Solenoid Valve Dropout Control via Delayed Re-energization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In solenoid valves controlled by peak-and-hold drivers, supervisory or leakage currents can prematurely re-energize the solenoid coil, preventing proper closure due to the inductive nature of the coil and excessive current buildup, which is not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a predefined delay time after detecting a dropout voltage to prevent immediate re-energization of the solenoid coil, allowing the current to decay fully before reactivation, thereby ensuring proper valve closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If peak power is applied to the solenoid coil to create initial pull-in force, then the valve mechanism can be moved to open position, but the solenoid coil generates excessive heat and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The driver circuit implements periodic action by applying peak power only during the initial energization phase to create sufficient pull-in force, then switching to a lower hold power level once the valve mechanism is in the open position. This periodic power application pattern reduces continuous heating and power consumption while maintaining effective valve operation
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit dynamically adjusts the power level applied to the solenoid coil based on the operational phase. High peak power is applied dynamically during initial actuation when maximum force is needed, then transitions to lower hold power dynamically once the valve is open, optimizing both force generation and thermal management
2Reliability
If a delay time is implemented to prevent premature re-energization, then the solenoid coil can fully drop out, but the valve response time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The delay circuit implements a partial delay that is sufficient to ensure complete coil dropout and prevent premature re-energization, but not excessively long to unduly delay valve operation. The delay duration is optimized to provide just enough time for the supervisory current to decay and the coil to de-energize fully, balancing reliability with response time
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 delay time ensures the solenoid coil fully drops out before re-energization, preventing premature reactivation and ensuring the valve can properly close, thus improving the reliability of peak-and-hold driver-controlled solenoid valves.
Implementation Method 1
the controller applies the electrical power to the solenoid coil to energize the coil, which causes the valve to open
Implementation Method 2
a large amount of electrical power (i.e., peak power) is initially applied to the solenoid coil to create a large initial pull-in force in order to move the valve mechanism to open the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling a solenoid coil in a solenoid valve provide a controller that allows a supervisory or leakage current to be used in a peak-and-hold driver. The controller introduces a delay time after detection of a dropout voltage that prevents the solenoid coil from being immediately re-energized in order to ensure proper dropout of the solenoid coil. The delay time imposes a wait period during which the controller takes no action with respect to the current in the solenoid coil, allowing the solenoid coil to deenergize and return the valve to its normally-open or normally-closed position. Such use of a delay time may be limited to instances where the controller has already gone through a power-up cycle such that the response time needed by the controller to energize the solenoid coil is minimized, thus reducing the valve startup time.