Abstract: Devices and a method are described herein for fixing a valve to a base via a single point on the base. The valve may be fixed to the base using a plate inserted through a slot in the base and along a face of the valve body. The plate may include a head at one end to retain the plate in the slot. A valve may also be fixed to a base using a combination of a brace and a screw that threads into the base. The brace may include a lip that fits into a grove on the shaft of the screw. The valve body may include a lip to retain the combined screw and brace when the screw is not threaded into the base.

Abstract: An electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) is provided. The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) comprises a layered assembly (110) comprised of a dielectric layer (120) disposed between a first plate (130) and a second plate (140). The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) also includes a first fluid port (130a, 130b) formed in an outer surface of the layered assembly (110), and at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) comprised of an electrode (212-512) disposed between the first plate (130) and a dielectric deformable material (214-514), wherein the electrode (212-512) is attached to the dielectric deformable material (214-514).

Abstract: An electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) is provided. The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) comprises a layered assembly (110) comprised of a dielectric layer (120) disposed between a first plate (130) and a second plate (140). The electroactive material fluid control apparatus (100) also includes a first fluid port (130a, 130b) formed in an outer surface of the layered assembly (110), and at least one fluid control device (200, 300, 400, 500) comprised of an electrode (212-512) disposed between the first plate (130) and a dielectric deformable material (214-514), wherein the electrode (212-512) is attached to the dielectric deformable material (214-514).

Abstract: A Shape Metal Alloy actuated valve assembly is provided with a support structure having electromechanical connection points arranged on its surface. Actuation of a SMA element, arranged to provide a connection between the support structure contact and the contact on the plunger, will cause the plunger to either move from an open position a closed position or vice versa. The support structure is provided with multiple contact or connection points for engaging an SMA element so that the valve assembly can be configured to provide a normally closed (NC), a normally open (NO), proportional or a latch valve assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of, and means for, connecting components of a moveable sub-assembly in a fluid control valve. To control a dimensional characteristic of the moveable sub-assembly, a first component of the sub-assembly can be crimped to create a mechanical connection to a second component of the moveable sub-assembly. The sub-components may be configured such that in the absence of the crimp they can be moveably translated between a plurality of positions and they may be slideably translatable between a number of relative positions, while the crimp acts, once formed, to retain the sub-components in a chosen position relative to one another.

Abstract: A valve (100) including a housing (101) has a fluid inlet (102) and a fluid outlet (205). The valve (100) includes a vibrating element (206) adapted to vibrate when energized. The valve (100) also includes an amplifying plate (207) that is coupled to the vibrating element (106). The amplifying plate (207) includes a fluid passage (208). The fluid passage (208) provides fluid communication between the fluid inlet (102) and the fluid outlet (205). The valve (100) also includes a sealing ball (209) located between the fluid inlet (102) and the amplifying plate (207). The sealing ball (209) is adapted to seal the fluid passage (208).

Abstract: A movable magnet actuator valve (100-1800) includes a valve body (110) comprised of a first fluid port (112) and a second fluid port (114-1814), an orifice (118-1818) that fluidly couples the first fluid port (112-1812) and the second fluid port (114-1814), a coil assembly (130-1830) coupled to the valve body (110) and adapted to carry a current that forms a current induced magnetic field. The movable magnet actuator valve (100-1800) also includes a magnet assembly (140-1840) disposed in the coil assembly (130-1830) and adapted to move linearly in the coil assembly (130-1830) to selectively press against the orifice (118-1818), and a pole piece (150-1850) adapted to form a pole force (Fo) on the magnet assembly (140-1840).

Abstract: A dual orifice variable flow rate valve (100, 700, 900) is provided. The dual orifice variable flow rate valve (100, 700, 900) includes a valve body (110, 710, 910) with a first fluid port (112, 712, 912) and a second fluid port (114, 714, 914), the first fluid port (112, 712, 912) having a first fluid orifice (112a, 712a, 912a) and a dual valve member (120, 720, 920) disposed in the valve body (110, 710, 910). The dual valve member (120, 720, 920) includes a first valve member (122, 722, 922) disposed in the valve body (110, 710, 910), the first valve member (122, 722, 922) having a second fluid orifice (122e, 722e, 922e) fluidly coupled to the first fluid port (112, 712, 912) and a first distal end (122a, 722a, 922a) proximate the first fluid orifice (112a, 712a, 912a) and a second valve member (124, 724, 924) disposed in the valve body (110, 710, 910) proximate the second fluid orifice (122e, 722e, 922e) in the first valve member (122, 722, 922).

Abstract: A Shape Metal Alloy actuated valve assembly is provided with a support structure having electromechanical connection points arranged on its surface. Actuation of a SMA element, arranged to provide a connection between the support structure contact and the contact on the plunger, will cause the plunger to either move from an open position a closed position or vice versa. The support structure is provided with multiple contact or connection points for engaging an SMA element so that the valve assembly can be configured to provide a normally closed (NC), a normally open (NO), proportional or a latch valve assembly.

Abstract: A solenoid valve (200) is provided. The solenoid valve (200) comprises a fixed core (206) and a movable armature (420). The solenoid valve (200) further comprises a metallic tube bobbin (308) surrounding at least a portion of the fixed core (206) and/or the movable armature (420). A wire coil (203) is wrapped around the metallic tube bobbin (308).

