Electromagnetic Fluidic Valves for Compact Programmable Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic pumps for consumer and non-consumer products are limited by their bulkiness, low efficiency, and requirement for electrical power, making them unsuitable for portable, battery-powered devices that need high functionality and programmability, particularly for applications requiring low frequency, variable duration, and pulsed motion.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device comprising a piston with a magnetic core and non-magnetic sleeve, along with electrical coils and magnetic washers, allowing for selective fluid flow control through magnetic attraction and electrical excitation, enabling compact, efficient, and programmable fluidic valves and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pump based hydraulic systems are used, then fluidic power distribution is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and requires high power connection to electrical grid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pump-based hydraulic systems with an electromagnetic pump system. The electromagnetic pump uses electromagnetic fields to directly move fluid, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts such as rotors, vanes, and gears. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity, decreases system size, and lowers power consumption while maintaining fluidic power distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical transmission components from the hydraulic system, keeping only the essential electromagnetic fluid movement function. By taking out the mechanical pump mechanism and replacing it with an electromagnetic actuator, the system achieves compact size and reduced power requirements while maintaining fluidic actuation capability.
2Volume of stationary object
If electromagnetic pumps are used, then compact size and low power are achieved, but functionality and programmability require complex fluidic systems with more actuators and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal fluidic valves and switches that can control multiple fluidic pathways and actuators. The electromagnetic pump system is designed to work with a modular fluidic network where a single pump can serve multiple functions by controlling different fluid streams to different actuators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate pumps for each actuator, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining programmability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluidic system into modular components with standardized interfaces. The fluidic valves and switches are designed as discrete, interchangeable elements that can be configured in different arrangements to achieve various actuation patterns. This segmentation allows complex functionality to be built from simple, standardized building blocks, reducing design complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high functionality and programmability are desired, then more actuators and valves are needed, but the overall fluidic system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically controllable fluidic valves and switches that can change their configuration and connectivity in real-time based on control signals. The system uses electronically controlled valves that can be programmed to open, close, or redirect fluid flow dynamically, allowing a fixed physical architecture to achieve variable functionality. This dynamic control reduces the need for multiple static components while maintaining high programmability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intelligent control intermediaries that manage the coordination between the electromagnetic pump, valves, and actuators. These intermediaries (control circuits or microcontrollers) translate high-level programming commands into coordinated actuation sequences, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through software control rather than additional hardware components. This intermediary layer decouples the physical system complexity from the functional programmability.
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 high-efficiency, compact, and low-power fluidic valves and switches that support programmability and configurability in portable devices, reducing power consumption and enhancing operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least an electrical coil of a plurality of electrical coils... selective electrical excitation of the at least one electrical coil
Implementation Method 2
the piston is retained against the inner portion of the non-magnetic washer at one end of the piston sleeve by magnetic attraction to the magnetic washer at that end of the piston sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
The absence of high efficiency, compact fluidic pumps has until recently blocked the consideration of using hydraulic devices within portable and/or alkaline battery powered consumer and non-consumer products. The higher the functionality and programmability desired for a consumer and/or non-consumer product exploiting a fluidic pump then the more complex the overall fluidic system in terms of the number of actuators, valves, switches etc. within the fluidic system coupled to the one or more fluidic pumps. Accordingly, there exists a requirement to provide compact fluidic valves and switches to support configurability, programmability, and operation of these portable battery-operated consumer and non-consumer devices in conjunction with these newly available high efficiency, compact fluidic pumps. Such fluidic valves and switches should offer high efficiency, have a small footprint, be low complexity for high reliability and ease of manufacture, and low cost.