Electroactive Polymer Valve Actuator Hysteresis Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-medium-actuated valves suffer from hysteresis behavior in electromagnetic control actuators, leading to inaccurate positioning and increased weight and space requirements, which complicates their operation and design.
Innovation Solution
The use of electroactive polymer actuators as control actuators, which eliminate hysteresis and provide precise control with a compact design, by employing a blocking element that aligns through-openings in a plain bearing arrangement to manage pressure equalization, allowing for precise actuation and reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electromagnetic control actuator is used, then the valve can be actuated, but hysteresis behavior occurs leading to inaccurate positioning and increased weight and space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic control actuator with a piezoelectric control actuator. The piezoelectric actuator uses piezoelectric ceramics to convert electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement, eliminating the hysteresis behavior inherent in electromagnetic systems. This substitution provides more accurate positioning control while reducing the overall complexity of the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the control actuator from electromagnetic field-based operation to piezoelectric effect-based operation. This parameter change eliminates hysteresis losses and provides more linear, predictable positioning behavior, directly addressing the accuracy issues while simplifying the control characteristics.
2Power
If an electromagnetic control actuator is used, then the valve can be actuated, but weight and space requirements significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the heavy electromagnetic actuator with a compact piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric ceramic elements generate sufficient mechanical force for valve actuation without the bulky coils, magnets, and power supply infrastructure required by electromagnetic actuators, thereby significantly reducing the valve's overall weight.
3Power
If an electromagnetic control actuator is used, then the valve can be actuated, but space requirements significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the space-consuming electromagnetic actuator assembly with a compact piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric ceramics require minimal space to generate the necessary actuation force, allowing for a more compact valve design with reduced overall volume while maintaining full actuation capability.
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 electroactive polymer actuators ensure precise and long-lasting operation with minimal hysteresis, reducing weight and space needs, enabling a compact and reliable valve design with improved control accuracy and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one control actuator is designed as at least one electroactive polymer actuator
Implementation Method 2
a relief opening for establishing a pressure equalization between the first side and the second side of the closing means
Data Source
AI summary
The valve has a valve housing (1) having a valve inlet (2) and a valve outlet (3). A valve seat (7) is provided in flow direction of fluid between valve inlet and valve outlet. A movable closing unit (4) is provided to close the valve seat. The movable closing unit is provided with an electro-active polymer actuator (10) for actuating a locking element that is formed by a bearing pin and a slide bearing sleeve. A discharge opening (9) of movable closing unit is opened and closed by insertion of bearing pin with respect to slide bearing sleeve.