Device for controlling a valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for controlling a valve, having a reservoir (10) in which a fluid (11) is located, at least one piezo element (20) configured to generate pressure in the reservoir (10), wherein the piezo element (20) is arranged at least partially within the reservoir (20), a valve (30), and a fluid provision device (40) which is configured to provide the fluid pressurised by the piezo element (20) from the reservoir (10) to the valve (30).

Description

[0001] Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1028DE

[0002] Device for controlling a valve

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for controlling, in particular opening and closing, a valve.

[0004] Technical background

[0005] The use of valves is a well-known feature in conventional devices, particularly those used for applying viscous media. These valves are controlled pneumatically, i.e., by air pressure. Since the air pressure must be continuously supplied externally, the operation of conventional devices is very expensive.

[0006] Summary of the invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for controlling a valve which is less costly.

[0008] At least one of the problems, or further problems, that arise for a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure are solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for controlling a valve is provided. The device comprises a reservoir in which a fluid is arranged, at least one piezoelectric element configured to generate pressure in the reservoir, wherein the piezoelectric element is at least partially arranged within the reservoir, a valve device, and a fluid supply device configured to supply the fluid pressurized by the piezoelectric element from the reservoir to the valve device.

[0010] The device can be designed as a hermetically sealed hydraulic system.

[0011] The term "reservoir" represents any container in which a fluid, in particular an oil, is arranged. Piezoelectric elements may be arranged at least partially or completely within the reservoir. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1028DE

[0012] The term "piezoelectric element" represents any element that utilizes the inverse piezoelectric effect to produce a mechanical movement by applying an electrical voltage. A piezoelectric element can be a piezoelectric actuator, but is not limited to this. The piezoelectric element can be located completely or at least partially within the reservoir, but is not limited to this. The piezoelectric element is configured to generate pressure through the applied mechanical movement within the reservoir.

[0013] The term "valve device" represents any device configured and suitable for shutting off or controlling the flow of fluids. The valve device may, but is not limited to, a housing, a valve needle, a spring, a valve head, and a valve seat. The valve head may be attached to a first side of the valve needle, and the valve seat may be attached to a second side of the valve needle opposite the first side. The valve needle may be at least partially located within the housing such that, together with the valve head, it provides a pressure chamber within the housing, i.e., a space into which the pressurized fluid is supplied. The pressure chamber may be coupled to the fluid supply device. The spring is configured to press the valve head into the housing.

[0014] The term "fluid supply device" represents any device configured to supply the fluid pressurized by the piezoelectric element from the reservoir to the valve. The fluid supply device may include, but is not limited to, a pressure accumulator, a first valve, a second valve, and a pressure relief connection. The first valve may be located between the reservoir and the pressure accumulator and is configured to allow pressurized fluid to flow from the reservoir to the pressure accumulator, but prevents fluid from flowing back into the reservoir. The first valve may be, but is not limited to, a solenoid valve. The second valve may be located between the pressure accumulator and the first valve and is configured to allow pressurized fluid to flow from the reservoir to the pressure accumulator, but prevents fluid from flowing back into the reservoir.Suitable for supplying the pressurized fluid from the pressure accumulator to the valve assembly. The second valve may be a solenoid valve, but is not limited to this. The pressure relief connection connects the pressure accumulator to the reservoir and is configured to prevent overpressure in the pressure accumulator by returning excess fluid to the reservoir. The pressure relief connection may include a check valve, but is not limited to this.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the fluid supply device comprises a pressure storage device, a first valve, a second valve and a pressure excess connection Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1028DE, wherein the first valve is arranged between the reservoir and the pressure storage device, wherein the second valve is arranged between the pressure storage device and the valve device, and wherein the pressure excess connection connects the pressure storage device to the reservoir.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the valve device comprises a housing, a valve needle, a spring, a valve head and a valve seat, wherein the valve head is attached to a first side of the valve needle and the valve seat is attached to a second side of the valve needle opposite the first side, wherein the valve needle is at least partially arranged in the housing such that the valve needle together with the valve head provides a pressure chamber in the housing, wherein the pressure chamber is coupled to the fluid supply device, and wherein the spring is configured to press the valve head into the housing.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one piezoelectric element is coupled to a frequency generator.

[0018] Brief description of the characters

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to a figure.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a device for controlling a valve.

[0021] Detailed description

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a device for controlling a valve. The device 100 comprises a reservoir 10, at least one piezoelectric element 20, a valve assembly 30, and a fluid supply device 40. A fluid 11 is arranged in the reservoir 10. The fluid is oil, in particular hydraulic oil. The piezoelectric element 20 is a piezoelectric actuator configured to generate pressure in the reservoir 10. The piezoelectric element 20 is arranged at least partially within the reservoir 20. The fluid supply device 40 is configured to supply the fluid pressurized by the piezoelectric element 20 from the reservoir 10 to the valve assembly 30.

