Modulation Assisted Valve for Low-Energy Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies, particularly bi-stable solenoid valves, face limitations such as clogging, limited pressure range, high actuation forces, and high costs due to their design, which restrict their effectiveness in precision irrigation and fluid delivery systems, especially in applications requiring variable pressures and flow control.
Innovation Solution
The development of modulation assisted valves (MAVs) that utilize stepper-motor technology with sealed magnetic rotors, eliminating high friction elements and enabling multi-stable states, allowing for precise control of fluid flow with reduced electrical energy consumption, and integration with energy harvesting and wireless control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If bi-stable solenoid valves are used for low power consumption, then energy use is reduced, but the valves are limited to binary on/off control and require small orifices that clog easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static bi-stable solenoid valves to dynamic modulation assisted valves that can continuously adjust flow rates. The MAV uses a pilot orifice and main orifice configuration where the pilot orifice controls pressure modulation to assist opening the main valve, enabling proportional control rather than binary on/off states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic assistance where fluid pressure itself is used to assist valve actuation. The pilot orifice creates pressure differential that assists in opening the main orifice, reducing the electrical force needed and enabling larger orifices without proportionally increasing actuation power requirements.
2Stress or pressure
If direct acting bi-stable solenoid valves are used to act down to zero or negative pressures, then pressure range is extended, but actuation forces required under pressure become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pilot orifice as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the electrical actuator and the main valve. The pilot orifice creates a pressure differential that assists main orifice opening, reducing the direct force requirement on the main valve actuator while maintaining capability to operate across extended pressure ranges including zero and negative pressures.
3Force
If smaller orifices are used in bi-stable solenoid valves to reduce actuation forces, then actuation power is reduced, but the valves become highly susceptible to clogging with debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow control function into two separate orifices: a small pilot orifice and a larger main orifice. The pilot orifice handles pressure modulation while the main orifice handles bulk flow, allowing the main flow path to be larger and less prone to clogging while the pilot orifice remains small but handles only modulation flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure control function from the main flow path by using the pilot orifice separately. This allows the main orifice to be optimized for flow capacity without being constrained by actuation force requirements, while the pilot orifice handles the pressure modulation function independently.
4Quantity of substance
If larger orifices are used to increase flow volume, then flow capacity is improved, but actuation power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic assistance where the fluid pressure differential created by the pilot orifice assists in opening the main orifice. This reduces the electrical energy required for actuation while enabling larger main orifices for increased flow capacity, as the fluid pressure itself contributes to the opening force.
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
MAVs provide efficient, low-energy proportional valve control, enabling precise fluid delivery across varying pressures and flow rates, reducing costs and improving the reliability and efficiency of precision irrigation and fluid delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
stepper-motor technology with sealed magnetic rotors
Implementation Method 2
sealed magnetic rotors, eliminating high friction elements and enabling multi-stable states
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a process and system for controlling a genus of valve, typically in a pipe network. The genus of valve is herein referred to as a modulation assisted valve (MAV). The process and system of controlling said MAV's comprises a multitude of embodiments of such MAV's as deployed in a plurality of network configurations of pipes, such networks of pipes further interconnected with means of modulating the fluid forces encountered by such MAV's so as to assist in the actuation of such MAV's. The coordinated modulation of fluid forces within embodiments of pipe networks enables MAV's that are connected in common with the same pipe network to be controlled and actuated with reduced electrical energy consumed by said MAV's.