Active valves & other electro fluidic devices
Electro-fluidic systems are devices managing fluids (air, gas, liquids…) such as servovalves, pumps, electro-hydraulic jacks (EHA), injectors, ink jet printers, thrusters, dampers … A class of new electro-fluidic systems is emerging benefiting of the advantages provided by new smart actuators :
- Piezoelectric actuators : Piezo actuators, especially Amplified Piezo Actuators (APA) display relevant characteristics for pneumatic or hydraulic valves manufacturing: Fast response time; Proportional flow with DC voltage; Low electrical consumption; Mechanical integration outside or inside the fluid chamber. Because of their prestress, Cedrat actuators are suited to high bandwidth valves or injectors. Because the APA is a pulling piezo actuator, it naturally leads to normally closed piezovalves. Other fluidic applications are small oscillating pumps (piston or diaphragm types).
- Piezoelectric motors : Thanks to their blocking at rest and their long stroke (1 to 20mm), small piezo motors, such as the Stepping Piezo Actuators (SPA) or the Squiggle motors are interesting candidates for making very low power consumption, micro or miniature precision valves (<1-5cm3) for dosing and embedded applications.
- Magnetic actuators : New magnetic actuators such as moving coil or controllable moving iron actuators (MICA) replace advantageously electromagnets in usual valves by offering much more controllability and keeping voltage compatibility.
- Magnetostrictive actuators : Magnetostrictive actuators offer high forces at low voltage (12 or 24V), which meets special needs in biomedical, oil and chemical industries (because of ignition risks). : Magnetic actuators is the most usual components for making solenoid valves.
- Magnetorheological fluids : A magnetorheological fluid (MRF) can solidify when subjected to a magnetic field. This effect can be used for making valves without any moving parts, as well as semi-active fluid dampers, smart fluid bearings…
The CEDRAT Group has developed or helped customers to develop new active valves and various electro-fluidic systems, using its broad experience in all these actuation techniques. Some examples are given hereafter or in our related publications on valves.
| Gas Valve: PPV200M |
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| Description: | Gaz proportional valve based on Amplified Piezo Actuator |
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| Applications: | Gas Valve, Proportional Valve... | |
| Status: | Space evaluated | |
