Three-Way Solenoid Valve Sequential Shuttering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-way two-position solenoid valves experience a brief period where all three orifices are partially in communication due to the translational movement of shutter members, potentially leading to suboptimal engine operation.

Innovation Solution

The solenoid valve design ensures that shutter members can only move successively, preventing simultaneous communication between all orifices by using a movable sleeve and core assembly with conical faces and springs to maintain sequential closure and opening of orifices, ensuring that at no time are all orifices in communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single translational movement of two shutter members is used to close orifices, then the device complexity is reduced, but there exists a position where all three orifices are simultaneously in communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidrisk of simultaneous communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable element is divided into two distinct parts: a sleeve with a first shutter member and a core with a second shutter member. This segmentation allows independent control of each shutter member's position, enabling sequential closure of orifices rather than simultaneous movement, thereby eliminating the risky intermediate position where all three orifices could be open.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design ensures that one shutter member closes its associated orifice before the other shutter member opens its orifice. This preliminary action sequence prevents the simultaneous communication of all three orifices by establishing a temporal order in the valve transition process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If shutter members move simultaneously during translational movement, then the operation speed is improved, but the manufacturing precision required to prevent simultaneous communication of all orifices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation speedVSAvoidprecision of shutter member positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the movable element into sleeve and core parts with independent shutter members, the system allows for controlled sequential movement rather than requiring highly precise simultaneous movement of all components, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The preliminary closure action of one shutter member before the opening of another creates a safety margin that reduces the precision needed for simultaneous operations, as the system deliberately staggers the timing of closure and opening events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design prevents any intermediate position where all orifices are simultaneously in communication, ensuring optimal fluid supply to engine injectors without risking engine malfunction, maintaining constant and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

The movement of the shutter members, from an open position to a closed position of the orifice with which the shutter member is associated, is carried out under the action of a magnetic field generated by a setting electrical voltage of a coil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a means for restoring the position of the movable element in the body, said means comprising a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3825592B1Three-way solenoid valve with two positions
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 CIRCOR IND
  • EP3825592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The three-way, two-position solenoid valve (1) having two orifices (4, 5) arranged so that the directions of flow of the fluids passing through these orifices (4, 5) are parallel and a third orifice (7) arranged so that the direction of flow of the fluid passing through this orifice (7) is perpendicular to the directions of flow of the fluids in the other two orifices (4, 5), the solenoid valve (1) being provided with a body equipped with an element (8) movable in translation along a direction parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid in the third orifice (7), said movable element (8) being equipped with two sealing members (15, 26), said element (8) being movable in translation under the control of an electromagnetic actuator. The moving element in translation comprises at least two parts (9, 10) each supporting a shuttering member (15, 26), said parts (9, 10) being coaxial and mounted slidingly one inside the other.