Control device for filter installations

A flow control device comprising:

• a valve device that is arranged in a flow line that leads to, is in, or leads from a filter system, wherein the valve device has a control section that is connected to the flow line and can be controlled via at least one deformable diaphragm;
• a hydraulic device comprising an actuator, a valve side on one side of the actuator, and a drive side on an opposite side of the actuator, wherein the actuator separates the valve side from the drive side, the actuator is configured to regulate pressure in a hydraulic channel, and the hydraulic channel is connected to the valve device in such a way that the diaphragm increases or decreases in cross-section depending on the pressure in the hydraulic channel;
• a drive for driving the hydraulic device;
• a control unit that controls the flow control device;
• and
• a pressure transmission device for assisting the drive in driving the hydraulic device, the pressure transmission device comprising a transmission chamber, a transmission diaphragm within the transmission chamber, a tapped pressurized hydraulic line, and a drive side medium line, wherein
• the transmission diaphragm divides the transmission chamber into a tapped line hydraulic side and a drive medium side,
• the tapped pressurized hydraulic line is tapped from a pressurized hydraulic line and in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic line and with the tapped line hydraulic side of the transmission chamber,
• the drive side medium line is in communication with the drive medium side of the transmission chamber and the drive side of the hydraulic device,
• the tapped pressurized hydraulic line is configured to feed hydraulic fluid from the tapped pressurized hydraulic line into the tapped line hydraulic side of the transmission chamber, and
• the drive side medium line is configured to feed a drive side medium from the drive medium side of the transmission chamber into the drive side of the hydraulic device.

A method for operating a flow control device comprising the following steps:

• driving a hydraulic device to introduce hydraulic fluid into, or remove hydraulic fluid from, a hydraulic line, the hydraulic device comprising an actuator, a valve side on one side of the actuator, and a drive side on an opposite side of the actuator;
• opening and closing a diaphragm valve by means of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic line;
• flowing a feed liquid in a dialysis machine through the diaphragm valve;
• transmitting hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line into a hydraulic side of a transmission chamber, wherein the transmission chamber is separated by a transmission diaphragm into the hydraulic side and a drive side chamber, and the transmitting forces the transmission diaphragm toward the drive side chamber;
• and transmitting a drive medium from the drive side chamber of the transmission chamber into the drive side of the hydraulic device to assist with driving the hydraulic device.