Title: Study of electromagnetically actuated meso flow control valve

Authors: Y.H. Guu, Hung-Wen Yeh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National United University, 1, Lien Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miaoli 360, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National United University, 1, Lien Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miaoli 360, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated flow control valve with meso scale was designed and fabricated with precision machining techniques. The electromagnetic force and the displacement of the actuator as well as the flow rate of the valve were studied in terms of operating currents. The non-linear regression equations, polynomial models, were employed to reveal the correlation among the electromagnetic force, the displacement and the applied current. Based on the Bernoulli equation and the principle of conservation of mass, the mathematical models were proposed to predict the characteristics of the flow control valve. The experimental results indicated that the larger the actuating current, the stronger the electromagnetic force. This electromagnetic force produced a larger displacement of the sliding spool of the valve. The flow rate of the fluid increased with the increasing driving current. The flow control valve was used to vary flow by changing the electrical current within the range of 30 to 80 mA. Results from the experimental data verified that the mathematical models were valid.

Keywords: electromagnetic actuators; flow channel; flow control valves; flow rate; fluidic systems; meso scale; precision machining; response time; precision machining; electromagnetic force; displacement; polynomial models; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2011.038718

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.22 No.2, pp.193 - 204

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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