Ferromagnetic/fluid valve actuator

• US 6,609,698 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2000
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arichell Technologies Inc. (Sloan Valve Company)
• Original Assignee: Arichell Technologies Inc. (Sloan Valve Company)
• Inventors: Parsons, Natan E., Herbert, Kay
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US09/696,154
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.17, 251/129.07, 251/282, 277/926, 335/269, 335/257, 335/277
• US Class Current: 251/129.17
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/06 using a magnet , e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0672 the valve member being a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/082 using a electromagnet and a permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/14 arranged to be deformed against a flat seat
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/16 the diaphragm being mechanically actuated, e.g. by screw-spindle or cam

Abstract

An actuator base (16), bobbin (14), and pole piece (24) form a pocket for an armature (30) that a flexible membrane (40) encloses to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. The membrane (40) protects the armature (30) from exposure to corrosive fluids flowing in a conduit (44). Conduit flow can be stopped by driving the membrane (40) against a valve seat (54). Pressure from the fluid in the conduit (44) is transmitted though the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane (40) by the conduit fluid'"'"'s pressure.

Claims

1. In an electromagnetic actuator comprising:

A) a solenoid coil;

B) an armature housing that forms an armature pocket;

C) a flexible membrane so secured at a mouth of the pocket as to form with the armature housing a substantially fluid-tight armature chamber that contains the armature;

D) a substantially incompressible fluid disposed in the armature chamber, and

E) an armature including ferromagnetic material and disposed in the armature pocket for movement therein between retracted and extended armature positions in response to magnetic force exerted on the ferromagnetic material as a result of current flow through the solenoid coil, the armature so engaging the flexible membrane as to cause it to deform outward when the armature travels to its extended armature position, the armature cooperating with the incompressible fluid to fill the armature chamber and forming an interior passage, internal to the armature, through which the incompressible fluid flows as the armature moves between its extended and retracted armature positions.

2. An actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a latching actuator.

3. An electromagnetic actuator as defined in claim 1 further including a bias spring that is disposed in the interior passage and biases the armature toward its extended position.

4. An electromagnetic actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein:

A) the movement therein between retracted and extended armature positions occurs in an axial direction; and

B) the interior passage includes an axially extending portion and a radial portion, which extends from the axially extending portion through an axially extending exterior surface that the armature forms.

5. An electromagnetic actuator as defined in claim 4 further including a bias spring that is disposed in the axially extending portion of the interior passage and biases the armature toward its extended position.

6. A valve comprising:

A) a conduit forming a fluid-flow channel providing a valve seat; and

B) an actuator comprising;

i) a solenoid coil;

ii) an armature housing that forms an armature pocket;

iii) a flexible membrane so secured at a mouth of the pocket as to form with the armature housing a substantially fluid-tight armature chamber that contains the armature;

iv) a substantially incompressible fluid disposed in the armature chamber; and

v) an armature including ferromagnetic material and disposed in the armature pocket for movement therein between retracted and extended armature positions in response to magnetic force exerted on the ferromagnetic material as a result of current flow through the solenoid coil, the armature so engaging the flexible membrane as to cause it to deform outward and so seal against the valve seat as to prevent fluid flow through the fluid-flow channel when the armature travels to its extended armature position, the armature cooperating with the incompressible fluid to fill the armature chamber and forming an interior passage, internal to the armature, through which the incompressible fluid flows as the armature moves between its extended and retracted armature positions.

7. A valve as defined in claim 6 wherein the actuator is a latching actuator.

8. A valve as defined in claim 6 further including a bias spring that is disposed in the interior passage and biases the armature toward its extended position.

9. A valve as defined in claim 6 wherein:

A) the movement therein between retracted and extended armature positions occurs in an axial direction; and

B) the interior passage includes an axially extending portion and a radial portion, which extends from the axially extending portion through an axially extending exterior surface that the armature forms.

10. A valve as defined in claim 9 further including a bias spring that is disposed in the axially extending portion of the interior passage and biases the armature toward its extended position.