Actuator Drive Voltage Control for Fire Protection Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solenoid valves in safety systems, such as fire protection systems, operate at rated voltage for both activation and continuous operation, limiting optimization for fast activation and requiring large supply lines to handle inrush current, leading to potential thermal damage and inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that apply a control voltage higher than the nominal voltage for a short duration to rapidly activate the solenoid valve, using an energy storage device and voltage converter to provide the drive voltage, followed by a holding voltage to maintain the valve open, reducing power consumption and current draw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the actuator is operated continuously at rated voltage, then the valve remains reliably open during normal operation, but the activation speed is limited and thermal damage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a monitoring voltage during normal operation and switching to a drive voltage (higher than rated voltage) only during activation events. This allows the actuator to operate reliably at rated voltage during normal conditions while enabling fast activation when needed, resolving the contradiction between continuous reliability and activation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically: using monitoring voltage (lower than rated) during normal operation to reduce thermal stress, and switching to drive voltage (higher than rated) during activation to achieve fast response. This parameter change strategy allows both reliable operation and fast activation without continuous high voltage stress.
2Temperature
If the actuator is supplied with rated voltage continuously, then the magnetic coil operates safely without thermal damage, but the supply lines must be oversized to handle inrush current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by applying monitoring voltage during normal operation and only applying drive voltage during brief activation periods. This reduces the average current through supply lines while maintaining safe coil temperatures, allowing for smaller supply line dimensions without risking thermal damage.
3Reliability
If the actuator operates at rated power continuously, then the valve remains securely held open, but energy consumption is high and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using monitoring voltage during normal operation and drive voltage only during activation. This significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining valve position stability through the holding voltage feature, which uses lower power to maintain the opened state after activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from continuous rated voltage operation to a two-state system: monitoring voltage for normal operation and drive voltage for activation. This parameter change reduces energy consumption while maintaining reliable valve control through the holding voltage mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster activation of solenoid valves, reduces holding current and power pack requirements, allowing for smaller supply line and battery capacity design, while minimizing maintenance needs and achieving energy savings of up to 50%.
Implementation Method 1
the means for providing the drive voltage is an energy store, which is charged by the control line to which the monitoring voltage is applied
Implementation Method 2
with a voltage converter being connected upstream or downstream of the energy store
Implementation Method 3
The actuator itself can be used, for example, to control a valve, preferably a solenoid valve
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for electrically controlling an actuator (10) of a safety system, for example, for controlling an actuator (10) of a fire protection system (100), wherein the actuator (10) has a predetermined nominal voltage (UN), wherein in the event of an alarm an activation voltage (UT) is applied to the actuator (10), wherein the fire protection system (100) has a control device (20) which is electrically connected to an activation module (21) via a control line (16), the activation module (21) is electrically connected to the actuator (10), and in the monitoring operating state of the fire protection system (100) a monitoring voltage (UM) is applied to the actuator (10), wherein the monitoring voltage (UM) is lower or has a different polarity than the nominal voltage (UN), wherein the activation of the actuator (10) in the event of an alarm is carried out by the activation module (21), and the activation module (21) has meansto provide the control voltage (UT) for a predetermined duration, e.g. 0.01 to 10 seconds, and the control voltage (UT) is as high as the nominal voltage (UN) of the actuator (10) or a predetermined amount higher than the nominal voltage (UN) of the actuator (10).