Piezo Valve Actuator with Integrated Discharge Resistor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Piezo-controlled metering valves face precision issues due to variations in actuator length caused by temperature fluctuations and mechanical loading, leading to inaccuracies in fluid metering, which existing technologies attempt to mitigate through temporary short-circuiting and external discharge resistors.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a discharge resistor as a fixed component within the piezoelectric actuator ensures it is always electrically discharged, maintaining a consistent initial length and eliminating the need for external discharge resistors, thereby stabilizing the switching force chain and improving metering accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a temporary external discharge resistor is used during installation, then the actuator can be discharged to ensure precise adjustment, but additional installation steps and external components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge resistor is integrated directly into the actuator assembly, merging the discharge function with the actuator itself. This eliminates the need for separate external discharge resistors and temporary installation steps, while maintaining the ability to discharge the actuator for precise adjustment of the switching force chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is equipped with its own built-in discharge resistor, enabling it to self-discharge without requiring external intervention or additional components. This self-service approach ensures the actuator can be discharged at any time during installation or operation, providing continuous precision adjustment capability without increasing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator is not discharged during storage, then no additional installation steps are needed, but charge voltage accumulates causing length variations and metering inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge resistor is pre-installed within the actuator, ready to discharge accumulated charge voltage before adjustment operations begin. This preliminary discharge capability ensures the actuator starts in a known state, eliminating length variations caused by charge voltage and enabling accurate metering from the outset without requiring temporary external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in discharge resistor enables the actuator to automatically manage its own charge voltage during storage and installation, maintaining a stable initial length without requiring external intervention. This self-service discharge function ensures metering accuracy is preserved while simplifying the installation process.
3Reliability
If external discharge resistors are used at plug terminals, then charge voltage can be discharged, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge resistor function is merged into the actuator assembly itself, eliminating the need for separate external discharge resistors at plug terminals. This integration maintains reliable electrical discharge capability while reducing the number of components and installation steps, thereby lowering manufacturing and installation costs.
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 solution prevents deviations in coupler gap size and metering accuracy, simplifies production, and reduces installation costs by eliminating the need for additional discharge resistor installation processes.
Implementation Method 1
Metering valves having piezoelectric actuators make use of the piezoelectric effect of a so-called piezo module
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is briefly electrically short-circuited immediately prior to adjusting the switching force chain made up of a valve-closure spring, an actuator and a hydraulic coupler, so that a possibly existing charge voltage is eliminated
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for metering fluid includes: a piezoelectric actuator for metering control; two electrical connection elements for applying an electrical control voltage; and a discharge resistor integrated into the actuator, which resistor bridges the two connection elements.