Dual-Chamber Fluid Valve Assembly for Stable Actuator Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic and hydraulic fluid valve assemblies, particularly poppet valve designs, face challenges with robustness, manufacturing complexity, and control precision due to high force requirements and pressure fluctuations, leading to unstable actuator movements and reduced controllability.
Innovation Solution
A fluid valve assembly with a central bore and axial stem, featuring metering edges and counteracting metering edges supported by flexible elements, along with a restricted flow path and check valve for stabilizing supply pressure, ensures balanced pilot and counter forces, enhancing control precision and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional poppet valve designs are used, then the valve can provide basic fluid control, but the high force requirements and pressure fluctuations lead to unstable actuator movements and reduced control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer supply pressure chamber and an inner supply pressure chamber separated by a seal member. This segmentation allows the inner chamber to maintain stabilized pressure independent of outer chamber fluctuations, reducing the force variability acting on the stem and improving control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter by introducing a restricted flow path that stabilizes the supply pressure in the inner chamber. This parameter change (from fluctuating to stabilized pressure) directly reduces the force requirements and variations, enabling more precise control of the valve stem.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fluid valve assemblies are used, then the basic actuator operation is maintained, but pressure fluctuations cause unstable actuator movements and reduced control accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The supply pressure system is divided into two chambers: an outer chamber that receives supply pressure and an inner chamber that provides stabilized pressure to the actuator. The seal member creates a barrier that isolates the inner chamber from pressure fluctuations in the outer chamber, ensuring stable actuator movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricted flow path acts as an intermediary element between the outer supply pressure chamber and the inner supply pressure chamber. It mediates the pressure transmission by allowing controlled flow while filtering out pressure fluctuations, thus stabilizing the pressure supplied to the actuator.
3Force
If high-capacity output stages are used to provide sufficient force, then the actuator can overcome pressure variations, but the control accuracy is compromised due to the coarse control characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly segments the force generation function: the outer chamber provides high force capacity when needed, while the inner chamber provides fine, stabilized pressure control. This segmentation allows the system to have both high force capacity and fine control accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure control parameter by introducing a restricted flow path that creates a stabilized pressure zone. This allows the output stage to operate with finer pressure increments, improving control accuracy while maintaining sufficient force capacity through the dual-chamber design.
4Reliability
If standard valve designs are used, then the manufacturing process follows conventional methods, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for strict tolerances and robust construction
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into an outer chamber and an inner chamber separated by a seal member. This segmentation allows each chamber to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining robustness through the modular structure.
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 solution provides improved control accuracy and reduced energy requirements for actuator operation, allowing for precise and stable movement of the valve stem, even under varying supply pressures, and enables the use of high-capacity output stages for small actuators without compromising control accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the inner supply pressure chamber being arranged to retain a stabilized supply pressure providing the axial counter force affecting on the stem within the inner supply pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a check valve arranged to prevent a fluid flow from the actuator chamber to the inner supply pressure chamber and to the outer supply pressure chamber
Implementation Method 3
a metering edge and a counteracting metering edge arranged coaxially with and controlled by the stem and arranged to control fluid flow from the outer supply pressure chamber to the actuator chamber and from the actuator chamber to the exhaust chamber
Implementation Method 4
the inner supply pressure chamber being arranged to retain a stabilized supply pressure providing the axial counter force affecting on the stem within the inner supply pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid valve assembly having a central bore and a stem axially-movable within the central bore and actuated by an axial pilot force and an axial counter force. An inner supply pressure chamber is provided to retain a stabilized supply pressure providing the axial counter force affecting on the stem. A seal member is arranged coaxially with the stem between the inner supply pressure chamber and an outer supply pressure chamber which is connected to a supply pressure input line. A metering edge is arranged coaxially with the stem to control fluid flow from the outer supply pressure chamber to an actuator chamber. Means are provided to stabilize the supply pressure in the inner chamber against sudden pressure drops in the outer supply pressure chamber.