Wet mortar mixed of cement, sand and water, is widely used as a material for construction works. Providing the wet mortar at the actual work location of the construction site requires a lot of work, if the materials are separately carried to the location and mixed on site.

Therefore, conventional systems are provided which store pre- mixed dry mortar, i. e. a mixture of sand and cement, at a silo and pumping the pre-mixed dry mortar to a mixer unit where water is added to produce wet mortar. The mixer unit can be installe at the actual work location.

However, the conventional systems are inefficient. Usually, on a construction site construction work is carried out simultaneously at a plurality of locations of the construction site. Construction materials such as cement or mortar are required at different locations at the same time. Therefore, it is necessary that either a plurality of conventional systems is used, or-the mixer unit of a single system is moved frequently.

Providing a plurality of sytems results in high equipment costs and is often impossible due to a lack of space. Frequently moving a single system results in a great amount of work.

It is an object of the invention to prepare a bulk conveying system which is appropriate to provide material at various remote locations of the same site at the same time, according to the actual needs at the particular remote locations, without

causing high costs or a great amount of work, and to create a corresponding method of controlling a bulk conveying system.

According to the invention, the object of the invention is achieved by a bulk conveying system.

The bulk conveying system according to the invention comprises a main storage container for storing bulk material, the main storage container having a bulk inlet and a bulk outlet. A main conveying pipe connecte to the bulk outlet of the main storage container is accompanied by a pump unit for driving the bulk material through the main conveying pipe. A plurality of distribution pipes are provided. Each one of the plurality of distribution pipes is connecte to the main conveying pipe and has a distribution valve by means of which the distribution pipe can be opened and closed. Further, a plurality of distribution units is provided. Each one of the plurality of distribution units has a distribution unit container, an inlet connecte to the main conveying pipe through a corresponding one of the distribution pipes, a material distribution outlet and a stock level detector.

The stock level detector detects whether or not the actual stock level in the distribution unit container is equal to or falls below a predetermined minimum stock level and detects whether or not the actual stock level in the distribution unit container is equal to or exceeds a predetermined maximum stock level.

Further,-the material conveying system comprises a conveyance control system which sequentially receives detected values from the stock level detector of each of the distribution units. The conveyance control system controls the distribution valve of each of the distribution pipes and the pump unit on the basis of the detected values. The control is carried out in such a manner that, if the actual stock level in the distribution unit container of any of the distribution units is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, bulk material is

demande to be conveyed from the main storage container to the distribution unit container of one of the distribution units.

The bulk material is conveyed to the distribution unit container of said one of the distribution units, until the actual stock level in the distribution unit container of said one of the distribution units is equal to the predetermined maximum stock level.

In this context said one of the distribution units can be that distribution unit which is just detected to have a low actual stock level, or can be another distribution unit to which material is already being conveyed when the latter detection is made.

Conveying bulk material to the distribution unit container of said one of the distribution units, until the actual stock level in the distribution unit container of said one of the distribution units is equal to the predetermined maximum stock levez does not necessarily mean that the distribution unit container is replenished in one single operation. It is also possible that the replenishing of the distribution unit container is interrupted in order to first convey material to another distribution unit container and is then continued.

In this context, conveying until the actual level is equal to the predetermined maximum stock level can also mean conveying until the actual level slightly exceeds the predetermined maximum stock level. Since the actual stock level might be detected at certain time intervals, it is possible that no detection is made when the actual stock level is equal to the predetermined maximum stock level.

By providing the plurality of distribution units it is achieved that bulk material can be conveyed to a plurality of distribution locations, so that e. g. a plurality of work sites on a-construction site can be provided with construction material. Therefore, work can be carried out simultaneously at a plurality of locations even if at all the locations material

is required at the same time.

By providing one distribution unit container for each of the distribution units it is achieved that a certain quantity of material can be stored at each particular distribution location, so that this certain quantity of material can be used instantaneously without requiring any waiting time resulting from a conveying process. Also, a material buffer may be provided, avoiding a shortage of material in periods when more material is taken out from the distribution unit than is conveyed into it.

