Valves and valve actuation – Tube compressors
Patent
1998-08-18
1999-12-07
Rivell, John
Valves and valve actuation
Tube compressors
251 65, 25112909, 25112917, 251331, F16K 3106
Patent
active
059969644
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to flow control apparatus in general, and to electromagnetic flow control apparatus, in particular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There exist many devices and methods for controlling fluid flows, whether these flow are in open channels or in closed conduits. Areas in which such devices and methods find use include medical, industrial, automotive, aeronautical, sewage treatment and water management, among many others.
Many of these areas require very precise control of small quantities of fluid. Such areas include medical infusion systems, pharmaceuticals production, various vehicle systems. In many of these areas, complex mechanical or electromechanical solutions exist, although attempts have been made to find electromagnetic solutions.
An indication of the state of the art is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,722, entitled "Magnetic Control Valve." This patent describes a fluid control valve for a fluid system, particularly an air-conditioning system in a vehicle. A flow passage in the system is defined by a "radially flexible tubular member so that the flow area" thereof is variable. Three electromagnets are arranged coaxially about the tubular member, such that an annular space is formed between the electromagnets and the tubular member. Of the three electromagnets, the internal diameter of the middle one is smaller than the diameter of the outer ones, so as to create a constriction in the annular space. A volume of small iron particles is located in the annular space. In order to constrict the flow area of the tubular member, the middle electromagnet is operated so as to attract the iron particles thereto, such that they accumulate in the central area and apply a radially inward force to the tubular member, thereby narrowing the cross-sectional area thereof. The tubular member is allowed to expand when the extreme electromagnets are operated so as to attract the iron particles away from the center.
Disadvantages of the above-described structure include the fact that it provides throttling only of a fluid flow, and that it is incapable of providing high resolution, real time control of a fluid flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide apparatus which is capable of changing the dynamic state of fluid flows by selective application of electromagnetic fields to a working member, which is operative to directly influence the fluid flow. The present invention is further capable of providing very high resolution activation of a working member, and is further capable of providing selectable variation in time of the activation of a working member in real time. The present invention is also, due to a minimal number of working parts, highly reliable.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electromagnetic flow control apparatus which includes a fluid flow conduit, a magnetic membrane, and a plurality of discrete sources of selectably variable magnetic fields, such as electromagnets, arranged in an ordered array, to drive the membrane in a desired manner to control the flow of fluid in the conduit. The membrane can preferably be driven between two extreme positions wherein the flow of fluid in the conduit is totally unrestricted in the rest position of the membrane and wherein the flow is highly restricted or stopped completely in the maximum deformation of the membrane radially inward.
Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic flow control apparatus additionally includes a control device to selectively activate the array of electromagnets so to produce a desired deformation in the magnetic membrane and a desired time variation thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow control apparatus is an integrated fluid flow conduit and electromagnetic control apparatus wherein the magnetic membrane is the body of or is embedded in the fluid flow conduit. In accordance with an alternative embodiment
REFERENCES:
patent: 3982722 (1976-09-01), Bernard
patent: 5593134 (1997-01-01), Steber et al.
Q-Core Ltd.
Rivell John
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