Inlet Air Valve Lever Actuation for Progressive Compressor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mining machines face challenges in reliably controlling the progressive opening of intake air valves from a closed state to a fully open state, especially when adapting to different sized drill units.
Innovation Solution
An actuator arrangement for an inlet air valve that includes a linear actuator connected via a lever mechanism to a shaft of a closing element, with a varying transmission ratio, allowing for progressive actuation and accurate control of the inlet air valve, suitable for different working air needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a linear actuator is directly connected to the shaft of the closing element, then the structure is simple, but the control precision at small flow channel opening values is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A lever mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the linear actuator and the shaft of the closing element. The lever mechanism includes a first lever connected to the shaft and a second lever connected to the movable element of the linear actuator, with a varying transmission ratio that enables precise control at small opening values while maintaining structural feasibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission ratio of the lever mechanism is constant, then the mechanism is simple, but the adaptability to different drill units is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission ratio of the lever mechanism is designed to vary during the movement of the movable element of the linear actuator. This dynamic transmission ratio allows the actuator arrangement to adapt to different drill units and working air requirements, providing progressive actuation from closed to fully open state
3Reliability
If the inlet air valve opens quickly from closed to fully open, then the response time is short, but the control stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The varying transmission ratio of the lever mechanism provides progressive actuation of the closing element from the closed state to the fully open state. This dynamic transmission characteristic ensures stable control during the opening process while maintaining acceptable response time
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 actuator arrangement enables stable and accurate control of the inlet air valve, particularly at small flow channel opening values, ensuring adaptable operation with various drill units and enhancing the control of air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a linear actuator comprising a movable element, operatively connected via a lever mechanism to a shaft of a closing element of the inlet air valve, wherein a linear movement of the movable element of the linear actuator is transmitted via the lever mechanism to a rotation movement of the shaft of the closing element of the inlet air valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~7a
AI summary
An actuator arrangement (1) for an inlet air valve of a compressor system of a mining machine, the actuator arrangement comprises a linear actuator (11) comprising a movable element (10), operatively connected via a lever mechanism (6, 7, 8, 9; 6, 7, 8, 9, 91, 92) to a shaft (4) of a closing element (3) of the inlet air valve. A linear movement of the movable element (10) of the linear actuator (11) is transmitted via the lever mechanism to a rotation movement of the shaft (4) of the closing element (3) of the inlet air valve, wherein a transmission ratio of the lever mechanism is configured to vary during a movement of the movable element (10) of the linear actuator (11).