
EB 8355-2 EN 3-1
Design and principle of operation
3 Design and principle of oper-
ation
ÎSee Fig.3-1
The positioner consists of an electropneumat-
ic converter and a pneumatic unit equipped
with a lever for travel pick-off, a measuring
diaphragm and the pneumatic control system
withnozzle,diaphragmlever(apperplate)
and booster.
The positioner is designed either for direct
attachmenttoSAMSONType3277Actua-
tors or for attachment to actuators according
to NAMUR (IEC60534-6) using an adapter
housing.
The positioner can be additionally equipped
witheitherinductivelimitswitchesand/ora
solenoid valve or position transmitter.
Thecontrolsignal,e.g.4to20mA,issued
by the controller is transmitted to the electro-
pneumatic converter (13) where it is convert-
ed into a proportional pressure signal pe.
The positioner operates according to the
force-balance principle. The valve travel, i.e.
the valve position, is transmitted to the pick-
up lever (1) over the pin (1.1) and deter-
mines the force of the range spring (4). This
force is compared to the positioning force
generated by the pressure peat the measur-
ing diaphragm (5).
If either the control signal or the valve posi-
tion changes, the diaphragm lever (3)
moves,alteringthedistancetothenozzle
(2.1 or 2.2), depending on the adjusted di-
rection of action of the positioner.
The supply air is supplied to the booster (10)
and the pressure regulator (9).
Thecontrolledsupplyairowsthroughthe
Xprestriction(8)andthenozzle(2.1,2.2)
andhitsthediaphragmlever(apperplate).
Any change in the set point or the valve po-
sition causes the pressure to change up-
stream or downstream of the booster.
The air controlled by the booster (signal
pressure pst)owsthroughthevolumerestric-
tion (11) to the pneumatic actuator, causing
the plug stem to move to a position corre-
sponding to the set point.
The adjustable Xprestriction (8) and volume
restriction(11)areusedtooptimizetheposi-
tioner control loop.
The pick-up lever (1) and the range spring
(4) must be selected to match the rated valve
travel and the nominal span of the set point.
Positioner with inductive limit switches
In this version, the rotary shaft of the
positioner carries two adjustable tags which
actuate the built-in proximity switches.
Positioner with solenoid valve
When the positioner is equipped with a sole-
noid valve, the valve can be moved to the
fail-safe position, regardless of the position-
er's output signal. If a control signal corre-
sponding to the binary signal '0' (OFF) is
applied to the input, the signal pressure pst is
shut off and the actuator is vented. The actu-
ator springs move the valve to its fail-safe
position.
When a control signal corresponding to the
binary signal '1' (ON) is applied to the in-
put, the signal pressure pst is applied to the
actuator, allowing the valve to move accord-