SMA-Actuated Fluid Valve Architecture for Compact Modular Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management systems are often heavy, bulky, and heavily customized for specific applications, making them inefficient for routing air and other fluids in various industries.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid management system utilizing shape memory alloy (SMA) materials for actuation, which includes a housing with multiple ports and a valve body movable between positions, allowing for efficient fluid routing through SMA actuated mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional valves are used for fluid management, then fluid routing function is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a housing with multiple ports and interchangeable valve bodies. Each valve body can be independently selected and replaced based on specific routing requirements, allowing the system to be lightweight yet adaptable without requiring a complete custom valve for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design with multiple ports (first port, second port, third port) and interchangeable valve bodies creates a universal platform that can perform multiple fluid routing functions. A single housing can accommodate different valve bodies to achieve various routing configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized valves and reducing overall system mass.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional valves are customized for each specific application, then fluid routing precision is improved, but manufacturing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the valve system into a standardized housing and interchangeable valve bodies, the patent enables quick swapping of valve bodies to adapt to different applications. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce standardized components in volume while still providing application-specific customization through valve body selection, significantly reducing assembly time compared to custom-built valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal housing design with multiple ports and standardized mounting interfaces allows a single housing to support multiple valve bodies for different applications. This multi-functionality enables the system to be adapted to various fluid routing needs without requiring custom manufacturing of the entire valve assembly, thus improving ease of manufacture while maintaining versatility.
3Weight of moving object
If shape memory alloy actuators are used, then device mass is reduced, but actuation control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy actuators are designed to be self-contained units that convert electrical energy directly into mechanical motion without requiring external motors, linkages, or complex control mechanisms. The SMA material inherently provides the actuation force needed to move the valve body between positions, eliminating the need for additional mechanical components and simplifying the overall control system despite the specialized material used.
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 system achieves efficient and flexible fluid management with reduced mass and packaging footprint, improved design flexibility, and reduced assembly time, while also offering improved electromagnetic compatibility and quieter operation compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes a shape memory alloy material. The actuator is configured to move the valve body to one of the first position or the second position against a biasing force of the biasing element in response to heating the actuator.
Implementation Method 2
A biasing element is coupled to the valve body, and the biasing element is configured to bias the valve body toward one of the first position or the second position.
Implementation Method 3
The power source is configured to selectively drive current through the actuator to heat the actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management system includes a housing having a port, a valve body moveable within the housing between first and second positions to seal the port in the first position and to permit fluid flow through the port in the second position, a biasing element surrounding a portion of and coupled to the valve body, the biasing element configured to bias the valve body toward one of the first position or the second position, and an actuator surrounding a portion of the biasing element and coupled to the valve body. The actuator includes a shape memory alloy material and is configured to move the valve body to the first position or the second position against a biasing force of the biasing element in response to heating the actuator. A power source is electrically coupled to the actuator to selectively drive current through the actuator to heat the actuator.