Pneumatic Valve Cover Cooling and Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic valves used in vitreoretinal procedures heat up excessively and generate loud noises when operated at high input voltage and speed, reducing their reliability and causing discomfort during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cover is mounted on top of a manifold with an exhaust opening and an inner surface forming a space to receive pressurized gas, which circulates around the pneumatic valve to cool it and exits through an exhaust opening to suppress noise, using multiple inlet ports and noise-absorbing materials to reduce heat and noise levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pneumatic valve is operated at high input voltage and high speed, then the productivity and cutting performance are improved, but the valve temperature increases excessively causing reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pressurized gas as an intermediary cooling medium that flows through channels in the cover to directly cool the pneumatic valve. This mediator transfers heat away from the valve without interfering with its high-speed operation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring valve reliability through temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing pressurized gas flow through engineered channels to achieve cooling. The pressurized gas delivers enhanced convective cooling efficiency, allowing the valve to operate at high speeds while maintaining reliability through active thermal management via gas dynamics.
2Productivity
If the pneumatic valve is operated at high input voltage and high speed, then the cutting performance is improved, but the noise level increases excessively causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pressurized gas as an intermediary that serves dual functions: cooling the valve and suppressing noise. The gas flow through the cover channels absorbs acoustic energy and dampens noise generated by high-speed valve operation, allowing high productivity while reducing harmful noise levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful noise generated by high-speed valve operation into a beneficial effect by using the same pressurized gas flow that cools the valve to also act as a noise suppression medium. The gas flow transforms acoustic energy into kinetic energy of the gas stream, reducing noise pollution while maintaining cooling efficiency.
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 effectively cools the pneumatic valve and suppresses noise, enhancing the reliability and operational life of the valve while minimizing disturbances during high-speed operations, ensuring efficient and quiet performance.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a cover mounted on top of a manifold, the cover comprising an exhaust opening and an inner surface forming a space between the inner surface of the cover and an outer surface of the manifold, wherein the space is configured to receive pressurized gas at an inlet positioned on a first side of a valve. The valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space. The exhaust opening is positioned on a second side of the valve opposite the first side of the valve such that pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening.