Actuator for controlling material flow and related system and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a movable pressure plate comprising a first hole and a second hole;
a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate;
a valve seat; and
a coil configured to;
magnetize the valve seat to move the plunger away from the pressure plate and uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus, the valve seat configured to attract the plunger when magnetized to move the plunger away from the pressure plate; and
demagnetize the valve seat to move the plunger towards the pressure plate and cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (such as a valve assembly or other actuator) includes a pressure plate having a first hole and a second hole. The apparatus also includes a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a coil configured to move the plunger away from the pressure plate to uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus. The coil is also configured to move the plunger towards the pressure plate to cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. Pressure may equalize on a first side and a second side of the pressure plate after the plunger covers the second hole of the pressure plate.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a movable pressure plate comprising a first hole and a second hole; a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate; a valve seat; and a coil configured to; magnetize the valve seat to move the plunger away from the pressure plate and uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus, the valve seat configured to attract the plunger when magnetized to move the plunger away from the pressure plate; and demagnetize the valve seat to move the plunger towards the pressure plate and cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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an actuator configured to release a material; a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless positioning signals; and a control system configured to control the actuator based on the wireless positioning signals; wherein the actuator comprises; a movable pressure plate comprising a first hole and a second hole; a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate; a valve seat; and a coil configured to; magnetize the valve seat to move the plunger away from the pressure plate and uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow the material to flow through the actuator, the valve seat configured to attract the plunger when magnetized to move the plunger away from the pressure plate; and demagnetize the valve seat to move the plunger towards the pressure plate and cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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equalizing a pressure on first and second sides of a movable pressure plate in an actuator using a first hole in the pressure plate; uncovering a second hole in the pressure plate to decrease the pressure on the second side of the pressure plate by magnetizing a valve seat using a coil, the valve seat attracting a plunger when magnetized to move the plunger away from the pressure plate and uncover the second hole of the pressure plate; moving the pressure plate to open the actuator and allow material to flow through the actuator; covering the second hole in the pressure plate to increase the pressure on the second side of the pressure plate by demagnetizing the valve seat; and moving the pressure plate to close the actuator and block the material from flowing through the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification