WO2007010026A1

WO2007010026A1 - Liquid flow valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007010026A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/064477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giordano Berlusconi
Original assignee: R P E Srl
Current assignee: R P E Srl
Priority date: 2005-07-21
Filing date: 2006-07-20
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-21
Also published as: CN101258352A; EP1907737B1; ATE432437T1; ITMI20051404A1; EP1907737A1; DE602006007004D1; IL188888A0

Abstract

A liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly (2) has an auxiliary channel (14, 19, 20, 23), and an auxiliary shutter (24) activated by the electromagnetic control assembly (2), which, by virtue of the interaction between a yoke (33), a coil (32), a core (35) inside the coil (32), a permanent magnet (34; 44, 45), and an armature (25) movable along an axis (A) between a first stable position contacting the core (35), and a second stable position wherein the armature (25) is a given distance from the core (35), is able to move the armature (25) and the auxiliary shutter (24) to selectively cut off flow along the auxiliary channel (14, 19, 20, 23) and to maintain the first and second stable position solely by means of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet (34; 44, 45) and conducted selectively through the yoke (33), the core (35), and the armature (25).

Description

LIQUID FLOW VALVE WITH A BISTABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTROL ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid flow on- off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a membrane-type liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly, wherein the membrane has a liquid flow orifice, so that the pressure of the liquid itself keeps the valve closed. BACKGROUND ART A valve of this type is illustrated in Patent Application EP 1,416,207. More specifically, the liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly described in Patent Application EP 1, 416,207 comprises an auxiliary channel; and an auxiliary shutter, which is activated by the electromagnetic control assembly to selectively cut off flow along the auxiliary channel. The electromagnetic control assembly, in turn, comprises a yoke; a coil; a core inside the coil; an armature movable between a first stable position contacting the core, and a second stable position a given distance from the core; and a permanent magnet for generating electromagnetic flux along the yoke, the core, and the armature .

The coil is supplied with pulses of opposite polarity. A pulse of a first polarity moves the armature into the first stable position, in which it is held by the electromagnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet located directly over the core. And a pulse of a second polarity, opposite the first, moves the armature into the second stable position, in which it is held by a compression spring located between the core and the armature. The force exerted by the spring must be calibrated precisely for the armature to be held contacting the core by the force of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet, and, at the same time, must be capable of overcoming the force of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet, when the armature is in the second stable position. Bearing in mind that the travel of the armature of a valve of the type described is measurable in tenths of a millimetre, selecting the right spring is obviously a difficult task. Moreover, the slightest mechanical shock may move the armature from the first to the second stable position, and vice versa, even with no pulse being supplied to the coil . DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly, designed to eliminate the drawbacks of the known art.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly, characterized in that the first and second stable position are maintained solely by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet and selectively conducted through the yoke, the core, and the armature as a function of the position of the armature .

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the yoke comprises a first portion fitted about the coil and defining, in use, a first and a second magnetic pole; and a second portion separated from the first portion by said permanent magnet and defining a third magnetic pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an enlarged longitudinal section, with parts removed for clarity, of a valve set to a second stable position and in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the Figure 1 valve in a first stable position; Figure 3 shows an enlarged longitudinal section, with parts removed for clarity, of a valve set to the second stable position and in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a larger-scale longitudinal section, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail in Figure 1. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figures 1 and 2, number 1 indicates as a whole a liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly 2, so that valve 1 is kept open (first stable position, Figure 2) or closed (second stable position, Figure 1) with no electric power to electromagnetic control assembly 2.

Valve 1 extends along an axis A, and comprises a valve body 3; a cover 4 fitted to valve body 3; a shutter 5 movable along axis A; and a membrane 6 fixed to valve body 3 and shutter 5. Shutter 5 is integral with a cup- shaped body 7 housing electromagnetic control assembly 2, which therefore moves along axis A together with shutter 5.

Valve body 3 comprises a lateral wall 8; a bottom wall 9 (the terms "lateral" and "bottom" as used herein refer solely to the way in which the valve is shown in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that valve 1 may be oriented any way) ; and a tube 10 projecting from bottom wall 9. Openings 11 are formed in bottom wall 9 and define a liquid inlet channel 12, while tube 10 defines an outlet channel 13. Lateral wall 8 is closed by cover 4, which defines, inside valve body 3, a gap 14 communicating at all times with inlet channel 12, regardless of the operating position of valve 1. A compression spring 15 is located between cover 4 and assembly 2, and pushes electromagnetic control assembly 2, cup-shaped body 7 and shutter 5, and membrane 6 onto the end of tube 10 to prevent liquid flow from inlet channel 12 to outlet channel 13 (Figure 1) . Membrane 6 is annular, and comprises an outer seal 16 fixed to valve body 3, between lateral wall 8 and bottom wall 9; and an inner seal 17 fixed to shutter 5 and, in the example shown, housed inside a cavity 18 formed between shutter 5 and cup-shaped body 7, which in fact are formed in one piece. Membrane 6 also has three holes 19, which are equally spaced about axis A, are located at corresponding openings 11 at one end, and are connected to one another, at the other end, by an annular channel formed in membrane 6. The annular channel is connected to a channel 20 formed in cup-shaped body 7 and in turn connected to gap 14, so that gap 14 in valve body 3 communicates with inlet channel 12, regardless of the operating position of valve 1.

