Rotary Vane Actuator Sealing and Differential Rotation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vane actuators face issues such as high leakage, limited rotation, lack of stiffness, relative position control, modulation design, robust porting systems, heavy weight, energy waste, and reliability concerns, which hinder their performance in precision and extreme condition applications.

Innovation Solution

The universal fluid control system incorporates a vane actuator module with dynamic porting systems, adjustable stiffness, and hybrid power sources, featuring removable top and bottom covers, corner seal rings, and a thermal actuation system for enhanced sealing, rotation flexibility, and efficient energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional vane actuators are used, then the structure is simple, but high leakage occurs at corners and surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is divided into multiple independent sealing zones with separate seal rings for different surfaces (corner seals, top surface seals, bottom surface seals). Each sealing zone can be independently optimized and replaced, allowing the complex sealing function to be achieved through modular components rather than a monolithic design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Seal rings are introduced as intermediary elements between the vanes and housing surfaces. These seal rings act as mediators that create reliable sealing interfaces without requiring direct contact between the moving vane surfaces and the housing, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If single vane actuators are used to reduce leakage, then leakage is reduced, but unbalanced side load increases and product life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidproduct life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator design incorporates counterbalancing mechanisms where the housing and support structures are designed to counteract the unbalanced side loads generated by single vane operation. This allows the single vane configuration to maintain its sealing advantages while the counterbalancing structures prevent premature wear and extend product life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Device complexity

If vane actuators with limited rotation are used, then the structure is simpler, but the scope of applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator structureVSAvoidapplication scope

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the rotation range and operational parameters to be adjusted based on application requirements. This enables a single actuator design to adapt to different application scopes without requiring fundamentally different structural configurations, thus maintaining structural simplicity while increasing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If conventional vane actuators are used, then the design is simpler, but stiffness of movement and holding torque are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidholding torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator employs composite construction methods where multiple materials with different mechanical properties are combined to achieve high stiffness and holding torque. For example, reinforced housing materials, composite vane structures, and advanced seal materials are used to enhance force capabilities without significantly increasing design complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Device complexity

If static porting systems are used, then the design is simpler, but robustness and versatility for complicated operations are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveporting system designVSAvoidrobustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porting system incorporates dynamic elements that allow fluid pathways to be reconfigured during operation. This enables the system to perform complicated operations and adapt to different operational modes without requiring a fundamentally complex static design, thus achieving robustness through dynamic adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11306750B2Universal vane actuator system with corner seals and differential rotation mechanisms

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SHU JIANCHAO

AI summary

This invention relates to a versatile rotary vane actuator module and a thermal actuation system with universal adaptable shafts/installation and differential rotary and turbocharger mechanisms to actuate 0-360 degree or more for complicated, precision, extreme rotary applications like robotic excavators, airplanes, heavy or weapon machinery, satellite receivers or wind turbine position controls, remote pipeline valves, HIPP or subsea valves and BOP controls, the thermal actuation system includes three thermal elements (1) pressure sources (2) volume vessel (3) heat sources, the vane actuator comes with redundant edge seals and corner seal rings to minimize or eliminate the inherent leakage and the differential rotation mechanism and the turbocharger with a dynamic porting system to expand the rotation 360 degree more efficiently, the actuator module includes a least one housing assembly, at least one driver assembly and at least one dynamic embedded porting system.