GB2129626A

GB2129626A - An electromagnetic shuttle device

Info

Publication number: GB2129626A
Application number: GB08327220A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dimitri Egoroff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-10-12
Filing date: 1983-10-12
Publication date: 1984-05-16
Also published as: GB8327220D0

Abstract

A shuttle device which carries coils 12 and is reciprocal between two limit positions. The shuttle 10 slides along tracks 18. Supply of electric current is achieved through two conductors 17. A strong magnetic field which the shuttle crosses is supplied by rare earth magnets 14. A valve and seat 20, 21, can be mounted directly or indirectly to the shuttle 10. A rod can be attached to the shuttle 10, to perform other reciprocating functions, such as pumping, milling, sorting, vibrating, drilling etc., or be used in a loud speaker diaphragm. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electromagnetic shuttle device This invention relates to a linear actuator, and more particularly but not exclusively to a compressed air (or gas) valve, e.g., as in internal combustion engines, and also to a "blast" valve as used in ore, and other material sorting applications such as coffee beans, seeds, nuts rice, ball-bearings etc.

Apart from manual control or servo operation, valves generally require some form of reciprocal actuation to allow them to open and then to shut. Solenoids and cams are widely used; they provide actuation usually in one direction, either to open or shut, and then a spring returns the valve to its original position.

Larger valves, or those carrying high pressure are usually 'pilot' operated, where a smaller valve (pilot) operates a larger one.

Valves of all sorts and kinds are widely used throughout industry to open and shut off the flow of a variable variety of fluids under varying conditions of temperatures and pressures and operating at various speeds.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a valve which can be activated on and off very rapidly and be consistent in its operation. According to the present invention there is provided a fluid flow control valve, comprising a shuttle which carries coils able to be energized with an electric pulse.

The coils forming part of the shuttle cross a strong magnetic field achieved by a special arrangement of rare earth magnets or other means, e.g., electromagnetic field coils as in some electric motors. On being energized the shuttle moves in the appropriate direction and thus is able to open a port, or some other needle and seat arrangement, which can be mounted inside the body of the valve or remotely operated by a push rod attached to the shuttle.

A holding electric current is provided if necessary, followed by a reverse pulse which is able to shut off the valve.

Another object of the invention is to allow the Electromagnetic Shuttle Device to provide reciprocating actuation for any suitable mechanism as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. One such mechanism is an ultrasonic milling machine. The shuttle consisting only of coils and no iron, to provide hysterisis problems is able to be driven at very high frequencies, which lends itself perfectly for machining refractory and similar materials.

Some of these operations would be drilling, milling, polishing, cutting, forming and microsizing. The new ultrasonic machine should cut down on rejects, do a neater, faster and more efficient job.

Other reciprocating actuator applications could be to power a very high pressure pump which could be used for high pressure "water" cutting devices, and drilling mechanisms.

The Electromagnetic Shuttle Device could also find use in a textile or sewing application as well as for typing.

Figure 1 shows in perspective, with some components partly broken away, one embodiment of the electromagnetic shuttle device operating a valve according to my invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of a cylinder head in which exhaust and inlet valves are remotely connected to be operated by the shuttle mechanism mounted above the valve guides.

Referring to the drawing, in Fig. 1, the device comprises a shuttle 10 in the form of encapsulated windings 1 2 (copper or aluminium). These windings are so located as to line-up with the magnetic field provided by blocks of rare-earth magnets 14 bonded to steel backing plates 1 6. The steel backing plates recessed into the main body 15, are held in position by the very strong magnetic attraction of the magnets.

Electric current is supplied to the shuttle "rotor" set-up via two flexible leads 1 3. Insulated feed-through conductors 1 7 go through the main body 15. The shuttle 10 is fitted with slides 18 which ride on captured balls 19.

On energizing the shuttle 10 with an electric current in the appropriate direction the needle 20 opens away from the seat 21 and allows the air which is inside the body to escape through a nozzle 22 (supersonic if need be). Light springs 11 (or reverse pulse) closes the needle and seat 20, 21.

The modular design allows a number of assemblies to be bolted together through the holes 23. The air (or other gas) has a central passage 24 through which it can pressurize that main body. Pressure equilization ports 25 are also provided.

Fig. 2 shows two shuttle devices operating exhaust 31 and inlet 32 valves in an automotive application. A double joint 33 of swivelball type connects the linear actuators to the valves.

1. A shuttle device which incorporates winding coils, and is reciprocal between two limit positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of a valve closure member.

The coils crossing a strong magnetic field, and being connected to a source of electric pulses, controlled by precise electronic logic.

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the magnetic field is provided by a plurality of rare earth magnets.

3. A device according to Claim 1 in which the magnetic field is provided by electromagnets or other known means.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electromagnetic shuttle device This invention relates to a linear actuator, and more particularly but not exclusively to a compressed air (or gas) valve, e.g., as in internal combustion engines, and also to a "blast" valve as used in ore, and other material sorting applications such as coffee beans, seeds, nuts rice, ball-bearings etc. Apart from manual control or servo operation, valves generally require some form of reciprocal actuation to allow them to open and then to shut. Solenoids and cams are widely used; they provide actuation usually in one direction, either to open or shut, and then a spring returns the valve to its original position. Larger valves, or those carrying high pressure are usually 'pilot' operated, where a smaller valve (pilot) operates a larger one. Valves of all sorts and kinds are widely used throughout industry to open and shut off the flow of a variable variety of fluids under varying conditions of temperatures and pressures and operating at various speeds. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a valve which can be activated on and off very rapidly and be consistent in its operation. According to the present invention there is provided a fluid flow control valve, comprising a shuttle which carries coils able to be energized with an electric pulse. The coils forming part of the shuttle cross a strong magnetic field achieved by a special arrangement of rare earth magnets or other means, e.g., electromagnetic field coils as in some electric motors. On being energized the shuttle moves in the appropriate direction and thus is able to open a port, or some other needle and seat arrangement, which can be mounted inside the body of the valve or remotely operated by a push rod attached to the shuttle. A holding electric current is provided if necessary, followed by a reverse pulse which is able to shut off the valve. Another object of the invention is to allow the Electromagnetic Shuttle Device to provide reciprocating actuation for any suitable mechanism as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. One such mechanism is an ultrasonic milling machine. The shuttle consisting only of coils and no iron, to provide hysterisis problems is able to be driven at very high frequencies, which lends itself perfectly for machining refractory and similar materials. Some of these operations would be drilling, milling, polishing, cutting, forming and microsizing. The new ultrasonic machine should cut down on rejects, do a neater, faster and more efficient job. Other reciprocating actuator applications could be to power a very high pressure pump which could be used for high pressure "water" cutting devices, and drilling mechanisms. The Electromagnetic Shuttle Device could also find use in a textile or sewing application as well as for typing. Figure 1 shows in perspective, with some components partly broken away, one embodiment of the electromagnetic shuttle device operating a valve according to my invention, and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of a cylinder head in which exhaust and inlet valves are remotely connected to be operated by the shuttle mechanism mounted above the valve guides. Referring to the drawing, in Fig. 1, the device comprises a shuttle 10 in the form of encapsulated windings 1 2 (copper or aluminium). These windings are so located as to line-up with the magnetic field provided by blocks of rare-earth magnets 14 bonded to steel backing plates 1 6. The steel backing plates recessed into the main body 15, are held in position by the very strong magnetic attraction of the magnets. Electric current is supplied to the shuttle "rotor" set-up via two flexible leads 1 3. Insulated feed-through conductors 1 7 go through the main body 15. The shuttle 10 is fitted with slides 18 which ride on captured balls 19. On energizing the shuttle 10 with an electric current in the appropriate direction the needle 20 opens away from the seat 21 and allows the air which is inside the body to escape through a nozzle 22 (supersonic if need be). Light springs 11 (or reverse pulse) closes the needle and seat 20, 21. The modular design allows a number of assemblies to be bolted together through the holes 23. The air (or other gas) has a central passage 24 through which it can pressurize that main body. Pressure equilization ports 25 are also provided. Fig. 2 shows two shuttle devices operating exhaust 31 and inlet 32 valves in an automotive application. A double joint 33 of swivelball type connects the linear actuators to the valves. CLAIMS

4. A shuttle device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 but where there is an extension, e.g. a rod, to the actual valve and seat member as would be in an automotive application.

5. An electromagnetic shuttle device as claimed in any preceding claim but where the shuttle is attached to a push rod which can be used for a large variety of uses, e.g. pumping, milling, pushing, etc.

6. A device as described in previous claims and used for sorting minerals, food stuffs, seeds etc., by emitting a blast of air at a precise moment of time to deflect the objects sorted.

7. A shuttle device as described in previous claims wherein the shuttle is attached to a loud speaker diaphram or cone to provide a new and an improved sound reproduction system.

8. A shuttle device as described in previous claims but oscilated by a special power supply to provide ultrasonic vibrations used for many applications as in drilling, milling, washing etc.

9. A shuttle device as described in previous claims but incorporating some magnetic material, e.g., laminations in the magnetic circuit generally.

10. A shuttle device as described in previous claims but having a heavy construction to operate large devices as for example, ship engine valves, etc.

11. A shuttle device as described in previous claims but used for the textile industry.

1 2. A shuttle device as described in previous claims but used for pumping fluids to high or medium pressures.

1 3. An electromagnetic shuttle device as hereinafter described and shown in Fig. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.