By providing one material main storage container and one main conveying pipe for a plurality of distribution units it is achieved that the equipment costs and the space required for the conveying system are kept low. Further, a material mixture such as, e. g., dry mortar can be premixed and stored in the main storage container, so that the mixing process can be centralized and, thereby, the productivity can be increased.

Further, at the first step material only must be delivered to one location, namely the main storage container. No consideration is required in avance, regarding the question how much material will be taken out at which work location.

By providing the distribution valves and the pump unit it is achieved that the flowable bulk material can be conveyed independently to each particular one of the distribution units.

By providing a stock level detector in each of the distribution units and the conveyance control system it is achieved that the conveying process is carried out automatically. Further it is achieved that the process is carried out in such a way that the risk of falling short of material in any of the distribution units is minimized. Whenever the actual stock level in the distribution unit container of any of the distribution units is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, bulk material is conveyed from the main storage container to the distribution unit container of one of the distribution

units. That is, the pump unit is working continuously as long as any actual stock level is lower than targeted, and thereby the pump unit is used as effectively as possible.

It is possible that the conveyance control system receives the detected values from the stock level detector of each of the distribution units continuously or at certain receiving intervals.

According to the invention, it is possible that the predetermined minimum stock level is equal to the predetermined maximum stock level. This has the effect that immediately after material has been taken out of a distribution unit the distribution container of which is completely filled, material is conveyed from the main storage container to the distribution unit. It is preferred, however, that the predetermined minimum stock level is different from the predetermined maximum stock level.

Thereby it is achieved that material is not immediately conveyed from the main storage container to the distribution unit when only a smaller quantity of material has been taken out of the distribution unit container which previously had been completely filled. Thereby it is avoided that the pump unit is started and stopped frequently to convey small quantities of bulk material, which can result in a short lifetime for the pump unit and the whole conveying system.

It is possible that different values for the predetermined minimum stock level are provided for different distribution units and/or different values for the predetermined maximum stock level are provided for different distribution units.

According to the invention, it is possible that the conveyance control system of the bulk conveying system has any appropriate detailed design providing for the replenishment of the distribution units. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the conveyance control system controls the

distribution valve of each of the distribution pipes and the pump unit on the basis of the detected values in such a manner that if the actual stock level in the distribution unit container of more than one of the distribution units is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, bulk material is conveyed to the distribution unit container of that one of the distribution units whose actual stock level was equal to or fell below the predetermined minimum stock level first (first-come-first-serve-mode).

By replenishing the distribution unit container of that one of the distribution units first whose actual stock level was equal to or fell below the predetermined minimum stock level first, it is achieved that a distribition unit is replenished which is very likely to be the first to run completely out of material.

In the case that this distribution unit has already run out of material, it is very likely that it is this distribution unit which has already passed the longest waiting time without material. Therefore, it is likely that at this distribution unit no other work is left which can be carried out without a further material supply.

According to another preferred embodiment of the bulk conveying system according to the invention, the stock level detector detects the exact actual stock level in the distribution unit container and the conveyance control system controls the distribution valve of each of the distribution pipes and the pump unit on the basis of the detected values in such a manner that if the actual stock level in the distribution unit container. of more than one of the distribution units is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, bulk material is conveyed to the distribution unit container of that one of the distribution units whose actual stock level is the lowest (lowest-level-first-mode).

By replenishing the distribution unit container of that one of the distribution units first whose actual stock level is the lowest, it is achieved that the distribition unit is

replenished which is very likely to run completely out of material.

Thus it is possible that bulk material is conveyed to the distribution unit container of that one of the distribution units whose actual stock level is the lowest for a predetermined time period, regardless of whether or not in the meantime another distribution unit container becomes the one with the lowest stock level. It is further possible to determine the distribution unit to which material is conveyed by considering the material quantity taken out per time from those distribution units having the same level or from those distribution units having an actual stock level lower than the predetermined minimum stock level.

According to the invention it is possible that the bulk conveying system runs wholly automatically and without any need for operation staff to modify the conveying process. It is preferred, however, that the bulk conveying system comprises a manual conveyance control switch by means of which the operation of the conveyance control system can be modifie or interrupted. Further preferably a conveyance control programming unit having programming keys is provided. It can be provided, for example, that by means of the manual conveyance control switch or the conveyance control programming unit the minimum and/or the maximum predetermined stock level can be change, the mode of operation can be switched from the first- come-first-serve-mode to the lowest-level-first-mode, one or more distribution units can be switched off completely, or a termination programm for a distribution unit can be started determining a residual quantity to be conveyed to the distribution unit etc.

