US4690371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic valve with permanent magnet armature
Assignee: ASHIDA JUNKO
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Filing: 1985-10-22
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Granted: 1987-09-01
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Expires: 2005-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A modulating valve is described for controlling the flow of a working fluid through a flow orifice. The valve includes a encapsulated armature having a permanent magnet and a pair of soft iron pole pieces within its interior. The armature is axially movable by the passage of current through one or a dual pair of solenoid coils surrounding the armature. A thin webbed sealing disk is stretched over the end of an armature housing extension and acts to close or modulate flow of working fluid by varying the axial clearance between the disk and a stationary annular seat of the flow orifice. The armature is supported on flexure guide springs that allow armature axial motion when axial magnetic forces are applied to the armature. These axial forces are provided by the interaction of the solenoid coil(s) and the field of the permanent magnet. A magnetic field gradient produced by the permanent magnet allows the coil to apply a force to the armature in either the valve opening or valve closing direction, depending on the coil current polarity. An armature velocity signal is used in a closed loop servo control of valve position to suppress valve oscillation and over shoot when a change in valve position is commanded.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Bosley
- 👤 Samson Kirshman
- 👤 Dan B. LeMay
- 👤 Wayne G. Renken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/08; F16K31/082; H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/16; H01F7/1607; H01F7/1615; H01F7/18; H01F7/121; H01F7/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; further including a first magnetically inert cylindrical housing extending interiorly of said at least one annular solenoid coil; a second magnetically inert cylindrical housing annularly spaced interiorly of said first magnetically inert cylindrical housing forming a first flow passage therebetween; said cylindrical armature housing having an outer peripheral surface annularly spaced from said second magneticcally inert cylindrical housing forming a second flow passage therebetween; and wherein said permanent magnet and said at least one annular solenoid coil are remote from said first and second flow passages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; further including a first magnetically inert cylindrical housing extending interiorly of said at least one annular solenoid coil; a second magnetically inert cylindrical housing annularly spaced interiorly of said first magnetically inert cylindrical housing forming a first flow passage therebetween; said cylindrical armature housing having an outer peripheral surface annularly spaced from said second magneticcally inert cylindrical housing forming a second flow passage therebetween; and wherein said permanent magnet and said at least one annular solenoid coil are remote from said first and second flow passages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The valve of claim 1 in which said cylindrical armature housing is made from an impermeable chemically resistant nonmagnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A controller for opening and modulating a modulating valve having a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; and a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil, said controller comprising: means for deriving a velocity-dependent signal from a back emf generated by the movement of said cylindrical armature housing and said permanent magnet and the resultant changing magnetic field's effect on a current/voltage relationship of current flowing through said at least one annular solenoid coil; and means, including a feedback loop, for utilizing said veloicity-dependent signal for reducing overshoot of said cylindrical armature and enhancing the speed of response and stability of said valve to dynamic changes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
207 words
A controller for opening and modulating a modulating valve having a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; and a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil, said controller comprising: means for deriving a velocity-dependent signal from a back emf generated by the movement of said cylindrical armature housing and said permanent magnet and the resultant changing magnetic field's effect on a current/voltage relationship of current flowing through said at least one annular solenoid coil; and means, including a feedback loop, for utilizing said veloicity-dependent signal for reducing overshoot of said cylindrical armature and enhancing the speed of response and stability of said valve to dynamic changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil comprises a single coil and further including dual magnetic return paths, wherein one of said magnetic return paths is connected to a magnetic field sensor providing a position or velocity signal from the magnetic field of said permanent magnet within said cylindrical armature housing, and a control circuit means for utilizing said position or velocity signal in a feedback loop to reduce over shoot of said moving cylindrical armature housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
199 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil comprises a single coil and further including dual magnetic return paths, wherein one of said magnetic return paths is connected to a magnetic field sensor providing a position or velocity signal from the magnetic field of said permanent magnet within said cylindrical armature housing, and a control circuit means for utilizing said position or velocity signal in a feedback loop to reduce over shoot of said moving cylindrical armature housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature asembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and further comprising an electrical supply to said at least one annular solenoid coil including a capacitive-resistive output impedance such that back emf dynamic damping produced by movement of said cylindrical armature housing is enhanced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature asembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and further comprising an electrical supply to said at least one annular solenoid coil including a capacitive-resistive output impedance such that back emf dynamic damping produced by movement of said cylindrical armature housing is enhanced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil is driven by a variable current source and a coil voltage is sensed and compared with asynthesized voltage signal derived from the coil drive current and representing the voltage with the armature motionless, said comparison providing a signal indicative of armature velocity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil is driven by a variable current source and a coil voltage is sensed and compared with asynthesized voltage signal derived from the coil drive current and representing the voltage with the armature motionless, said comparison providing a signal indicative of armature velocity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The valve of claim 6 in which said armature velocity signal is utilized in a feedback loop to provide means for reducing overshoot and optimizing the dynamic response and stability of the valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil is driven by a variable voltage source and a coil current is sensed and compared with a synthesized signal derived from the coil drive voltage and representing the current with the armature motionless, said comparison providing a signal indicative of armature velocity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said at least one annular solenoid coil is driven by a variable voltage source and a coil current is sensed and compared with a synthesized signal derived from the coil drive voltage and representing the current with the armature motionless, said comparison providing a signal indicative of armature velocity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The valve of claim 8 in which said armature velocity signal is utilized in a feedback loop to provide means for reducing overshoot and optimizing the dynamic response and stability of the valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said valve seal comprises a circular elastomeric disk having a thin central web and an outer integral circular annular toroidal bead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical armature housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any displaced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and wherein said valve seal comprises a circular elastomeric disk having a thin central web and an outer integral circular annular toroidal bead.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 10 in which said annular toroidal bead is circular and has a diameter greater than the axial thickness of said thin central web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve of claim 11 in which said cylindrical armature housing has a central extension and wherein said seal central web abuts and is supported by said central extension.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
157 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical aramture housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any dispalced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and including a ferroimagnetic housing, a ferromagnetic disk dividing said housing into dual magnetic field paths, a first path containing said at least one annular solenoid coil and a second path including a velocity or position sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
157 words
A modulating valve comprising: a flow orifice having an orifice seat; an armature assembly including a valve seal on an axial end of said armature assembly, said valve seal being axially oriented with respect to said orifice seat; at least one annular solenoid coil; said armature assembly including a cylindrical aramture housing confined within an annulus formed by said at least one annular solenoid coil and moveable axially with respect to said at least one annular solenoid coil to any dispalced selected position between a full open and close position of said valve seal and said orifice seat; a permanent magnet fixedly mounted in said cylindrical armature housing axially within said annulus of said at least one annular solenoid coil; and including a ferroimagnetic housing, a ferromagnetic disk dividing said housing into dual magnetic field paths, a first path containing said at least one annular solenoid coil and a second path including a velocity or position sensor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-02 | 1991-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-31 | 1995-03-02 | 1995-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-31 | 1999-03-02 | 1999-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |