Shape Memory Proportional Valve for Smooth Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices face challenges in accurately regulating the flow rate of liquids with different viscosities in real time, leading to issues like 'water hammer' and limited flow rate capabilities in proportional valves, which are noisy, unreliable, and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A proportional valve utilizing a shape memory alloy actuator and electronic control board to progressively control the opening of a movable fluid sealing element, allowing precise regulation of fluid flow through a lever mechanism, and featuring adjustable outlet hole geometries for optimal flow rate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PWM control is used to regulate flow rate by varying opening and closing frequency of valve shutter, then flow rate regulation is achieved, but sudden interruptions in flow cause water hammer that damages the valve and fluid sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a membrane element that undergoes continuous periodic expansion and contraction movements driven by a diaphragm pump. This periodic motion ensures continuous fluid flow without sudden interruptions, eliminating water hammer effects while maintaining precise flow rate regulation through controlled pumping cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical PWM shutter control system with a membrane-based pneumatic system. Instead of using electrical signals to open/close a mechanical shutter, the invention uses pneumatic pressure variations to control membrane expansion and contraction, which in turn regulates fluid flow smoothly without mechanical impact.
2Productivity
If actuation power is significantly increased to increase flow rate of PWM-operated proportional valves, then flow rate is improved, but the valves become very noisy, unreliable and consume high energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a diaphragm pump to generate controlled pressure variations that drive the membrane element. This pneumatic system efficiently moves large volumes of fluid without requiring high electrical actuation power, reducing energy consumption while eliminating the noise associated with high-power electromagnetic actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high-power electrical actuation to low-power pneumatic actuation. By using pressure-controlled membrane expansion and contraction, the system achieves high flow rates with minimal energy input, fundamentally altering the energy-flow relationship in proportional valve operation.
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 enables accurate and real-time regulation of fluid flow, preventing 'water hammer' and allowing for a wide range of viscosities to be handled with improved reliability and energy efficiency, while maintaining precise control over dispensing parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator device (11) comprises an actuator element (13) made of a shape memory material which can be operated progressively to move the lever element (92) of the shutter element (9)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a proportional valve (1), particularly for fluid dispensing devices, comprising a main body (3) in which an inlet conduit (5) for an inlet fluid to said proportional valve (1) and an outlet conduit (7) for a fluid leaving said proportional valve (1) are defined, said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) being in fluid communication with each other, said proportional valve (1) comprising at least one shutter element (9) arranged between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) adapted to intercept said fluid, said shutter element (9) comprising a movable fluid sealing element (90) adapted to intercept said fluid at one of said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) and a lever element (92) associated at a first end with said movable fluid sealing element (90) and at a second end with an actuator device (11), said lever element (92) being hinged about said main body (3) at a fulcrum point (94) arranged between said first end and said second end of said lever element (92), said actuator device (11) being configured for moving said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to move said movable fluid sealing element (90) between an opening position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is allowed and a closing position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is prevented.According to the invention, said actuator device (11) comprises an actuator element (13) made of a shape memory material which can be operated progressively to move said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to proportionally vary the degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) between said opening position and said closing position, and vice versa, the variation of said degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) allowing the regulation of the flow rate of said fluid exiting from said outlet conduit (7).