High-Vacuum Safety Valve With Dual Magnetic Closure Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-vacuum safety valves in vacuum systems face challenges in reliable closing behavior, especially when the backing pump fails or operates at low speeds, and may not close due to insufficient differential pressure, leading to potential oil flow from the fore-vacuum area into the high-vacuum area, especially when gas pressure approaches atmospheric levels.
Innovation Solution
A controllable valve with a magnetic device and lever mechanism, featuring two actuators and a transmission device, allows for manual or automatic control, ensuring reliable closure by adjusting the distance between the closed and open positions of the closing element, and utilizing a restoring device for quick closure, with redundancy in actuation to enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is actuated by a single magnetic device with one actuator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of closure is insufficient under all operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetry in the force transmission mechanism. The first magnetic device and first actuator generate a first force on the closing element, while the second magnetic device and second actuator generate a second force. These forces are transmitted through a transmission device with a transmission ratio that differs from unity, creating localized force amplification or reduction at specific points in the mechanism to ensure reliable closure under varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two actuation systems (first magnetic device with first actuator, and second magnetic device with second actuator) into a single coordinated mechanism. Both actuators work together through the transmission device to control the closing element, combining their forces to achieve reliable closure. This merging of multiple actuation paths increases reliability while managing overall device complexity through integrated design.
2Reliability
If the distance between closed and open positions of the closing element is increased, then the valve sealing reliability is improved, but the actuator stroke requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission device acts as an intermediary between the actuators and the closing element. It includes a transmission ratio that converts the actuator stroke into a larger or smaller movement of the closing element, depending on the required valve opening distance. This intermediary mechanism allows the actuators to have a limited stroke while still achieving the necessary closing element displacement for reliable valve sealing.
3Loss of time
If the valve closes quickly to prevent oil flow, then the response time is reduced, but the lateral forces and wear on components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in the force transmission through the transmission device. The transmission ratio is designed to optimize the balance between closing speed and force distribution. By creating an asymmetric force transmission path with different mechanical advantages at different stages of closure, the system achieves quick response time while minimizing harmful lateral forces and wear on 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 valve ensures reliable and quick closure under various operating conditions, preventing oil flow into the high-vacuum area, even at low differential pressures, and extends service life by minimizing lateral forces and wear through symmetrical force transmission.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic device (19), which generates a force for moving the closing element (17)
Data Source
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AI summary
A controllable valve (11), in particular a high-vacuum safety valve, comprises a closing element (17) that is movable in one direction of movement between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic device (19) with at least one actuator (33-2, 33-2) that is movable between a rest position and an active position. The magnetic device is connected to the closing element via a transmission device (21) such that the closing element assumes the closed position when the actuator is in the rest position, and the closing element assumes the open position when the actuator is in the active position.