Abstract: A shut-off valve apparatus has a valve body and a valve member coupled to the valve body. The valve member is movable between a first position blocking material flow through the valve body and a second position permitting material flow through the valve body. A pneumatic actuator receives pressurized air to move the valve member from the first position to the second position. A pneumatic exhaust controller controls the flow of pressurized air into and out of the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: A device for controlling at least one gas-changing valve (10) of an internal combustion engine includes a valve adjuster (20) with an adjusting piston (16) limiting two pressure chamber (17, 18). The lower pressure chamber (18) is permanently acted upon by fluid pressure and the upper pressure chamber (17) can be interchangeably pressurized or depressurized with the fluid pressure. The braking of the adjusting piston (16) before reaching its upper end position affecting the closing position of the gas-changing valve, the return (22) of the upper pressure chamber (17) is divided into at least two axially spaced run-off openings (221, 222), of which the lower run-off opening (222) can be closed by the adjusting piston (16) and the upper run-off opening (221) is connected with the lower run-off opening (222) via a throttle opening (23) controllable in an opening cross section.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator having AND gate logic characteristics is disclosed. The actuator has three chambers each divided into two chamber portions by respective flexible diaphragms. One of the diaphragms acts as a valve closing member and controls the flow of a pressurized fluid through the actuator to actuate an associated device when fluid flow is permitted. The other two diaphragms are in mechanical contact with one another and in hydraulic communication with the one diaphragm and thereby control its motion, keeping it normally closed and preventing fluid flow but allowing it to move into an open position permitting fluid flow and actuation of the associated device only when each of the two diaphragms are subject to separate, concurrent drops in pressure which allows both of them to deflect away from the one diaphragm.

Abstract: A booster pilot valve operable at ultra low power levels is provided. The booster valve includes a moveable spool capable of directing a fluid flow to at least two different paths. The booster valve may be coupled to a piezotronic three-way valve, which controls the movement of the spool by redirecting a main fluid flow along different paths to create a force on the spool. The piezotronic valve is capable of actuation at very low power levels such as might be provided by a Profibus PA or other Bus system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a main water supply. The remote shut-off valve comprises a diaphragm valve and a pilot valve which are connected together by way of flexible tubes so that that pilot valve can be located in a desired location remote from the diaphragm valve. Part of the flow channels between the diaphragm valve and the pilot valve, and also the flow channel to the control chamber of the diaphragm valve are located within the body of the diaphragm valve. Quick-release connectors can be provided to connect the flexible tubes to the pilot valve and to the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: Described is a system designed to control the slit valve used to isolate chambers in cluster tools used in integrated circuit (IC) fabrication. This method changes the slit valve door actuator pneumatic pressure and movement during the closing sequence. As the door nears the fully closed position, its speed is reduced. This results in a soft touch landing or seating of the door and reduces the number of particles generated over systems incorporating higher pressure in the door closure. Once the door is seated in a fully closed position, higher pressure is applied to maintain a tight seal between chambers. By reducing the particles generated, the overall IC yield for both production and test wafer lots will improve. Reducing wear on the door and door seat, fewer parts such as the door, door seat and slit valve O-ring are consumed, and both scheduled and unscheduled maitenance times are shortened.

Abstract: A two-stage valve for controlling the flow of gas from a pressurized gas supply with an upper main body including a cavity; a lower main body with at least one flow exhaust passage forming a primary flow path through the two-stage valve; a pre-stressed diaphragm sandwiched between the upper and lower main bodies, and pressure control capability for controlling the pressure in the cavity. A secondary flow path exists from the pressurized gas supply through the lower main body, through the upper main body, and terminating in the cavity in the upper main body. A first valve is installed in the secondary flow path to open and close the flow of gas from the pressurized gas supply to the cavity. A second valve installed in an exhaust passage in the upper main body allows the pressure in the cavity to exhaust to the environment. When the second valve is closed, the pressure in the cavity in the upper main body can be increased to lower the pre-stressed diaphragm.

Abstract: Embodiments of a low-pressure actuator, for use in a dry, low-pressure, pressurized gas, liquid fire control and suppression sprinkler system, with a pneumatic/electric double interlock mechanism, which requires that two separate events, such as discharging air pressure from the sprinkler system, and an electrical detection, must occur in order for the sprinkler check valve to be activated, thereby allowing water into the sprinkler system, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a low-pressure actuator is utilized in series with a liquid flow valve equipped with a solenoid and an electrical detector/sensor for detecting an event such as the occurrence of smoke, heat, or a high rate of temperature rise. In alternative embodiments, the low-pressure actuator itself is equipped with the solenoid and detector/sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector for an injection system for injecting highly pressurized fuel into the combustion chambers of internal combustion engines. An inlet from the high-pressure accumulation chamber feeds into a control chamber that can be connected to the nozzle inlet of the injection nozzle by means of a sealing seat that can be opened. In order to close the leakage oil outlet when the inlet line from the high-pressure accumulation chamber is opened, a sealing surface covers outlet-side control edges on the valve housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve incorporating a flexible diaphragm, and improves upon known diaphragm valves to permit the use of a diaphragm-controlled valve in systems for which such valves were not previously suitable or utilized. There is provided a valve which includes a housing (2, 3, 34) having a hollow interior within an outer housing surface (31), a diaphragm (1a, 1b) extending across the interior and creating a diaphragm control chamber (10) within the interior, a valve seat (4) against which a part (1a) of the diaphragm can seal, a first conduit (5) leading around at least part of the valve seat, a second conduit (6) leading to within the valve seat, and a diaphragm control means (8, 9, 91, 92, 101, 111, 112), wherein the diaphragm control chamber is isolated from the first and second conduits. A valve unit and a lower control system are also disclosed, utilizing one or more valves as herein described.

Abstract: In a hydraulically actuated gas exchange valve, the initiation and termination of gas exchange is achieved with a hydraulically driven valve that functions by opening an actuation fluid passage to a high pressure inlet source and a low pressure drain, respectively. The large amount of fluid needed to actuate a gas exchange valve can result in dynamic flow forces around the hydraulically driven valve making closing of the valve with a conventional biasing spring problematic. The small size of the valve limits the size and therefore strength of the biasing springs. Likewise, the need to provide a sufficiently strong spring limits valve designs. The present invention is intended to provide superior control over the timing of gas exchange by employing a hydraulic bias in place of the conventional biasing spring. Hydraulic bias allows both a greater closing force on the valve than could be provided with a spring, and allows for greater versatility in future valve designs.

Abstract: An improved modulating expansion valve includes a housing having a high pressure side, a low pressure side and a piston reciprocally mounted in a portion positioned centrally therebetween. A manifold is sealingly mounted above the piston, and a high pressure control passageway extends from the valve inlets, through the manifold, to a chamber on top of the piston. A low pressure passageway extends from the chamber through the manifold to the valve outlet. A pair of electrically operated solenoids open and close the high and low pressure passageways to operate the valve. Substantially infinite control of the solenoids provide for modulating control of the valve in a semi-hermetically sealed expansion valve.

Abstract: A thruster valve has a continuously positionable piston between a closed position and a maximum open position. The piston moves in response to the difference in pressure between the pressure in the intermediate annulus and the pressure behind the piston. A pivotable flapper valve regulates this pressure difference. When a change in thrust is required, the position of the flapper is changed causing a change in this pressure difference which causes the piston to move until the desired thrust level is obtained.