Pivotable Magnet Armature for Low Power Fluid Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetically actuated valves require significant electrical control power to operate, leading to energy inefficiency and potential corrosion issues due to medium exposure in the magnetic drive area.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivotable valve member and a magnet armature that uses permanent magnets to reduce the need for electrical control power, minimizing medium exposure to the magnetic drive and eliminating the need for a separate valve closing spring, allowing for lower activation power consumption and reduced corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an electromagnet with excitation coil is used to actuate the valve member, then the valve can be controlled to open and close the flow opening, but significant electrical control power is required leading to energy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a permanent magnet and an electromagnet in the magnetic drive assembly to create a hybrid magnetic system. The permanent magnet provides a baseline magnetic field that reduces the energy required by the electromagnet to actuate the valve member, thereby lowering overall power consumption while maintaining effective control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters by introducing a permanent magnet that generates a static magnetic field. This modifies the operating point of the electromagnet, allowing it to operate at lower current levels while achieving the same actuation effect, thus reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the valve chamber is constantly filled with medium surrounding the magnet armature, then the valve member is always surrounded by medium for proper operation, but corrosion occurs in the magnetic drive area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the magnet armature from the medium-filled valve chamber environment. The magnetic drive assembly is positioned outside the valve chamber, separated from the medium that causes corrosion. This allows the magnetic components to remain dry and corrosion-free while still functioning to actuate the valve member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a seal or barrier as an intermediary between the medium-filled valve chamber and the magnetic drive assembly. This intermediary prevents direct contact between the corrosive medium and the magnetic components, protecting them from corrosion while allowing the system to function as intended.
3Reliability
If a separate valve closing spring is used to ensure the valve closes properly, then reliable closing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the valve closing spring with the magnetic drive assembly. The permanent magnet and electromagnet work together to provide both the actuating force and the closing force, eliminating the need for a separate spring component. The magnetic system performs multiple functions: opening the valve when energized and closing it when de-energized.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic drive assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the magnetic field for actuation, serves as the closing mechanism, and eliminates the need for separate spring components. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable valve closing.
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 achieves energy savings by reducing the current required for the electromagnet and minimizing corrosion, while maintaining the same functionality with a more efficient magnetic force, resulting in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
with permanent magnets arranged in the magnet armature, the magnetic flux of which closes via the pole pieces
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet that actuates the valve member, which has a magnetic circuit with at least one magnet or excitation coil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for flow control of a liquid or gaseous medium, comprising at least one flow opening (13, 14) for the medium-controlling valve element (15) and an electromagnet (16) actuating the valve element (15). The electromagnet has a magnetic circuit with at least one excitation coil (23) and a magnetic armature (24) coupled to the valve element (15). To achieve a significant reduction in the drive power for the excitation coil (23), the magnetic armature (24) is pivotably arranged about a pivot axis (31) between two opposing pole pieces (28, 29) in the magnetic circuit and is designed such that it overlaps each pole piece (28 or 29) while leaving two air gaps (32, 33 or 34, 35). In the magnetic armature (24) at least one permanent magnet (38, 39) is arranged such that its magnetic flux closes via the pole pieces (28, 29).