data storage. 
     By way of the interface module  54  connected with a bus  56  the local control means  50  is connected with a higher order control means  57 , from which the control means  59  can receive setting commands and to which the control means  50  can signalize information. The bus  56  may be a field bus, as for example an AS-i bus (actor sensor interface), a CAN bus or a Profibus. The higher order control means  57  is in the present example a bus master, whereas the local control means  50  is a bus slave. It is also possible for the local control means  50  to be employed without the higher order control means  57  or for further valves or drives to be connected with the control means  50 . The higher order control means  57  may furthermore be omitted completely. 
     Further still, the local control means  50  can be connected the high order control means  57  by way of digital inputs and outputs. 
     Furthermore the interface module  55  is connected by way of connection lines  58  with a display and command input module  59 . From the display and command input module  59  the control means  50  can receive commands, for instance by way of electrical hand switches or keys. Moreover, the control means  50  may signalize information to the module  59 , which the module can display, for example using LEDs. It is furthermore possible for the module  59  to be integrated in the control means  50  or to be dispensed with completely. 
     The input/output module  521  is connected by way of a connection  61  with the drive  39 , by way of a connection  62  with the drive  40  and furthermore by way of a connection  63  with the drive  26 . By way of the connections  61 ,  62  and  63  it is possible for the control means  50  to activate respectively connected drives. Moreover the pressure sensor  41  the pressure sensor  42  by way of a connection  64 , the pressure sensor  27  by way of a connection  66  by way of a connection  65 , and the pressure sensor  27  by way of a connection  66 , signalize the respectively detected pressure values to the input/output module  51  and accordingly to the control means  50  too. Furthermore the sensor  16  sends its readings for the respective fluid power cylinder  10  by way of a connection  67  to the control means  50  and the sensor  17  sends its respective readings related to the fluid power cylinder  10  to the control means  50 . The (monitoring) connections  64 ,  65 ,  66   67  and  68  and furthermore the (control) connections  61 ,  62  and  63  may be discrete lines or furthermore by way of a bus. 
     In the following a check cycle by way of example will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 for examining the correct function of the arrangement of FIG.  1 . The FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively show a table, in whose left hand column headed “ST” the checking and working steps are entered. 
     The columns headed “31”, “32” and “33” contain the neutral position  31 , the second position  32  and the first position  33  of the routing valve  30  for the operation of the fluid power cylinder at  10 . In this respect “0” in the columns “31”, “32” and “33” indicates that the routing valve  30  has not assumed the respective position. Furthermore “0→1” in the column “32” means that the drive  39  is activated and the routing valve  30  has the second position  32  and has reached it at “1”. In the column “33” “0→1” means that the drive  40  is activated and the routing valve  30  has assumed the first position  33  and has reached it a “1”. In the column “31” the values entered indicate whether the routing valve  30  has assumed the neutral position  31 —owing to spring force and the non-activation of the drives  39  or  40 —(“0→1”) (“1), is leaving it (“1→0”) or has already left it (“0”). 
     The columns “20”, “21” and “23” are to be read in a manner similar to the columns “32” and “33”. In the column “23” “0” means that the drive  26  is not activated by the control means  50  and hence the routing valve  23  is in the venting position (=neutral position). The routing valves  20  and  21 , whose control by the compressed air on the line  22  is indicated in the columns “20” and “21”, are here in the neutral position, that is to say in the turned off position (“0”). If the drive  26  is activated by the control means  50  (“0→1”) the routing valve  23  will pass into the switching position (“1”). 
     This means that the routing valves  20  and  21  are also operated and move over into the on position. 
     The columns “27”, “41” and “42” indicate the signals sent by the pressure sensors  27 ,  41  and  42  to the control means  50 , “0” meaning “no pressure present” and “1” meaning control pressure applied”. In the case of digitally operating pressure sensors here an “X” stands for an irregular or non-defined intermediate value of the acting pressure. The digital or binary manner of signalizing (“0” or “1”) is however only by way of example, for the pressure sensors  27 ,  41  and  42  can, given a suitable design thereof, also signalize exact intermediate or analog values for the respective acting pressure thereat. 
     The columns “16” and “17” indicate the messages from the sensor  16  and  17 . In this case “0” means that the piston  11  is clear of the respective sensor and the respective sensor is sending a digital signal “0” to the control means  50 , whereas the piston  11  at “1” is at a minimum distance from the respective sensor. 
     FIG. 2 shows a check cycle starting with a step  200  with the piston  11  fully in the first position. The sensor  17  then provides the signal “1” and the sensor  16  provides the signal “0”. Furthermore the routing valve  23  and, independently thereof, the routing valves  20  and  21  are activated and the pressure sensor  27  produces the signal “1” so that by way of the routing valve  30  in the active (=“1”) first position  33  compressed air may flow by way of the lines  37  and  14  into the fluid power cylinder  10 . The pressure sensor  41  consequently produces the signal “1”, whereas the pressure sensor, which is now connected with the vented line  38 , produces the signal “0”. 
