U.S. patent application number 11/903132 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for retaining element for a mechanical component.
This patent application is currently assigned to Enfield Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Blake D. Carter, Daniel S. Cook.
Application Number | 20080099705 11/903132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39474993 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080099705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cook; Daniel S. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2008 |
Retaining element for a mechanical component
Abstract
A retaining element which retains a mechanical element within
the cavity of a body is described. Specifically, an electronically
controlled valve and a motor housing retainer are described. The
motor housing retainer comprises a printed circuit board, which may
provide a connection to the motor.
Inventors: |
Cook; Daniel S.;
(Terryville, CT) ; Carter; Blake D.; (Norwalk,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRINGTON & SMITH, PC
4 RESEARCH DRIVE
SHELTON
CT
06484-6212
US
|
Assignee: |
Enfield Technologies, LLC
|
Family ID: |
39474993 |
Appl. No.: |
11/903132 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60854562 |
Oct 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 27/041 20130101;
Y10T 137/86614 20150401; Y10T 137/2529 20150401; F16K 31/0613
20130101; F16K 37/0041 20130101; Y10T 137/0396 20150401; F15B
13/0446 20130101; F16K 27/048 20130101; Y10T 137/86622 20150401;
F15B 13/0402 20130101; F16K 11/07 20130101; Y10T 137/87217
20150401; Y10S 251/905 20130101; Y10T 137/7761 20150401; F16K 31/02
20130101; H01F 7/1844 20130101; F16K 31/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/129.01 |
International
Class: |
F16K 31/02 20060101
F16K031/02 |
Claims
1. A retaining element comprising: a substrate composed of a
dielectric material configured to be affixed over a cavity in a
body, where the affixed substrate prevents a mechanical element
from exiting the cavity in the body and further where the affixed
substrate provides one or more connection points for electrical
connections.
2. The retaining element in claim 1, where the body is a valve
body.
3. The retaining element in claim 1, where the mechanical element
is a motor housing.
4. The retaining element in claim 1, where the substrate has an
opening to allow access to the cavity.
5. The retaining element in claim 1, where the substrate is
configured to fit within a recess on the valve body.
6. The retaining element in claim 1, wherein the substrate is a
printed circuit board where at least two connectors are connected
via a circuit on the printed circuit board.
7. The retaining element in claim 1, wherein a first connector is
connected to the mechanical element and a second connector is
connected to a cover and further where the first connector and the
second connector are electrically connected.
8. The retaining element in claim 7, where the first connector is a
Flexible Printed Circuit connector and uses a flat cable to connect
to a voice coil.
9. The retaining element in claim 7, where the connection is used
for coil current transfer.
10. An electronically controlled valve comprising: a valve body; a
cavity within the body; a motor housing within the cavity; and a
motor housing retainer, where the retainer comprises a substrate
composed of a dielectric material configured to be affixed over a
cavity in a valve body, where the affixed substrate prevents a
motor housing from exiting the cavity in the valve body and further
where the affixed substrate provides one or more connection points
for electrical connections.
11. The electronically controlled valve in claim 10, where the
substrate has an opening to allow access to the cavity.
12. The electronically controlled valve in claim 10, where the
substrate configured to fit within a recess on the valve body.
13. The electronically controlled valve in claim 10, wherein the
substrate is a printed circuit board where at least two connectors
are connected via a circuit on the printed circuit board.
14. The electronically controlled valve in claim 13, further
comprising a coil header assembly, which includes a voice coil,
wherein a first connector is connected to the voice coil and a
second connector is connected to a motor housing cover and further
where the first connector and the second connector are electrically
connected.
15. The electronically controlled valve in claim 14, where the
first connector is a Flexible Printed Circuit connector and uses a
flat cable to connect to the voice coil.
16. The electronically controlled valve in claim 14, where the
connection is used for coil current transfer.
17. A retaining element comprising: means for preventing a
mechanical element from exiting a cavity in a body; and means for
providing one or more electronic connections enabling coil current
transfer.
18. The retaining element in claim 17, where the body is a valve
body and the mechanical element is a motor housing.
19. The retaining element in claim 17, where a first connection is
used to connect to a voice coil and a second connection is used to
connect to a connector on a cover and further where the first
connector and the second connector are electrically connected.
20. A method, comprising: providing a valve body; inserting a spool
actuator through an opening into a cavity within the valve body;
and affixing a printed circuit board over the opening, the printed
circuit board providing an electrical connection to the spool
actuator and also mechanically preventing the spool actuator from
passing through the opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/854,562,
filed Oct. 25, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to control systems and
assemblies and, more specifically, relates to controllers and
systems using electronically controlled valves, electronically
controlled valves, and portions thereof, as well as to assemblies
that include at least one valve.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Control systems for electronically controlled valves are
used with many different types of fluids and gases for many
different purposes. While control systems, their controllers, and
the associated electronically controlled valves have many benefits,
these control systems, controllers, electronically controlled
valves and portions thereof may still be improved.
SUMMARY
[0004] An exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention is
a motor housing retainer that is a substrate composed of a
dielectric material. The retaining element is configured to be
affixed over a cavity in a valve body and prevents a motor housing
from exiting the cavity in the valve body. Additionally the motor
housing retainer provides one or more connection points for
electrical connections.
[0005] In further exemplary embodiments, the motor housing retainer
has an opening to allow access to the cavity. The motor housing
retainer can be configured to fit within a recess on the valve
body.
[0006] In additional exemplary embodiments, the motor housing
retainer is a printed circuit board where at least two connectors
are connected by a circuit on the printed circuit board.
[0007] In further exemplary embodiments, the motor housing retainer
provides an electrical connection between the motor housing and the
motor housing cover. The connection to the motor housing may be a
Flexible Printed Circuit connector and uses a flat cable to connect
to the voice coil. Such a connection may be used for coil current
transfer.
[0008] Another exemplary embodiment in accordance with this
invention is an electronically controlled valve. The valve includes
a valve body with a cavity; a motor housing within the cavity; and
a motor housing retainer. The retainer is a substrate composed of a
dielectric material. The retaining element is configured to be
affixed over a cavity in a valve body and prevents a motor housing
from exiting the cavity in the valve body. Additionally the motor
housing retainer provides one or more connection points for
electrical connections.
[0009] In additional exemplary embodiments, the motor housing
retainer has an opening to allow access to the cavity. The motor
housing retainer can be configured to fit within a recess on the
valve body.
[0010] In further exemplary embodiments, the motor housing retainer
is a printed circuit board where at least two connectors are
connected by a circuit on the printed circuit board.
[0011] In additional exemplary embodiments, the motor housing
retainer provides an electrical connection between a voice coil,
part of a coil header assembly, and a motor housing cover. The
connection to the motor housing may be a Flexible Printed Circuit
connector and uses a flat cable to connect to the voice coil. Such
a connection may be used for coil current transfer.
[0012] A further exemplary embodiment in accordance with this
invention is a valve retaining element. The element provides a
means for preventing a motor housing from exiting a cavity in a
valve body; and means for providing one or more electronic
connections enabling coil current transfer.
[0013] In further exemplary embodiments, the valve retaining
element provides an electrical connection between a voice coil,
part of a coil header assembly, and a motor housing cover.
[0014] Another exemplary embodiment in accordance with this
invention is a method which includes providing a valve body;
inserting a spool actuator through an opening into a cavity within
the valve body; and affixing a printed circuit board over the
opening. The printed circuit board provides an electrical
connection to the spool actuator and also mechanically preventing
the spool actuator from passing through the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The attached Drawing Figures include the following:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a portion
for controlling an electronically controlled valve and the
electronically controlled valve;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cutaway, perspective view of an exemplary
pneumatic valve;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the valve shown in FIG.
2, without the electronics cover and the motor housing
retainer;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the valve shown in FIG.
2, without the electronics cover but with the motor housing
retainer;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the valve shown in FIG.
2, with the electronics cover (which covers the motor housing
retainer);
[0021] FIG. 6 is a close-up top perspective view of the valve shown
in FIG. 2, without the electronics cover but with the motor housing
retainer;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of screening for the motor housing
retainer;
[0023] FIG. 8 is another close-up top perspective view of the valve
shown in FIG. 2, without the electronics cover but with the motor
housing retainer; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a view of the motor housing retainer coupled to
the motor housing and also of the coil header assembly and
spool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown of an
exemplary system 100 having a portion for controlling an
electronically controlled valve 120. System 100 also includes in
this example the electronically controlled valve 120. FIG. 1 is a
simplistic, high-level view of the system 100 that includes a
control input 105, an adder 110, a spool position controller 115,
the electronically controlled valve 120, and a feedback sensor
module 150 that takes an input from one or more feedback sensors
(not shown) and that produces one or more feedback signals 151. A
valve controller 160 includes the adder 110, the spool position
controller 115, and the feedback sensor module 150. The
electronically controlled valve 120 includes a spool actuator 125,
such as a voice coil, a spool 130, a body 135, an input 140, and an
output 145.
[0026] The electronically controlled valve 120 controls fluid
(e.g., gas, water, oil) flow 141 through the electronically
controlled valve 120 by operating the spool 130. The spool actuator
125 controls movement of the spool 130 based on one or more control
signals 116 from the spool position controller 115. The spool
position controller 115 modifies the one or more control signals
116 based on the one or more input signals 111, which include
addition of the control input signal 105 and the one or more
feedback signals 151. The feedback sensor module 150 can monitor
the spool actuator 120 (e.g., current through the spool actuator),
a sensor indicating the position of the spool 130, or sensors
indicating any number of other valve attributes (e.g., pressure or
flow rate of the fluid flow 141). Aspects of the present invention
are related to a number of the elements shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] Turning to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 1, a cutaway,
perspective view is shown of an exemplary and non-limiting
embodiment of a pneumatic valve 200. The pneumatic valve 200
includes an electronics cover 205, a motor housing retainer 207, a
motor housing 210, an upper cavity 215, a lower cavity 216, a coil
header assembly 220, a spool 230, a sleeve 260, a lower spring 240,
an upper spring 245, external ports 270, 271, 280, 281, and 282,
circumferentially spaced internal ports 270a, 271a, 280a, 281a, and
282a, and a valve body 290. Coil header assembly 220 includes a
voice coil portion 222 having a voice coil 221 and an overlap
portion that overlaps a portion of the spool 230 and connects the
spool 230 to the coil header assembly 220. The spool actuator 125
of FIG. 1 includes, in the example of FIG. 2, motor housing 210,
coil header assembly 220, upper spring 245, and lower spring 240.
It is noted that a view of the motor housing 210 is also shown in
FIG. 9 and that at least a portion of the motor housing 210 is
magnetized in order to be responsive to the voice coil 221.
[0028] In this example, a top surface 211 of the motor housing 210
contacts a bottom surface 208 of motor housing retainer 207 and is
held in place by the motor housing retainer 207. In accordance with
the exemplary embodiments of this invention, the motor housing
retainer 207 is a PCB (printed circuit board). The motor housing
retainer 207 serves multiple purposes, as is disclosed in more
detail below. It should be appreciated that the motor housing
retainer may be attached using a number of techniques, including
using hardware such as screws; and sliding or snapping into
place.
[0029] The spool 230 includes in this example a passage 265. The
passage 265 has a number of purposes, including equalizing pressure
between the upper cavity 215 and the lower cavity 216. The spool
230 may also be manufactured without passage 265.
[0030] As described below, the electronics cover 205 may include a
connector 206 used to couple a spool position controller 115 to the
voice coil 221 on voice coil portion 222. The electronics cover 205
is one example of a cover used herein.
[0031] A description of exemplary operation of the valve 200 is
included in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,831, which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,831 describes,
for instance, airflow through the external ports 270, 271, 280,
281, and 283 and the circumferentially spaced internal ports 270a,
271a, 280a, 281a, and 283a. It is noted that the springs 240, 245
along with the coil header assembly 220, motor housing 210, and
spool 230, are configured such that the spool 230 blocks the ports
281A when no power is applied to the voice coil 221. Other portions
of pneumatic valve 200 are also described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,960,831.
[0032] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the motor housing 210 in the
pneumatic valve 200 has a compressive force applied by spring
compression (e.g., by springs 240 and 245). This force can cause
the motor housing 210 to eject from the valve cavity (e.g., upper
cavity 215). The exemplary embodiments of this invention retain the
motor housing without unnecessarily increasing envelope size, cost,
weight, or by adding unnecessary parts to the assembly.
[0033] Other possible approaches to solving this problem of
retaining the motor housing 2 10 may employ the use of an adhesive,
such as epoxy, or the use of hardware to secure the motor housing
210 to the body 290, manufacturing a cover plate that is attached
with hardware, or by using a pressing or other bonding operation.
However, each of these approaches adds additional parts and/or
manufacturing steps to the assembly as well as making
disassembly/maintenance more difficult. Another approach may be to
thread the motor housing 210 (e.g., and a matching inner surface of
the upper cavity 215 in the valve body 290). However, this approach
would add additional cost to the assembly.
