Piezostack Fluidic Valve Sealing Without Motion Amplification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current microvalves face challenges in design such as pressure handling capacity, sealing, and packaging, limiting their commercial success, especially in applications requiring precision control and high differential pressures, and often necessitate the use of displacement amplification mechanisms with piezoelectric actuators.

Innovation Solution

A fluidic control valve utilizing piezostack actuators without the need for displacement amplification mechanisms, featuring a seal plate, orifice plate, and suspension system, where the piezostack actuator displaces the seal plate along a conduit to control fluid flow through an array of micro-scale orifices, allowing for proportional flow control and operation at high pressures without mechanical motion amplification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If piezostack actuators are used in conventional microvalves, then sealing capability is improved, but displacement amplification mechanisms are required which increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoiddisplacement amplification mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve seat is segmented into multiple segments that can independently deflect toward the centerline of the valve body. This segmentation allows each segment to be actuated by small-displacement actuators while collectively achieving the sealing function without requiring complex displacement amplification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve segments are arranged radially around the centerline and deflect in a circular arc path rather than linear motion. This dimensional change allows small linear actuator displacements to be converted into effective sealing motion through the geometric arrangement of the segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If displacement amplification mechanisms are added to microvalves, then actuator motion is sufficient, but pressure handling capacity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator motion sufficiencyVSAvoidpressure handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical displacement amplification mechanisms are replaced with a simpler system where valve segments are positioned and constrained by the valve body geometry. The segments naturally follow a circular arc path defined by their mounting arrangement, eliminating the need for additional mechanical amplification components that would compromise pressure handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional valve designs are used, then packaging is simplified, but sealing performance at high pressures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance at high pressures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve segments are designed to dynamically deflect toward the centerline when actuated, creating a self-centering sealing action. This dynamic movement allows the segments to maintain optimal sealing contact even under high pressure conditions, improving sealing performance without complicating the overall packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient fluid control with reduced power consumption and no noticeable increase in operating temperature, allowing for precise control of fluid flow at high pressures and speeds, overcoming the limitations of existing microvalves in terms of sealing and packaging.

Implementation Method 1

A fluidic control valve utilizing piezostack actuators without the need for displacement amplification mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11067187B2Fluidic control valve with small displacement actuators

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

AI summary

A fluidic control valve configured to control a flow of fluid through a conduit includes a piezostack actuator, a seal plate having a sealing face, an orifice plate including a plurality of orifices, and a suspension connected to the seal plate. The piezostack actuator is configured to displace the seal plate along a longitudinal axis of the conduit between a closed position, in which the sealing face engages the orifice plate, seals the orifices of the orifice plate and closes the valve, and an open position, in which the seal plate is displaced from the orifice plate to open the valve. The suspension is configured to flex and adjust an orientation of the sealing face relative to the orifice plate during movement of the seal plate from the open position to the closed position.