阅读说明：本技术 用于控制止回阀的方法和排气系统 (Method for controlling a check valve and exhaust system ) 是由 P·鲍尔 M·哈曼 C·迪乌夫 R·雅克 于 2019-10-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于控制排气系统(1)的止回阀(9)的方法,以及一种具有控制单元(11)的排气系统(1),该控制单元被设置用于实施所述方法。本发明的目的在于避免由于喷射率的降低而在用于尿素溶液的管路系统(7)中出现过压。该方法包括以下步骤：·确定在排气系统(1)的运行期间是否存在以下状态中的一者或多者：a)计量分配阀(6)的每单位时间的尿素溶液喷射率小于或等于预定的喷射限值,b)由压力传感器(10)在管路系统(7)中测量到的压力超过预定的第一压力上限(P2),·如果存在状态a)和b)以及所述状态中的至少一者已经存在至少一个预定的时间段(Δta),则打开止回阀(9)达第一预定打开持续时间(Δt1),·在第一预定打开持续时间(Δt1)期满之后关闭止回阀(9)。(The invention relates to a method for controlling a check valve (9) of an exhaust gas system (1), and to an exhaust gas system (1) having a control unit (11) which is provided for carrying out the method. The aim of the invention is to avoid an overpressure in the line system (7) for the urea solution as a result of a reduction in the injection rate. The method comprises the following steps: -determining whether one or more of the following conditions are present during operation of the exhaust system (1): a) the urea solution injection rate per unit time of the dosing valve (6) is less than or equal to a predetermined injection limit, b) the pressure measured in the line system (7) by the pressure sensor (10) exceeds a predetermined first upper pressure limit (P2), if at least one of the states a) and b) and said states already exists for at least one predetermined period of time (Δ ta), the non-return valve (9) is opened for a first predetermined opening duration (Δ t1), the non-return valve (9) is closed after expiration of the first predetermined opening duration (Δ t 1).)

1. A method for controlling a check valve (9) of an exhaust system (1), wherein the exhaust system (1) comprises:

-a catalytic converter system (2),

-a urea solution tank (5),

-at least one dosing valve (6) for injecting a urea solution into the catalytic converter system (2),

-a pipe system (7) enabling the flow and return of the urea solution from the urea solution tank (5) to the dosing valve (6),

-a pump (8) arranged in the line system (7) between the urea solution tank (5) and the dosing valve (6),

-a non-return valve (9) arranged in the line system (7) between the dosing valve (6) and the urea solution tank (5), and

a pressure sensor (10) arranged for measuring a pressure in the pipe system (7),

wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-determining whether one or more of the following conditions are present during operation of the exhaust system (1):

a) the urea solution injection rate per unit time of the dosing valve (6) is less than or equal to a predetermined injection limit,

b) the pressure measured in the line system (7) by the pressure sensor (10) exceeds a predetermined first upper pressure limit (P2),

-opening the check valve (9) for a first predetermined opening duration (Δ t1) if at least one of the states a) and b) and said state has existed for at least one predetermined time period (Δ ta),

-closing the check valve (9) after expiration of the first predetermined opening duration (Δ t 1).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the check valve (9) is opened at least a second time for a second predetermined opening duration (Δ t2) after closing in a sequence and subsequently re-closed.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the closing of the non-return valve (9) is maintained for a closing duration (ts1, ts2, ts3) of at least 250ms between each two opening processes.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it is determined after closing the non-return valve (9) whether a predetermined lower pressure limit is undershot, and if not, the non-return valve (9) is reopened for another predetermined opening duration (Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t 4).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one predetermined opening duration (Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t4) is adjusted if it is determined that the measured pressure is outside the tolerance-containing expected pressure range after expiration of the predetermined opening duration (Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t 4).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said time period (Δ ta) is greater than 5 seconds, preferably between 5 and 60 seconds.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first upper pressure limit (P2) is 120% of the working pressure for injecting the urea solution and/or the first upper pressure limit (P2) is 1bar higher than the working pressure (P1).

8. An exhaust system, comprising:

-a catalytic converter system (2),

-a urea solution tank (5),

-at least one dosing valve (6) for injecting a urea solution into the catalytic converter system (2),

-a pipe system (7) enabling the flow and return of the urea solution from the urea solution tank (5) to the dosing valve (6),

-a pump (8) arranged in the pipe system (7) between the urea solution tank (5) and the dosing valve (6),

-a non-return valve (9) arranged in the line system (7) between the dosing valve (6) and the urea solution tank (5), and

a pressure sensor (10) arranged for measuring a pressure in the pipe system (7),

a control unit (11) which is connected in communication with the metering valve (6), the pump (8), the non-return valve (9) and the pressure sensor (10),

characterized in that the control unit (11) is arranged for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Exhaust system according to claim 8, characterized in that the pipe system (7) comprises a pipe made of polyamide.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for controlling a check valve of an exhaust system, wherein the exhaust system comprises:

-a catalytic converter system for converting a catalytic gas into a gaseous fluid,

-a reservoir for a urea solution,

at least one dosing valve for injecting a urea solution into the catalytic converter system,

a pipe system enabling the flow of urea solution from the urea solution tank to the dosing valve and back,

a pump arranged in the pipe system between the urea solution tank and the dosing valve,

a non-return valve arranged in the pipe system between the dosing valve and the urea solution tank, and

a pressure sensor arranged for measuring the pressure in the pipe system.

The invention also relates to an exhaust system of the above-mentioned type, which further comprises a control unit which is connected in communication with the metering and dispensing valve, the pump, the non-return valve and the pressure sensor.

Background

In order to reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NO) in exhaust gases, in particular in diesel engines_x) Concentration, a method for exhaust gas purification has been used and further developed for many years. One established approach is to use a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalytic converter in the exhaust system. These catalytic converters are particularly advantageous for reducing NO in trucks and passenger vehicles_xDischarge and getAnd is widely applied.

A common variation of an SCR catalytic converter uses a urea solution (e.g., AUS32 @) that is injected into a catalytic converter system of a vehicleAn aqueous solution having about 32% by weight of urea) as a reducing agent. The urea solution is evaporated and converted into gaseous ammonia (NH) in the exhaust system₃). This ammonia is reacted with harmful nitrogen oxides NO in an SCR catalytic converter_xAre converted together into nitrogen N₂And water H₂O。

To inject the urea solution into the SCR catalytic converter, the urea solution is loaded under pressure into the pipe system from a urea solution tank using a pump, and the urea solution under pressure is dispensed into the catalytic converter system using a metering and dispensing valve.

In the prior art, in some cases, in particular to avoid freezing of the urea solution at very low temperatures, the remaining urea solution is pumped back from the line system when the exhaust system is switched off. Alternatively or additionally, the urea solution tank or parts of the pipe system may be heated. In newer exhaust systems with SCR catalytic converters, a check valve is usually also provided, by means of which excess urea solution can be returned from the line system into the urea solution tank. However, in general, the valve remains closed during normal operation of the exhaust system and is opened only when the engine connected to the exhaust system is switched off (i.e., for example, when a motor vehicle having such an exhaust system is parked).

The injection rate of the urea solution injected by the metering valve is generally correlated with the driving state of the vehicle in which the exhaust system is located (engine speed, gear, speed, exhaust temperature, etc.) and with the measurement of the exhaust gas composition by an exhaust gas sensor downstream of the SCR catalytic converter.

In operation, the pump builds up an operating pressure (e.g. 5bar to 10bar) in the pipe system. After and during the injection procedure, the pressure is raised to the operating pressure, so that the injection process can be set well and performed uniformly. Too high or too low a pressure during injection can have a negative effect on exhaust gas cleaning, since the urea solution is then not distributed in the desired manner or injected in the wrong amount.

In practice the following problems are found: a vehicle having the exhaust system described above is rapidly switched from a driving state with a high injection rate or in the case of high engine power and exhaust gas temperature (for example, driving at high speed) to a driving state with a very low injection rate (for example, at a traffic light, a stop state in the event of traffic congestion, etc., while the engine remains running). In this case, the working pressure is already built up in the line system. At the same time (at least for a short period of time) no or only very little urea solution injection takes place and also no pressure drop occurs in the line system. The urea solution that has been under pressure and remains in the pipe system is heated by the heat of the engine/exhaust gases. This in turn leads to a very severe pressure rise in the pipe system until the "back flow" of urea solution is reduced. On the one hand, this temporarily leads to the previously described uneven injection behavior or to malfunctions and the metering valve cannot open, which deteriorates the exhaust gas purification. In extreme cases, the metering valve may even clog if the overpressure in the pipe system is too great. A similar problem occurs when the urea solution is partly frozen in the pipe system 7 at the start of the vehicle. The melting of the urea solution in the line system at low or no injection rates then also leads to a pressure rise.

