Electrodynamic Valve Actuator for High-Pressure Quiet Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solenoid valves face limitations in generating high solenoid force, large stroke, and high working pressure due to the dependence of magnetic field strength on permanent magnet volume, which restricts the maximum working pressure and requires a diaphragm for sealing, leading to operational noise and limited force transmission with stroke.
Innovation Solution
An electrodynamic valve with a pivotally mounted drive element featuring a current-carrying air coil in a magnetic field, coupled to a non-magnetic coil carrier, utilizing Lorentz force for actuation, and sealed by elastomer parts with pear-shaped and tongue-shaped sections for reliable sealing without a diaphragm, allowing for high pressure and quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diaphragm is used to seal valve seats, then sealing is achieved, but the maximum working pressure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diaphragm component from the sealing system and replaces it with direct contact sealing surfaces on the drive element. This extraction eliminates the pressure limitations inherent in diaphragm-based sealing while maintaining reliable sealing through precisely engineered sealing surfaces that directly engage with valve seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible membrane-based sealing mechanism (diaphragm) with a rigid direct-contact sealing mechanism. The sealing surfaces are integrated into the drive element itself, allowing direct mechanical engagement with valve seats to achieve sealing, thereby enabling higher working pressures without the constraints of diaphragm material limits.
2Force
If permanent magnet volume is increased to generate high magnetic field strength, then magnetic force increases, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from permanent magnet-based electromagnetic actuation to electrodynamic actuation using an air coil. By applying voltage to the air coil, a magnetic field is generated that interacts with permanent magnets to produce the driving force. This parameter change allows high magnetic field strength to be achieved on-demand without requiring large volumes of permanent magnets, as the air coil provides magnetic field amplification only when actuation is needed.
3Length of moving object
If stroke is increased to achieve large displacement, then travel distance increases, but force transmission decreases sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pivotally mounted drive element that rotates about a fixed axis rather than translating linearly. This dynamic configuration allows the drive element to maintain a relatively constant distance from the air coil throughout its stroke, ensuring that the magnetic field interaction remains consistent. As a result, high force transmission is maintained even during large angular displacements, overcoming the limitation where linear actuators lose force as stroke increases.
4Force
If metal to metal contact is used for actuation, then force transmission is efficient, but operational noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastomer part as an intermediary between the drive element and the sealing surfaces. This elastomer component serves as a mediator that transmits the actuating forces while simultaneously providing damping and noise reduction. The elastomer material absorbs impact noises and prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, thereby eliminating switching noises while maintaining efficient force transmission through its elastic properties.
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 electrodynamic valve achieves reliable sealing with high working pressures and quiet operation by maintaining consistent force throughout large strokes, eliminating the need for a diaphragm and reducing operational noise through the use of elastomer parts and a non-magnetic coil carrier.
Implementation Method 1
the Lorentz force can be used as the driving force for an actuator if the actuator's drive element has a coil arranged in a magnetic field which is supplied with current to deflect the drive element
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic field strength of electrodynamic drives depends on the volume of the permanent magnets used in the drive
Data Source
AI summary
A valve with an electrodynamic actuator includes a magnet device that generates a magnetic field and a drive element that is movable relative to the magnet device. The drive element is pivotally mounted and comprises a current-carrying air coil that is arranged in the magnetic field and is fixedly coupled to a coil carrier made of a non-magnetic material. Sealing surfaces for sealing valve seats are arranged on two opposite sides of the drive element, such that the sealing surfaces face in opposite directions. A housing is comprised of a plurality of plastic housing parts and a metallic encasement. The metallic encasement surrounds an upper area of the housing in which the electrodynamic actuator is arranged and at least partially surrounds a lower area of the housing in which fluid channels are arranged.