Device for gas and/or vacuum distribution, suction unit, feeder, sheet processing machine and method for piloting a device for gas and/or vacuum distribution

A device for gas and/or vacuum distribution for a sheet processing machine, the device comprising:

• at least one controllable pilot valve,
• a fixed body comprising:
• at least one main gas inlet configured to be connected to a gas or vacuum source,
• at least one main gas outlet configured to be connected to at least one suction cup and/or to at least one nozzle,
• at least a first and a second control gas openings, at least one of the control gas openings connected to the controllable pilot valve,
• a plurality of housings, each housing comprising a first chamber communicating with the main gas inlet and outlet, and a second chamber communicating with the first and second control gas openings,
• a plurality of mobile pistons, each mobile piston axially movable in the housing by action of a control gas or vacuum supplied in the second chamber through the at least one control gas opening connected to the controllable pilot valve, each mobile piston being movable between:
• a closed position in which the mobile piston blocks a gas path between the main gas inlet and the outlet in the first chamber,
• an open position in which the mobile piston releases the gas path, first and second chambers isolated from each other by cooperation of shapes between the mobile piston and the housing without frictional seal between the mobile piston and the respective housing,
• wherein each housing is configured to receive one mobile piston, the housings being arranged by pair,
• wherein the housings of a pair are arranged one beside the other, the main gas outlet and first and second control gas openings of a housing of a pair openings on an opposite side of the main gas outlet and first and second control gas openings of the other housing of the pair, the pairs of housings being regularly spaced one behind the other.

A device for gas and/or vacuum distribution for a sheet processing machine, the device comprising:

• at least one controllable pilot valve,
• a fixed body comprising:
• at least one main gas inlet configured to be connected to a gas or vacuum source,
• at least one main gas outlet configured to be connected to at least one suction cup and/or to at least one nozzle,
• at least a first and a second control gas openings, at least one of the control gas openings connected to the controllable pilot valve,
• at least one housing comprising a first chamber communicating with the main gas inlet and outlet, and a second chamber communicating with the first and second control gas openings,
• at least one mobile piston axially movable in the housing by action of a control gas or vacuum supplied in the second chamber through the at least one control gas opening connected to the controllable pilot valve, the mobile piston being movable between:
• a closed position in which the mobile piston blocks a gas path between the main gas inlet and the outlet in the first chamber,
• an open position in which the mobile piston releases the gas path, first and second chambers isolated from each other by cooperation of shapes between the mobile piston and the housing without frictional seal between the mobile piston and the housing;
• wherein at least two of the main gas inlets communicate with a first and a second housing and are connected together, and at least two main gas inlets communicate with a third and a fourth housing and are connected together, and
• at least a main gas outlet communicates with the first or the second first housing, and at least a main gas outlet communicates with the third or the fourth housing and are connected together.