By providing an appropriate manual conveyance control switch or the conveyance control programming unit it is achieved that the bulk conveying system can be adapted to the actual needs at the individual construction site.

According to a preferred embodiment of the bulk conveying system according to the invention each distribution unit has an weighing system which mesures the accurate amount of material distributed through the material distribution outlet.

Preferably, the weighing system is integrated into the distribution unit. Further, preferably the weighing system is designed as to determine the distributed amount of material exactly enough to fulfill the needs of construction work, especially when the distributed material is sand or cement used to mix mortar. By providing a weighing system in each of the distribution units it is achieved that optimum doses of material and optimum mixing ratios can exactly be met. Further, the usage rate of the individual distribution unit can be recorde and monitored.

It is further preferred that each distribution unit has a material demand switch or panel, by means of which a desired amount of material can be preset and the distribution unit can be controlled in such a way that the exact desired amount of material is distributed through the material distribution outlet.

Preferably an information regarding the material demand preset at the particular distribution unit is sent to the conveyance control system. The conveyance control system then carries out a modifie control mode conveying the desired amount of material to the respective distribution unit. In the modifie control mode the conveyance control system controls the distribution valves and the pump unit in such a way that material is conveyed to the respective distribution unit before or without a detection being made whether the actual stock level falls below the predetermined minimum stock level.

According to the invention it is possible that the modifie control mode is combine with the regular control mode described above in any appropriate way. By using the modifie contre-1 mode the rection time achieved with the bulk material conveying system is decreased. The conveying process can be immediately started when the process of distributing material

is started at the distribution unit. Thereby a possible future shortness of material in a particular distribution unit is avoided in avance.

The material demand device can e. g. be a switch, wherein each pressing of the switch corresponds to the demand of a certain amount of material, e. g. 50 kg.

According to the invention it is possible that each of the distribution pipes is formed as one piece and is fixed to the main conveying pipe. It is preferred, however, that each of the distribution pipes comprises a valve portion which forms that end of the distribution pipe joining the main conveying pipe and comprises the distribution valve, and a distribution unit portion which forms that end of the distribution pipe joining the distribution unit, which is disconnectably coupled to the valve portion and which is substantially longer than the valve portion.

By forming each of the distribution pipes as two pieces, a valve portion and a distribution unit portion disconnectably coupled with each other, wherein the distribution unit portion being substantially longer than the valve portion, it is achieved that each distribution unit together with the greatest part of the distribution pipe can be disconnected from the main conveying pipe, e. g. for the purpose of installing it at another location. By providing the distribution valve in the valve portion of the distribution pipe it is achieved that the pipe system which remains when the distribution unit portion is disconnected can be shut down, so that no material flows out.

Thereby the flexibility of the system is increased. It is possible to carry out a modification of the pipe system and a displacement of a distribution unit, while maintaining the operation of the remaining pipe system and the remaining distribution units.

According to the invention it is possible that the conveying pipe is formed as a one-piece unit. It is preferred, however,

that the main conveying pipe comprises a hydrant portion forming that portion of the main conveying pipe where the distribution pipes are joined, and a conveying portion forming that portion of the conveying pipe which extends between the main storage container and the hydrant portion and being disconnectably coupled to the conveying portion.

Preferably, a conveying pipe valve is provided at the end of the conveying portion close to the hydrant portion, so that the conveying pipe can be closed.

By forming the conveying pipe as a two-piece unit, i. e. of a conveying portion and a hydrant portion disconnectably coupled with each other, it is achieved that the conveying pipe can be extended or modifie in another way by inserting an additional pipe piece in order to displace the locations where the distribution units are arrange. For example, an additional vertical pipe piece can be inserted into the main conveying pipe when the distribution units are to be displaced from the levels one to five of a building under construction to the levels six to ten. Thereby the flexibility of the system is increased. It is possible to carry out a displacement of all the distribution units without modifying the greatest part of the conveying pipe. By providing the conveying pipe valve in the conveying portion it is achieved that the pipe system can be shut for the purpose of inserting an additional pipe piece.

