Shape-Memory Oil Valve Group for Temperature and Pressure Spikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurized oil circuits in vehicles face challenges in managing oil temperature variations and are prone to accelerated wear due to oil pressure spikes, which can damage valve groups and other components.
Innovation Solution
A valve group with elastically yieldable elements made of shape-memory alloys that control oil flow through a heat exchanger based on temperature and pressure conditions, allowing for optimal temperature management and pressure spike mitigation by adjusting the obturator's position to direct oil flow appropriately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a valve group is used to control oil flow through a heat exchanger based on temperature, then optimal temperature management is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to accelerated wear from pressure spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a bypass circuit with a pressure-sensitive valve positioned upstream of the heat exchanger. When pressure spikes occur (such as during engine startup or sudden load changes), this valve opens to divert oil flow away from the heat exchanger and valve group, cushioning the system against pressure shocks before they can cause accelerated wear on temperature control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bypass circuit as an intermediary pathway between the oil pump and the heat exchanger. This bypass circuit, controlled by a pressure-sensitive valve, acts as a mediator that redirects excess pressure away from the temperature control system, protecting the valve group and heat exchanger from damage while maintaining the primary temperature control function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex valve group solutions are used to manage oil flow to heat exchangers and filtration devices, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure management function from the temperature control valve group and places it in a separate bypass circuit with a pressure-sensitive valve. This separation allows the main valve group to focus solely on temperature-based flow control, reducing its complexity, while the bypass circuit independently handles pressure spike protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the oil circuit control system into distinct functional modules: a temperature-controlled valve group for heat exchanger management and a separate pressure-sensitive bypass circuit for pressure spike protection. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
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 valve group effectively manages oil temperature to maintain optimal conditions for engine and transmission components, while preventing damage from pressure spikes by venting excess pressure, thus extending the lifespan of the circuit components and ensuring efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The valve group (10) comprises a pair of elastically yieldable elements (180) made of a shape-memory alloy and sensitive to the temperature of the oil and to the pressure of the oil, said pair of elements being suitable to operate along the axis X-X in two directions opposite of each other by performing a combined action on the obturator (15)
Implementation Method 2
a valve group suitable for controlling the passage of fluid to the heat exchanger (3) or directly to the filtration device (2) as a function of the temperature of the oil
Implementation Method 3
the circuits comprise a valve group suitable for controlling the passage of fluid to the heat exchanger (3) or directly to the filtration device (2) as a function of the temperature of the oil
Data Source
Figure 1'
Figure 1
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
A valve group (10) housable in a duct (40) of a pressurized oil circuit of a vehicle. The valve group (1) extends along an axis (X-X) comprising a valve body (11) axially fixed to the conduit (40) and an obturator (15) fitted, axially movable, on the valve body (11). The obturator (15) has an exchanger aperture (153) through which the oil flows to a heat exchanger (3) comprised in the circuit and an auxiliary aperture (152) through which the oil flows to an auxiliary component of the circuit. The valve group (10) comprises obturator positioning and movement means (18) comprising a pair of elastically yieldable elements (180), of a material selected from among the shape-memory alloys, operatively connected between the valve body (11) and obturator (15), and suitable, as a function of the oil temperature and/or the oil pressure, to permit axial movement, to axially move and to maintain the obturator (15) in a predefined axial position.