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DE-102024133003-A1 - Electromechanical actuator and actuator-valve unit

DE102024133003A1DE 102024133003 A1DE102024133003 A1DE 102024133003A1DE-102024133003-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electromechanical actuator (1), in particular for actuating a valve (101) connectable thereto; comprising: a housing (2) with an interior (2.1); an electromagnetic actuating device (3) which is accommodated in the interior (2.1) of the housing; and a seal (4) which is configured to seal the interior (2.1) of the housing to the outside, wherein the housing (2) has at least one, in particular closable, leakage path (5) for checking the tightness of the seal (4), wherein fluid exchange between the interior (2.1) of the housing and outside (2.2) of the housing (2) is enabled by the leakage path (5). The invention also relates to an actuator-valve unit (100) comprising the electromechanical actuator (1).

Inventors

  • Stefan Quast
  • Wolfgang Petri

Assignees

  • THOMAS MAGNETE GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241112

Claims (10)

  1. Electromechanical actuator (1), in particular for actuating a valve (101) connectable thereto; comprising: a housing (2) with an interior (2.1); an electromagnetic actuating device (3) which is accommodated in the interior (2.1); and a seal (4) which is configured to seal the interior (2.1) to the outside, wherein the housing (2) has at least one, in particular closable, leakage path (5) for checking the tightness of the seal (4), wherein the leakage path (5) allows fluid exchange between the interior (2.1) and outside (2.2) of the housing (2).
  2. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the actuating device (3) comprises a coil (3.1) and an armature (3.2) which is moved electromagnetically by the coil (3.1), and wherein part of the leakage path (5) is formed between the coil (3.1) and the armature (3.2).
  3. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to Claim 2 , wherein the actuating device (3) has a pole core (3.3) which has at least one pole core groove (3.5) on a radial outer surface (3.4) which forms part of the leakage path (5), wherein the pole core groove (3.5) is in particular spiral-shaped.
  4. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to Claim 3 , wherein the housing (2) has at least one housing recess (2.6) which forms part of the leakage path (5) and which is in particular radially opposite the pole core groove (3.5).
  5. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer end (5.2) of the leakage path (5) is formed by a through-hole (2.5) in the housing (2) which is fluidly connected to the housing interior (2.1).
  6. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to Claim 5 , wherein at least part of the through-hole (2.5) passes through a connector (2.3) to which a control of the actuating device (3) can be connected.
  7. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to Claim 5 or after Claim 6 , wherein the through-bore (2.5) has a fluid connection (2.4) which can be connected to a fluid supply device for checking the tightness of the seal (4).
  8. Electromechanical actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retaining bracket (6) which is configured to fix the actuating device (3) in the housing (2), wherein the retaining bracket (6) is at least partially in clearance fit with the actuating device (3) and/or has a recess (6.1) which forms part of the leakage path (5).
  9. Actuator-valve unit (100) comprising the electromechanical actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a valve (101), wherein the valve (101) is connected to the leakage path (5) via the seal (4).
  10. Actuator valve unit (100) according to Claim 9 , wherein the seal (4) is arranged to seal the housing interior (2.1) of the actuator (1) against the valve (101).

Description

The invention relates to an electromechanical actuator and an actuator-valve unit. Conventional electromechanical actuators (often simply called "actuators") typically consist of a housing with an interior cavity and an electromagnetic actuating device housed within that cavity. Such conventional actuating devices usually comprise a coil and an electromagnetically movable component, such as an armature, with current applied to the coil causing movement of the component. These conventional actuators often incorporate a seal to prevent external influences from entering the housing. These conventional configurations, however, have the disadvantage that the tightness of the seal is difficult to verify. The housings are typically sealed, so no fluid exchange can occur between the housing interior and the outside, particularly the atmosphere, at any point outside the seal. Therefore, if, for example, an external interface of the housing (such as a valve interface) where the seal is located is pressurized to test the seal, it is difficult to determine whether the seal itself or merely the housing is leak-proof. The object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an electromechanical actuator on which a leak test can be carried out simply and reliably. It is also an object of the invention to provide an actuator-valve unit that has these advantages. This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments of the invention. This problem is solved, in particular, by an electromechanical actuator according to claim 1. The actuator is specifically designed to actuate a valve that can be connected to it. The actuator comprises a housing with an interior. The actuator also comprises an electromagnetic actuating device, which is housed within the interior. Furthermore, the actuator has a seal, which is designed to seal the interior of the housing to the outside. The housing has at least one leakage path for verifying the tightness of the seal. The leakage path allows fluid exchange between the interior of the housing and outside the housing. As explained above, the leakage path allows fluid exchange with the housing's environment, such as the atmosphere. This means that during a leak test as described above, fluid such as air can escape from the housing if the seal is not airtight and is subjected to (test) pressure. Such a pressure would therefore hardly rise, if at all, indicating that the seal is not airtight. Conversely, if the pressure rises accordingly, it can be concluded that the seal is airtight, since the housing is intentionally leaking via the leakage path. In other words, fluid exchange is preferably only permitted through the leakage path, assuming the seal is airtight. Alternatively or in addition to the pressurization and pressure measurement described above, it can be checked whether the relevant fluid is present in the leakage path or is flowing through it. Based on the measured quantity, the degree of leakage in the seal can also be determined. In preferred embodiments, at least one leakage path is closable. In particular, it is reclosable and (non-destructively) reopenable, allowing for repeated leak tests. It should be noted that the leakage path in this context is an intentional and explicitly designed leakage path and is not to be equated with a manufacturing defect or wear and tear from prolonged use/storage. The present at least one leakage path is to be understood as being in addition to such potential defects or wear. An alternative term for the present leakage path is preferably "venting channel" or "venting path," whereby the fluid to be vented need not necessarily be air. At least one leakage path is preferably fluidly connected to the seal. In other words, one end of the leakage path (hereinafter referred to as the "first end") is sealed by the seal (provided the seal is tight) and an opposite end (hereinafter referred to as the "second end") is connected to the outside of the housing. Preferably, in the present sense, "fluid exchange" refers to a fluid that is supplied externally by a leak testing device. Such a device is, for example, a Fluid pump with a pressure sensor that detects and evaluates the pressure curve. The device can be connected to the actuator on the outside of the housing opposite the seal and/or to the actuator on the outside of the housing at one end of the leakage path (second end). In preferred embodiments, the actuating device comprises a coil and at least one movable component. The movable component is electromagnetically movable by the coil and is, for example, an armature. The movable component, or armature, in turn causes a movement of an actuator, thereby actuating the actuating device. In this case, part of the leakage path is formed between the coil and the armature. In other words, part of the leakage path runs through a gap betw