According to the invention it is possible that the hydrant portion has any appropriate design. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the hydrant portion is formed as a one-piece unit comprising a main pipe portion, joining pipe portions laterally protruding from the main pipe portion at different longitudinal positions of the main pipe portion, and a connection joint at each free end of the main pipe portion and the joining pipe portions By forming the hydrant portion as a one-piece unit it is achieved that the hydrant portion can be shifted or displaced

easily as a whole.

Preferably, the hydrant portion comprises a shackle for fixing a shifting device, e. g. a hook of a crane.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrant portion is designed in modular system and comprises a plurality of hydrant elements, each hydrant element of which has a main pipe portion, a joining pipe portion laterally protruding from the main pipe portion and a connecting joint at each of the free ends of the main pipe portion and the joining pipe portion, with the hydrant elements being joined so as to form a row, wherein pairs of the connecting joints at the free ends of the main pipe portions are disconnectably joined to each other.

By designing the hydrant portion in modular system it is achieved that the hydrant portion can be modifie easily in order to adapt the pipe system after the displacement of one or more of the distribution units. It is, for example, possible to shut down one of the hydrant elements at its joining pipe portion and, instead, to add a further hydrant element at the free end of the hydrant portion. Thereby it is e. g. possible to displace the plurality of distribution units from the levels one to five of a building under construction to the levels two to six. This can be achieved by just moving the distribution unit previously located on level one to level six. The operation of the distribution units of levels two to five can be continued during that displacement activity. Hence the hydrant portion designed in modular system serves to increase the flexibility of the conveying system.

According to the invention it is possible that the bulk conveying system has only one conveying unit connecte to the main storage container and comprising a conveying pipe, a plurality of distribution pipes and a plurality of distribution units. It is preferred, however, that the bulk conveying system comprises a plurality of conveying units connecte to the main

storage container, each conveying unit of which comprises a conveying pipe, a plurality of distribution pipes and a plurality of distribution units. Thereby a further increase of the flexibility of the conveying system is achieved.

According to the invention it is possible that the bulk conveying system is used with any flowable dry bulk material in the form of powder, granular and/or granulate materials,, e. g. chemicals, sugar, sand, cement, dry mortar etc.. If reqired or desired, a dry bulk material can be made flowable or more flowable by mixing it with air so as to fluidize the bulk material to obtain a flowable dry bulk medium with the desired flow characteristics. It is also possible to use the system at any location. It is preferred, however, to use the bulk conveying system for conveying a construction material to different locations of the construction site, especially to different levels of a building under construction.

According to the invention it is possible that the bulk conveying system is used for supplying any flowable or fluidized dry construction material, especially dry cement or dry mortar. Preferably, the invention is used for supplying dry mixtures produced by dry mixing of two or more different types of mono bulk materials with any mixing ratio/s because by the invention it is assured that the mixing ratio/s and the quality of the mixtures are maintained without segregation of the mixtures when they arrive at their final destination/s.

With respect to the method, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for controlling a bulk conveying system.

The method for controlling a bulk conveying system for conveying bulk material from a main storage container to a plurality of distribution units comprises the steps of: detecting in each of the distribution units whether or not the actual stock level of bulk material in the distribution unit is equal to or falls below a predetermined minimum stock level, and whether or not the actual stock level of bulk material in

the distribution unit is equal to a predetermined maximum stock level; sequentially receiving detected values from each of the distribution units; if a detected value is received from one of the distribution units, indicating that the actual stock level of bulk material in said one distribution unit is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, checking whether or not presently bulk material is being conveyed to any of the distribution units, and, if it is found that presently bulk material is being conveyed to none of the distribution units, controlling the bulk conveying system in such a manner that the conveying of bulk material to said one distribution unit is started; and, if a detected value is received from one of the distribution units indicating that the actual stock level of bulk material in said one distribution unit is equal to the predetermined maximum stock level, checking whether or not presently bulk material is being conveyed to said one distribution unit, and, if it is found that presently bulk material is being conveyed to said one distribution unit, controlling the conveying system in such a manner that the conveying of bulk material to said one distribution unit is stoppe, and checking a queue of distribution units to be replenished whether the queue presently comprises another distribution unit, and, if it is found that the queue presently comprises a distribution unit is in the queue, controlling the conveying system in such a manner that the conveying of bulk material to the distribution unit which is the next in the queue is started and deleting the distribution unit from the queue.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, after a detected value has been received from one of the distribution units indicating that the actual stock level of bulk material in said one distribution unit is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level, after it has been checked whether or not presently bulk material is being convexe to any of the distribution units and after it has been found that presently bulk material is being conveyed to any of the distribution units, it is checked whether or not presently

