Throttle Position Measurement Using Coil-Verified Screw Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the position of a throttle in a gas valve are prone to errors due to stepper motor missteps, leading to inaccurate regulation of gas flow and air-to-gas ratio, which can be critical in combustion processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that independently measure the position of the throttle using a screw connected to a stepper motor, where the movement of the screw induces an electrical parameter change, allowing for precise verification of the throttle's position through a coil arrangement, providing an independent verification of the throttle's opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If stepper motor step counting is used to determine throttle position, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to missteps and counting errors
Solution Approach 1:
A ferromagnetic screw is introduced as an intermediary component between the stepper motor and throttle. This screw interacts with a coil to generate an electrical signal that independently indicates the actual throttle position, serving as a mediator that verifies whether the stepper motor steps are accurately reflected in the physical throttle position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical step counting with an electrical measurement system. Instead of trusting the stepper motor's internal step counter, the system uses electromagnetic induction between a coil and ferromagnetic screw to generate an electrical signal that directly reflects the throttle's physical position, substituting mechanical verification with electrical measurement.
2Measurement precision
If independent measurement of throttle position is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The ferromagnetic screw serves multiple functions: it is part of the mechanical drive mechanism (transmitting motion from motor to throttle) and simultaneously acts as a sensor element for position measurement through its interaction with the coil. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing ferromagnetic screw in the mechanical drive system is made to serve the additional function of position sensing. By utilizing the inherent ferromagnetic properties of the screw and its existing movement through the coil, the system achieves self-verification of throttle position without requiring external sensors or additional measurement mechanisms.
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
Ensures accurate regulation of gas flow and air-to-gas ratio by providing an independent verification mechanism, especially in scenarios where flame detection is not feasible, such as with hydrogen combustion, enhancing safety and precision in gas appliance operations.
Implementation Method 1
the first member is arranged to move within the second member such that the voltage induced by the movement of the first member relative to the second member is representative of the movement of the throttle
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring position of a throttle is provided, the system comprising a throttle, arranged to adjust the flow of a gas; a stepper motor connected to the throttle by a connecting member (204), the stepper motor being arranged to move the connecting member and the throttle; a first member (202), arranged to be movable together with connecting member; a second member (201) arranged such that the movement of the of the first member relative to the second member changes an electrical parameter representative of the position and/or movement of the throttle.