Patent ID: 8464750

Claim:
A magnetostrictive pressure regulating system, comprising: a magnetostrictive valve that includes a magnetostrictive actuator with at least one current-carrying coil disposed thereabout, said magnetostrictive actuator controlling a flow of fluid through said magnetostrictive valve; a pressure force sensing assembly that includes (i) a rod made from a solid piece of magnetostrictive material, said rod having a longitudinal axis, (ii) a non-magnetic housing encasing said rod and supporting sliding movement of said rod therein in a direction aligned with said longitudinal axis thereof, (iii) a magnetic field generator supporting said housing and said rod and inducing a magnetic field in and surrounding said rod wherein lines of magnetic flux pass through said rod and are substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis thereof, and (iv) a magnetic flux sensor positioned adjacent to said rod, approximately aligned with a center of mass of said rod, and in said magnetic field for measuring changes in flux angle when said rod experiences an applied force that is aligned with said longitudinal axis thereof, said pressure force sensing assembly adapted to be in fluid communication with the fluid exiting said magnetostrictive valve wherein pressure of the fluid causes said applied force; and a controller coupled to said magnetic flux sensor and to said at least one current-carrying coil for adjusting a current supplied to said at least one current-carrying coil based on said changes so-measured by said magnetic flux sensor.