Patent Application
20180114623
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to an actuator system, and more specifically to an apparatus and a method for operating an electromagnetic actuator system.
Commonly electromagnetic actuators utilize a permanent magnet plunger within an electric coil. The permanent magnet plunger within the electric coil form what may be commonly referred to as a solenoid. Electrical current flowing through the coil creates an electromagnetic force that causes the permanent magnet plunger to move axially within the coil. In an example, short-stroke electromagnetic actuators may be driven by the electromagnetic force from two solenoids. However, this type of actuator suffers the inherent problem of high-energy consumption for operation, which causes the actuator to increase in temperature. In addition, catching the plunger requires that a large amount of current be supplied to the solenoid in a reasonably short time. Also, actuators with permanent magnet plungers may also suffer from demagnetization of permanent magnets due to vibration (high frequency vertical movement up and down).
According to one embodiment, an electromagnetic actuator is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes: a housing having a longitudinal axis; a first ring coil within the housing and coaxial to the longitudinal axis; a second ring coil within the housing and coaxial to the longitudinal axis; a first magnetic member within the housing and coaxial to the longitudinal axis; a second magnetic member within the housing and coaxial to the longitudinal axis; and a ferromagnetic plunger configured to fit within the first ring coil, the second ring coil, the first magnetic member, and the second magnetic member; wherein the first ring coil and the second ring coil are oriented in an alternating arrangement with the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include that the second ring coil is interposed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member; and the first magnetic member is interposed between the first ring coil and the second ring coil.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include that the ferromagnetic plunger in operation moves in a first direction when first ring coil is energized and the ferromagnetic plunger in operation moves in a second direction when the second ring coil is energized.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include that the second direction is opposite the first direction; and the first direction and second direction are parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include that at least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member holds the ferromagnetic plunger in place when the first ring coil and the second ring coil are not energized.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include a rod having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being fixedly connected to the ferromagnetic plunger, wherein the rod in operation moves in unison with the ferromagnetic plunger.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the electromagnetic actuator may include a valve control system operably connected to the rod proximate the second end, the valve control system in operation opens a valve when the ferromagnetic plunger moves in a second direction.
According to another embodiment, a method of assembling an electromagnetic actuator is provided. The method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator includes: installing a first ring coil into a housing, the housing having a longitudinal axis and the first ring coil being coaxial to the longitudinal axis; installing a first magnetic member into the housing, the first magnetic member being coaxial to the longitudinal axis; installing a second ring coil into the housing, the second ring coil being coaxial to the longitudinal axis; installing a second magnetic member into the housing, the second magnetic member being coaxial to the longitudinal axis; and installing a ferromagnetic plunger within the first ring coil, the second ring coil, the first magnetic member, and the second magnetic member, the ferromagnetic plunger being coaxial to the longitudinal axis; wherein the first ring coil and the second ring coil are oriented in an alternating arrangement with the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include that the second ring coil is interposed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member; and the first magnetic member is interposed between the first ring coil and the second ring coil.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include that the ferromagnetic plunger in operation moves in a first direction when first ring coil is energized and the ferromagnetic plunger in operation moves in a second direction when the second ring coil is energized.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include that the second direction is opposite the first direction; and the first direction and second direction are parallel to the longitudinal axis.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include that at least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member holds the ferromagnetic plunger in place when the first ring coil and the second ring coil are not energized.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include fixedly connecting a rod to the ferromagnetic plunger, the rod having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end is fixedly connected to the ferromagnetic plunger and the rod in operation moves in unison with the ferromagnetic plunger.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of assembling the electromagnetic actuator may include operably connecting a valve control system to the rod proximate the second end, the valve control system in operation opens a valve when the ferromagnetic plunger moves in a second direction.
According to another embodiment, a method of operating an electromagnetic actuator is provided. The method of operating an electromagnetic actuator including: energizing a first ring coil that in operation generates a first electromagnetic force; moving a ferromagnetic plunger using the first electromagnetic force in a first direction from a first position to a second position; de-energizing the first ring coil when the ferromagnetic plunger is at the second position; and holding the ferromagnetic plunger at the second position for a first selected period of time using at least one of a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of operating the electromagnetic actuator may include: energizing a second ring coil that in operation generates a second electromagnetic force; moving a ferromagnetic plunger using the second electromagnetic force in a second direction from the second position to the first position; de-energizing the second ring coil when the ferromagnetic plunger is at the first position; and holding the ferromagnetic plunger at the second position for a second selected period of time using at least one of a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of operating the electromagnetic actuator may include that the second ring coil is interposed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member; and the first magnetic member is interposed between the first ring coil and the second ring coil.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of operating the electromagnetic actuator may include that the ferromagnetic plunger is located within the first ring coil, the second ring, the first magnetic member, and the second magnetic member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of operating the electromagnetic actuator may include moving a rod having a first end and a second end when the ferromagnetic plunger moves, the first end being fixedly connected to the ferromagnetic plunger; wherein the rod in operation moves in unison with the ferromagnetic plunger.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method of operating the electromagnetic actuator may include closing a valve of a valve control system when ferromagnetic plunger moves to the second position, the valve control system being operably connected to the rod proximate the second end.
Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include moving a ferromagnetic plunger between two positions utilizing alternating energization of at least two electrical coils and maintaining the position of the ferromagnetic plunger by deactivating the all electrical coils and utilizing permanent magnets.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the present disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring now to
As seen in
The housing 140 defines the inner chamber 190. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 140 and the inner chamber 190 are cylindrical in shape. The housing 140 includes a first cover 150 located at a first end 140a of the housing 140 and a second cover 160 located at a second end 140b of the housing 140 to enclose the inner chamber 190 at both ends 140a, 140b of the housing 140, as seen in
As seen in
Advantageously, the compact design of the electromagnetic actuator 100 in the present disclosure allows for a high force density. In an embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator 100 may have an outer diameter D1 of about 48 millimeters (1.88976 inches), an axial length D2 of about 43 millimeters (1.69291 inches), and produces a force on the rod 170 of about 319 newtons (71.7141 pound-force), which means that the electromagnetic actuator 100 has a force density of about 4.0×106 N/m3 (2.61×104 lbf/ft3).
Referring now to
At block 304, the first ring coil 120a is energized (i.e. supplied with electrical current). When the first ring coil 120a is energized, a first electromagnetic force is generated. As mentioned above, the ferromagnetic plunger 110 will take a position corresponding to minimal reluctance for magnetic flux. When the electromagnetic force is generated by the first ring coil 120a the ferromagnetic plunger 110 will move in the first direction X1 from the first position 110a to a second position 110b at block 306, as seen in
Next at block 312, the second ring coil 120b is energized (i.e. supplied with electrical current). When the second ring coil 120b is energized, a second electromagnetic force is generated. When the second electromagnetic force is generated by the second ring coil 120b the ferromagnetic plunger 110 will move in the second direction X2 from the second position 110b to the first position 110a at block 314. At block 316, the second ring coil 120b is de-energized (i.e. electrical current is removed). At block 318 the ferromagnetic plunger 110 is held at the first position 110a for a second selected period of time using at least one of the first magnetic member 130a and the second magnetic member 130b. In the embodiment where the first magnetic member 130a and the second magnetic member 130b are permanent magnets, the magnetic field of at least one of the first magnetic member 130a and the second magnetic member 130b would hold the ferromagnetic plunger at the first position. In the embodiment where the first magnetic member 130a and the second magnetic member 130b are electrical coils, at least one of the first magnetic member 130a and the second magnetic member 130b would have to be energized to generate a magnetic field and hold the ferromagnetic plunger at the first position.
As mentioned above, the ferromagnetic plunger 110 may be fixedly attached to a rod 170 and the rod 170 may be operably connected to a valve control system 200 as seen in
Advantageously, by only energizing the ring coils 120a, 120b when moving the plunger, the electromagnetic actuator 100 could be energized with short-time current pulses resulting in low energy consumption and low joule losses. Also advantageously, by energizing the ring coils 120a, 120b with short term pulses, it allows increase controllability of the electromagnetic actuator 100. In an embodiment, the short-time current pulses may be between about 4-10 milliseconds. In another embodiment, the short-time current pulses may be released from a capacitor.
While the above description has described the flow process of
Referring now to
The method 400 may include fixedly connecting a rod 170 to the ferromagnetic plunger 110. As mentioned above the rod 170 had a first end 170a and an opposing second end 170b. In an embodiment, the first end 170a is fixedly connected to the ferromagnetic plunger 110 and the rod 170 in operation moves in unison with the ferromagnetic plunger 110. The method 400 may also include operably connecting a valve control system 200 to the rod 170 proximate the second end 170b. The valve control system 200 may in operation open a valve 230 when the ferromagnetic plunger 110 moves in the second direction X2.
While the above description has described the flow process of
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
