Magnetic damping valve system

Abstract

A valve includes a housing (12), a valve closing member (30), and a magnetic damping device (50) including a fixed member (52) and a movable member (54). The fixed member (52) is fixed in position with respect to the housing (12), and the movable member (54) is configured to move with the closing member (30). One of the fixed member (52) or the movable member (54) includes a magnetic field generator and the other of the fixed member (52) or the movable member (54) includes an electrical conductor. The magnetic damping device (50) is configured such that the electrical conductor is exposed to the magnetic field of the magnetic field generator. A pressure regulator (10, 110) comprising such a valve. A method and control system (100) for controlling damping of a pressure regulator (110) as a function of a rate of change in fluid flow demand on an outlet side (22) of the pressure regulator (110) when a magnetic field generator includes an electromagnet (152).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a damping valve system, and more particularly to a magnetic damping valve system. The present invention also relates to a magnetic damping pressure regulator and a system and method for controlling the regulator. Background Art

[0002] Uncontrolled vibration in a mechanical system is undesirable as it can lead to unexpected system behavior, unwanted noise, unwanted pressure waves, and, if not controlled, can cause damage to the system. It is well known to control undesirable vibration in a mechanical system by using one or more dampers, the goal of which is to limit the vibration and, ideally, eliminate it.

[0003] In fluid control systems, changes in flow and / or pressure can cause one or more valves in the system to vibrate, which in turn can cause vibrations throughout the entire system. An example of a valve application in a fluid control system is the fuel pressure regulator in a fuel injection system. Located between the fuel tank and the fuel rail, the fuel pressure regulator's task is to keep the pressure upstream of the fuel injectors virtually unaffected by the engine's fuel demand. This is achieved through the careful design of the diaphragm / piston and spring arrangement within the fuel pressure regulator. Even so, in fast transient situations, the fuel pressure regulator may struggle to keep up with the rapid change in fuel demand, causing the valve to oscillate around its equilibrium position and produce undesirable changes in outlet pressure. To prevent these undesirable pressure changes, damping is required.

[0004] Valves controlling the flow of highly viscous fluids are damped to some extent by the fluid itself. This is the case, for example, with diesel fuel pressure regulators in fuel injection systems. However, systems controlling non-viscous or low-viscosity fluids do not benefit from this damping.

[0005] The present invention is designed just under this background. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a valve is provided, which includes a housing and a closing member, wherein the closing member is configured to move in a first direction relative to the housing to open the valve, and to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the housing to close the valve, wherein the valve includes a magnetic damping device, which includes a fixed member and a movable member, wherein the fixed member fixes a position relative to the housing, and the movable member is configured to move together with the closing member, wherein one of the fixed member or the movable member includes a magnetic field generator, and the other of the fixed member or the movable member includes an electrical conductor, wherein the magnetic damping device is configured so that at least a portion of the electrical conductor is exposed to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.

[0007] Advantageously, the relative movement between the movable and fixed members generates eddy currents in the electrical conductor because the magnetic field encountered by the electrical conductor changes due to the relative movement between the fixed and movable members. The eddy currents in the electrical conductor, in turn, generate a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. This opposing magnetic field acts to resist the relative movement between the fixed and movable members, thereby damping the movement of the closing member relative to the valve housing by dissipating its kinetic energy, allowing the equilibrium point to be reached more quickly.

[0008] Alternatively, the movable member may be connected to, embedded in, or integral with the closure member. This provides a variety of valve design options. Connecting the movable member to the closure member as an assembly may help reduce valve component costs. Alternatively, embedding the movable member in or integrating it with the closure member may facilitate faster assembly and provide a more robust valve with fewer separate components.

[0009] A portion of the fixing member may be received in a groove located in the inner wall of the housing.

[0010] The magnetic field generator may optionally comprise a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The use of a permanent magnet is advantageous because no power supply is required. In contrast, the use of an electromagnet enables the magnetic field to be adjusted, so that the damping level can be adjusted according to the operating conditions of the valve.

