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: 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 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 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 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.

Abstract: The valve (100) comprises a valve body (101), a valve seat insert (103) assembled to the valve body (101), and a valve seal member (120) compressively assembled to and sealing to both the valve body (101) and the valve seat insert (103), with the valve seal member (120) including one or more port apertures (202).

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 pinch valve (100) is provided. The pinch valve (100) includes a base (101). The pinch valve (100) further includes a deformable sleeve (405), including an aperture (406), coupled to the base (101). The pinch valve (100) further includes one or more shape memory alloy elements (203) coupled to the base (101) and extending around at least a portion of the deformable sleeve (405).

Abstract: A bistable valve (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The bistable valve (100) includes an armature (108) movable to selectively block and unblock at least a first port (104) and a biasing device (112) configured to provide a first biasing force that biases the armature (108) toward a first position blocking the first port (104). The bistable valve (100) further includes a plurality of substantially radially magnetized permanent magnets (114) configured to provide a second biasing force to the armature (108) substantially opposite to the first biasing force and an electromagnetic coil (116) configured to generate a third biasing force when energized with a first current polarity. The third biasing force is substantially opposite to the first biasing force and in combination with the second biasing force overcomes the first biasing force and moves the armature (108).

Abstract: A valve unit (120) is provided according to the invention. The valve unit (120) includes a valve body (121), two or more fasteners (128) adapted for affixing the valve body (121) to a base, and two or more fastener grooves (125) formed in two or more sides of the valve body (121). The two or more corresponding fasteners (128) rest in the two or more fastener grooves (125). The valve unit (120) further includes a fastener link (100) extending between the two or more fasteners (128) and holding the two or more fasteners (128) substantially in the two or more grooves (125).

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 multiple coil solenoid valve (100) is provided. The multiple coil solenoid valve comprises a first solenoid coil (101A) and at least a second solenoid coil (101B). One or more magnetic cores (210) are positioned at least partially between the first and second solenoid coils (101A, 101B). The multiple coil solenoid valve (100) also includes one or more movable armatures (211) movable between a first position and at least a second position. The one or more movable armatures (211) are positioned at least partially between the first and second solenoid coils (101A, 101B).

Abstract: A bistable valve (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The bistable valve (100) includes an armature (108) movable to selectively block and unblock at least a first port (104) and a biasing device (112) configured to provide a first biasing force that biases the armature (108) toward a first position blocking the first port (104). The bistable valve (100) further includes a plurality of substantially radially magnetized permanent magnets (114) configured to provide a second biasing force to the armature (108) substantially opposite to the first biasing force and an electromagnetic coil (116) configured to generate a third biasing force when energized with a first current polarity. The third biasing force is substantially opposite to the first biasing force and in combination with the second biasing force overcomes the first biasing force and moves the armature (108).

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 oppositio 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).