Electromagnetic apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow

Abstract

An actuator including actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece forming a pocket for a ferromagnetid armature located therein. The actuator including a radial magnet and a solenoid coil constructed and arranged to cause a linear displacement of the armature upon application of a coil drive current from a control circuit. The actuator may include a flexible membrane that partially encloses the armature to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. In a valve design, a fluid flow is stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure. A fluid flow is opened by driving the membrane away from the valve seat.

Description

[0001] This application also claims priority from U.S. provisional Application 60 / 659,343 filed on Mar. 5, 2005. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 421,359, filed on Apr. 23, 2003, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Controlling Fluid Flow,” which is a continuation of PCT Application PCT / US01 / 51098, filed on Oct. 25, 2001, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 696,154, filed on Oct. 25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,698. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 610,954, filed on Jul. 1, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 037,473, filed on Oct. 19, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 514,491, filed on Feb. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,662, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 924,130, filed on Aug. 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,478. The disclosure of all of the above-mentioned applications is consi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator that controls fluid flow in various systems. The actuator includes a solenoid coil, an armature, and a membrane or a flexible membrane that encases the armature. The actuator can be controlled by applying a coil drive current to the solenoid coil, which causes the armature to move between retracted and extended positions. The actuator can be used to control valves, pneumatic valves, and other fluid-control mechanisms. The actuator system includes an actuator housing, an armature, a radial magnet, an armature sensor, and a control circuit. The actuator system can be used to control fluid flow in various systems. The technical effects of the invention include reducing energy waste, increasing battery longevity, and monitoring the condition of the actuator.

Problems solved by technology

In non-latching actuators, unnecessarily high drive current for holding the valve open also may needlessly reduce the battery's longevity.

This usually causes degradation of the armature (i.e., corrosion) and problems with metal and other ions (or other deposits) that accumulate within the bobbin's cavity.

However, materials with very high magnetic permeability usually have low corrosion resistance.

Thus, designers in the past have had to compromise permeability for corrosion resistance.

For example, carbon steel has a high magnetic permeability, but is quite vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

Still, designers have had problems with the above-described deposits, or conversely, problems with preventing fluid contamination of the armature, bobbin or other valve elements.

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