Rotary Valve Sensor Feedthrough for Stable Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary valve systems in ICP spectrometry face challenges with electrical connection stability due to mechanical stress from actuator rotation, leading to potential disconnection and loss of sensor functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port rotary valve system with integrated optical sensors and a retainer portion featuring pins and apertures that secure the electrical connection between the actuator cap, valve collar, and sensor connector, providing an anti-shear mechanism to maintain connection during rotor movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical connection is made through the actuator cap and valve collar during rotor rotation, then the sensor functionality is enabled, but the electrical connection becomes unstable due to mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retainer portion with retainer pins as an intermediary element between the actuator cap and valve collar. These retainer pins engage with apertures in both components to provide mechanical support and stabilization to the electrical connection, isolating it from the harmful effects of rotational mechanical stress while enabling sensor functionality
2Reliability
If the retainer portion with pins and apertures is added to secure electrical connection, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer portion is merged with the existing valve collar structure, integrating the electrical connection stabilization function into the existing mechanical assembly. The retainer pins and apertures are incorporated as integral features of the valve collar and actuator cap, combining multiple functions (mechanical support, electrical connection stabilization, and component attachment) into unified structures rather than adding separate independent components
Data Source
AI summary
A valve system includes, but is not limited to, a rotary valve; an actuator coupled with the rotary valve, wherein the actuator comprises a power connection fed from electronics associated with the actuator or coupled to the actuator; an actuator cap coupled with the actuator, the actuator cap configured to allow the power connection to pass through; a valve collar configured to be attached to the actuator cap, wherein the valve collar comprises an electronic feedthrough passage for the power connection; a sensor housing adjacent to the rotary valve and configured to support one or more sensors; and a retainer portion coupled with the rotary valve, the retainer portion configured to couple with the actuator cap through mating of respective retainer pins and apertures to allow electrical connection between the power connector and the sensor connector while remaining fixed with respect to the valve collar.