SBIR Phase II: Energy Saving Solenoid Valve

该小型企业创新研究(SBIR)二期项目将一种新颖的设计应用于气动电磁阀，可回收20%-25%的压缩空气。鉴于压缩空气是最昂贵的储能形式之一，这种节能设计为制造商使用换向阀的气动系统提供了一种经济高效的解决方案。这项基本技术已被证明可以减少压缩空气的使用。该项目的研究目标旨在证明其适用范围，并解决当前在选择阀门时的设计因素。这些目标包括：1)通过从市场上可获得的阀门中选择的一系列设计平台设计、生产和实验室测试原型；2)生产用于生命周期测试的耐用(金属)原型；3)研究原始原型设计的安全性增强，以进一步确保商业采用；以及4)在制造环境中对该技术进行全面的现场测试。这些目标为节能阀门技术的交付提供了明确的途径，这种技术可靠、具有成本竞争力，可以取代全球数十亿美元的电磁阀市场的很大一部分。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力正在将一种改变游戏规则的技术引入停滞不前的成熟行业--气动阀门。美国和欧洲的气动阀门市场规模为21亿美元。美国占总数的27%(约5亿美元)，超过70%的制造设施采用压缩空气系统。这些系统使用气动电磁阀来控制流向执行机构设备的气流。现有的气动系统被认为效率极低。到目前为止的研究已经证明，这项创新将提供一种具有成本竞争力的节能阀技术，有可能应用于价值数十亿美元的方向控制阀市场的大约60%。压缩空气减少20%，每年可以为美国制造商节省大量能源成本，全国可能总共节省4亿至5亿美元。美国商界领袖认识到，为了保持竞争力，迫切需要创新。根据2011年下一代制造业研究，可持续发展被确定为一个重要的重点领域。这包括设计和实施减少浪费和能源使用，以提供卓越的性价比。拟议的节能技术可以通过实现可持续发展目标和降低成本来帮助美国制造商保持竞争力。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project applies a novel design to pneumatic solenoid valves that allows 20-25% of compressed air to be recycled. Given compressed air is one of the most expensive forms of stored energy, this energy-efficient design provides manufacturers with a cost effective solution for pneumatic systems using directional control valves. The basic technology has been proven to reduce compressed air use. Research objectives for this project are designed to prove the breadth of applicability and address current design factors in selecting valves. These objectives include: 1) design, production, and laboratory testing of prototypes across a spectrum of design platforms selected from commercially available valves; 2) production of durable (metal) prototypes for life-cycle testing; 3) research on safety enhancements to the original prototype design, to further ensure commercial adoption; and 4) a full-scale field test of the technology in a manufacturing environment. These objectives provide a clear path for the delivery of an energy saving valve technology that is reliable, cost-competitive, and can replace a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar worldwide solenoid valve market.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is introducing a game-changing technology into a stagnant, mature industry - pneumatic valves. The U.S. and European pneumatic valve market is $2.1 billion. The United States comprises 27% (approximately $500 million) of this total with over 70% of all manufacturing facilities employing compressed air systems. These systems utilize pneumatic solenoid valves to control air flow to actuator devices. Existing pneumatic systems are regarded as highly inefficient. The research to date has proven that this innovation will deliver a cost-competitive energy saving valve technology with the potential to apply to approximately 60% of the multi-billion dollar directional control valve market. A 20% reduction in compressed air can save U.S. manufacturers significant energy costs each year, with a national potential for $400 to 500 million in total savings. U.S. business leaders recognize the critical need for innovation in order to stay competitive. According to the 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing Study, sustainability was identified as an important area of focus. This includes designing and implementing waste and energy-use reduction to deliver superior cost performance. The proposed energy saving technology can help U.S. manufacturers stay competitive by achieving sustainability goals and reducing costs.