Parker Lucifer has developed industry's first fully integrated fieldbus manifold system -- the patented EExPress™ Bus Manifold -- for the control of pneumatic actuators in hazardous (Zone 1 and Zone 2) process industry environments like chemical, petrochemical applications. The EExPress™ Bus Manifold is a stackable valve system that fully integrates 5/2 solenoid valves, control electronics and input sensors, a unique feature on the market today, and uses the Profibus DP fieldbus communications protocol -- the preferred protocol of the process industries. One bus address can operate up to 32 individual 5/2 modular solenoid valves, or a combination of valves and actuator position sensors.
The concept consists in an "integrated solution" which permits installation of the manifold close to the pneumatic actuators -- without the need for expensive explosionproof pressurized cabinets. The EEx p [ia] m IIC T5 protection is reached by using a "safety pressure" -- the complete block is put under 50 mb safety pressure. This permits a substantial reduction of installation and maintenance costs, a simplification of the electrical connections, the use of Profibus DP, and offers increased safety due to separated wiring of communication and power supply.
Diagnostics is another safety factor thanks to a wide diagnostics capability -- from the uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to the solenoid valves and sensors. The sensors are directly connected to the manifold which is a complete integrated control system.
EExPress™ is designed to be user friendly and offers process industry end users a combination of unique advantages in terms of safety, reduced installation costs, and increased productivity, plus the benefits of advanced diagnostics capability.
These benefits include separated wiring for bus communication and solenoid valve power; reduced need for electronic and mechanical components such as couplers repeaters and safety barriers; better process control due to close mounting to actuators; lower maintenance costs and quicker trouble-shooting; at-a-glance LED display of production process status; and the flexibility to add more solenoid valves and/or input sensors. EExPress™ is fully certified to ATEX, LCIE standards, is CE marked and is EMC tested and approved.
