Hydraulically Centered Transfer Valve Without Springs or EMIDs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer valves for aerospace actuation systems are heavy and complex due to the use of springs and modulating electro-mechanical interconnect devices (EMIDs) for achieving a centered position.
Innovation Solution
A transfer valve design that utilizes a spool with centering ports and cavities to maintain a centered position through pressure balancing, eliminating the need for springs or EMIDs, allowing self-centering and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs and modulating electro-mechanical interconnect devices (EMIDs) are used to achieve a centered position, then the transfer valve can maintain a centered position, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes springs and modulating EMIDs from the transfer valve design, extracting the problematic components that caused weight and complexity issues. The centered position is achieved through a simplified spool geometry with centering ports and cavities that use fluid pressure balancing instead of mechanical springs or complex electro-mechanical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based centering system with a fluid pressure-based centering system. The spool's centering ports and cavities create pressure balancing that automatically centers the spool without requiring physical springs or complex electro-mechanical interconnect devices, thereby reducing weight and complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If springs and modulating electro-mechanical interconnect devices (EMIDs) are used to achieve a centered position, then the transfer valve can maintain a centered position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes springs and modulating EMIDs from the transfer valve design, extracting the problematic components that caused weight and complexity issues. The centered position is achieved through a simplified spool geometry with centering ports and cavities that use fluid pressure balancing instead of mechanical springs or complex electro-mechanical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based centering system with a fluid pressure-based centering system. The spool's centering ports and cavities create pressure balancing that automatically centers the spool without requiring physical springs or complex electro-mechanical interconnect devices, thereby reducing weight and complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional mechanical components are added to maintain centered position, then the centered position stability improves, but the weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-centering mechanism where the spool's own geometry (centering ports and cavities) creates the stabilizing force. The fluid pressure automatically balances to center the spool without requiring external springs or additional mechanical components, achieving stability through the system's inherent design rather than added weight.
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 design results in a lighter and more economical transfer valve that maintains a centered position without additional mechanical components, ensuring reliable fluid flow to actuators while minimizing weight and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A spool in the housing includes a first control surface facing toward the first end of the housing and a second control surface facing toward the second end of the housing. A first cavity is formed by the housing and the first control surface. A second cavity is formed by the housing and the second control surface.
Implementation Method 2
The first centering port is fluidically connected to the first control port by the first cavity or the second centering port is fluidically connected to the second control port by the second cavity in a non-centered position of the spool.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer valve includes a housing. A spool is in the housing and includes a first control surface and a second control surface. A first cavity is formed by the housing and the first control surface. A second cavity is formed by the housing and the second control surface. A first control port connects to the first cavity. A second control port connects to the second cavity. A first centering port is axially between the first control port and the second control port. A second centering port is axially between the first centering port and the second control port. The spool closes the first centering port and the second centering port when in a centered position. The first centering port is connected to the first cavity or the second centering port is connected to the second cavity when the spool is not in the centered position.