Electromagnetic valve system

Abstract

Systems are provided for electromagnetic actuation of a valve mechanism. A valve is linearly moveable between a first closed position and a second open position. A first spring is compressed when the valve is in the first closed position, and a second valve spring is compressed when the valve is in the second open position. An electromagnetic actuation assembly and a permanent magnet is combined with the valve, such that the valve is latchable in either a closed or open position, and is readily movable between positions through application of energy to the electromagnetic circuitry. The electromagnetic circuitry is controllable to increase or decrease the local magnetic flux, such as to promote movement of the valve, or to provide a soft landing of the valve at either end of movement. Some system embodiments provide energy recovery, feed back, and/or feed forward sensing and control. The electromagnetic valve system can be implemented for a wide variety of engines, valves and actuators, such as for variable valve timing, valve disablement, and/or hybrid engine and energy storage applications.

1 . A valve system, comprising: 
 a valve assembly linearly movable between a first closed position and a second open position;    a spring assembly in communication with the valve assembly having a first spring assembly position when the valve assembly is in the first closed position and a second spring assembly position when the valve assembly is in the second open position;    at least one first electromagnet; and    at least one permanent magnet;    wherein the magnetic field from at least one of the permanent magnets provides an attractive latching force to valve assembly when the valve assembly is in any of the first closed position and the second open position.    
   
   
       2 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent magnet comprises a permanent magnet clapper fixedly attached to the valve assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly further comprises a magnetically conductive clapper fixedly attached to the valve assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The valve system of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 magnetically conductive material in contact with the permanent magnet, whereby the magnetically conductive clapper latches to the magnetically conductive material when the valve assembly is in any of the first closed position and the second open position.    
   
   
       5 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the a spring assembly comprises a first spring and a second spring, 
 wherein the first spring is compressed by the valve assembly when the valve assembly is located in the second position, and is uncompressed when the valve assembly is located in the first position; and    wherein the second spring is compressed by the valve assembly when the valve assembly is located in the first position, and is uncompressed when the valve assembly is located in the second position.    
   
   
       6 . The valve system of  claim 5 , wherein said first spring is isolated from the valve assembly at the first closed position, and wherein said second spring is isolated from the valve assembly at the second open position.  
   
   
       7 . The valve system of  claim 5 , wherein the first spring and the second spring each have a different rate of compression.  
   
   
       8 . The valve system of  claim 5 , wherein the first spring and the second spring have different lengths.  
   
   
       9 . The valve system of  claim 5 , wherein the first spring and the second spring have different masses.  
   
   
       10 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to increase a local magnetic field.    
   
   
       11 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to decrease a local magnetic field.    
   
   
       12 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to attract the valve assembly.    
   
   
       13 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to repel the valve assembly.    
   
   
       14 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for repelling and attracting the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to be opened and/or closed more quickly than a natural frequency of the spring assembly would perform while still obtaining a soft landing.    
   
   
       15 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for feedback control of valve assembly motion.    
   
   
       16 . The valve system of  claim 15 , wherein the feedback control compensates for any of friction forces and pressure forces.  
   
   
       17 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for energy recovery during deceleration of said valve assembly.    
   
   
       18 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the attractive latching force is sufficient to hold the valve assembly in any of the first closed position and the second open position, such that no external power is required to hold the valve assembly in any of the first closed position and the second open position.  
   
   
       19 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for storing energy recovered from at least one of the electromagnets.    
   
   
       20 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the permanent magnets comprises any of neodymium and samarium cobalt.  
   
   
       21 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein both a north pole and a south pole of at least one of the permanent magnets are used to attract or repel the valve assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The valve system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an electromagnetic assembly core which extends from the electromagnet.    
   
   
       23 . The valve system of  claim 22 , wherein the electromagnetic assembly core comprises any of a solid material and a laminated material.  
   
   
       24 . The valve system of  claim 22 , wherein the electromagnetic assembly core comprises a laminated material, and wherein the valve assembly comprises a clapper fixedly attached to the valve assembly, the clapper comprising a laminated material.  
   
   
       25 . A valve system, comprising: 
 a valve assembly linearly movable between a closed position and an open position;    a spring assembly associated with the valve assembly having a fist spring assembly position when the valve is in the first closed position and a second spring assembly position when the valve is in the second open position;    at least one electromagnet;    a clapper affixed to the valve assembly and movable in relation to the electromagnet; and    at least one permanent magnetic latch having a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field from the permanent magnetic latches provides an attractive latching force to the clapper when the valve assembly is in any of the closed position and the open position.    
   
   
       26 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to increase a local magnetic field.    
   
   
       27 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to decrease a local magnetic field.    
   
   
       28 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to attract the clapper.    
   
   
       29 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for providing energy to at least one of the electromagnets to repel the clapper.    
   
   
       30 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the clapper comprises a permanent magnet.  
   
   
       31 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for repelling and attracting the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to be opened and/or closed more quickly than a natural frequency of the spring assembly would perform while still obtaining a soft landing.    
   
   
       32 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for feedback control of valve assembly motion.    
   
   
       33 . The valve system of  claim 32 , wherein the feedback control compensates for any of friction forces and pressure forces.  
   
   
       34 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for energy recovery during deceleration of said valve assembly.    
   
   
       35 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the attractive latching force is sufficient to hold the valve assembly in any of the first closed position and the second open position, such that no external power is required to hold the valve assembly in any of the first closed position and the second open position.  
   
   
       36 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means for storing energy recovered from at least one of the electromagnets.    
   
   
       37 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the permanent magnet latches comprises any of neodymium and samarium cobalt.  
   
   
       38 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the a spring assembly comprises a first spring and a second spring, 
 wherein the first spring is compressed by the valve assembly when the valve assembly is located in the second position, and is uncompressed when the valve assembly is located in the first position; and    wherein the second spring is compressed by the valve assembly when the valve assembly is located in the first position, and is uncompressed when the valve assembly is located in the second position.    
   
   
       39 . The valve system of  claim 38 , wherein the first spring is isolated from the valve assembly at the closed position, and wherein the second spring is isolated from the valve assembly at the open position.  
   
   
       40 . The valve system of  claim 38 , wherein the first spring and the second spring each have a different rate of compression.  
   
   
       41 . The valve system of  claim 38 , wherein the first spring and the second spring have different lengths.  
   
   
       42 . The valve system of  claim 38 , wherein the first spring and the second spring have different masses.  
   
   
       43 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein energy is returned to a power source by use of regenerative breaking of the clapper.  
   
   
       44 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein both a north pole and a south pole of at least one of the permanent magnet latches are used to attract or repel the clapper.  
   
   
       45 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a software module for at least partially controlling a soft landing and optionally for reducing power consumption.    
   
   
       46 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 means to open the valve partially and close the valve again.    
   
   
       47 . The valve system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 an electromagnetic core.    
   
   
       48 . The valve system of  claim 47 , wherein the electromagnetic core is formed as a laminated structure.  
   
   
       49 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the clapper is formed as a spiral laminate structure.  
   
   
       50 . The valve system of  claim 25 , wherein the clapper comprises at least one permanent magnet which provides at least a portion of the magnetic field for the permanent magnetic latches.