Valve module, valve arrangement and method

A valve arrangement, comprising a valve module carrier, on which a first valve module is mounted, the first valve module valve module being of plate-shaped design, extending in a longitudinal direction, and being subdivided into a plurality of longitudinal sections adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction, the valve module having, as a first longitudinal section, a main valve section with a first main valve, and, as a second longitudinal section adjoining the main valve section in the longitudinal direction, a pilot section with a pilot valve for actuating the first main valve, the valve module further having, as a third longitudinal section adjoining the pilot section in the longitudinal direction, a pressure sensor section with a pressure sensor for detecting a fluid pressure of the valve module,

• wherein the main valve section is designed as a main valve module, the pilot section is designed as a pilot control module which is placed onto the main valve section in the longitudinal direction, and the pressure sensor section is designed as a pressure sensor module which is placed onto the pilot section in the longitudinal direction,
• the valve module further comprising at least one second valve module, which is arranged on the valve module carrier offset relative to the first valve module in a line-up direction aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second valve module having a second main valve and being adapted to use the pressurized fluid supplied by the first valve module via the pressurized fluid supply outlet to actuate the second main valve.

A method of operating a valve arrangement comprising a valve module carrier, on which a first valve module is mounted, the first valve module valve module being of plate-shaped design, extending in a longitudinal direction, and being subdivided into a plurality of longitudinal sections adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction, the valve module having, as a first longitudinal section, a main valve section with a first main valve, and, as a second longitudinal section adjoining the main valve section in the longitudinal direction, a pilot section with a pilot valve for actuating the first main valve, the valve module further having, as a third longitudinal section adjoining the pilot section in the longitudinal direction, a pressure sensor section with a pressure sensor for detecting a fluid pressure of the valve module,

• wherein the main valve section is designed as a main valve module, the pilot section is designed as a pilot control module which is placed onto the main valve section in the longitudinal direction, and the pressure sensor section is designed as a pressure sensor module which is placed onto the pilot section in the longitudinal direction,
• the valve arrangement further comprising at least one second valve module, which is arranged on the valve module carrier offset relative to the first valve module in a line-up direction aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second valve module having a second main valve and being adapted to use the pressurized fluid supplied by the first valve module via the pressurized fluid supply outlet to actuate the second main valve,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• de-aerating the pressurized fluid supply outlet by means of the main valve and verifying the de-aeration of the pressurized fluid supply outlet by means of the pressure sensor.