Variable geometry nozzle utilizing magnetic fluid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12569863-B2
Application number	US-202217851581-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 28, 2022
Priority date	Jun 28, 2022
Publication date	Mar 10, 2026
Grant date	Mar 10, 2026

Abstract

The present disclosure provides variable geometry nozzle or valve assemblies utilizing magnetic fluid (e.g., ferromagnetic fluid; magnetorheological fluid; non-Newtonian magnetic fluid; general viscous magnetic fluid). More particularly, the present disclosure provides variable geometry nozzle or valve assemblies utilizing magnetic fluid for high efficiency expansion and/or mass flow control in fluidic systems (e.g., gas injectors; micro-satellite propulsion systems; gas burners; fluid injectors; etc.).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A nozzle assembly comprising:
an outer wall and a flexible inner wall defining an enclosed cavity between the outer wall and the flexible inner wall; and a portal of the outer wall for inputting or outputting magnetic fluid to or from the enclosed cavity; wherein when geometric variation of an inner passageway of the nozzle assembly is desired, a magnetic field of two magnet members positioned proximal to the inner passageway is turned off or reduced, thereby allowing deformation of the flexible inner wall to create a variable geometry of the inner passageway via flow of input fluid to the inner passageway; and wherein when the magnetic field of the two magnet members is turned on or increased, the magnetic fluid becomes a viscoelastic solid or semi-solid, thereby allowing the solidified or semi-solidified magnetic fluid to remain in a desired or achieved geometry relative to the inner passageway.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic fluid comprises at least one of ferromagnetic fluid, magnetorheological fluid, non-Newtonian magnetic fluid, or a general viscous magnetic fluid.

3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner wall is fabricated from an elastic material, and wherein the flexible inner wall has a variable thickness along a length of the flexible inner wall.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein a yield stress of the magnetic fluid is controlled by varying an intensity of the magnetic field.

5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein via deformation of the flexible inner wall, a throat area of the inner passageway closes or opens.

6 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the flexible inner wall includes a plurality of scales or plates.

7 . The assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of scales or plates are embedded in an elastic material of the flexible inner wall.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner wall includes a flexible cover sleeve fabricated from abrasion-resistant material, the flexible cover sleeve positioned around or on the flexible inner wall.

9 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner wall is fabricated from a wear resistant flexible material having embedded or molded-in reinforcing fibers.

10 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein deformation of the flexible inner wall is non-symmetrically around the inner passageway.

11 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is a micro-satellite propulsion assembly.

12 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is a fluid injector or a gas burner assembly.

13 . A valve assembly comprising:
an outer wall and a flexible inner wall defining an enclosed cavity between the outer wall and the flexible inner wall; and a portal of the outer wall for inputting or outputting magnetic fluid to or from the enclosed cavity; wherein when geometric variation of an inner passageway of valve assembly is desired, a magnetic field of two magnet members positioned proximal to the inner passageway is turned off or reduced, thereby allowing deformation of the flexible inner wall to create a variable geometry of the inner passageway via flow of input fluid to the inner passageway; and wherein when the magnetic field of the two magnet members is turned on or increased, the magnetic fluid becomes a viscoelastic solid or semi-solid, thereby allowing the solidified or semi-solidified magnetic fluid to remain in a desired or achieved geometry relative to the inner passageway or relative to a valve positioned in the inner passageway.

14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the magnetic fluid comprises at least one of ferromagnetic fluid, magnetorheological fluid, non-Newtonian magnetic fluid, or a general viscous magnetic fluid.

15 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the flexible inner wall is fabricated from an elastic material, and wherein the flexible inner wall has a variable thickness along a length of the flexible inner wall.

16 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein via deformation of the flexible inner wall, a throat area of the inner passageway closes or opens.

17 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein an outer surface of the flexible inner wall includes a plurality of scales or plates.

18 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the flexible inner wall is fabricated from a wear resistant flexible material having embedded or molded-in reinforcing fibers.

19 . A method for utilizing a nozzle assembly comprising:
providing an outer wall and a flexible inner wall defining an enclosed cavity between the outer wall and the flexible inner wall; positioning a portal of the outer wall for inputting or outputting magnetic fluid to or from the enclosed cavity; inputting the magnetic fluid to the enclosed cavity via the portal; and positioning two magnet members proximal to an inner passageway of the nozzle assembly; wherein when geometric variation of the inner passageway is desired, turning off or reducing a magnetic field of the two magnet members, thereby allowing deformation of the flexible inner wall to create a variable geometry of the inner passageway via flow of input fluid to the inner passageway; and wherein when the magnetic field of the two magnet members is turned on or increased, the magnetic fluid becomes a viscoelastic solid or semi-solid, thereby allowing the solidified or semi-solidified magnetic fluid to remain in a desired or achieved geometry relative to the inner passageway.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the magnetic fluid comprises at least one of ferromagnetic fluid, magnetorheological fluid, non-Newtonian magnetic fluid, or a general viscous magnetic fluid; and
wherein the flexible inner wall is fabricated from an elastic material, and wherein the flexible inner wall has a variable thickness along a length of the flexible inner wall.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Kilchyk Viktor
• Colson Darryl

Classifications

• B05B1/32

  in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening {(B05B1/3033 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16K7/07

  by means of fluid pressure · CPC title

• F16K7/045

  by electric or magnetic means · CPC title

• F05D2300/501

  Elasticity · CPC title

• F05D2300/507

  Magnetic properties · CPC title