[0034] The use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention avoid
these and other problems by using a PCB to serve at least three
purposes 1) as a mechanical element, 2) as a spring contact plate
for coil current transfer, and 3) as a connector location. As shown
in FIG. 2 (and FIGS. 4 and 6), the motor housing retainer 207 is a
PCB that acts as a mechanical element, a spring contact plate for
coil current transfer, and a connector location for other product
variants. This is explained in more detail below.
[0035] It is noted that the example described below specifically
concerns retaining a spring loaded voice coil motor in a pneumatic
valve. However, the techniques shown below are also applicable to
retaining any mechanical element having static or dynamic forces
thereon, and the use of the exemplary embodiments of this invention
is not limited to retaining a spring loaded voice coil motor in a
pneumatic valve.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 2, a top perspective
view is shown of the valve in FIG. 2, without the electronics cover
205 and the motor housing retainer 207. The valve body 290 has a
top surface 1320 and an opening 1310. The top surface 211 of the
motor housing 210 is shown in the upper cavity 215. Note that
because of the force of the springs 240 and 245, the motor housing
210 as shown in FIG. 3 will eject from the valve body 290.
[0037] In order to retain the motor housing 210 in the upper cavity
215 of the body 290, the motor housing retainer 207 is attached to
the body 290, show here attached with screws 1330a and 1330b, such
as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the valve
of FIG. 2, without the electronics cover 205 but with the motor
housing retainer 207 (shown as the PCB 207A). It is noted that
these motor housing retainer 207 may also be used to hold the
mechanical assembly together even if no springs are present (e.g.,
the motor must still be held in place).
[0038] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the valve shown in FIG.
2, with the electronics cover 205 (which covers the motor housing
retainer 207). Note that the connector 206 would be coupled to,
e.g., a valve controller 160 using a cable (not shown) carrying
control signal(s) 116. The connector 206 will also be coupled to
the motor housing retainer 207.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a close-up top perspective view of the valve shown
in FIG. 2, without the electronics cover 205 but with the motor
housing retainer 207, embodied as the PCB 207A. The opening 1310 is
used to house a cable from the motor housing retainer 207 to the
voice coil 221, as described in more detail below.
[0040] Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, FIG. 7 is a top view of an
exemplary screening for the PCB 207A, while FIG. 8 is another
close-up top perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 2, without
the electronics cover 205 but with the motor housing retainer 207.
It is noted that, if desired, the motor housing retainer 207 can be
mounted into a recess formed in top surface 1230 of the valve body
290. However such a recess is optional.
[0041] The screening shown in FIG. 7 indicates locations for three
different connectors. Reference 1710 indicates a route for a cable.
Connector J3 is used to attach cable 1720 from the motor housing
retainer 207 to the voice coil 221. In this exemplary embodiment, a
Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) connector J3 is used to match the
FPC cable 1720. The FPC cable 1720 was chosen as a flat cable for
superior assembly features and operation. Regular wire or other
cables and connectors may also be used. The cable 1720 is routed
through the opening 1310. Connector J2 is used to couple the motor
housing retainer 207 to the connector 206. The connector J1
includes a number of pads which may be used to connect other
product variants to the motor housing retainer 207.
[0042] It should be appreciated that the PCB 207A could also
accommodate other components such as integrated circuits,
resistors, capacitors, etc., as is known in the art. Such
components may be passive or may transform a signal passing through
the component.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a view of the motor housing retainer 207 coupled
to the motor housing 210 and also of the coil header assembly 220
and spool 230. It can be seen that the motor housing retainer 207
is coupled to the voice coil 221 using the cable 1720.
[0044] In general, the PCB 207A could be fabricated from any
suitable substrate material, such as one or more layers of a
glass-epoxy. In general, the thickness of the PCB 207A is made
sufficient to resist any force applied to it by the motor housing
210 without experiencing undue deformation or bending. Depending on
whether the motor housing 210 is electrically conductive, it may be
desirable in some embodiments to include a layer or sheet of a
electric material between the top of the motor housing 210 and the
bottom of the PCB 207A, to prevent the shorting of electrical
signal line.
[0045] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary
and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the
best techniques presently contemplated by the inventors for
carrying out embodiments of the invention. However, various
modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled
in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended
claims. All such and similar modifications of the teachings of this
invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.
[0046] Furthermore, some of the features of exemplary embodiments
of this invention could be used to advantage without the
corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing
description should be considered as merely illustrative of the
principles of embodiments of the present invention, and not in
limitation thereof.
* * * * *