Solid-State Actuator Valve Coupling for Fast Safe-State Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator devices in safety-relevant applications require rapid and reliable transition from a normal to a safe state, often within milliseconds, while maintaining high functional safety and avoiding the use of bulky hydraulic or pneumatic components due to their systemic disadvantages and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An actuator device utilizing two solid-state actuators that alternate in activation to convey fluid to a driven element, coupled with a valve element that switches between closed and open states to hold or release the fluid, ensuring rapid and reliable transition between states, and incorporating a reservoir for fluid storage to enhance operational reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic or pneumatic components are used to generate high forces, then force generation capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic systems with a purely mechanical spring-based force generation system. The spring element (14) directly generates the required forces without needing fluid pressure systems, pumps, or valves, thereby eliminating the complexity associated with hydraulic/pneumatic components while maintaining high force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the hydraulic or pneumatic subsystem from the actuator design. By removing these fluid-based components and replacing them with a mechanical spring system, the patent reduces device complexity, maintenance requirements, and installation space while preserving the essential force generation function.
2Force
If hydraulic or pneumatic components are used, then force generation is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes bulky hydraulic or pneumatic components with a compact mechanical spring system. The spring element (14) provides high force generation in a space-efficient manner, eliminating the need for fluid reservoirs, hoses, pumps, and control valves that would occupy significant installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the force generation function and the energy storage function into a single integrated spring mechanism. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate hydraulic/pneumatic subsystems, thereby reducing the overall installation space required for the actuator device.
3Speed
If rapid state transition is achieved through force release, then response speed is improved, but functional safety may be compromised without proper monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors (22) that provide feedback on the state of the actuator device, including position, force, and operational parameters. This feedback mechanism enables continuous monitoring to ensure functional safety while allowing rapid state transitions, as the system can detect and respond to any deviations from safe operating conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements safety mechanisms that are prepared in advance to prevent unsafe conditions. The spring element (14) is designed with controlled release characteristics that prevent uncontrolled energy discharge, and the sensor system is pre-configured to detect potential safety issues before they compromise system integrity, thereby maintaining functional safety during rapid transitions.
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
Enables rapid and reliable transition from a normal to a safe state, reducing the need for hydraulic or pneumatic components, enhancing functional safety, and allowing for efficient and flexible system design with reduced costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
At least two solid-state actuators (20, 22), which are alternately controlled, are provided to convey the fluid to the driven element (12)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In order to be able to bring about a desired state of a system quickly and reliably, the invention provides an actuator device (10), which has: an output element (12), which is able to be acted on by a fluid and as a result is movable into a holding position (H); two solid-state actuators (20, 22), which are able to be activated alternately; a coupling element (28) common to the solid-state actuators (20, 22); a discharge duct (34), via which the fluid is able to be discharged from the output element (12); and at least one valve element (36), which is adjustable between a blocking closed state and an open state, in which the valve element (36) allows the fluid to be discharged from the output element (12) via the discharge duct (34) and as a result allows the output element (12) to move from the holding position (H) into at least one yielding position (A), wherein the valve element (36) is actuable, via the coupling element (28) of the respective solid-state actuator (20, 22), by the respective activation of the solid-state actuator (20, 22) and as a result is able to be moved into the closed state.