Motorized Valve Backup Circuit Using Pulse Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency backup systems for motorized valves are bulky, making them less suitable for aerospace applications, and they fail to provide a reliable mechanism to return the valve to a safe position in case of control system failure.
Innovation Solution
A compact backup circuit that includes energy storage means, a discharge gate, and a step-up circuit, capable of harvesting energy from the power supply lines to charge the energy storage means within a single actuation pulse duration, allowing the backup circuit to generate a discharge actuation pulse to move the valve to a safe position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing emergency backup systems are used for motorized valves, then the valve can be returned to a safe position in case of control system failure, but the backup system becomes bulky and unsuitable for aircraft applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential backup functionality needed for safety, eliminating unnecessary components of existing bulky backup systems. The energy storage means is sized and configured to provide only the minimum required energy for returning the valve to a safe position, rather than supporting full operational capacity, thereby reducing weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage means is pre-charged during normal operation from the power supply line, so that when a failure occurs, the backup circuit immediately has the energy required to return the valve to a safe position. This preliminary charging action eliminates the need for heavy batteries or external power sources during emergency situations.
2Weight of stationary object
If the energy storage means voltage output is kept at a lower level, then the backup circuit can be more compact, but the voltage must be stepped up to the desired level for actuation
Solution Approach 1:
A step-up circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the low-voltage energy storage means and the high-voltage discharge gate. This intermediary circuit efficiently converts the lower voltage to the required higher voltage level, enabling the use of lighter energy storage components while maintaining the necessary actuation voltage for the motorized valve.
3Speed
If the energy harvesting circuit charges the energy storage means quickly within a single actuation pulse duration, then the backup system responds faster to failures, but the energy harvesting requirement becomes more demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvesting circuit operates periodically during each actuation pulse of the motorized valve, capturing energy during the normal operation cycles. By synchronizing the harvesting action with the periodic actuation pulses, the system accumulates sufficient energy in the storage means over time to enable rapid backup response without requiring excessively high instantaneous harvesting power.
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 provides a reliable and compact emergency backup system that can automatically move the valve to a safe position in case of power failure, enhancing functional safety while being suitable for aircraft applications.
Implementation Method 1
a backup circuit comprising energy storage means and a discharge gate through which the energy storage means can be selectively discharged
Implementation Method 2
the backup circuit including a step up circuit positioned between the energy storage means and the discharge gate, the step up circuit configured to step the energy storage means voltage output up to a desired second voltage level
Implementation Method 3
the backup circuit further including an energy harvesting circuit configured to harvest power from the first power supply line to charge the energy storage means
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a motorized valve. The control system comprises a backup circuit comprising energy storage means and a discharge gate through which the energy storage means can be selectively discharged to provide a discharge actuation pulse to the valve to cause the valve to move to a safe (e.g. closed) position. The backup circuit further includes an energy harvesting circuit for harvesting power from the power supply lines. The energy harvesting circuit is able to harvest sufficient energy within the duration for a single actuation pulse provided by the motor controller to charge the energy storage means from zero to a sufficient level to allow the backup circuit to generate at least one corresponding discharge actuation pulse for causing the valve to move to the safe position.