Magnetic Shutter Assembly for Compact Valve Anti-Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solenoid valves face issues with precision, speed, and reliability due to parasitic magnetic effects, non-uniform magnetic fields, and calcareous precipitations causing galling and blocking, especially in compact and fast-operated valves, leading to unsynchronized movements and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

A magnetically operable shutter assembly with a fixed and movable core, encapsulation body, and filtration means, featuring a permanent magnet and separation facilitating structures, which allows precise and repeatable operation, and includes an elastic contrast element to manage fluid flow and prevent blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the shutter stroke is reduced to achieve compact valve size, then the valve size is reduced, but parasitic magnetic effects and field nonuniformities cause shutter blockage and unsynchronized movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve sizeVSAvoidshutter operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A permanent magnet is introduced as an intermediary element within the movable core to generate a localized magnetic field that counteracts parasitic effects. This permanent magnet acts as a mediator between the solenoid's magnetic field and the shutter, ensuring uniform force distribution and preventing shutter blockage during short-stroke operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field distribution is modified by changing the parameters of the movable core structure and introducing permanent magnets. This alters the magnetic field characteristics from nonuniform to more uniform, enabling reliable operation with reduced shutter stroke while maintaining compact valve size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the shutter is in contact with fixed parts to ensure positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but galling by depression occurs when electromagnetic impulse is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter positioning precisionVSAvoidshutter movement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is pre-loaded with a light spring that maintains continuous contact with the fixed part. This preliminary action ensures the shutter remains positioned accurately while preventing vacuum adhesion by maintaining a small gap, allowing electromagnetic impulses to effectively overcome any adhesion forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A light spring provides a counteracting force that prevents the shutter from adhering to the fixed part through vacuum effects. This spring force acts as a counterweight to the adhesion force, ensuring the shutter can move reliably when electromagnetic impulses are applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fluid stagnation is allowed in the valve body, then the valve can function in various applications, but calcareous precipitations accumulate causing galling and excessive wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve application rangeVSAvoidcomponent wear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A filtration means is introduced to extract and remove calcareous precipitations from the fluid before they can accumulate and cause galling. This filtration system continuously cleans the fluid passing through the valve, preventing deposit accumulation on moving parts while maintaining the valve's ability to function in various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Speed

If the shutter mass is reduced to achieve faster operation, then response speed is improved, but the shutter becomes more sensitive to magnetic field nonuniformities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter response speedVSAvoidshutter movement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures optimal operation with high precision, speed, and infinite repeatability, while minimizing size and manufacturing complexity, and preventing calcareous deposits, thus enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent magnet (5) circuitally associated, from an electromagnetically point of view, to the fixed core (2) and/or to the movable core (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a variable electromagnetic field, which is modulated in the most suitable way in order to make a magnetically sensitive shutter move inside it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3752758B1Magnetically-operable shutter assembly

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 CEME SPA

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Figure 3~5
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AI summary

A magnetically-operable shutter assembly comprises a fixed core and a movable core which can be configured between a contact condition and a condition of the utmost mutual distance and further comprises an encapsulation body capable of simultaneously containing the fixed core and the movable core; the encapsulation body can be installed within a body of a complex functional assembly which is configurable at least in a hindrance configuration for a fluid flow and in an admittance configuration for said fluid flow through the complex functional assembly itself.