Shutter 5 comprises a cylindrical body 21, which slides along axis A inside tube 10; and a central tube 22 defining a channel 23, which can be selectively opened to connect outlet channel 13 to gap 14, and therefore to inlet channel 12. In other words, holes 19, channel 20, gap 14, and channel 23 define an auxiliary channel connecting inlet channel 12 and outlet channel 13, and which can be cut off selectively by an auxiliary shutter 24 controlled by electromagnetic control assembly 2.

With reference to Figure 4, auxiliary shutter 24 is integral with an armature 25 movable along axis A and forming part of electromagnetic control assembly 2, which comprises a cylindrical body 26, of axis A, having two outer annular flanges 27 and 28. Cylindrical body 26 is made of insulating material, and is fitted to cup-shaped body 7 with a seal 29 and resin 30 to isolate from the liquid a compartment 31 housing a coil 32, a yoke 33, and a permanent magnet 34. Electromagnetic control assembly 2 also comprises a core 35 fixed inside cylindrical body 26 and having a face 36 located along axis A, between flanges 27 and 28. Core 35 and armature 25 are coaxial and housed inside cylindrical body 26. Coil 32 surrounds cylindrical body 26, and is housed between flanges 27 and 28 and a cylindrical wall 37 which forms part of yoke 33. In addition to cylindrical wall 37, yoke 33 also comprises a ring 38 located at flange 27, on the opposite side to coil 32, and contacting one end of cylindrical wall 37; a ring 39 contacting flange 28 and the opposite end of cylindrical wall 37; and a ring 40 surrounding cylindrical body 26 and separated from ring 39 by permanent magnet 34. Rings 38, 39, 40 are bored disks of ferromagnetic material, the respective inner cylindrical faces 41, 42, 43 of which define respective magnetic poles Pl, P2, P3. Magnetic pole Pl contacts core 35 directly, while magnetic poles P2, P3 contact the outer face of cylindrical body 26. Magnetic poles Pl, P2 , P3 are arranged successively along axis A in the direction from core 35 to armature 25. More specifically, the first magnetic pole Pl faces core 35; the second magnetic pole P2 faces armature 25; and the third magnetic pole P3 faces tube 22, and neither core 35 nor armature 25. The distance between magnetic poles P2 and P3 is much smaller than that between magnetic poles Pl and P2. The exact position of second magnetic pole P2 along axis A is substantially selected as a function of the length of armature 25 along axis A, and so that, when armature 25 is in the first stable position (Figure 2), the magnetic flux through second magnetic pole P2 is negligible with respect to the magnetic flux generated by permanent magnet 34 through first and third magnetic pole Pl and P3; and, when armature 25 is in the second stable position (Figure 1) , the magnetic flux through first magnetic pole Pl is negligible with respect to the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet through second and third magnetic pole P2 and P3.

Permanent magnet 34 is also in the form of a ring (bored disk) , is substantially the same thickness as rings 38, 39, 40, but has an inside diameter substantially larger than the inside diameters of rings 38, 39, 40, and an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of ring 39.

Valve 1 in Figure 1 is shown in a second stable position, in which flow between inlet channel 12 and outlet channel 13 is cut off by shutter 5; and flow along the auxiliary channel - defined by gap 14, holes 19 in the membrane, channel 20, and channel 23 - is also cut off by auxiliary shutter 24, which is pressed onto tube 22 by the magnetic flux generated by permanent magnet 24 through magnetic poles P2 and P3 and acting on armature 25. By virtue of holes 19 connecting gap 14 and inlet channel 12, the pressure of the liquid in inlet channel 12 equals the pressure of the liquid in gap 14, and, by virtue of the difference between the surfaces on different sides of membrane 6, keeps shutter 5 in the second stable position.

When a pulse is transmitted to coil 32 to generate magnetic flux concordant with that generated by permanent magnet 34, the total magnetic flux travels through poles Pl and P3, and the flux through magnetic pole P2 becomes negligible. Consequently, armature 25 adheres to core 35, and auxiliary shutter 24 is detached from tube 22 and connects gap 14 to outlet channel 13, so that the pressure in gap 14 falls before the pressure in inlet channel 12, and the liquid acting on membrane 6 overcomes the force of spring 15 and raises cup-shaped body 7 of shutter 5 and electromagnetic assembly 2. At the end of the pulse to coil 32, which is intrinsically instantaneous, armature 25 is held contacting core 35 by the magnetic flux generated by permanent magnet 34, and which predominantly closes through magnetic poles Pl and P3, whereas the magnetic flux through magnetic pole P2 is negligible. Valve 1 is therefore retained in the first stable position solely by the action of permanent magnet 34. At this point, a pulse transmitted to coil 32, to generate magnetic flux discordant with respect to that generated by permanent magnet 34, produces magnetic flux through magnetic poles Pl and P2 to detach armature 25 from core 35, while permanent magnet 34 produces magnetic flux between poles P2 and P3 to press armature 25 and auxiliary shutter 24 onto tube 22. At the end of the pulse, the predominant magnetic flux is that acting between poles P2 and P3, so that auxiliary shutter 24 is closed, thus closing and maintaining the second stable position of valve 1.

