Poppet Valve Assembly for Pneumatic Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Poppet valve assemblies for controlling pneumatic actuators often have a larger form factor compared to spool valve designs, which can limit their application in compact environments, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage the fluid communication and actuation positions within the pneumatic actuator.
Innovation Solution
A poppet valve assembly with a central housing containing multiple modules, each with a pair of normally closed poppet valves, allowing for precise control of fluid communication through central, supply, and exhaust ports, enabling efficient actuation of pneumatic actuators by managing pressurized fluid flow between multiple volumes within the actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional poppet valve assemblies are used to control pneumatic actuators, then reliable fluid control is achieved, but the form factor becomes larger compared to spool valve designs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into multiple modules, each containing a pair of normally closed poppet valves. This segmentation allows for more efficient space utilization while maintaining the required fluid control functionality, thereby reducing the overall form factor without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple poppet valves are integrated into a single compact assembly with shared components and housing. By merging multiple valve functions into one unified structure, the overall volume is reduced while maintaining reliable fluid control across multiple channels
2Volume of moving object
If multiple poppet valves are integrated into a single assembly, then compactness is improved, but fluid communication management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly incorporates multiple normally closed poppet valves within a single integrated structure, allowing one assembly to perform multiple fluid control functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach manages complexity by consolidating rather than multiplying separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with nested modules containing pairs of poppet valves allows for organized fluid communication paths. Each module can be independently configured and assembled, making the complex fluid management more systematic and manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A poppet valve assembly to control a pneumatic actuator may include a housing having a central bore. A first module may be disposed within the central bore, and the first module may have a first and second poppet valve. A second module may also be disposed within the central bore, and the second module may have a third and fourth poppet valve. A supply of pressurized fluid may be in fluid communication with a plurality of control valves such that pressurized fluid from the control valves opens and closes the poppet valves. The supply of pressurized fluid may also be in fluid communication with the first module and the second module such that the opening and closing of the poppet valves controls the position of the pneumatic actuator.