At the same time, these (temporary) pressure peaks require very strong, elastic and pressure-resistant urea lines (made for example of ethylene propylene diene rubber) in the line system, which makes the manufacture difficult and increases the cost of the system.

The known non-return valve, although partially having a mechanical emergency opening behavior, is only allowed to occur at very high overpressure, so that the normal closing behavior of the non-return valve is not adversely affected. However, this emergency opening only occurs at a multiple of the operating pressure, as often as damage may already occur to the line system or to the metering valve. At the same time, it is undesirable for the check valve to open automatically and solely on the basis of the current pressure, since in other driving states of the vehicle (for example in the case of very high injection rates of urea solution) an overpressure can also briefly occur in the line system if it is undesirable for the check valve to open in such a situation. This may even negatively affect the injection behaviour or increase the energy consumption.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to avoid harmful pressure peaks in the line system, in particular due to rapid changes in the driving state, in an exhaust system of the type mentioned at the outset.

According to the invention, for controlling the exhaust system described at the beginning, a method is provided, which comprises the following steps:

-determining whether one or more of the following conditions are present during operation of the exhaust system:

a) the urea solution injection rate per unit time of the dosing valve is less than or equal to a predetermined injection limit,

b) the pressure measured in the pipe system by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined first upper pressure limit,

-opening the check valve for a first predetermined opening duration if at least one of the states a) and b) is present and said state has been present for at least one predetermined time period,

-closing the check valve after expiration of the first predetermined opening duration.

With this method it is ensured that: the check valve is controlled to open only when not only an overpressure in the line system but also a low injection rate of the urea solution is present, while at least one of the two conditions occurs in its entirety during a predetermined period of time. Thereby it is ensured that: already at short pressure peaks with high injection rates of urea solution, which can have a negative effect on the normal operation of the exhaust system, a targeted pressure release by means of the check valve by means of this method does not occur.

The exhaust system may include a control unit communicatively connected to the metering valve, the pump, the check valve, and the pressure sensor to implement the method.

It is generally not possible to control the check valve synchronously by means of the measurement data of the pressure sensor, since the pressure measurement during a rapid pressure drop with the check valve open is not precise and sufficient and easily leads to an "overflow" when the pressure is released". Instead, a predetermined on time may be used. The first predetermined opening duration may be, for example, 10 ms. However, the first predetermined opening duration (and possibly a second, third or fourth predetermined opening duration, etc.) may also be predetermined in dependence on the pressure. Thus, for example, the first predetermined opening duration may be 10ms when the overpressure is 1bar (when the operating pressure is, for example, 5 bar) and 12ms (merely an exemplary value) when the overpressure is 1.5 bar.

The predetermined period of time may be, for example, between 5 seconds and 60 seconds. Typically, with a high injection rate of urea solution, multiple injections are made during such a period.

The predetermined injection limit may be precisely 0ml per hour or a low finite value, for example 10ml per hour.

For example, the injection rate of the urea solution may be determined in response to a measurement of an exhaust gas sensor arranged downstream of the SCR catalytic converter.

Preferably, the check valve is opened at least a second time after closing for a second predetermined opening duration in a sequence and subsequently closed again. The pressure reduction can then take place sequentially, wherein the number and the opening duration of a sequence of opening processes can be predetermined. It is also possible that the selection of the sequence depends on one of the determined states, for example on the pressure. Sequentially opening the check valves facilitates returning the pressure to the operating pressure without overshooting the target. If the pressure drops too low, the current consumption of the pump is unnecessarily increased, since the pump then has to reestablish the working pressure.

Preferably, the check valve remains closed for a closing duration of at least 250ms between each two opening processes. It can thus be ensured, for example, that an accurate pressure measurement is present before a decision is made whether the non-return valve is reopened. If necessary, it can be determined whether the pressure rises again during the closing period and possibly exceeds a further upper pressure limit.