bulk material is being conveyed to said one of the distribution units, and, if it is found that presently bulk material is being conveyed to said one of the distribution units, the conveying system is controlled in such a manner that the conveying of bulk material to said one of the distribution units is continued, and, if it is found that presently bulk material is not being conveyed to said one of the distribution units, said one distribution unit is attache at the end to the queue of distribution units to be replenished, if said one distribution unit is not yet in the queue.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the exact value of the actual stock level of bulk material in each distribution unit is detected, and after a detected value has been received from one of the distribution units indicating that the actual stock level of bulk material in said one distribution unit is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level and after it has been found that presently bulk material is being conveyed to any of the distribution units, it is checked which of the distribution units has the lowest actual stock level. The conveying system is controlled in such a manner that bulk material is conveyed to that one of the distribution units which has the lowest actual stock level, and any other one of the distribution units which has an actual stock level which is equal to or falls below the predetermined minimum stock level is placed in the queue of distribution units to be replenished, wherein the position number in the queue depends on the actual stock level.

The lower the actual stock level, the lower the position in the queue.

An import feature of the system and method designed according to the invention that any type of flowable or fluidized dry bulk material can be conveyed to one outlet or even more than one outlets simultaneously or one by one and one at a time. The system can be controlled automaticly or manually and is also capable to provide manual override modes to suit different replenishing requirement for each outlet. For instance the

system may enable to grant more priority on supply to an outlet requiring more urgent replenishing by cutting the queue, or may enable to stop the supply to a first outlet halfway and start the supply to another second outlet that requires immediate supply whereafter supplying of bulk material to the first outlet is completed.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the bulk conveying system according to the invention being installe on a building construction site.

Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the hydrant unit of the bulk conveying system according to the invention, wherein the hydrant unit is designed as a one-piece unit.

Figure 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the hydrant unit of the bulk conveying system according to the invention, wherein the hydrant unit is designed in modular system.

From figure 1 a bulk conveying system is obvious, which is arrange on a building construction site. A building under construction having eight levels is schematically shown.

Besides the building a main storage container 1 for storing bulk material formed as a silo is arrange. The main storage container 1 has a bulk inlet 11 and a bulk outlet 12. The bulk inlet 11 is connecte, through a rubber hose, to a truck supplying. fresh material to the main storage container 1.

A main conveying pipe 2 is connecte to the bulk outlet 12 of the main storage container 1 which is at a distance from the ground. The main conveying pipe is formed by a conveying portion 23 and a hydrant portion 22. The conveying portion 23 extends from the bulk outlet 12 to the ground. In the portion where the conveying portion 23 meets the ground, the main conveying pipe 2 has a pump unit 21 which is arrange on the

ground and is provided for driving the bulk material through the main conveying pipe 2. The conveying portion 23 further extends along the ground towards the building and is upwardly curved close to the building. At the position of the curve the conveying portion 23 is anchored by means of a pipe stand.

Further, the conveying portion extends upwardly along the building and ends between the third and the fourths level of the building, and close to the end the conveying portion comprises a conveying pipe valve 24.

Above the conveying pipe valve 24 the conveying portion 23 is connecte to the hydrant portion 22. The hydrant portion 22 is formed as a one-piece unit and has a main pipe portion extending vertically along the building and ending at the eighth level of the building. Joining pipe portions protrude laterally from the main pipe portion towards the building. One joining pipe portion protrudes from the main pipe portion at the height of each of the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth level of the building. At each of the joining pipe portions of the hydrant portion 22 a distribution valve 31 is provided.

