Electrically actuated valve for control of instantaneous pressure drop and cyclic durations of flow

摘要

An electric solenoid valve, methods for operating and/or actuating the solenoid valve, valve system diagnostics, and applications for use are described. The valve may be designed to actuate in a manner so as to control liquid flow into and/or through a device, such as a spray nozzle. By altering the characteristics of the electrical signal transmitted to the solenoid valve, the instantaneous pressure across the valve and duration of fluid flow through the valve can be controlled with a single actuator. Controlled cyclic durations of flow may be implemented to regulate the exact timing of flow through the valve. Alternatively, cyclic durations may occur with a pulse-width modulation technique in which the duty cycle regulates average flow rate through the valve.

主权项

1. A system for controlling the flow of fluid through a device, the system comprising:
a valve comprising:
a guide defining a valve inlet configured to receive fluid and a valve outlet configured to expel fluid;a solenoid coil disposed around the guide; anda poppet moveable within the guide between a sealed position, wherein the poppet is sealed against a portion of one of the valve outlet and the valve inlet, and a second position, wherein the poppet is spaced from the one of the valve outlet and the valve inlet, the poppet moveable a total stroke between the sealed position and the second position, wherein the solenoid coil is configured to apply a force against the poppet when current is supplied to the solenoid coil to displace the poppet; and a controller in communication with the valve, the controller being configured to control a supply of current to the solenoid coil to displace the poppet a distance from the sealed position to a throttling position intermediate the sealed position and the second position and to maintain the poppet at the throttling position, the distance being less than the total stroke of the poppet, wherein the controller is configured to control the distance the poppet is displaced based on at least one of a sensed inlet pressure and a sensed outlet pressure, wherein the valve inlet and the valve outlet are generally aligned along an axis of movement of the poppet.