In a preferred embodiment, it is determined after closing the check valve whether a predetermined lower pressure limit is undershot and, if not, the check valve is reopened for a further predetermined opening duration. For example, the check valve may be reopened while the pressure is still above the operating pressure. It is also possible to associate a respective re-opening of the non-return valve after previously closing the non-return valve with exceeding a predetermined second upper pressure limit, third upper pressure limit, fourth upper pressure limit, etc., respectively. If it is determined, for example, that the further upper pressure limit is exceeded within the set closing time duration between the opening processes, the check valve is reopened, if this is not the case, the method is ended and the reopening of the valve is reset according to the invention only if states a) and b) are present concurrently and permanently.

Preferably, at least one predetermined opening duration is adjusted if it is determined that the measured pressure is outside the expected pressure range with tolerance after the expiration of the predetermined opening duration. It is thus possible to ensure that: possible incorrect calibration in the method or variations in the opening behavior of the check valve can be compensated for. The non-return valve can be, for example, a solenoid valve with a diaphragm, in which the diaphragm can slowly wear out over time or can change the magnetic force (for example due to remanence). For example, with an upper pressure limit of 6bar (1 bar above the operating pressure) and a first opening duration of 10ms, it can be expected that the pressure generated after reclosing the check valve is 5.2bar ± 0.1 bar. If it is now determined that the pressure is 5.4bar, the first opening duration is increased. The predetermined opening duration can be adjusted, for example, in proportion to the deviation from the expected pressure drop, i.e. 10ms × (6bar-5.2bar)/(6bar-5.4bar) ═ 13.3ms in the above example. However, other functional adjustments are also conceivable, for example only a small fraction (for example 10%) of the adjustment resulting from the proportional adjustment (for example from 10ms to 10.33ms instead of 13.3ms in the above-described exemplary embodiment). Overcompensation can thus be avoided.

In one embodiment, the period of time is 5 seconds, preferably between 5 seconds and 60 seconds. It is thereby ensured that the overpressure is not a short pressure peak at which no pressure relief is required.

Preferably, the upper first pressure limit is 120% of the operating pressure for injecting the urea solution and/or the upper first pressure limit is 1bar higher than the operating pressure. This ensures that a sufficiently large excess pressure above the operating pressure exists before the pressure release takes place.

In addition, various other factors may affect the amount of urea solution required to be added, which may include the pressure drop and the point in time and length of injection, such as the materials used, the vehicle, or the engine configuration.

The above object is also achieved by an exhaust system comprising:

-catalytic converter system

-a reservoir for a urea solution,

at least one metering valve for injecting a urea solution into the catalytic converter system,

a pipe system enabling the flow of urea solution from the urea solution tank to the dosing valve and back,

a pump arranged in the pipe system between the urea solution tank and the dosing valve,

a non-return valve arranged in the pipe system between the dosing valve and the urea solution tank, and

a pressure sensor arranged for measuring a pressure in the pipe system,

-a control unit, which is connected in communication with the metering valve, the pump, the non-return valve and the pressure sensor, characterized in that the control unit is arranged for implementing the method according to one of the preceding embodiments. "communicatively connected" means here: the control unit can, for example, receive data from the metering valves, pumps, check valves and pressure sensors and can transmit control commands to the metering valves, pumps, check valves and pressure sensors.

The control unit may be located inside or outside the transport system.

Preferably, the pipe system comprises a pipe made of polyamide. Since pressure peaks which are long-lasting and exceed the operating pressure can be avoided by the method according to the invention, it is not necessary to use urea lines which are particularly resistant, elastic and pressure-resistant (for example made of ethylene propylene diene rubber) in the line system, but rather lines made of polyamide can be used, which simplifies the production and reduces the costs of the system.

All features disclosed in the method aspect are also claimed in the exhaust system aspect and vice versa.

Drawings

The above features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention and the manner and method of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrating the embodiments. The figures show that:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an exhaust system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention, an

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a pressure curve in a pipe system in an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an exhaust system 1 according to the invention. The exhaust system 1 comprises a catalytic converter system 2, which here comprises exemplarily a diesel oxidation catalytic converter 3 and an SCR catalytic converter 4. However, the catalytic converter system 2 may also include other components and/or other catalytic converter components.

The exhaust system 1 further comprises a urea solution reservoir 5 for containing an aqueous urea solution, for example AUS32To reserve (c). A dosing valve 6 is provided for injecting the urea solution into the catalytic converter system 2. The exhaust system 1 comprises a pipe system 7 which enables the urea solution to flow from the urea solution tank 5 to the dosing valve 6 and back. A pump 8 is arranged in the line system 7 between the urea solution tank 5 and the metering valve 6 in order to supply the urea solution to the metering valve 6 at an operating pressure (for example 5 bar).

A non-return valve 9 is arranged in the line system 7 between the dosing valve 6 and the urea solution tank 5. Here, the check valve 9 is a normally open type electromagnetic valve.

The line system 7 is shown here only in one possible configuration. The individual lines of the pipe system 7 can also extend in different ways. For example, the feed line from the pump 8 to the metering valve 6 can be separated from the return line from the metering valve 6 to the non-return valve 9, and the urea solution flow takes place only through the antechamber of the metering valve 6.

Furthermore, the exhaust system comprises a pressure sensor 10, which is provided for measuring the pressure in the line system 7. Furthermore, a control unit 11 is provided, which is connected in communication with the metering valve 6, the pump 8, the non-return valve 9 and the pressure sensor 10.

The control unit 11 is provided for carrying out the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the control unit can be equipped with corresponding control software. The control software may include a machine learning algorithm. Thus, for example, if it is determined that the measured pressure is outside of the tolerance-containing expected pressure range after the expiration of the predetermined opening duration, the predetermined opening duration can be adjusted by a machine learning algorithm. This ensures that possible incorrect calibration in the method or changes in the opening behavior of the check valve 9 can be compensated for. The non-return valve 9 can be, for example, a solenoid valve with a diaphragm, in which the diaphragm can slowly wear out over time or the magnetic force can change (for example due to residual magnetism). Therefore, it is desirable to adaptively adjust predetermined method parameters.

The pipe system 7 may comprise pipes made of a relatively inexpensive polyamide and does not necessarily need particularly strong, elastic and pressure-resistant pipes (for example pipes made of ethylene propylene diene rubber). With the method according to the invention, pressure peaks which are long-lasting and exceed the operating pressure can be avoided and the requirements on the piping materials can therefore be reduced.

The exhaust system 1 further comprises an exhaust gas sensor 12 which measures the composition of the exhaust gas downstream of the SCR catalytic converter 4, in particular determines the amount of nitrogen oxides. The injection rate of the urea solution can thereby be adapted to the exhaust emissions in order to keep them as low as possible. Furthermore, the exhaust system 1 comprises a temperature sensor 13 which measures the temperature of the exhaust gas, which can likewise be incorporated into the determination of the required urea solution injection rate. The temperature sensor 13 may also be arranged at another location of the catalytic converter system 2, here only exemplarily downstream of the SCR catalytic converter 4 in the exhaust gas flow.

Fig. 2 discloses a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. According to the invention, for controlling the exhaust system 1 described above, a method is provided, which comprises the steps of:

after the start, it is determined in step 100 whether one or more of the following conditions are present during operation of the exhaust system 1:

a) the urea solution injection rate per unit time of the dosing valve 6 is less than or equal to a predetermined injection limit,

b) the pressure measured in the line system 7 by the pressure sensor 10 exceeds a predetermined first upper pressure limit.

If at least one of the states a) and b) and said state has existed for at least one predetermined period of time, the check valve 9 is opened for a first predetermined opening duration in step 110. Otherwise, the check valve 9 remains closed and the method returns to the beginning. Pressure-based regulation may be mentioned here.

After step 110, in step 120, the check valve 9 is closed again after the expiration of the first predetermined opening duration.

In step 130 it is decided whether to reopen the non-return valve 9 in the current opening sequence. This can be done, for example, by determining with the pressure sensor 10: whether the pressure exceeds the second upper pressure limit (e.g., 5.2bar in the case of a first upper pressure limit of 6 bar) for a minimum closing duration (e.g., 250 ms). For an open sequence, a series of decreasing upper pressure limits may be predetermined, whereby the overpressure is gradually and controllably returned to the working pressure. It is significantly more difficult for a single opening step to reach the working pressure as accurately as possible.

Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether the check valve 9 is opened again by whether the pressure is lower than the operating pressure or not or lower than the operating pressure containing the upper tolerance limit.

The first predetermined opening duration and possibly the second, third, fourth predetermined opening durations, etc. may be predetermined as a sequence. The length of the opening duration of the opening sequence may be arranged in a descending order, e.g. 10ms, 8ms, 6ms, 4 ms. The respective predetermined opening duration or the opening duration of the entire sequence can be dependent on the initial pressure when the check valve 9 is judged to be open for the first time. Depending on the temperature of the exhaust system, the pressure in the pipe system 7 may rise at different rates after the injection rate has decreased, so that a pressure release of different intensity is required. For example, at a higher overpressure, at the beginning of the sequence, only the first opening duration may be longer, or all opening durations of the sequence may be longer (and vice versa at a lower overpressure above the upper pressure limit). The tendency is to release most of the overpressure in the first opening duration, so that it is sufficient to decide the first opening duration solely on the basis of the pressure.

After step 140, in step 150, the check valve 9 is closed again after the expiration of the second predetermined opening duration. For the sake of clarity, the method ends and starts again here after two possible openings of the non-return valve 9. However, the method may comprise three, four, five or more openings of the non-return valve 9 in the sequence, wherein the number of opening processes actually performed in the sequence as described above may depend on the pressure reached after each opening in the sequence.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the pressure curve in the line system 7 in one embodiment of the method according to the invention. Here, P1 denotes the working pressure, and P2 denotes the first upper pressure limit. During the transition from a high urea solution injection rate to a low urea solution injection rate, the pressure of the already pressurized urea solution in the line system 7 rises, as mentioned at the outset, due to external heat from the exhaust system 1, in particular due to the hot exhaust gases in the catalytic converter system 2. As a result, the pressure in the pipe system 7 increases until it exceeds the first upper pressure limit P2 at time t 0. Now, if the pressure is kept above the first upper pressure limit for longer than a predetermined time period Δ ta (for example in the range of 5 to 60 seconds, depending on the embodiment of the exhaust system) while the injection rate is kept below the injection limit, the check valve 9 is opened for a first opening duration Δ t1 (for example 10ms) when the time period Δ ta expires according to the method. As the first opening duration Δ t1 expires, the check valve 9 is closed again.

The pressure release takes place continuously, wherein the number of opening processes and the opening duration can be predetermined in a sequence. In this embodiment, the sequence includes four opening processes.

Between each two opening processes the check valve 9 remains closed for a first, second and third closing duration ts1, ts2, ts3 (for example at least 250ms respectively). It can thus be ensured, for example, that there is an accurate pressure measurement before it is determined whether the check valve has reopened. While it can be determined whether the pressure is rising again.

In one embodiment, it is determined after each closing of the check valve 9 whether a predetermined lower pressure limit (e.g. P1 or P1+ Δ P, where Δ P <0.1bar) is below. If the lower pressure limit is not undershot, the check valve 9 is reopened for another predetermined opening duration Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t 4. If the pressure is still higher than the operating pressure P1, the non-return valve 9 can be re-opened, for example. It is also possible to associate a respective re-opening of the non-return valve 9 after a previous closing of the non-return valve 9 with exceeding a predetermined second upper pressure limit, third upper pressure limit, fourth upper pressure limit, etc., respectively. If, for example, it is determined that these additional upper pressure limits are exceeded within the closing durations ts1, ts2, ts3 between opening processes, the check valve is reopened, if this is not the case, the method is ended and the reopening of the valve is again set according to the invention only if the states a) and b) coexist and at least one of the states continues to exist.

At least one of the predetermined opening durations Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t4 may also be adjusted if it is determined that the measured pressure is outside of the tolerance-containing expected pressure range after expiration of the predetermined opening durations Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t 4. It is thereby ensured that possible incorrect calibrations in the method or changes in the opening behavior of the check valve 9 can be compensated for.

For example, the predetermined opening durations Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t4 may depend on the initial pressure of opening P3 in the pipeline system at the expiration of the time period Δ ta. The predetermined opening durations Δ t1, Δ t2, Δ t3, Δ t4, etc. may be in the form of a table or function, which is determined as a function of the opening initial pressure P3, and are accordingly selected upon expiration of the time period Δ ta.

Other upper pressure limits are not shown here for the sake of clarity, but they may be part of the method in order to determine whether further (second, third, fourth, etc.) openings of the check valve should be implemented in the sequence of the method.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the context of preferred embodiments, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.