     In a step  201  firstly the fluid power cylinder  10  is cut off from the lines  37  and  38  leading to the routing valve  30  and accordingly is cut off from an undesired action of pressure and venting. The control means  50  in this case drives the routing valve  23  to assume the venting position so that the line  22  is vented, the pressure sensor  27  signalizes a pressure dropping to “0” (“0→1”) and the routing valves  20  and  21  go into the shut off position (“0→1”). In the transition phase until the routing valve  23  assumes its venting position the pressure sensors  41  and  42  provide a non-defined signal “X”. 
     In a step  202  the routing valves  20  and  21  and moreover the pressure sensors  41  and  42  are then checked. Since the routing valves  20  and  21  are in the closed position the routing valve  30  may be operated without any effect on the fluid power cylinder  10 . For this purpose the control means  50  activates the drive  39  and deactivates the drive  40  so that the routing valve switches over from the first position  33  into the second position  32 ; the pressure sensor  42  sends a signal changing from “0” to “1” owing to the compressed air flowing into the line  38  and the pressure sensor  41  sends a signal changing from “1” to “0” owing to venting of the line  37 . If this is not the case there is an error, which is recognized by the control means  50  and for example will be signalized to the higher order control means  57 . 
     In a step  203  the routing valve  30  is shifted into the neutral position  31 , because the control means  50  also deactivates the drive  39  as well. The lines  37  and  38  and therefore the chambers of the fluid power cylinder  10  are then cut off both by the routing valves  20  and  21  and also by the routing valve  30  from a pressure action or a venting action. 
     Accordingly even without any further action on the fluid power cylinder  10  the routing valve  23  and, independently from it, the routing valves  20  and  21  may be activated in a step  204 . The respective setting signals of the routing valves  20  and  21  change, like the value detected by the pressure sensor  27 , from “0” to “1”. Should this not be the case, this will mean an error in the switching off means, which is recognized by the control means  50 . It is also possible to arrange sensors in the routing valves  23 ,  20  and  21 , such sensors being connected respectively with the control means  50  whose signals are checked by the control means  50  in the step  203 . When then an error occurs, the control means  50  can conclude that there is a security relevant situation or risk and take a counter measure, as for instance it can prevent further actuation of the routing valve  30 . If in the step  204  the routing valve  20  shifts into the open position, any compressed air still present in the fluid power cylinder  10  at the end plate end and in the line  14  can flow into the line  37  so that the pressure sensor  41  signalizes values changing from “0” to “1”, which are monitored by the control means  50  and if such values are not present the control means  50  will detect a security relevant state. 
     When the step  204  has been performed without any fault, the control means  50  will, in a step  205 , drive the routing valve  30  back into the first position  33 , this being done by activation of the drive  40 , that is to say by sending a setting signal changing from “0” to “1”. This means that the line  15  is vented by way of the line  38  and the venting output  36  and in the case of error-free operation the pressure sensor  42  will signalize values changing from “1” to “0”. 
     The check cycle with the fluid power cylinder  10  in the first position is now terminated. Such a check cycle may be repeated at any time, even when there is no movement of the fluid power cylinder  10 , for instance at fixed times and for example after the fluid power cylinder  10  shifts into the first (retracted) position or before the fluid power cylinder  10  shifts into the second position. Such a movement into the second position is represented in a step  206 . In this case the control means  50  activates the drive  39  by the transmission of a setting signal changing from “0” to “1”. Simultaneously the control means  50  deactivates the drive  40  so that the line  14  is vented by way of the line  37  and the venting output  35  and the pressure sensor  41  signalizes, in the case of a fault-free operation, a value changing from “1” to “0”, while the lines  38  and  15  receive compressed air, the pressure sensor  42  signalizes values changing from “0” to “1” and the piston  11  in the fluid power cylinder  10  is shifted into the first position. When the piston  11  reaches the end plate end the sensor  16  will produce a “1” signal and the sensor  17  a “0” signal. 
     The end of the movement into the second position is then at the same time the starting position illustrated in FIG. 3, denoting a step  300 . In the second position as well a check cycle may be performed, as will be described in the following. 
     In a step  301  with an effect equivalent to that of the step  201  firstly the fluid power cylinder  10  is cut off from the lines  37  and  38  leading to the routing valve  30  and accordingly from any undesired action of pressure and undesired venting. 
