Valve Assembly Cooling Ring for Actuator Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electro-hydraulic actuators face challenges in providing sufficient torque while maintaining compact size, especially in harsh environments, and suffer from complex fluid routing and high costs due to the need for multi-way spool valves, which increase the overall size and complexity of the actuator.

Innovation Solution

A dual vane rotary actuator design with a butterfly valve plate and a coolant ring for thermal isolation, utilizing extruded aluminum profiles for the actuator housing and strategically sized flow channels to manage hydraulic fluid flow, and incorporating a modular coolant ring for efficient heat management and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional electro-hydraulic actuators use multi-way spool valves for fluid routing, then valve actuation control is achieved, but device complexity and overall size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation controlVSAvoidactuator complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex multi-way spool valve from the actuator assembly and replaces it with a simpler two-way spool valve. The fluid routing function is achieved through a combination of the simplified valve and strategic placement of fluid ports in the actuator housing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining valve actuation control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the fluid routing function into two parts: a simple two-way spool valve for flow direction control and strategically positioned fluid ports in the actuator housing for fluid distribution. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler while collectively achieving the required fluid routing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional electro-hydraulic actuators use multi-way spool valves, then fluid routing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid routingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expensive multi-way spool valve from the design and replaces it with a standard, readily available two-way spool valve. The fluid routing complexity is handled by the actuator housing design with strategically placed ports, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining fluid routing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive, standard two-way spool valves that are widely available and easy to manufacture, replacing costly custom multi-way valves. This approach uses off-the-shelf components to achieve the same functional result at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Volume of moving object

If actuators are made compact to meet space constraints, then space efficiency improves, but torque output is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator sizeVSAvoidtorque output

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the spool valve assembly within the actuator housing in a space-efficient manner, with the valve positioned to utilize the existing housing volume. The fluid ports are integrated into the housing structure itself, maximizing space utilization while maintaining adequate torque output through proper hydraulic area design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If actuators operate in harsh high-temperature environments, then application versatility improves, but reliability decreases due to thermal effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidactuator reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coolant ring as an intermediary thermal management component between the actuator and the high-temperature environment. The coolant ring circulates cooling fluid to maintain the actuator at operational temperatures, enabling reliable operation in high-temperature environments without compromising component integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 dual vane actuator design enhances torque output without increasing size, improves thermal insulation, and simplifies fluid routing, leading to more efficient and reliable operation in high-temperature environments while reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a coolant ring (934) positioned between the valve housing (908) and the actuator assembly (904)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

utilizing extruded aluminum profiles for the actuator housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10072773B2Valve assembly and method of cooling

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 AVENTICS CORP

AI summary

This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.