Intelligent Hydraulic Positioner

Solution by Val Controls

Basic layout of a hydraulic system with a Val Controls Intelligent Hydraulic Positioner mounted

What is a Hydraulic Positioner?

A hydraulic positioner is a device that takes an electronic signal and converts it into a defined valve or cylinder rod travel.

The Intelligent Hydraulic Positioner (IHP24) from Val Controls can control solenoid operated on/off valves to move an actuator to a requested set point.

This can be modulating open/close, in between function or stepping for choke valves.

The IHP24 is designed specifically for moving hydraulic operated objects. Once installed and configurated the IHP24 auto calibrate and determine the fully open or fully closed state of the obturator.

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USE CASE

CHALLENGE

A large company is constructing a new oil rig and are looking for a solution which safely and intuitively enables them to control the flow of their oil pipline.

It is a requirement that the modulating valves can be controlled from the control room. Furthermore, the hydraulic positioner must be in a flameproof container (Ex d).

The pipeline is controlled by solenoid-based valves, the controller must therefore be compatible with this.

Solution

An intelligent hydraulic positioner (IHP24) was installed to control the flow of their oil pipeline. The unit controls the solenoid valves at the platform making it a perfect fit for the end-user.

Using the 4-20mA communication protocol the IHP24 solution offered a high performing and reliable solution resulting in a seamless control of the pipeline without any issues after more than 1 year of usage.

 

Value

User friendly interface and calibration

The IHP24 offers market leading performance and user friendly interface, combining it in a very compact enclosure.

High performance control

Using the 4-20mA communication protocol the IHP24 offers high performance control, ensuring a fast call to action time.

Reliable and field proven product

The IHP24 range is based on decades of research and development, making it a reliable and field proven product.

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The IHP24 uses Solenoid Operated on/off Valves, SOV, to move the actuator to the requested set point. It has 4 or more outputs to control SOV’s depending on the model. The IHP24 is designed so it can use any solenoid valve on the market. The unit will automatically adapt the regulator to the performance of the complete system, during an automatic calibration. The desired position of the valve is sent to the IHP24 via the 4-20mA control loop or a communication protocol. The actual position is measured by the IHP via a potentiometer or a 4-20mA sensor. The set point and position signal is compared and the actuator is moved to the requested position.

CONTROL

The IHP24 comes as standard with the following control and communication:

- 4-20mA Control loop with HART
- 4-20mA Position feedback

Its is possible to add the following communication buses:

- Foundation Fieldbus
- Modbus

POWER

The IHP24 is powered through a 24VDC power supply.

This power supply also feeds the solenoid valves and the sensors.

POSITION FEEDBACK

The IHP24 uses a signal from the actuator/cylinder to know where it is.

The IHP24 accepts the following signal types:

- 4-20mA - 2-wire
- 4-20mA - 4-wire
- 3-wire potentiometer

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

All our typical designs controls 2 solenoid operated valves, but some of the IHPs can control up to 4 solenoid valves. The positioner is also easily adapted to any already existing control systems or other designs.

Some of the hydraulic examples is shown here.

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