Method for controlling electrically controlled filling elements and system for carrying out the method

A method for controlling electrically controlled filling elements of filling machines for filling containers with liquid, said filling elements respectively including a liquid flow valve and at least one signal emitter which is responsive to the liquid at a predetermined filling height in a respective container, said method including the steps of:

• opening a respective liquid flow valve;
• after a response of said signal emitter, closing said liquid flow valve with a time delay under the influence of a first correction factor, connecting the individual filling elements to an electronic control unit;
• cyclically operating said filling elements under fixed-cycle control;
• affecting a plurality of timing cycles within the time interval for filling a container from one of said filling elements;
• assigning a correction element to each filling element;
• providing at least one delay member, which are selectively tripped by said control unit and are associated with said correction element;
• providing rated value parameters;
• comparing said rated value parameters in said control unit with the respectively detected actual values;
• subjecting said at least one delay member to the influence of said rated value parameters, and
• prescribing individual rated value parameters for each filling element.

A system for control of a liquid flow valve of electrically controlled filling elements in filling machines for dispensing of liquids into filling containers to be filled via the liquid flow valve, said filling elements respectively including the liquid flow valve and at least one signal emitter which is responsive to the liquid at a predetermined filling height in a respective filling container, said system in combination including:

• a correction element;
• an electronic control unit, said signal emitter being connected with both said correction element and said control unit so that after a response of the signal emitter there is closing of said liquid flow valve with a time delay under influence of a correction factor;
• an actuating device, including a first magnet, for said liquid flow valve of said filling element, the output side of said correction element being connected to said first magnet;
• a gas outlet valve associated with said filling element;
• and
• an actuating device, including a second magnet, for said gas outlet valve, the output side of said correction element being connected to said second magnet, with the input side of said correction element being connected to said control unit.

A system for controlling electrically controlled filling elements of filling machines for filling containers with liquid, said filling elements respectively including a liquid flow valve and at least one signal emitter which is responsive to the liquid at a predetermined filling height in a respective container, said system including:

• a correction element;
• an electronic control unit, said signal emitter being connected with both said correction element and said control unit;
• an actuating device, including a first magnet, for said liquid flow valve of said filling element, the output side of said correction element being connected to said first magnet;
• a gas outlet valve associated with said filling element;
• an actuating device, including a second magnet, for said gas outlet valve, the output side of said correction element being connected to said second magnet, with the input side of said correction element being connected to said control unit, said electronic control unit including an input/output control member, a central processor connected to said input/output control member by means of a data delivery and feedback line, and a cycle generator for controlling said central processor, said signal emitter being connected with the input of said input/output control member by means of said correction element, and the output side of said input/output control member actuating both said first magnet of said liquid flow valve and said second magnet for said gas outlet valve.

A method for controlling a liquid flow valve used in electrically controlled filling elements for filling containers, wherein each filling element includes an actuator for operating the flow valve and a signal emitter which emits a signal upon detecting that the liquid has reached a predetermined level in a container being filled, the method comprising the steps of:

• setting the predetermined level at a level less than the full level of the container;
• operating the actuator to open the flow valve to start filling the container;
• emitting the signal upon the liquid reaching the predetermined level;
• activating a time delay circuit with the initiating signal while continuing to fill the container;
• influencing the length of the time delay interval with a correction factor selected to provide a uniform fill;
• and
• providing an output signal from the time delay circuit to the actuator after the time delay interval has expired, which output signal causes the actuator to close the valve to thereby cease filling the container.