Bistable Hydraulic Solenoid Valve With Push-Pull Magnetic Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor-operated hydraulic valves used in aircraft are heavy, bulky, expensive, and energy-consuming, leading to significant weight and fuel economy issues due to their size and weight across the entire hydraulic system.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic valve with a bistable valve spool and solenoids, where permanent magnets and solenoids work together to push and pull the spool between positions, allowing for efficient operation without continuous energy consumption, using a combination of magnetic forces to maintain positions when solenoids are de-energized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If motor-operated hydraulic valves are used to control valve position, then reliable position control is achieved, but weight and size increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position control reliabilityVSAvoidvalve weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motor-operated mechanical system with a solenoid-based electromagnetic system combined with spring mechanisms. The solenoids actuate the valve spool directly through magnetic force, eliminating the need for heavy motors while maintaining reliable position control through the combination of electromagnetic actuation and spring return mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the continuous power consumption function from the valve actuation system. By using spring-return mechanisms and latching solenoids, the system only consumes power during position transitions rather than continuously, thereby reducing the size and weight of power supply requirements while maintaining control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If motor-operated hydraulic valves are used for precise flow control, then desired flow path is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using solenoids that are energized only during valve position transitions and de-energized during steady-state operation. The spring mechanisms maintain valve position without continuous power input, creating a periodic power consumption pattern that reduces overall energy usage while maintaining precise flow control capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If traditional solenoid design is used, then simple structure is maintained, but valve spool positioning requires continuous power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolenoid structure simplicityVSAvoidcontinuous power requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges spring return mechanisms with solenoid actuation in a unified valve design. The spring mechanisms provide the return force and positioning stability, while the solenoids provide directional actuation. This combination allows the valve to maintain position without continuous power while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration reduces energy consumption, simplifies mechanical design, lowers material and manufacturing costs, and decreases weight, enhancing reliability and fuel efficiency by intermittently using electrical power to bias magnets for desired spool positions.

Implementation Method 1

a first permanent magnet attached to a first spool end of the valve spool and a second permanent magnet attached to a second spool end of the valve spool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a first solenoid positioned adjacent the first spool end, and a second solenoid positioned adjacent the second spool end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

the first solenoid is energized to have a first polarity that attracts the first permanent magnet, and the second solenoid is energized to have an opposite polarity to repel the second permanent magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11466791B2Bistable hydraulic solenoid valve

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A bistable hydraulic solenoid valve has a valve spool that transitions between two positions, remaining in one of the two positions under an attractive magnetic force when the solenoids are not energized. The valve spool has a first permanent magnet attached to one end and a second permanent magnet attached to the other end, so that the first permanent magnet faces a first solenoid, and the second permanent magnet faces a second solenoid. The first solenoid is energized to have a first polarity, and the second solenoid is energized to have an opposite polarity to concurrently push and pull the valve spool within the valve body between a first position and a second position, the first position establishing a first flow path and the second position establishing a second flow path through the valve body and valve spool so as to enable flow of hydraulic fluid.