Magnetic Latch Throttle Valve Without Spring Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies, such as throttle and check valves, require close tolerances and multiple assembly adjustments due to internal mechanical springs, which complicates the assembly process and can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A latch valve design utilizing a magnetic circuit with a ferromagnetic shell, permanent magnet, and electromagnet to control fluid flow without mechanical springs, using a magnetic plunger to selectively compress a seal based on variable magnetic fields generated by the electromagnet, allowing for adjustable fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal mechanical spring is used to bias the valve member, then the valve can maintain a default position, but close tolerances and multiple assembly adjustments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring biasing system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The valve member is positioned and biased using magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets and electromagnets, eliminating the need for mechanical springs and their associated tolerance adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties used for valve actuation from mechanical elastic energy storage (springs) to magnetic field strength and polarity. This allows for adjustable valve positioning through electromagnetic control without mechanical tolerance constraints.
2Manufacturing precision
If close tolerances are used for the spring, valve member, and valve housing, then the desired operation can be obtained, but several iterations of adjustments are needed during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based actuation system eliminates the need for precise mechanical tolerances between the valve member, housing, and spring components. Magnetic fields can be adjusted electronically to compensate for manufacturing variations, reducing assembly iterations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic electromagnetic control that can adjust valve positioning in real-time, compensating for manufacturing tolerances that would otherwise require precise mechanical fits and multiple adjustment iterations during assembly.
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 magnetic latch valve simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for precise mechanical spring adjustments and allows for dynamic control of fluid flow, reducing the complexity and iterations required during assembly while maintaining effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
A permanent magnet generates a first magnetic field that magnetically latches the magnetic valve member to apply a load on the seal and compress the seal
Implementation Method 2
An electromagnet is configured to generate a variable second magnetic field that magnetically influences the magnetic valve member to vary the load on the seal and thereby selectively compress the seal
Implementation Method 3
The ferromagnetic shell, the permanent magnet, the electromagnet and the magnetic plunger are configured in a magnetic circuit. The magnetic plunger is configured to selectively compress the seal based on a force produced by the magnetic circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A latch valve includes a ferromagnetic shell, a ferromagnetic pole, a permanent magnet disposed within the ferromagnetic shell, an electromagnet disposed within the ferromagnetic shell, a seal, and a magnetic plunger disposed within the ferromagnetic shell. The ferromagnetic shell, the permanent magnet, the electromagnet and the magnetic plunger are configured in a magnetic circuit, and the magnetic plunger is configured to selectively compresses the seal based on a force produced by the magnetic circuit.