Abstract: Devices and a method are described herein for fixing a valve to a base via a single point on the base. The valve may be fixed to the base using a plate inserted through a slot in the base and along a face of the valve body. The plate may include a head at one end to retain the plate in the slot. A valve may also be fixed to a base using a combination of a brace and a screw that threads into the base. The brace may include a lip that fits into a grove on the shaft of the screw. The valve body may include a lip to retain the combined screw and brace when the screw is not threaded into the base.

Abstract: A valve assembly (100) is provided. The valve assembly (100) comprises a housing (101) with a plurality of fluid ports (102-105d). The housing (101) includes an actuator chamber (107) configured to receive a fluid. The housing (101) also includes a valve chamber (108) configured to receive the fluid after flowing through the actuator chamber (107). The valve assembly (100) further includes one or more shape memory alloy elements (109a-109d) located within the actuator chamber (108). One or more valve seals (220a-220d) located within the valve chamber (108) are provided. The shape memory alloy elements (109) are coupled to each of the valve seals (220a-220d) to selectively move the valve seals (220a-220d) between a first position and a second position upon heating the corresponding shape memory alloy element (109a-109d) above a transformation temperature.

Abstract: A valve (201) is provided that comprises a housing (202) including a fluid inlet (332) and a fluid outlet (204). The valve (201) also includes one or more vibrating elements (409) configured to vibrate when energized. The valve (201) further comprises an amplifying plate (410) including a fluid passage (412) and one or more pressure-balancing apertures (413) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet (332), contacting the one or more vibrating elements (409). A sealing ball (407) is positioned between the fluid inlet (332) and the fluid passage (412).

Abstract: A latching valve is provided. The latching valve comprises a valve seal movable between first and second positions to selectively open a fluid communication path between fluid inlet and outlet ports. The latching valve also includes a first pilot valve seal movable between first and second positions. The first pilot valve seal selectively provides a pressurized fluid to a pilot control chamber, wherein pressurized fluid within the pilot control chamber biases the valve seal towards the first position. The latching valve also includes a second pilot valve seal movable between a first position and a second position. The second pilot valve seal selectively exhausts the pressurized fluid in the pilot control chamber. The latching valve also includes one or more shape memory alloy elements to actuate one or more of the first and second pilot valve seals between the first and second positions upon heating above a transformation temperature.

Abstract: A valve sub-base (100) is provided. The valve sub-base (100) includes a coupling system (200). The valve sub-base (100) includes a female coupling member (106a) formed on a first side (151) of the valve sub-base (100). The valve sub-base (100) also includes a male coupling member (106b) formed on a second side (152) of the valve sub-base (100) and configured to engage a corresponding female coupling member (106a) on an adjoining valve sub-base (100) to couple two or more valve sub-bases (100).

Abstract: A valve (100) is provided. The valve (100) includes a base portion (10). The base portion (10) includes one or more solenoid coils (101A, 101B) and one or more cartridge receivers (104, 104?) coupled to the one or more solenoid coils (101A, 101B). The valve (100) also includes one or more removable cartridges (103). A removable cartridge (103) of the one or more removable cartridges includes a magnetic core (210) and a movable armature (211). A removable cartridge (103) of the one or more removable cartridges is adapted to removably engage the one or more cartridge receivers (104, 104?).

Abstract: A solenoid valve (200) is provided. The solenoid valve (200) comprises a fixed core (206) and a movable armature (420). The solenoid valve (200) further comprises a metallic tube bobbin (308) surrounding at least a portion of the fixed core (206) and/or the movable armature (420). A wire coil (203) is wrapped around the metallic tube bobbin (308).

Abstract: A rocker valve mechanism (125) is provided according to the invention. The rocker valve mechanism (125) includes a port portion (110) including a plurality of ports (113-115), a first plunger (130), and a second plunger (131) acting in opposition and moving substantially in parallel with the first plunger (130). The rocker valve mechanism (125) is biased toward a first position blocking a third port (115) and configured to be actuated to a second position blocking a first port (113).

Abstract: A latching valve (100) is provided. The latching valve (100) comprises a valve seal (102) movable between a first position and a second position to selectively open a fluid communication path between a fluid inlet port (330) and a fluid outlet port (331). The latching valve (100) also includes a first pilot valve seal (104a) movable between a first position and a second position. The first pilot valve seal (104a) selectively provides a pressurized fluid to a pilot control chamber (332), wherein pressurized fluid within the pilot control chamber (332) biases the valve seal (102) towards the first position. The latching valve (100) also includes a second pilot valve seal (104b) movable between a first position and a second position. The second pilot valve seal (104b) selectively exhausts the pressurized fluid in the pilot control chamber (332).

Abstract: A valve assembly (100) is provided. The valve assembly (100) comprises a housing (102) including a plurality of fluid couplings (103, 104a-104d). The valve assembly (100) further includes two or more valve members (107a-107d) movable within the housing (102) between a first position and a second position. A shape memory alloy element (108) is coupled to the two or more valve members (107a-107d) to independently actuate each of the two or more valve members (107a-107d) between the first and second positions upon heating a selected portion of the shape memory alloy element (108) above a transformation temperature.