Dual Vane Actuator with Coolant Ring for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-vane rotary actuators face challenges in routing pressurized hydraulic fluid efficiently due to complex input and output passages, leading to increased size and cost, while existing solutions struggle with torque and rotational range trade-offs and heat management in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A dual vane actuator design with a butterfly valve plate and coolant ring for thermal isolation, utilizing extruded aluminum profiles for the actuator housing and strategically sized flow channels, along with a coolant ring for efficient heat management and reduced material usage, to enhance torque output and minimize size while maintaining rotational range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If complex input and output passages are used to route pressurized hydraulic fluid in multi-vane rotary actuators, then the actuator can achieve required torque and rotational range, but the size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into multiple vanes that independently route hydraulic fluid through separate passages. Each vane creates distinct high-pressure and low-pressure zones, allowing efficient torque generation without requiring complex centralized routing passages. This segmentation enables simplified fluid distribution while maintaining high torque output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by positioning fluid passages and vanes in a circular arrangement around the central axis. Pressurized fluid is distributed radially outward to multiple vanes simultaneously, and return fluid is collected radially inward. This dimensional approach simplifies passage routing compared to linear arrangements, reducing overall actuator size while maintaining torque capability.
2Reliability
If conventional actuator designs are used in harsh high-temperature environments, then the actuator can operate, but heat management becomes problematic and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coolant ring as an intermediary component between the hydraulic passages and the actuator housing. This coolant ring circulates cooling fluid to absorb heat from the pressurized hydraulic fluid and actuator components, effectively managing thermal loads in high-temperature environments and improving operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic fluid itself as a cooling medium by routing it through carefully designed passages that maximize heat dissipation. The high-pressure hydraulic fluid absorbs heat from surrounding components and transports it to designated cooling zones, leveraging the existing hydraulic system for thermal management without requiring separate cooling infrastructure.
3Strength
If traditional valve plate attachment methods are used, then the valve plate can be secured, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate attachment features are merged with the actuator housing structure. Instead of separate attachment mechanisms, the housing incorporates integrated attachment features that directly secure the valve plate during a single operation. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining secure attachment, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing complexity.
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 dual vane actuator design effectively doubles torque without increasing size, improves heat management through thermal isolation, and reduces manufacturing complexity, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the actuator in high-temperature applications.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant ring (934) positioned between the valve housing (908) and the actuator assembly (904)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.