Swiveled Fluid Flow Valve with Compensated Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-sized flow control valves face challenges with wear, temperature variations, and energy efficiency, particularly in achieving precise sub-millimeter travel and minimal energy consumption, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A swiveled valve driven by a non-linear solenoid with a bridge-mounted solenoid assembly, compensated swivel fulcrum, and counterweight arrangement, which minimizes mechanical strain, eliminates static friction, and maintains precision across varying orientations and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional linear solenoid valve is used for small stroke travel control, then the valve can achieve basic flow control, but the mechanical wear and temperature variations severely affect precision and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional linear mechanical solenoid actuation with a rotary solenoid mechanism that converts linear motion into rotational motion. This mechanical substitution eliminates direct linear contact and wear between moving parts, while the rotary motion provides inherent immunity to temperature variations affecting stroke precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion parameter from linear displacement to angular rotation. By measuring and controlling rotational angle instead of linear stroke, the system achieves temperature-compensated precision control since angular measurements are less sensitive to thermal expansion effects
2Manufacturing precision
If a pre-stage valve with sub-millimeter stroke travel is designed, then precise flow control is achieved, but mechanical clearances and wear severely degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes linear mechanical guidance with rotary mechanical guidance. The rotary solenoid uses angular position control instead of linear position control, eliminating the problems of mechanical clearance accumulation and wear that plague sub-millimeter linear stroke applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a counterweight mechanism that compensates for gravitational effects and mechanical imbalances in the rotary system. This counterbalancing ensures consistent performance across different orientations and maintains precision despite minor manufacturing variations
3Use of energy by moving object
If minimal electrical energy consumption is targeted, then energy efficiency is improved, but maintaining precision and reliability becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsing of the solenoid coil rather than continuous power application. The rotary mechanism maintains its position through mechanical stability and counterweights, allowing the electrical energy to be applied only during position transitions, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The counterweight arrangement stores gravitational potential energy and uses it to maintain valve position without requiring continuous electrical power. This passive energy storage mechanism reduces active energy consumption while ensuring reliable position maintenance
4Adaptability or versatility
If the valve design is made scalable from small to large sizes, then versatility is improved, but maintaining minimal energy consumption and precision becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal rotary solenoid mechanism that can be scaled across different valve sizes while maintaining the same fundamental operating principles. The rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism and counterweight arrangement remain consistent across scales, allowing the system to maintain energy efficiency and precision from small to large valve applications
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 enables precise sub-millimeter stroke travel with minimal energy consumption, scalability, and operational immunity to wear and temperature variations, ensuring consistent performance across different valve sizes and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical coil disposed in the coil seat... a cylindrical type permanent magnet... When an electric supply is impressed at the electrical terminals the solenoid coil assembly generates a magnetic field and the solenoid coil assembly moves in an arc around the cylindrical type permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
a compensating spring at one end... The counterweight arrangement comprises a counterweight part and a support spring... The counterweight arrangement ensures damped floating situation of the solenoid coil assembly
Implementation Method 3
The compensated swiveled fulcrum comprises a slender cylindrical rod, a pair of plurality of spherical balls... A first end cap assembly encloses and includes the plurality of spherical balls at a first end while a second end cap assembly encloses and includes the plurality of spherical balls at the second end
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow control valve with swiveled & compensated stroke (100) comprising a solenoid coil assembly (60), a permanent magnet (181), a bridge mounted solenoid assembly (120), a compensated swivel fulcrum (150), a counterweight arrangement (160), and a base unit arrangement (180), wherein a slender cylindrical rod (70) of the compensated swiveled fulcrum (150) is non-rotatably trapped in a fulcrum receptacle (33) of a bridge (30), a compensating spring (85) continuously presses a pair of the plurality of spherical balls (80) against a conical surface (72) of the lender cylindrical rod (70), the bridge mounted solenoid assembly (120) swivels around an axis (121), an electric supply impressed at the electrical terminals of the solenoid coil assembly (60) generates a magnetic field and the solenoid coil assembly (60) moves in an arc (61), the swiveled valve with the compensated precision stroke (100) is mountable in any orientation. Such a valve is a small pre-stage valve with a sub-millimeter stroke, to a big valve of high energy.