Magnetic Direct-Acting Valve Layout for Hygienic Low-Loss Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetically operated valves used in hygiene-sensitive applications, such as the food sector, suffer from high flow losses and the formation of deposits due to fluid contact in areas with low flow speed, particularly around the reset spring, which complicates hygiene maintenance and limits their application.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically operated valve with a valve body made from ferrite material, featuring a sliding guide within the valve housing and an external magnetic field to open and close the valve, eliminating internal fluid channels and incorporating a nozzle structure to optimize fluid flow and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve body has internal fluid channels, then the valve can control fluid flow through the valve body, but fluid contact dead spaces form where deposits can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the internal fluid channels from the valve body and relocates them to the valve housing. The valve body becomes a solid ferrite component without internal passages, eliminating dead spaces where deposits could accumulate. Fluid flows through channels in the valve housing around the external surface of the valve body, maintaining flow control functionality while preventing deposit formation in stagnant areas.
2Ease of operation
If a return spring is used to reset the valve body, then the valve can be reset after opening, but fluid contact around the spring creates dead spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical return spring system with a magnetic field-based reset mechanism. A permanent magnet in the valve housing exerts magnetic force on the ferrite valve body to reset it to the closed position after opening. This eliminates the return spring from the system, removing the source of fluid contact dead spaces while maintaining the essential valve reset functionality.
3Loss of energy
If the valve body is surrounded by fluid flow on the outside, then flow losses are reduced, but the valve body geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a tapered cylindrical geometry for the valve body, with the first free end having a smaller diameter than the second free end. This curved, tapered shape optimizes fluid flow around the external surface of the valve body, reducing flow separation and turbulence. The smooth transitional geometry minimizes energy losses while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through processes like metal injection molding.
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 solution significantly reduces flow losses and prevents deposit formation, making the valve suitable for hygiene-sensitive areas with improved flow efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The permanent magnet is designed to apply a force to the valve body in the direction of the valve seat and thus close the valve
Implementation Method 2
When electric current is applied to the coil, the valve body can be lifted from the valve seat by the magnetic field generated by the electric coil in order to open the valve
Implementation Method 3
The valve body is made at least partially from a ferrite material and forms an armature which interacts with the permanent magnet on the one hand and with the electric coil on the other
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a direct-acting valve for controlling a fluid flow comprising: - a valve housing (2) with a fluid channel (2.1) having an inlet (2.2), an outlet (2.3) and a valve seat (2.4); - a valve body (3) movable in the valve housing (2) for opening and closing the valve (1); - a permanent magnet (4) provided on the valve housing (2); and; - an electrical coil (5) arranged on the valve housing (2) for generating a magnetic field acting on the valve body (3).