Thermally Insulated Coupling for Hot Fluid Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic valves for hot fluids, particularly in automotive applications, face challenges in achieving thermal insulation while maintaining mechanical coupling and compactness, as previous solutions either lead to high thermal transmission or compromise mechanical reliability due to thermal gradients and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a thermally insulating mechanical connection using a coupling member with a cross-sectional shape that forms an effective thermal barrier, made from materials like stainless steel or ceramic, to separate the hot fluid circuit from the cooled actuator zone, ensuring robust torque transmission and compactness without direct thermal coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct mechanical link is used between the sealing element and the actuator's output shaft, then mechanical coupling reliability is improved, but heat transfer from the valve to the actuator increases
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling member is introduced as an intermediary element between the valve shaft and actuator output shaft. This coupling member transmits rotational torque while providing thermal insulation, thereby mediating between the hot valve side and the cool actuator side. The coupling member can be made of thermally insulating materials or designed with air gaps to reduce heat conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the valve and actuator is segmented into distinct thermal zones. The coupling member creates a thermal barrier that divides the continuous mechanical connection into separate thermal domains, allowing the valve to operate at high temperatures while the actuator remains in a cooler environment.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation is increased between the valve and actuator, then actuator temperature is reduced, but mechanical coupling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member exhibits different properties in different directions: it provides thermal insulation in the radial direction (perpendicular to the shaft axis) while maintaining mechanical rigidity and torque transmission capability along the axial direction. This anisotropic design allows simultaneous achievement of thermal isolation and mechanical coupling.
3Temperature
If the valve is designed for high nominal temperatures, then valve performance is optimized, but thermal gradients within the compact space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member acts as a thermal mediator that buffers the thermal gradient between the hot valve and the cooler surrounding environment. By positioning this thermal barrier at the interface, the extreme temperature gradient is distributed over a larger spatial scale, reducing thermal stress concentrations within the compact valve body.
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 approach effectively reduces thermal conduction and maintains mechanical robustness, allowing the valve to operate at high temperatures without cooling, while keeping the actuator at a nominal temperature compatible with its components, thus optimizing both valve and actuator design for efficient and compact operation.
Implementation Method 1
said coupling member having means for transmitting rotational torque
Implementation Method 2
The first piece and/or the second piece are made of a thermally insulating material
Implementation Method 3
This approach effectively reduces thermal conduction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrically controlled valve for the circulation of hot fluids, made up of an electromagnetic actuator (1) and a valve (5), said valve (5) having an opening (7) provided with a movable sealing member (8) driven by a rotation shaft (26) perpendicular to the axis of said opening, said electromagnetic actuator (1) driving the rotation of said shaft (26), the output shaft (2) of said actuator (1) being substantially coaxial with said rotation shaft (26), characterised in that the front end of the rotation shaft (26) and the front end of the output shaft (2) are not in direct contact, and in that the coupling between said rotation shaft (26) of the valve and said output shaft (2) of the actuator is provided by a coupling member (41) placed between the front end of said output shaft (2) and the front end of said shaft (26), said coupling member (41) having means for transmitting rotation torque with a misalignment tolerance between the output shaft (2) and the rotation shaft of the valve (26), said valve also being characterised by having thermally insulating means (19 to 21; 38 to 40; 22 to 24) for mechanical connection between peripheral areas of the body of the actuator and the body of the valve.