     In a step  302  corresponding to the step  202  the routing valves  20  and  21  and furthermore the pressure sensors  41   42  are checked. The routing valves  20  and  21  are in the off position and the routing valve  30  can consequently be switched over from the second position  32  into the first position  33  by the control means  50  without affecting the fluid power cylinder  10 . For this purpose the control means  50  activates the drive  40  and deactivates the drive  39  so that owing to the compressed air flowing into the line  37  the pressure sensor  41  provides a signal changing from “1” to “0” and the pressure sensor  42 , owing to venting of the line  38 , provides a signal changing from “1” to “0”. Should this not be the case, there is a security relevant fault, which is recognized by the control means  50  and same will, for example, activate a warning LED in the display and command input module  59 . 
     In a step  303  the control means  50  will also deactivate the drive  40  so that the routing valve  30  will go into the neutral position and can be neither vented nor supplied with compressed air externally. Then in a step  204  the routing valve  23 , and independently thereof, the routing valves  20  and  21  may be activated again and moved into the open position so that compressed air still present in the fluid power cylinder  10  at the end plate end and in the line  15  may flow into the line  38  and the pressure sensor  42  will signalize values changing from “0” to “1”. Such values are monitored by the control means  50  as values to be expected so that the control means  50  will signalize a security relevant error if there is a trouble condition. 
     In a step  305  the control means  50  activates the drive  39  again the so that the routing valve  30  returns to the second position and compressed air present in the lines may escape. The pressure sensor  41  then signalizes values changing from “1” to “0”. This check cycle, which is now terminated, can also be repeated at any time. 
     A step  306  shows how the piston  11  may return to the first position. Here the drive  39  is deactivated and the drive  40  is activated. The pressure sensor  42  signalizes falling pressure values owing to venting and owing to the action of compressed air the pressure sensor  41  signalizes increasing pressure values. After the piston  11  has reached the end plate, the sensor  17  generates the “1” signal and the sensor  41  generates the signal “0”. 
     The control means  50  can implement the check steps represented in FIG.  2  and FIG. 3 in accordance with predetermined criteria, for example criteria set by configuration data. It is also possible for the control means  50  to be provided with a command for the performance of the check steps at the display and command module  59  or by the higher order control means  57 . Moreover, the control means  50  may receive from this source a security relevant command, in which the control means  50  is instructed to terminate a security relevant situation, for example, by its putting the routing valves  20  and  21  in the turned off state. 
     FIG. 4 essentially shows the arrangement of FIG. 1, identical or functionally equivalent components having the same reference numerals. However, the components utilized as switching off means, and more especially the routing valves  20 ,  21  and  23  and lines and furthermore the pressure sensor  27  employed as switching off check means, are omitted. Furthermore the sensor  17  is omitted, whereas the sensor  16  is in this case designed in the form of a distance apart sensor, which measures the distance of the piston  11  from the end plate of the fluid power cylinder  10 . Moreover, a pressure sensor  70  is shown, which is responsive to the compressed air pressure supplied by the pressure source  34  and passing by way of the line  69  to the routing valve  30 , it signalizing such pressure by way of a connection  71  to the control means  50 . The control means  50  can set the pressure supplied by way of the pressure source  34  to the line  69  using a choke valve  72 , which is connected by way of a control connection  73  with the input/output module  51 . The choke valve  72  is accordingly a part of the control means. 
     By control of the routing valve  30  the control means  50  sets, as already explained, the direction of motion of the piston  11 , and using the choke valve  72  it sets its holding forces and its speed of movement. The speed of movement can be found by the control means  50  on the basis of the distance, which is found by the sensor  16 , and changes with a movement of the piston  11 , of the piston  11  from the end plate. 
     If the speed of movement of the piston  11  is too great, the control means  50 , acting by way of choke valve  72 , will reduce the pressure on the line  69  and if the, speed of movement is too low, it will increase the pressure. However it is possible for a defect to occur in the choke valve so that for example compressed air would act without reduction in its high pressure on the piston  11  and a piston crash might result from the high speed of motion. The control means  50  will however recognize such a security relevant situation with the aid of the sensor  16  and therefore in an “emergency off function” will move the routing valve  30  into the neutral position  31  so that working space  13  is cut off from the pressure source  34  and at the same time venting is prevented and therefore the piston  11  is braked. 
     Even if a security relevant fault occurs at the routing valve  30  the control means  50  can recognize same and cause consequential action to be taken as a remedy. If namely the routing valve  30  is for example in the second position  32  equal pressure values must be detected by the pressure sensor  42  and the pressure sensor  70 , which are substantially higher than the values detected by the pressure sensor  41  as a consequence of the venting of the line  14 . If this is not the case, the control means  50  will recognize this problem and will signalize the problem in a security relevant communication to the higher order control means  57 . The latter will then for example instruct the control means  50  to completely close the choke value  72  in a security relevant emergency command. 
     It is also possible for the control means  50  to drive a lower order control means, not illustrated, in the manner indicated and in a security relevant fashion and for example to lock the fluid power cylinder  10  in an “emergency off function” in response to a warning signal provided by same.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5