SBIR Phase II: Energy Saving Solenoid Valve

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将一种新颖的设计应用于气动电磁阀，允许20-25%的压缩空气被回收。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提供了使用方向控制阀的气动系统的成本效益解决方案。基本技术已被证明可以减少压缩空气的使用。本项目的研究目标旨在证明适用性的广度，并解决当前选择阀门的设计因素。这些目标包括：1）在从市售阀门中选择的一系列设计平台上设计、生产和实验室测试原型; 2）生产耐用（金属）原型用于生命周期测试; 3）研究原始原型设计的安全增强，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一条清晰的道路，该技术可靠，具有成本竞争力，可以取代数十亿美元的全球电磁阀市场的很大一部分。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是将改变游戏规则的技术引入停滞的成熟行业-气动阀。美国和欧洲的气动阀市场为21亿美元。美国占这一总数的27%（约5亿美元），超过70%的制造设施采用压缩空气系统。这些系统利用气动电磁阀来控制流向致动器装置的气流。现有的气动系统被认为是非常低效的。迄今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，有可能应用于数十亿美元的方向控制阀市场的约60%。减少20%的压缩空气可以为美国制造商每年节省大量的能源成本，全国可能节省4亿至5亿美元。美国商界领袖认识到，为了保持竞争力，创新是至关重要的。根据2011年下一代制造业研究，可持续性被确定为一个重要的重点领域。这包括设计和实施减少废物和能源使用，以实现上级成本效益。拟议的节能技术可以帮助美国制造商通过实现可持续发展目标和降低成本来保持竞争力。

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.