[0011] The fixed member may surround at least a portion of the movable member to help maximize the amount of interaction between the movable member and the fixed member, thereby enabling the electrical conductor to more effectively interact with the magnetic field.

[0012] In one example, the fixed member may be positioned between a pair of flux bridge elements extending from the housing toward the movable member. Providing such a flux bridge is advantageous because the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and the magnetic field generated by eddy currents induced in the electrical conductor are concentrated near the bridge, thereby enhancing the damping effect caused by the interaction of the two magnetic fields.

[0013] The flux bridge element may protrude beyond the fixed member to carry the magnetic flux closer to the movable member, thereby further enhancing the damping effect.

[0014] The housing may comprise a non-ferromagnetic material, which advantageously prevents the magnetic flux from propagating long distances through the housing and dissipating. This concentrates the magnetic field near the flux bridge element, thereby enhancing the damping effect caused by the interaction of the two magnetic fields.

[0015] The valve may optionally include a control spring extending between the housing and the movable member to provide a force through the movable member that acts with or against movement of the closure member (depending on the design of the valve).

[0016] A portion of the movable member may be configured to be received within the control spring to provide a secure connection between the movable member and the control spring and to facilitate assembly of the valve.

[0017] In one example, the closure member may include a valve head and a valve stem, wherein the movable member is fixed to, embedded in, or integral with the valve stem. This configuration conveniently allows the movable member to be located remote from the valve head, which may be desirable for packaging and operational purposes.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a pressure regulator is provided, wherein the pressure regulator includes an inlet located on an inlet side of the pressure regulator and an outlet located on an outlet side of the pressure regulator, wherein the inlet and the outlet are selectively fluidically connected depending on the position of a closure member. This advantageously provides a pressure regulator that can effectively damp valve oscillations even when used to regulate low-viscosity or compressible fluids.

[0019] Alternatively, the housing may define a control chamber, wherein the control chamber comprises a first portion and a second portion separated by a diaphragm or a piston, wherein the outlet is located in the first portion of the control chamber, and wherein the closure member is configured to move with the diaphragm or the piston in use according to a force balance on the diaphragm or the piston. Thus, fluid flow on the outlet side of the pressure regulator is restricted to the first portion of the control chamber, while the second portion of the control chamber is free of fluid.

[0020] The magnetic damping means may optionally be located in the second portion of the control chamber where it may be conveniently enclosed and separated from the fluid located in the first portion.

[0021] A portion of the fixing member may be received in a groove located in the inner wall of the housing.

[0022] In one example, when the control chamber is divided by a diaphragm, a portion of the diaphragm can be received in the groove along with the portion of the stationary member. This helps to fluidically seal the first portion of the control chamber from the second portion of the control chamber.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for controlling a pressure regulator as described above, wherein the magnetic field generator includes an electromagnet, the control system includes one or more controllers, and the control system is configured to: receive a first input signal indicating a rate of change of a fluid flow demand on an outlet side of the pressure regulator; determine a damping characteristic based on the first input signal; determine a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic; and issue a control signal to control the supply of power to the electromagnet based on the determined power supply characteristic.

[0024] The control system advantageously controls the electromagnet, and thereby its associated magnetic field strength, based on the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side of the pressure regulator. Consequently, the amount of damping provided by the magnetic damping device is also controlled based on the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side of the pressure regulator, thereby allowing the damping to be optimized for given engine operating conditions and / or fuel requirements.

[0025] The one or more controllers may collectively include: at least one electronic processor having at least one electrical input for receiving an input signal; and at least one memory device electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor and having instructions stored therein; wherein the at least one electronic processor is configured to access the at least one memory device and execute the instructions thereon to: determine a damping characteristic based on the first input signal; determine a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic; and issue a control signal to control the supply of power to the electromagnet based on the determined power supply characteristic.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a pressure regulator as described above, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises an electromagnet, the method comprising: receiving a first input indicative of a rate of change of a fluid flow demand on an outlet side of the pressure regulator; determining a damping characteristic based on the first input; determining a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic; and controlling the supply of power to the electromagnet based on the determined power supply characteristic.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, comprising the valve as described above, the pressure regulator as described above, or the control system as described above.

[0028] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer software, which is configured to perform the above method when executed.

[0029] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed by one or more electronic processors, the one or more electronic processors are caused to perform the above-mentioned method for controlling a pressure regulator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following non-limiting examples of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a pressure regulator according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 a pressure regulator, which additionally includes a state sensor;

[0033] Figure 3 Shows the control Figure 2 a block diagram of a control system for a pressure regulator; and

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic illustration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A fuel pressure regulator 10 is shown, comprising a housing 12, an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. In this example, the housing 12 comprises an upper portion 13 and a lower portion 15 ( Figure 1 However, this is not required, and the housing 12 may be formed from a single piece, or may be formed from three or more pieces.

[0036] The housing 12 includes a plate 18 that separates an inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 10 from an outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10. As shown, the inlet 14 is located on the inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 10, and the outlet 16 is located on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10. The plate 18 has an opening 19 that provides selective fluid communication between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 depending on the position of the valve closure member 30. The opening 19 is frustoconical in shape, with its largest diameter facing the inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 10 and its smallest diameter facing the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10.

[0037] The valve closure member 30 includes a valve head 32 and a valve stem 34. The valve head 32 is frustoconical in shape and is configured to fit within the frustoconical opening 19 in the plate 18. Thus, when the closure member 30 is in the closed position, the frustoconical surface of the valve head 32 seats on the frustoconical surface of the opening 19 to prevent fluid from flowing from the inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 10 to the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10. Thus, the opening 19 constitutes a valve seat for the valve that includes the housing 12 and the closure member 30.

[0038] The housing 12 on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10 defines a control chamber 40 that is divided into a first portion 42 and a second portion 44 by a diaphragm 46. The outlet 16 is located in the first portion 42 of the control chamber 40 on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 10. The peripheral edge of the diaphragm 46 is located in a groove 11 within the inner wall of the housing 12. The valve stem 34 of the closure member 30 extends through the diaphragm 46. The diaphragm 46 seals around the valve stem 34 and the groove 11 so that no fluid can enter the second portion 44 of the control chamber 40 from the first portion 42 of the control chamber 40. The valve stem 34 is constrained to move with the diaphragm 46 so that, in use, when the diaphragm 46 moves, the valve stem 34 and the valve head 32 also move therewith.

[0039] A magnetic damping device 50 is located in the second portion 44 of the control chamber 40. The magnetic damping device 50 includes a fixed member 52 and a movable member 54. The fixed member 52 includes an annular ring surrounding the movable member 54. An outer portion of the fixed member 52 is received in the groove 11 in the inner wall of the housing 12 together with the diaphragm 46. The movable member 54 includes an annular ring mounted on the valve stem 34 and constrained to move with the valve stem 34.

[0040] The control spring 25 extends between a boss 26 located on the inner surface of the housing 12 and a movable member 54. The valve stem 34 of the closure member 30 is slidably received within a passage 27 located in the boss 26. The movable member 54 includes a reduced diameter portion 55 that defines a shoulder 56 against which the control spring 25 abuts. The boss 26 and the reduced diameter portion 55 of the movable member 54 maintain the control spring 25 in position between the housing 12 and the movable member 54. The control spring serves to bias the valve head 32 in the open position.

[0041] The fixed member 52 of the magnetic damping device 50 comprises a permanent magnet, and the movable member 54 comprises an electrical conductor. As a result, in use, when the movable member 54 moves relative to the fixed member 52 (when the closure member 30 is operated to open or close the valve), eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive movable member 54 as it moves through the magnetic field generated by the magnetic fixed member 52.

[0042] The eddy currents generated in the movable member 54 themselves generate a magnetic field. According to Lenz's law, the direction of the eddy currents in the movable member 54 is such that the magnetic field generated by the eddy currents opposes changes in the magnetic field generated by the fixed member 52. Consequently, movement of the movable member 54 (and therefore movement of the closing member 30) is resisted by the opposing magnetic field. Movement of the closing member 30 is thereby damped.

[0043] The fixed member 52 is positioned between a pair of disk-shaped flux bridges 58, the peripheral edges of which, along with the fixed member 52 and the diaphragm 46, are positioned within the recess 11 of the housing 12. The flux bridges 58 extend beyond the fixed member 52 and terminate near the movable member 54 to direct magnetic flux from the flux bridges 58 to the movable member 54. The flux bridges 58 comprise a ferromagnetic material, preferably iron or an iron-based material. The housing 12 may comprise any material, but is preferably not ferromagnetic to prevent the magnetic flux from propagating long distances through the housing 12 and dissipating. The movable member 54 may comprise the same material as the flux bridges 58, but preferably comprises a different material, such as aluminum or copper, to prevent it from being attracted by the permanent magnet 52. Although the flux bridges 58 are flat disks in the present embodiment, in other embodiments, the flux bridges 58 may have a different profile. For example, the flux bridges 58 may have a wavy or curved profile.

[0044] The magnetic field generated by the fixed member 52 and the eddy currents induced in the movable member 54 is concentrated in a specific spatial region within the flux bridge 58, near the movable member 54. This helps amplify the damping effect because, as the movable member 54 moves up and down with the closure member 30, new portions of the movable member 54 move into the region of concentrated magnetic flux. This sudden interaction with the magnetic flux causes the conductive material to resist movement by generating eddy currents that attempt to counteract the magnetic flux. Furthermore, the portion of the conductive material under the influence of the concentrated magnetic flux region resists moving out of that region by generating eddy currents that resist movement.

[0045] In use, fuel enters the pressure regulator 10 through the inlet 14 and leaves the pressure regulator 10 through the outlet 16. The amount of fuel required by the engine at any given time depends on the engine's operating conditions. As a result, under certain operating conditions, the fluid pressure on the outlet side of the pressure regulator 10 may drop. When this occurs, the control spring 25 resists the fuel pressure acting on the underside of the diaphragm 46 and pushes the closure member 30 downward (relative to the diaphragm 46). Figure 1 (orientation), causing the valve head 32 to move away from the valve seat formed by the opening 19 in the plate 18. When this occurs, fuel is able to flow from the inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 10 to the outlet side 22, thereby restoring the pressure on the outlet side 22. As the fuel pressure on the outlet side 22 increases, the fuel pressure acting on the underside of the diaphragm 46 overcomes the force of the control spring 25, causing the valve head 32 to move toward the closed position. The closure member 30 is thus configured to move with the diaphragm 46 based on the balance of forces on the diaphragm 46.

[0046] Figure 1 The example shown and described above is one example of an application of a magnetic damping valve assembly. It should be understood that the use of the magnetic damping valve is not limited to use within a fuel pressure regulator, and those skilled in the art will understand that the magnetic damping valve can be used in other fluid control systems.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many possible variations to the above example. For example, the fixed member 52 may be an electromagnet rather than a permanent magnet. The fixed member 52 may be a conductive element of the magnetic damping device 50, while the movable member 54 may be a magnetic field generator (either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet).

[0048] Described above and in Figure 1 The magnetic damping valve assembly shown in FIG includes a flux bridge 58 that concentrates the magnetic flux. In another example (not shown), the flux bridge may be omitted.

[0049] In the above examples, only one magnetic damping device 50 is shown. However, it will be appreciated that more than one magnetic damping device 50 may be used to damp a single valve. Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic damping device may comprise a plurality of fixed and / or movable members.

[0050] Magnetic damping device 50 is shown as being located in second portion 44 of control cavity 40. In another example, one or more magnetic damping devices 50 may be located in first portion 42 of control cavity 40 instead of, or in addition to, magnetic damping device 50 located in second portion 44 of control cavity 40.

[0051] In alternative examples, the movable member 54 may be embedded in or integrally formed with the closure member 30. The closure member 30 itself may include the movable member 54.

