Variable-Opening Magnetic Valve for Drip-Free Fluid Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic valves are energy-intensive, prone to leaks, and unsuitable for aggressive media due to metal surfaces, and they require specific pressure conditions for reproducible flow, which is challenging for applications like cyanoacrylate dosing.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a freely movable ferromagnetic body deflected by variable and spaced magnets outside the fluid reservoir, allowing for stepless and variable flow control without direct magnetic contact, using a hollow body with a ferromagnetic ball that changes position based on magnetic forces to manage fluid flow, ensuring a tight seal and adjustable flow openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical magnetic field excitation is used to open or close the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but energy consumption increases and heating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical magnetic field excitation with a purely mechanical valve body that is actuated by magnetic attraction from external magnets. The valve body itself is made of ferromagnetic material, allowing it to be attracted by external magnets without requiring electrical coils or energy input, thus eliminating energy consumption and heating issues while maintaining actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external magnets as an intermediary that acts on the ferromagnetic valve body from outside the fluid path. This allows magnetic actuation without direct contact between electrical components and the aggressive media, and without the need for energy-consuming electrical fields within the valve
2Device complexity
If metal surfaces are used in the flow area, then the valve structure is simple, but compatibility with aggressive media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ferromagnetic valve body from direct contact with aggressive media by positioning it upstream of the valve opening in the fluid path. The valve body is attracted by external magnets to close the valve, but the actual sealing surface is a non-magnetic, media-compatible material that contacts the fluid, thus separating the magnetic actuation function from the media contact function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction where the valve body has a ferromagnetic component for magnetic actuation and a non-magnetic, media-compatible component for fluid contact. This allows the valve to benefit from both magnetic actuation capability and resistance to aggressive media like cyanoacrylates
3Ease of operation
If pressure differences are used to open or close the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but flow behavior changes continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pressure-based actuation with magnetic field-based actuation. External magnets provide a stable, controllable magnetic field that attracts the ferromagnetic valve body to close the valve without requiring pressure changes. This allows precise control of valve opening without disrupting the pressure conditions and flow behavior of the media
4Ease of operation
If built-in springs are used to close the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring mechanism from the valve structure and replaces it with external magnetic actuation. The ferromagnetic valve body is attracted by external magnets to close the valve without requiring built-in springs, thereby eliminating the flow resistance and turbulence that springs would cause in the fluid path
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
Enables drip-free, reproducible dosing of fluids, including aggressive media, with simple handling and automated variable transfer, maintaining flow quality over long intervals without medium degradation, and allows for precise microdosing with software-controlled external magnets.
Implementation Method 1
The valve closing body is deflected against a direction of flow via variable and spaced magnets outside of the fluid reservoir
Implementation Method 2
the valve closing body for changing its position, for interrupting the flow of fluid, is attracted by at least one first permanent magnet to a fluid-tight contact surface in the hollow body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for metering fluids, in particular liquid fluids, wherein at least one fluid (2) is conducted out of at least one fluid reservoir (1) through a closeable valve device in a discharge direction (3), at least one valve opening in the valve device being closed or opened by means of a valve closing member (4) in order for the fluid to flow or be prevented from flowing through the valve opening, the opening and closing movement being performed magnetically by moving the valve closing member (4), which is arranged and moved in the fluid reservoir (1) on an upstream side of the valve opening. The invention also relates to a metering apparatus comprising means for carrying out said method. The invention further relates to a use of the metering apparatus.