Rotary Magnetic Valve Coupling for Seal-Less High-Temperature Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valves often develop leaks due to degrading stem seals and other components, leading to inefficiencies, safety issues, and downtime in industrial settings, and are challenged by high-temperature operation and continuous power requirements.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnet-actuated valves with external magnets and internal magnetic flux paths, which include ferromagnetic actuation members and materials with low magnetic permeability in the valve body to enhance durability and leak-resistance, eliminating the need for stem seals and allowing for high-temperature operation without continuous power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional stem seals are used in valves, then the valve can be operated manually with simple structure, but the stem seals degrade over time and cause leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stem seal component entirely from the valve structure. By extracting this problematic sealing element, the invention eliminates the source of leaks while maintaining valve functionality through a magnetically actuated seal-less design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical stem seal system with a magnetic actuation system. External magnets create magnetic fields that actuate internal ferromagnetic components to control the valve, eliminating the need for mechanical seals that contact and degrade over time.
2Reliability
If bending or flexing components such as bellows or membranes are used to eliminate stem seals, then leak-resistance is improved, but these components degrade or fatigue and leak long term
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bellows and membranes from the valve structure. By eliminating these flexible sealing components, the invention avoids their inherent problems of degradation and fatigue while maintaining leak-resistance through a rigid, seal-less magnetic actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the valve components by using rigid ferromagnetic materials instead of flexible membranes. This parameter change from flexible to rigid materials eliminates fatigue and degradation while maintaining the seal-less leak-proof design.
3Ease of operation
If internal magnets are used in magnetic valves, then actuation is achieved, but high temperature operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnets from the internal structure and relocates them to external position. By placing magnets outside the valve body, the invention allows the internal components to withstand high temperatures while the external magnets remain in a cooler environment, enabling both magnetic actuation and high-temperature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ferromagnetic actuation members as intermediaries between the external magnets and the valve internal components. These intermediaries transmit magnetic force from the external magnets to control the valve, allowing the magnets to remain external while still achieving effective actuation.
4Ease of operation
If linear solenoid type operation is used in magnetic valves, then magnetic actuation is achieved, but continuous power is required to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic or pulsed magnetic actuation instead of continuous power application. The external magnets are activated only when valve position changes are needed, and the system maintains its state without continuous energy input, eliminating the need for continuous power to maintain position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the valve system to maintain its actuated position without external power input. Once the external magnets actuate the ferromagnetic components to the desired position, the system self-maintains this position through magnetic field interactions without requiring continuous energy supply.
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 configuration provides improved durability, leak-resistance, and the ability to maintain valve operation in high-temperature environments without the need for continuous power, reducing downtime and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
magnet-actuated valves with external magnets and internal magnetic flux paths
Implementation Method 2
ferromagnetic actuation members
Implementation Method 3
materials with low magnetic permeability in the valve body to enhance durability and leak-resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. In some examples, valves may include a valve body with a cavity. Valves may include a stem at least partially disposed in the cavity. Valves may include a valve member coupled to the stem. Valves may include a ferromagnetic actuation member disposed in the cavity. The ferromagnetic actuation member may be operatively coupled to the stem such that movement of the ferromagnetic actuation member actuates movement of the valve member between an open position and the closed position. Valves may include an actuator exterior to the valve body. The actuator may include a first magnetic pole section and a second magnetic pole section. A magnetic flux may flow from the first magnetic pole section through the ferromagnetic actuation member to the second magnetic pole section in a magnetic flux path through the interior portion of the valves.