[0052] It is known to use a fuel pressure regulator having a movable piston attached to the valve stem 34 of the closure member 30 instead of the diaphragm 46. It will be appreciated that the magnetic damping device 50 described above may be used in such a fuel pressure regulator as well.

[0053] Now refer to Figure 2 , shows a fuel pressure regulator 110. The fuel pressure regulator 110 is similar in most respects to the Figure 1 The fuel pressure regulator 10 shown is identical and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like features.

[0054] Fuel pressure regulator 110 includes a magnetic damping device 150 comprising an electromagnetic fixed member 152 and a conductive movable member 54 attached to closure member 30. A wire 153 is connected to electromagnetic fixed member 152 for supplying power from a power source (not shown). When current is supplied to electromagnetic fixed member 152, magnetic damping device 150 operates in the same manner as described above with respect to magnetic damping device 50. As will be described in more detail below, the level of damping provided by magnetic damping device 150 can be controlled by controlling the power supplied to electromagnetic fixed member 152.

[0055] Sensors 120 and 122 are provided for sensing conditions on the inlet side 20 and outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110, respectively. Sensors 120 and 122 can be configured to sense fluid pressure, flow rate, temperature, or any other desired fluid condition. Sensors 120 and 122 are configured to generate signals indicative of the fluid conditions on their respective sides of the pressure regulator 110. Wired or wireless connections (not shown) are provided to facilitate transmission of the sensor signals to a controller, which can be an engine control unit (ECU). It should be understood that the locations of sensors 120 and 122 are for illustrative purposes only and that sensors 120 and 122 need not be located within the housing but may instead be located in the inlet 14 or outlet 16, respectively, or in piping connected thereto. For example, the outlet-side pressure sensor 122 may be located in the fuel rail. Alternatively, additional sensors (not shown) may be located in upstream / downstream piping and / or the fuel rail.

[0056] Figure 3 An example control system 100 is shown for controlling the supply of power to an electromagnetic stationary member 152. As described above, each sensor 120, 122 is configured to generate an input signal indicative of the state of the fluid on the inlet side 20 and the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110. In this example, the sensor 120 on the inlet side 20 is configured to generate an input signal 121 indicative of the pressure of the fluid on the inlet side 20 of the pressure regulator 110, and the sensor 122 on the outlet side 22 is configured to generate an input signal 123 indicative of the pressure on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110.

[0057] An additional sensor 124 for sensing fuel flow rate is located on the fuel rail 202 downstream of the pressure regulator 110 ( Figure 4 ). Sensor 124 is configured to generate an input signal 125 indicative of a flow rate in fuel rail 202. Input signals 121, 123, and 125 from pressure sensors 120, 122 and flow sensor 124 are provided as inputs to controller 130 via a wired or wireless communication link. Controller 130 includes a processor 132 and a memory device 134 electrically coupled to processor 132. Memory device 134 has instructions 136 stored therein, and processor 132 is configured to access memory device 134 and execute instructions 136 thereon.

[0058] The inputs 121, 123, 125 from the sensors 120, 122, 124 are provided as inputs to a processor 132, which is configured to access a memory device 134 and execute instructions 136 thereon to determine a damping characteristic based on the input signals 121, 123, 125, determine a power characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic, and issue a control signal 138 to control the supply of power to the electromagnet 152 based on the determined power characteristic.

[0059] Specifically, the controller 130 is configured to use the input signal 125 generated by the flow sensor 124 to determine the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110. The controller 130 is then configured to determine a desired damping characteristic based on the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110 and the indicated inlet and outlet pressure signals 121, 123. The controller 130 is then configured to determine a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic and to issue a control signal 138 to control the supply of power to the electromagnet 152 based on the determined power supply characteristic.

[0060] Thus, the control system 100 controls fuel flow in the fuel rail by varying the damping of the magnetic damping device 150 based on the rate of change of fluid flow demand on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110 and the fuel pressure on the inlet side 20 and the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110, respectively.

[0061] In an alternative example, the controller 130 uses only the input signal 125 from the flow sensor 124 in the fuel rail to determine the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110 and to determine the desired damping characteristic. Therefore, in this example, the fuel pressure input signals 121, 123 are not required. In another alternative example, only one of the fuel pressure input signals 121, 123 may be used, along with the rate of change of the fluid flow demand on the outlet side 22 of the pressure regulator 110, to determine the damping characteristic.

[0062] It should be understood that the controller 130 may use other input signals, such as temperature and flow through the regulator 110, to determine the damping characteristics. The one or more parameters required for the controller 130 to determine the damping characteristics may be received directly as inputs to the controller 130 from sensors or may be calculated by the controller 130 as derivatives of the input signals.

[0063] The control system 100 may be part of an engine control unit (ECU) or may be in communication with the engine control unit.

[0064] It should be understood that the control system 100 described above may include one or more controllers 130, and that the or each controller may include a control unit or computing device having one or more electronic processors (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.). The controller or controllers may comprise a single control unit or computing device, or alternatively, different functions of the or each controller may be embodied in or hosted by different control units or computing devices. As used herein, the terms "controller," "control unit," or "computing device" are understood to include a single controller, control unit, or computing device, as well as multiple controllers, control units, or computing devices operating together to provide the desired control functionality. A set of instructions 136 may be provided that, when executed, causes the controller to implement the control techniques described herein (including some or all of the functions required by the methods described herein). The set of instructions may be embedded in the one or more electronic processors 132 of the controller; alternatively, the set of instructions may be provided as software for execution in the controller. The first controller or control unit may be implemented in software running on one or more processors. The one or more further controllers or control units may be implemented in software running on one or more processors, optionally the same processor or processors as the first controller or control unit.Other arrangements are also useful.

[0065] The or each electronic processor may comprise any suitable electronic processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc.) configured to execute electronic instructions. The or each electronic storage device 134 may comprise any suitable storage device and may store therein or thereon various data, information, thresholds, lookup tables, or other data structures and / or instructions. In embodiments, the storage device may have stored therein or thereon information and instructions for software, firmware, programs, algorithms, scripts, applications, etc., which may govern all or part of the methods described herein. The or each electronic processor may access the storage device and execute and / or use the or those instructions and information to perform or implement some or all of the functions and methods described herein.

[0066] At least one storage device may include a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-transitory or non-transitory storage medium), which may include any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processor / computing device, including but not limited to: magnetic storage media (e.g., floppy disks); optical storage media (e.g., CD-ROMs); magneto-optical storage media; read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or electrical or other types of media for storing such information / instructions.

[0067] The depicted example controller 130 includes at least one electronic processor 132 configured to execute electronic instructions stored in at least one memory device 134 that, when executed, cause the electronic processor 132 to perform the methods described above. However, it is contemplated that the present invention is not limited to implementation via programmable processing devices, and that at least some, and in some embodiments, all, of the functionality and / or method steps of the present invention may also be implemented via non-programmable hardware, such as via non-programmable ASICs, Boolean logic circuits, and the like.

[0068] Figure 4 A vehicle 200 is shown, which includes an engine 201, a fuel rail 202 for supplying fuel from a fuel tank 203 to the engine 201. A pressure regulator 150 is provided to control the fuel pressure in the fuel rail 202. The damping of the pressure regulator 150 is controlled by the controller 130. In another embodiment (not shown), the vehicle 200 may include a fuel pressure regulator 50.

[0069] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A valve comprising a housing (12) and a closing member (30), wherein: The closing member (30) is configured to move in a first direction relative to the housing (12) to open the valve and to move in an opposite second direction relative to the housing (12) to close the valve, wherein the valve includes a magnetic damping device (50), the magnetic damping device including a fixed member (52) and a movable member (54), wherein the fixed member (52) is fixed in position relative to the housing (12), and wherein the movable member (54) is configured to move with the closing member (30), wherein one of the fixed member (52) or the movable member (54) includes a magnetic field generator, and the other of the fixed member (52) or the movable member (54) includes an electrical conductor, wherein the magnetic damping device (50) is configured such that at least a portion of the electrical conductor is exposed to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein The movable member (54): connected to the closing member (30); embedded in the closing member (30); or Integrally with the closing member (30).

3. The valve according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The magnetic field generator includes a permanent magnet.

4. The valve according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The magnetic field generator includes an electromagnet.

5. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The fixed member (52) surrounds at least a portion of the movable member (54).

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The fixed member (52) is located between a pair of flux bridge elements (58) extending from the housing (12) toward the movable member (54).

7. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The housing (12) comprises a non-ferromagnetic material.

8. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control spring (25), wherein The control spring (25) extends between the housing (12) and the movable member (54).

9. The valve according to claim 9, wherein A portion (55) of the movable member (54) is configured to be received within the control spring (25).

10. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The closing member (30) comprises a valve head (32) and a valve stem (34), wherein the movable member (54) is fixed to the valve stem (34), embedded in the valve stem (34) or integral with the valve stem (34).

11. A pressure regulator (10) comprising a valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The pressure regulator (10) includes an inlet (14) located on an inlet side (20) of the pressure regulator (10) and an outlet (16) located on an outlet side (22) of the pressure regulator (10), wherein the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) are selectively in fluid communication depending on the position of the closure member (30).

12. The pressure regulator (10) according to claim 11, wherein The housing (12) defines a control chamber (40), wherein the control chamber (40) comprises a first portion (42) and a second portion (44) separated by a diaphragm (46) or a piston, wherein the outlet (16) is located in the first portion (42) of the control chamber (40), and wherein the closure member (30) is configured to move with the diaphragm (46) or the piston in use according to a balance of forces on the diaphragm (46) or the piston.

13. The pressure regulator (10) according to claim 12, wherein The magnetic damping device (50) is located in the second portion (44) of the control cavity (40).

14. The pressure regulator (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein A portion of the fixing member (52) is received in a groove (11) located in an inner wall of the housing (12).

15. The pressure regulator (10) according to claim 14, wherein The control chamber (40) is divided by a diaphragm (46), and wherein a portion of the diaphragm (46) is received in the groove (11) together with the portion of the fixing member (52).

16. A control system (100) for controlling a pressure regulator (110) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: The magnetic field generator includes an electromagnet (152), the control system (100) includes one or more controllers (130), and the control system is configured to: receiving a first input signal indicative of a rate of change of fluid flow demand on an outlet side (22) of the pressure regulator (110); determining a damping characteristic according to the first input signal; determining a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic; and A control signal (138) is issued to control the supply of power to the electromagnet (152) based on the determined power supply characteristics.

17. The control system (100) according to claim 16, wherein: The one or more controllers (130) collectively comprise: at least one electronic processor (132) having at least one electrical input for receiving said input signal (121, 123); and at least one memory device (134) electrically coupled to the at least one electronic processor (132) and storing instructions (136); wherein the at least one electronic processor (132) is configured to access the at least one storage device (134) and execute the instructions (136) thereon to: determining the damping characteristic according to the first input signal; determining the power supply characteristic according to the determined damping characteristic; and The control signal (138) is issued to control the supply of power to the electromagnet (152) based on the determined power supply characteristics.

18. A method for controlling a pressure regulator (110) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: The magnetic field generator comprises an electromagnet (152), and the method comprises: receiving a first input indicative of a rate of change of fluid flow demand on an outlet side (22) of the pressure regulator (110); determining a damping characteristic based on the first input; determining a power supply characteristic based on the determined damping characteristic; and The supply of power to the electromagnet (152) is controlled based on the determined power supply characteristics.

19. A vehicle (200) comprising a valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a pressure regulator (10, 110) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, or a control system (100) according to any one of claims 16 or 17.

20. Computer software arranged to perform the method according to claim 18 when executed.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (134) having stored thereon instructions (136) that, when executed by one or more electronic processors, cause the one or more electronic processors to perform the method of claim 18.

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