Magnetic Shuttle Bistable Valve Without Continuous Hold Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fluid control valves require constant energy sources to maintain position, making integration and operation complex and expensive, especially for bistable systems.
Innovation Solution
A bistable valve design featuring a magnetic shuttle actuated by electromagnetic coils, which switches between sealing two pressure sources using attractive and repulsive magnetic forces, allowing stable operation with energy input only for switching states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pneumatically, electrically or magnetically-actuated valves are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but constant energy input is required to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs periodic action by using electromagnetic coils that are energized only during the switching process to move the magnetic shuttle between positions. Once the shuttle reaches a desired position, the coils are de-energized, and the shuttle remains stable without continuous energy input. This transforms the continuous energy requirement into a periodic one, where energy is supplied only when position changes are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shuttle utilizes magnetic attraction and repulsion forces generated by the electromagnetic coils to self-actuate between positions. The system is designed so that the magnetic field itself provides the force needed for positioning, eliminating the need for external mechanical actuators or continuous energy supply to maintain position. The shuttle 'services itself' by responding to magnetic field changes.
2Use of energy by moving object
If pre-made bistable valves are integrated into a system, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional components: an interior cavity, magnetic shuttle, electromagnetic coils, and pressure sources. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier integration into different systems. The electromagnetic coils are disposed about the posts in a distributed manner, creating separate actuation zones that can be controlled independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic coils serve multiple functions: they generate magnetic fields for actuating the shuttle, provide magnetic charging to the posts, and enable bidirectional control of the valve. The same coil structure is used for both attracting and repelling the magnetic shuttle, eliminating the need for separate actuators for each direction and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
The bistable valve achieves stable fluid control with minimal energy consumption, simplifying integration and reducing costs by requiring energy only for switching between states, while maintaining reliable sealing and fluid communication.
Implementation Method 1
when the first electromagnetic coil is energized, the first electromagnetic coil supplies a magnetic charge to the first post and actuates the magnetic shuttle to move towards the first end of the interior cavity towards the first post
Implementation Method 2
a first electromagnetic coil disposed about the first post; a second electromagnetic coil disposed about the second post
Data Source
AI summary
A bistable valve. The valve includes an interior cavity; a first pressure source; a second pressure source; a first post connected to the interior cavity at a first end of the interior cavity; a second post connected to the interior cavity at a second end of the interior cavity; a magnetic shuttle located within the interior cavity; a first electromagnetic coil disposed about the first post; a second electromagnetic coil disposed about the second post; wherein when the first electromagnetic coil is energized, the first electromagnetic coil supplies a magnetic charge to the first post and actuates the magnetic shuttle to move towards the first end of the interior cavity towards the first post and seal the first pressure source.