Smart-Material Valve Manifold for Compact Fluid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management systems are often heavy, bulky, and customized for specific applications, lacking efficient solutions for routing air and other fluids across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, and furniture.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system utilizing a housing with smart material actuators and valves, including a central manifold, ports, and an energy source to control fluid flow, allowing for efficient routing and management of pressurized fluids through the use of shape memory alloy materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional valves and fluid management systems are used, then fluid routing functionality is achieved, but the system becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valves into a single integrated valve block with a common body, where multiple valve stems and sealing elements are housed within one structure. This merging of previously separate valve components into a unified assembly directly reduces system mass and complexity while maintaining fluid routing functionality across multiple ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve block is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple fluid pathways simultaneously through its manifold structure with multiple ports and valves. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valve assemblies for different fluid routes, reducing overall system weight and complexity while providing versatile fluid management capabilities.
2Loss of time
If conventional fluid management systems are used, then fluid routing is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple valves, sealing elements, and fluid pathways into a single pre-assembled valve block, the patent reduces the number of discrete components that need to be installed. This merged structure allows the entire valve assembly to be installed as one unit rather than assembling multiple separate valves, directly reducing assembly time and improving ease of manufacture.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional actuators are used, then valve control is achieved, but electromagnetic compatibility and operational quietness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electromagnetic actuators with piezoelectric actuators that convert electrical signals directly into mechanical displacement through crystal deformation. This substitution eliminates electromagnetic interference issues and reduces operational noise while maintaining precise valve control capability, as the piezoelectric effect provides direct mechanical actuation without electromagnetic fields.
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 provides a compact, flexible, and efficient means of fluid management, reducing mass and assembly time while improving electromagnetic compatibility and operational quietness compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
each actuator includes a smart material and each actuator is operable to move the associated valve from the closed position to the open position in response to an electrical current
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management system includes a housing having a central manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a plurality of first ports in communication with the central manifold, a plurality of second ports in communication with the environment surrounding the housing, and a plurality of third ports each configured to be coupled to a vessel for containing the pressurized fluid. The fluid management system also includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of actuators, each actuator including a smart material and associated with one of the plurality of valves. In response to activation by an energy source, each actuator is configured to move the associated valve to one of a first position or a second position.