Normally Open Solenoid Valve Pull Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solenoid valves with mixed and indirect actuation suffer from internal vibrations, wear, and corrosion issues, particularly when handling low pressures and potentially explosive environments, and require a minimum pressure difference for operation.
Innovation Solution
A normally-open solenoid valve with mixed and indirect actuation featuring a connecting rod and a set of springs, including a traction spring positioned beneath the diaphragm, which allows the diaphragm to be pulled by a shutter connected to the mobile core, enhancing magnetic force and reducing vibrations, and a sealing member to isolate the magnetic components from the fluid, making it suitable for low temperatures and explosive environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter pushes the diaphragm to close the orifice in conventional solenoid valves, then the valve can control fluid flow, but internal vibrations and wear increase due to the movement of internal elements and springs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the shutter pushing the diaphragm to close the orifice, the invention inverts the mechanism so that the shutter pulls the diaphragm through a connecting rod to close the orifice. This inversion reduces internal vibrations and wear by changing the direction and nature of the mechanical interaction between components
Solution Approach 2:
A connecting rod is introduced as an intermediary element between the shutter and the diaphragm. This connecting rod transmits the pulling force from the shutter to the diaphragm, reducing direct contact and friction between the shutter and diaphragm, thereby minimizing wear and vibrations
2Reliability
If conventional solenoid valves require a minimum pressure difference of about 0.5 bars to operate, then the piloting system can maintain pressure balance, but the valve cannot operate effectively at low pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using a pulling mechanism instead of pushing, which allows the valve to operate with minimal or zero pressure difference. This parameter change enables effective operation at low pressures where conventional valves fail
3Device complexity
If magnetic components are directly exposed to fluid in solenoid valves, then the valve structure is simpler, but wear and corrosion increase reducing the valve's lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct zones: a magnetic component zone isolated from the fluid and a fluid flow zone. The connecting rod acts as a transmission element between these zones, allowing the magnetic components to remain isolated from corrosive fluid environments while maintaining structural functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting rod serves as an intermediary that transmits mechanical force from the shutter to the diaphragm without requiring direct exposure of magnetic components to the fluid. This intermediary protection reduces wear and corrosion on magnetic components
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 reduces wear and corrosion, increases resistance to fluid-induced wear and corrosion, and allows operation at low pressures and in potentially explosive environments, while minimizing internal vibrations and maintaining effective fluid control.
Implementation Method 1
The closure of the main orifice in the current normally-open solenoid valves with mixed and indirect actuation - with piloting aligned with the main orifice - occurs through the excitation of a coil which ,electrically powered with a direct or alternate voltage, allows the generation of a magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
This field polarizes the ferromagnetic components of the solenoid with consequent attraction of the mobile core toward the defined fixed core
Implementation Method 3
a shutter, said shutter being further bound to a connecting rod - with the interposition of a set of springs - to the mobile core
Data Source
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AI summary
A normally-open solenoid valve (100) comprising a mobile core (58) and a fixed core (34), both housed within a tube (32), and comprising a supply conduit (12) in fluid communication with a delivery conduit (14) through a main orifice (16). The main orifice (16) is obstructable by a diaphragm (40) and through a pilot orifice (42) formed in said diaphragm (40) and obstructable by a shutter (52). Said valve (100) comprises a connecting shaft (54) fixed at first end thereof to said shutter (52) and at second end thereof elastically connected to the core mobile (58) of the solenoid of said valve (100) and said valve (100) is configured for being commanded by traction.