MRE Fluid Control Armature for Compact Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control valves, both magnetically-actuated and self-actuating, face limitations in design flexibility and component size due to the use of traditional materials, often requiring biasing springs and specific orientations, which restricts their compactness and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
The use of magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) materials for the sealing armature, which combines an elastomer with a ferromagnetic filler, allows for a one-piece, magnetically-actuable armature that simplifies construction, reduces component size, and eliminates the need for biasing springs, enabling more flexible design and cracking pressure adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metallic armature bodies with elastomeric sealing members are used, then reliable sealing and impact absorption are achieved, but device complexity and component size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the armature body and sealing member into a single integrated MRE component. The magneto-rheological elastomer material provides both the structural function of the armature and the sealing function simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate metallic armature body and elastomeric sealing member components while maintaining reliable sealing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE), a composite material consisting of ferromagnetic particles dispersed in an elastomeric matrix. This composite material exhibits both magnetic responsiveness for actuation and elastomeric properties for sealing and impact absorption, replacing traditional metallic armature constructions
2Stability of the object's composition
If biasing springs are used to maintain valve position, then valve stability is improved, but device complexity and component size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical biasing springs with magnetic fields for actuation and positioning. The MRE material responds to magnetic fields from solenoid coils to achieve valve opening and closing, eliminating the need for mechanical spring-based biasing systems while maintaining stable valve position control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from mechanical spring force to magnetic field interaction. By controlling the strength and presence of magnetic fields, the valve can be actuated between open and closed states without requiring physical springs, reducing component complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for armature construction, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but design flexibility and material selection are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magneto-rheological elastomer, a composite material that combines ferromagnetic particles with an elastomeric matrix. This material provides both magnetic responsiveness for actuation and elastomeric properties for sealing, enabling design flexibility in cracking pressure adjustment and sealing performance while maintaining manufacturability through molding processes
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
This approach results in more compact and flexible valve designs with simplified construction, offering enhanced sealing capabilities and reduced energy consumption, while allowing for greater flexibility in material selection and cracking pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
The MRE material is subsequently molded, formed, or shaped into an armature body shape... an MRE sealing armature may be incorporated into a solenoid fluid control valve to provide a one-piece, magnetically-actuable armature
Implementation Method 2
an MRE sealing armature may be incorporated into a self-actuating fluid check valve having a permanent magnet element in order to abolish dependencies upon valve orientation, to eliminate the need for a biasing spring
Data Source
AI summary
A solenoid fluid control valve having a valve body containing a solenoid coil, a fluid channel, and a seat, each coaxially disposed about a central longitudinal axis of the body, and a one-piece armature of MRE material. The armature is disposed within the fluid channel and magnetically actuable to seal against the seat, with operation of the solenoid coil actuating the armature with respect to the seat to alter the closure state of a fluid port. Also, a fluid check valve having a first valve body part defining a seat, a fluid port, and a first portion of a fluid chamber, with the seat including a permanent magnet element disposed adjacent the fluid port proximate the fluid chamber. A one-piece armature of MRE material is disposed across the fluid port and magnetically sealable against the magnet element. The armature and magnet element are configured to create a preselected magnetization offset pressure portion of a valve cracking pressure.