In the Figure 3 embodiment, the same reference numbers as in the above description of the first embodiment are used to indicate the same component parts, except for those differing substantially from the first embodiment. Valve 1 in Figure 3 substantially differs from the Figure 1 valve as regards certain parts of electromagnetic control assembly 2. More specifically, permanent magnet 34 is replaced by two annular permanent magnets 44 and 45 connected along axis A. Magnetic pole P3 is defined by an L-section ring 46 substantially comprising a portion 47 perpendicular to axis A, and a portion 48 coaxial with axis A and having a face 49 extending about axis A and defining third magnetic pole P3. The magnetic flux generated by the two permanent magnets 44 and 45 is greater than that generated by one magnet 34.

Claims

1) A liquid flow on-off valve with a bistable electromagnetic control assembly (2), the valve comprising an auxiliary channel (14, 19, 20, 23); an auxiliary shutter (24) activated by the electromagnetic control assembly (2) to selectively cut off flow along the auxiliary channel (14, 19, 20, 23); the electromagnetic control assembly (2), in turn comprising a yoke (33); a coil (32) cooperating with said yoke (33); a core (35) inside said coil (32); a permanent magnet (34; 44, 45) cooperating with said yoke (33); and an armature (25) movable, along an axis (A) , between a first stable position contacting said core (35) , and a second stable position wherein said armature (25) is a given distance from said core (35) ; the valve being characterized in that the first and second stable position are maintained solely by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet (34; 44, 45) and conducted selectively through the yoke (33) , the core (35) , and the armature (25) as a function of the position of the armature (25) .

2) A valve as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the permanent magnet (34; 44, 45), the core (35), the armature (25) , and the yoke (33) are so designed that the magnetic flux is guided along a first path, when the armature (25) is in the first stable position, the first path of the magnetic flux maintaining the armature (25) in the first stable position, and is guided along a second path, when the armature (25) is in the second stable position, the second path of the magnetic flux maintaining the armature (25) in the second stable position.

3) A valve as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by having no springs for determining either the first or second stable position.

4) A valve as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the permanent magnet (34;

44, 45) is substantially on a level with the auxiliary- shutter (24) along said axis (A); the auxiliary shutter (24) being located at the free end of the armature (25) .

5) A valve as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the core (35) is of a length, along said axis (A) , greater than the length of the armature (25) along said axis (A) .

6) A valve as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the length of the core (35) is substantially one and a half times the length of the armature (25) along said axis (A) .

7) A valve as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that the yoke (33) comprises a first portion (37, 38, 39) fitted about said coil (32) and defining, in use, a first and a second magnetic pole (Pl, P2); and a second portion (40; 46) separated from the first portion by the permanent magnet (34; 44, 45) and defining a third magnetic pole (P3) . 8) A valve as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the first, second, and third magnetic pole (Pl, P2, P3) are arranged successively along said axis (A) , from the core (35) towards the armature (25) . 9) A valve as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that the first magnetic pole (Pl) faces the core (35) , the second magnetic pole (P2) faces the armature (25), and the third magnetic pole (P3) faces neither the core (35) nor the armature (25) . 10) A valve as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the distance between the second and third magnetic pole (P2, P3) is much smaller than the distance between the first and second magnetic pole (Pl, P2) . 11) A valve as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the position of the first and second magnetic pole (Pl, P2) along said axis (A) is selected as a function of the length of the armature along said axis (A) , and so that, when the armature (25) is in the first stable position, the magnetic flux through the second magnetic pole (P2) is negligible with respect to the magnetic flux through the first and third magnetic pole (Pl, P3) , and, when the armature (25) is in the second stable position, the magnetic flux through the first magnetic pole (Pl) is negligible with respect to the magnetic flux through the second and third magnetic pole (P2, P3) .

12) A valve as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the first, second, and third magnetic poles (Pl, P2, P3) are defined by inner faces (41, 42, 43; 41, 42, 49) of respective first, second, and third rings (38, 39, 40; 38, 39, 46) . 13) A valve as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that the third ring (40; 46) has an outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the first and second ring (38, 39) .

14) A valve as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the permanent magnet (34) is defined by a magnetic ring gripped between the second and third ring (39, 40) .

15) A valve as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the permanent magnet (44, 45) comprises two magnetic rings gripped between the second and third ring (39, 46) .

16) A valve as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the magnetic ring has an outside diameter equal to the outside diameter of the first and second ring (38, 39) .

17) A valve as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the magnetic ring has an inside diameter much smaller than the inside diameters of the first, second, and third ring (38, 39, 40; 38, 39, 46) . 18) A valve as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that the third ring (46) has an L-shaped cross section.