Flow control, backwards compatibility and obsolescence management
流控制不是一项新技术。它是数千年前在记录的历史上首次出现的：考虑罗马渡槽，古老的灌溉系统和水厂。阀门技术在工业革命期间进化，并继续这样做，从而导致了含义流量控制并在必要时改进的进步。如今，在控制液体和气体流动的各种行业和应用中都发现了流量控制。执行器是流量控制中的设备的关键项目，已将自动化带入原本手动过程。在石油和天然气，水，电力，工艺和行业的大量应用中发现了它们。流量控制继续进行创新，使操作员可以访问最新技术，即使在已经运行了多年的网站上。
Actuators can be electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically or electro-hydraulically powered. The choice of which actuator to use depends on multiple factors, such as location, available power supply, valve type/size, type of fluid being controlled etc. For example, pneumatic actuators have traditionally been used in applications such as oil and gas, offering critical high-speed fail-safe or emergency shutdown (ESD) duties in extreme or hazardous locations. Some electric actuators are referred to as specialist process control actuators because they provide continuous, modulating control. With a focus on consistency and reliability, they are ideally suited for combustion, food and beverage, water and power applications. Intelligent electric actuators are found in a wide range of applications because of their reliability and efficiency, as well as ease of access to a power supply. Within oil and gas applications they are favoured because they do not release emissions (as can be the case with pneumatic actuators powered by the produced gas). They are increasingly the actuator of choice for site operators who wish to increase asset uptime because of their ability to capture historical performance data.
The specialist management of all types of actuators to prevent site downtime due to obsolescence concerns can be undertaken with support from actuator manufacturers. Site operators know of the risks associated with ageing assets. The main danger from potential asset obsolescence is the impact on performance and uptime. If assets are unable to run efficiently- or at all- then the impact on production and profit can be severe. Unplanned downtime caused by asset failure or non-performing assets can lead to poor performance, poor product quality and reduced output yields which in turn can cause reputational damage and loss of revenue.
现在，技术进步可以通过升级过程来满足特定的过时关注。例如，Rotork的A-Range执行器于1960年代发射，仍然可以在数十年后运行。它们被称为“合格”执行器，具有外部反向接触器起动器和本地控件。智能电动执行器IQ3套件中可用的功能意味着似乎有两种反对的情况（具有A-range执行器设置的IQ3技术）是可能的。Rotork最近推出的IQ3套件允许向后兼容1960年代（包括A范围），更新到最新的致动技术，而不会影响现有的工厂基础设施。它不仅允许立即提高性能，而且可以在未来的几年中对未来的网站进行卫生。因此，可以将其视为网站过时管理的关键部分，用最新的智能执行器平台代替旧的执行器。使用IQ3集可确保预算可预测性，提高性能和减少停机时间。对资产的整个生命周期的整体考虑确保了失败的风险降低，并增加了继续操作的能力：它可以使系统实现，并无缝整合到现有的植物建筑中，并且无需更改现有的电缆或控制系统。现在，最新的流量控制技术比以往任何时候都更容易获得。
Flow control technology plays a critical role within the kinds of industries which we all rely on, such as water, power and manufacturing. The management of obsolescence concerns is an essential part of an effective asset management strategy, ensuring increased reliability and continued operation. Technology that allows backwards compatibility for legacy products is an essential tool in supporting the continuing high performance of all assets on site.