Electromagnetic apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow

摘要

An actuator including actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece forming a pocket for a ferromagnetic armature located therein. The actuator including a radial magnet and a solenoid coil constructed and arranged to cause a linear displacement of the armature upon application of a coil drive current from a control circuit. The actuator may include a flexible membrane that partially encloses the armature to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. In a valve design, a fluid flow is stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure. A fluid flow is opened by driving the membrane away from the valve seat.

主权项

1. An electromagnetic actuator, comprising:
a solenoid coil and an armature housing, providing an armature chamber, constructed and arranged to receive a movable armature including a distal part; a membrane arranged to enclose at least partially said distal part to seal armature fluid inside said armature chamber providing a volume in which said armature fluid is enclosed, said armature being constructed to control flow of fluid through a valve passage by a linear displacement of said distal part caused by a coil drive current applied to said solenoid coil thereby acting on said armature, said displacement of said distal part displaces said membrane with respect to said valve passage controlled by said actuator; a fluid passage arranged within said armature and constructed to enable force-balancing fluid displaced between a proximal part and a distal part of said armature during said displacement; and a radial magnet arranged to maintain said armature in a stationary position by a force of a magnetic field.