Pilot Valve Contactless Magnetic Force Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pilot valve arrangements lack improved serviceability, making maintenance slower and less safe due to mechanical contact requirements for actuating force transfer.

Innovation Solution

A contactless force coupling arrangement using cooperating magnets to transfer torque across an air gap between the presetting mechanism actuating device and the pilot valve device, allowing for actuation without mechanical links, and a hermetically sealed design for enhanced safety and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical contact is used to transfer actuating force from the actuating device to the pilot valve device, then reliable force transfer is achieved, but serviceability and maintenance safety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce transfer reliabilityVSAvoidserviceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based force transfer system with a magnetic field-based contactless coupling system. The actuating force is transferred through magnetic interaction between magnets in the actuating device and corresponding magnets in the pilot valve device, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact while maintaining reliable force transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to transfer the actuating force between the actuating device and the pilot valve device. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that transmits force without requiring physical contact, thereby improving serviceability while maintaining force transfer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical links are used to connect the actuating device and pilot valve device, then structural stability is maintained, but maintenance complexity and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical links between the actuating device and pilot valve device by substituting them with a contactless magnetic coupling system. This reduces structural complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining the functional connection through magnetic field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical link components from the system, replacing them with a contactless magnetic coupling mechanism. This extraction of mechanical intermediaries simplifies the overall structure and reduces maintenance complexity while preserving the essential force transfer function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If mechanical contact interfaces are used for actuating force transfer, then precise force control is achieved, but leakage risks and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce control precisionVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact interfaces with a contactless magnetic coupling system, eliminating the physical interfaces that could lead to leakage. The magnetic field transfers force without requiring openings or contact points, thereby reducing leakage risks while maintaining force control precision through magnetic field regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a diaphragm as a flexible sealing element that can transmit force while maintaining hermetic sealing. The diaphragm allows for precise force control through its mechanical properties while preventing leakage, working in conjunction with the contactless magnetic coupling system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables quicker and safer maintenance by facilitating the transfer of actuating force without mechanical contact, improving serviceability and safety through a contactless torque transfer mechanism and hermetic sealing.

Implementation Method 1

the contactless force coupling arrangement comprises cooperating magnets in order to transfer the torque over an air gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10443750B2Pilot valve arrangement

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 DANFOSS AS

AI summary

The invention relates to a pilot valve arrangement (1) comprising a pilot valve device (2) which comprises a pilot valve element (13), a pilot valve seat (14) cooperating with the pilot valve element (13) and a presetting mechanism for presetting an opening pressure of the pilot valve element (13), the pilot valve arrangement (1) further comprising a presetting mechanism actuating device (3) which comprises an actuator element (17) adapted to create an actuating force in order to actuate the presetting mechanism in the pilot valve device so as to preset the opening pressure. According to the invention, the pilot valve arrangement (1) comprises a contactless force coupling arrangement adapted to transfer the actuating force from the presetting mechanism actuating device (3) to the pilot valve device (2). An inventive pilot valve device (2) is disclosed and claimed as well. The invention allows to improve maintenance and safety concerning the devices mentioned above.