Fluid Actuated Valve Hall Sensor Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-actuated valves face challenges with expensive, unreliable, and space-consuming position sensing devices, particularly those that are mechanical in nature, which limit their cycle endurance and increase weight and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-actuated valve system incorporating a Hall-effect sensor to detect valve position, utilizing a magnet and linkage assembly, which is non-mechanical, cost-effective, and does not significantly increase weight or space, with a Hall sensor mounted on the actuator housing to provide a position signal responsive to the magnet's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical position sensing device is used, then position detection is achieved, but reliability decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position sensing devices with a Hall-effect sensor that uses magnetic field detection. A magnet is mounted on the piston, and the Hall sensor detects its position through non-contact magnetic field sensing, eliminating mechanical contacts and improving reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary between the piston and the Hall sensor. The magnet carries position information through magnetic field changes, allowing the Hall sensor to detect piston position without direct mechanical contact, thus improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional position sensing devices are added, then position detection capability is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Hall-effect sensor and magnet combination replaces bulky mechanical position sensing devices. This electronic sensing approach achieves accurate valve position detection while significantly reducing the weight of the actuator assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensing parameter from mechanical displacement to magnetic field strength. By detecting changes in magnetic field parameters through the Hall sensor, the system achieves position detection with minimal added weight and space.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If mechanical position sensing devices are used, then position feedback is provided, but duration of action decreases due to cycle limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contacts in the position sensing system by using a Hall-effect sensor that detects piston position through magnetic field changes. This non-contact sensing method has no wear components, allowing the valve to endure unlimited operational cycles without degradation.
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 a reliable, cost-effective, and space-efficient position sensing mechanism for fluid-actuated valves, enhancing their operational reliability and endurance without adding weight or space, by using a Hall sensor to detect valve position through magnetic field changes.
Implementation Method 1
The Hall sensor is mounted on the actuator housing outer surface and is responsive to movement of the magnet to supply a position signal
Data Source
AI summary
A valve actuator includes an actuator housing, a piston, a linkage assembly, a magnet, and a Hall sensor. The actuator housing is adapted to receive pressurized fluid. The piston is movably mounted within actuator housing, and is configured to translate in a first direction and a second direction. The linkage assembly is rotationally coupled to the piston and is adapted to couple to a valve element. The linkage assembly is configured to rotate the valve element in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in response to piston movement in the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The magnet is mounted on the piston and is movable therewith, and the Hall sensor is mounted on the actuator housing and is responsive to movement of the magnet to supply a position signal.