Each of the joining pipe portions provided with the distribution valve 31 forms a valve portion 32 of a distribution pipe 3. Each of the distribution pipes 3 comprises the valve portion 32 and a distribution unit portion 33. The valve portion 32 and the distribution unit portion 33 are disconnectably coupled close to the distribution valve 31. Each of the distribution unit portions 33 extends parallel to the floor of the respective level into the center of the building.

The distribution unit portion 33 of each distribution pipe 3 is connecte to a distribution unit 4 through an inlet 42 leading to a distribution unit container 41. At each inlet 42 of a distribution unit 4 a further valve is provided. Each of the disribution units 4 has a material distribution outlet 44 and a stock level-detector 43 (only shown schematically). Each of the stock level detectors is connecte via a data line (not shown)

to a conveyance control system 5 (only shown schematically).

From figure 2 a hydrant portion 22 can be seen more in detail which is designed as one piece. The basic shape of the hydrant portion 22 is the same as that of figure 1, the difference being that no distribution valves 31 are provided for the hydrant portion 22. The hydrant portion 22 has a main pipe portion extending vertically. Joining pipe portions protrude laterally from the main pipe portion. A connection joint 223 is provided at each free end of the main pipe portion and the joining pipe portions.

From figure 3 another embodiment of a hydrant portion 22 can be gathered in greater detail, which is designed as a modular system. The hydrant portion 22 comprises three hydrant elements 224 which all have the same design. Each hydrant element 224 has a main pipe portion. A joining pipe portion laterally protrudes from the main pipe portion. A connecting joint 223 is provided at each of the free ends of the main pipe portion and the joining pipe portion. Each of the joining pipe portions comprises a distribution valve 31. Pairs of the hydrant elements 224 are joined, so that the three hydrant elements form a row. Therefore, pairs of the connecting joints 223 at the free ends of the main pipe portions are disconnectably joined to each other.

It is a preferred embodiment of the invention to use an embodiment of the method according to the invention in combination with an embodiment of the bulk conveying system according to the invention.

Bulk material in the meaning of the invention means any flowable or fluidized dry bulk medium which is flowable to the desired extent or is made floable by adding a fluid medium like a gaseous medium in order to obtain the desired flow characteristics.

Pump unit in the meaning of the invention is any pumping means

which is suitable for the transfer of the bulk material from the main storage container into the conveying system and for pumping the flowable bulk material through the pipe conveying system. Thus, as the pump unit according to the invention, a transfer unit may be present as an individual unit in combination with an idividual compressor unit or may be integrated into a compressor unit. The pump unit may be incorporated into the main storage container or may be arrange downstream and/or upstream of the outlet of the main storage container. For instance, the pump unit may comprise a compressor for compressing air or another gaseous medium as a carrier medium for the bulk material. Further, a mixing unit may be incorporated into the pump unit for mixing a carrier fluid with the bulk material to be introduced into and conveyed in the conveying system.

The term pipe means any rigid or flexible pipe or hose which is suitable for the purposes of the invention. The pipe or hose may have any suitable length and may extend in vertical, horizontal or incline directions. Further, the pipes may be of a continuous design or may constructed by several pipe sections which are permanently or loosenably connecte to each other.

The distribution pipes may be permanently or loosenably connecte to the main conveying pipe. Preferably, the distribution pipes are connecte to the main conveying pipe by connecting joints which may be of any suitable shape like T- joints, Y-joints, elbow joints or the like or even crossover joints to connect e. g. two distribution pipes to the main conveying-pipe at the same branching location. These joints may be of a straight design or may be reducing joints of any material that jointed to pipes or hoses. The joints can be couplings, threaded joints, permanently welded joints or the like or a combination thereof.

Preferably a piece of single valve is installe at the respective outlet portion of the joints. The valves can be any valves designed for linear movement or rotary movement of the

movable valve member, swing valves or pinch valves or the like of any suitable design. The valve actuators can be of linear or rotary design, rack and pinion design or the like or of a combination thereof. For pinch valves, the body itself can be the actuator or the actuator can be of any other suitable type.

Electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power or their combination may be used to actuate the actuators for opening and closing the valves.