Proportional solenoid valve having zero current during intermittent state hold conditions
AssigneeRestek Corporation
InventorBrandon Tarr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A proportional solenoid, capable of linear motion, includes an electromagnetic valve device including a solenoid assembly having a mobile core, a push rod connecting the solenoid mobile core to a valve plunger, and a device operable to apply a controlled friction force to hold the mobile core in an intermediate position. The friction force applied by the friction device is greater than the motive forces generated by the solenoid.
Claims18
A proportional solenoid, capable of linear motion, comprising:
- an electromagnetic valve device including
- a solenoid assembly having a mobile core,
- a push rod connecting the mobile core to a valve plunger, and
- a device operable to apply a controlled friction force to hold the mobile core in an intermediate position, wherein the friction force is greater than motive forces generated by the solenoid assembly,
- wherein the intermediate position may be any position between completely open and completely closed as set via proportional current, the proportional current being a magnitude of current proportional to a distance for the mobile core to reach the intermediate position.
A method for holding a proportional solenoid valve actuator in an intermediate state by creating a controlled friction force comprising:
- energizing a solenoid valve electromagnetic coil, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to apply a motive force to a mobile solenoid core;
- positioning the mobile solenoid core to a desired intermediate position in contact with the proportional solenoid valve actuator via proportional current to the electromagnetic coil, the proportional current being a magnitude of current proportional to a distance for the mobile solenoid core to reach the intermediate position;
- applying a friction force to the mobile solenoid core at the desired position sufficient to prevent movement of the mobile solenoid core away from the desired position;
- and
- deenergizing the solenoid valve electromagnetic coil after the friction force has been applied,
- wherein the intermediate position may be any position between completely open and completely closed.
A method for holding a proportional solenoid valve actuator in an intermediate state by creating a controlled friction force comprising:
- energizing a first solenoid valve electromagnetic coil of a first solenoid valve, wherein the first electromagnetic coil is configured to apply a motive force to a first mobile solenoid core;
- positioning the first mobile solenoid core to a desired intermediate position in contact with the proportional solenoid valve actuator via proportional current to the first electromagnetic coil, the proportional current being a magnitude of current proportional to a distance for the mobile solenoid core to reach the intermediate position;
- applying a current pulse to a second solenoid valve electromagnetic coil of a second solenoid, wherein the application of the current pulse to the second solenoid valve electromagnetic coil alters the contact state of the friction force;
- and
- deenergizing the first solenoid valve electromagnetic coil,
- wherein the intermediate position may be any position between completely open and completely closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.