[0023] Optionally, the fluid supply device 40 includes a pressure accumulator 41, a first valve 42, a second valve 43, and a pressure relief connection 44. The first valve 42, a solenoid valve, is arranged between the reservoir 10 and the pressure accumulator 41, while the second valve 43, a solenoid valve, is arranged between the pressure accumulator 41 and the valve assembly 30, and the pressure relief connection 44 connects the pressure accumulator 41 to the reservoir 10. In other words, when the first valve 42 is open, pressurized fluid can be directed from the reservoir 10 into the pressure accumulator 41. When the first valve 42 closes, the pressurized fluid is stored in the pressure accumulator 41.The electrical voltage applied to the piezoelectric elements 20 in the reservoir 10 can be reduced, and the pressure of the fluid in the reservoir 10 can be reduced. The pressurized fluid remains in the pressure accumulator 41 until the valve assembly 30 is to be opened. When the valve assembly 30 is to be opened, the second valve 43 opens, and the pressurized fluid is supplied to the valve assembly 30. When the valve assembly 30 is to be closed again, the pressurized fluid is returned from the pressure accumulator 41 to the reservoir 10 via the pressure relief connection 44. Alternatively, the pressurized fluid can also be returned to the reservoir 10 by opening the first valve 42.

[0024] Optionally, the valve device 30 comprises a housing 31, a valve needle 32, a spring 33, a valve head 34, and a valve seat 35. The valve head 34 is attached to a first side of the valve needle 32, and the valve seat 35 is attached to a second side of the valve needle 32 opposite the first side. The valve needle 32 is at least partially arranged in the housing 31 such that, together with the valve head 34, it provides a pressure chamber 36 within the housing 31. The pressure chamber 36 is coupled to the fluid supply device 40, and the spring 33 is configured to press the valve head 34 into the housing 31. In other words, the valve head 34, to which the valve needle 32 is attached, is arranged within the housing 31, in particular in a recess of the housing 31. Since the valve head 34 hermetically seals the recess in the housing 31, a pressure chamber 36 is provided.The pressure chamber 36 is coupled or connected to the reservoir 10 or the pressure storage device 41 via the fluid supply device 40. If the reservoir 10 or the pressure storage device 41 now supplies a fluid 11 at pressure, the fluid 11 pushes into the pressure chamber 36 and causes the valve head 34 to be pushed upwards in the recess of the housing 31 against the spring force of the spring 33, i.e., the pressure chamber 36 increases in size. Since the valve needle 32 is attached to the valve head 34, the valve needle is also pulled upwards, resulting in the valve device 30 opening. If the reservoir 10 or the pressure storage device 41 now supplies a fluid 11 at a pressure lower than the spring force of the spring 33, the spring 33 pushes the valve head 34 and thus also the valve needle 32 downwards, resulting in the valve device closing. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1028DE.

[0025] Optionally, at least one piezoelectric element 20 is coupled with a frequency generator 21.

Claims

Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1028DE Claims 1. Device (100) for controlling a valve, comprising: a reservoir (10) in which a fluid (11) is arranged; at least one piezoelectric element (20) configured to generate pressure in the reservoir (10), wherein the piezoelectric element (20) is at least partially arranged inside the reservoir (20); a valve device (30); and a fluid supply device (40) configured to supply the fluid pressurized by the piezoelectric element (20) from the reservoir (10) to the valve device (30).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid supply device (40) further comprises a pressure storage device (41), a first valve (42), a second valve (43) and a pressure excess connection (44), wherein the first valve (42) is arranged between the reservoir (10) and the pressure storage device (41), wherein the second valve (43) is arranged between the pressure storage device (41) and the valve device (30), and wherein the pressure excess connection (44) connects the pressure storage device (41) to the reservoir (10).

3. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve device (30) comprises a housing (31), a valve needle (32), a spring (33), a valve head (34), and a valve seat (35), wherein the valve head (34) is attached to a first side of the valve needle (32) and the valve seat (35) is attached to a second side of the valve needle (32) opposite the first side, wherein the valve needle (32) is at least partially arranged in the housing (31) such that the valve needle (32), together with the valve head (34), provides a pressure chamber (36) in the housing (31), wherein the pressure chamber (36) is coupled to the fluid supply device (40), wherein the spring (33) is configured to press the valve head (34) into the housing (31), and / or wherein the at least one piezoelectric element (20) is coupled to a frequency generator (21).

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