SMA Flapper Assembly for Lightweight Hydraulic Valve Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic valves in vehicles face challenges in achieving reliable and quick operation while maintaining lightness for fuel efficiency, as existing solutions often require complex electronic motors or actuators to control fluid flow.

Innovation Solution

The integration of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology in flapper assemblies within hydraulic valves, where temperature adjustments induce phase changes, causing the flapper arm to controllably block or open the return orifice, thereby controlling the hydraulic valve without the need for electronic motors or actuators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic motors or actuators are used to control hydraulic valve operation, then reliability and responsiveness are improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic valve operation reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic motors or actuators with a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based mechanical system. The SMA material undergoes phase transformation in response to temperature changes, directly actuating the flapper assembly to control the return orifice. This eliminates complex electronic control systems while maintaining reliable and responsive hydraulic valve operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes temperature as a control parameter to induce phase transformation in the shape memory alloy. By changing the temperature of the SMA material, the flapper assembly transitions between different states (open/closed positions), providing simple and reliable control of the hydraulic valve without requiring complex electronic actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If electronic motors or actuators are used to control hydraulic valve operation, then responsiveness is improved, but weight increases reducing fuel efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic valve operation speedVSAvoidvalve assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes heavy electronic motors or actuators with a lightweight shape memory alloy-based mechanical actuation system. The SMA material's phase transformation properties enable rapid flapper movement for quick valve response, while the inherent lightness of the SMA components significantly reduces the overall weight of the hydraulic valve assembly, improving fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional flapper assemblies are used without SMA technology, then device simplicity is maintained, but control precision and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflapper assembly simplicityVSAvoidhydraulic valve control reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates shape memory alloy material into the flapper assembly, creating a composite structure that combines the simplicity of traditional mechanical flapper design with the advanced properties of SMA. The SMA material provides reliable and precise control through its phase transformation characteristics, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the mechanical flapper assembly architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enhances the reliability and reduces complexity of hydraulic valve operation by using SMA-induced phase changes to control fluid flow, eliminating the need for electronic components and improving fuel efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

By adjusting a temperature of the flapper assembly, the flapper assembly is controllably transitioned between austenitic and martensitic phases. In each phase, the flapper assembly exhibits a different shape.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape Memory Alloy phase change: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

The change in shape between phases drives an arm of the flapper assembly into contact, and out of contact, with a return orifice of the hydraulic valve.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase-induced shape transformation: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11821535B2Shape memory alloy control elements for hydraulic valves

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for controlling hydraulic valves. One embodiment is a method that includes blocking an orifice for a return line of a hydraulic valve via a flapper assembly, initiating a phase change in a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) at the flapper assembly, and opening the orifice for the return line via the flapper assembly in response to the phase change.