Abstract: The invention describes a dosing system (3) for a shear-thinning or thixotropic liquid to viscous dosing material. It comprises a nozzle (1) with a closure channel (55), within which a closure element (21) is controlled during operation by means of an automatic control unit (63) in an ejection direction (E) and/or retraction direction (R). To this end, the closure channel (55) is realized in at least one cross-section perpendicular to the ejection direction (E) and/or retraction direction (R) relative to the cross-section of the closure element (21) in the same plane to give an aperture gap (57) between the outer surface (S1) of the closure element (21) and the inner surface (S2) of the closure channel (55), which aperture gap (57) is shaped and/or dimensioned to form an outlet channel, at least in places, for the dosing material.

Abstract: A drop-detection device detects a drop that escapes from a metering valve. The drop-detection device includes a light guide with first and second light-guiding elements that are arranged opposite each other at an intermediate space. A drop trajectory runs through the intermediate space such that a light beam sent out by the first light-guiding element crosses the drop trajectory and is subsequently coupled into the second light-guiding element. In addition, the drop-detection device includes a light-signal generation device that couples a pulsed light beam with a carrier frequency into the first light-guiding element. Furthermore, the drop-detection device also has a light evaluation device for evaluating the light beam coupled into the second light-guiding element to determine if a drop has been dispensed by the metering valve. A method of detecting a drop is also described.

Abstract: The invention describes a piezo driving circuit, comprising an input at which a temporally variable voltage signal is applied; a piezo interface for connecting terminals of a piezo actuator arrangement with at least one voltage controlled piezo actuator; a sync control circuit realized to detect the phase position of the voltage signal; and an inverter circuit between the input and the piezo interface; whereby the sync control circuit is realized to control the inverter circuit, based on the phase position of the voltage signal, such that a control voltage with a predefined voltage curve is applied at the piezo interface. The invention further describes a method of controlling a piezo actuator arrangement. The invention also describes a piezo actuator configuration comprising a piezo actuator arrangement and an inventive piezo driving circuit. The invention also describes a metering valve comprising the inventive piezo actuator configuration.

Abstract: The invention discloses a metering valve for metering a metering material, having a valve chamber comprising an outlet aperture, a closure element arranged in or on to the valve chamber, a valve chamber casing and an actuator assembly realized to move at least the outlet aperture, preferably the valve chamber, relative to the valve chamber casing in an ejection direction and/or a retraction direction during operation such that, in at least one movement mode, metering material is expelled by the closure element through the outlet aperture by a movement of the outlet aperture in the ejection direction. The invention further discloses a metering method which can be performed by means of such a metering valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing systemwith a nozzle having an outlet opening, in the region of which a closure element is movably arranged, which is moved in an ejection and/or retracting direction during operation, wherein the closure element is thus coupled to at least two piezoelectric actuators which are connected in opposite direction such that a first piezoelectric actuator, when it is expanded in operation, moves the closure element in the retracting direction and a second piezoelectric actuator, when it is expanded in operation, moves the closure element in the ejection direction. The invention also relates to a dosing method that can be carried out using such a dosing system and to a method for producing such a dosing system.

Abstract: A dosing system for a liquid or viscous dosing material, including an actuator system, that has at least one actuating element and a nozzle with an outlet opening. The dosing system is designed so that during a movement in a closure direction the actuating element is initially moved in a first partial movement in such a way that the actuating element is separated from the closure element at a stop location, intended for that purpose, and then comes into contact with the closure element at the stop location and exerts an impulse on the closure element. This also relates to a corresponding dosing method.

Abstract: The invention discloses a metering valve for metering a metering material, having a valve chamber comprising an outlet aperture, a closure element arranged in or on to the valve chamber, a valve chamber casing and an actuator assembly realized to move at least the outlet aperture, preferably the valve chamber, relative to the valve chamber casing in an ejection direction and/or a retraction direction during operation such that, in at least one movement mode, metering material is expelled by the closure element through the outlet aperture by a movement of the outlet aperture in the ejection direction. The invention further discloses a metering method which can be performed by means of such a metering valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing systemwith a nozzle having an outlet opening, in the region of which a closure element is movably arranged, which is moved in an ejection and/or retracting direction during operation, wherein the closure element is thus coupled to at least two piezoelectric actuators which are connected in opposite direction such that a first piezoelectric actuator, when it is expanded in operation, moves the closure element in the retracting direction and a second piezoelectric actuator, when it is expanded in operation, moves the closure element in the ejection direction. The invention also relates to a dosing method that can be carried out using such a dosing system and to a method for producing such a dosing system.

Abstract: The invention describes a dosing system (3) for a shear-thinning or thixotropic liquid to viscous dosing material. It comprises a nozzle (1) with a closure channel (55), within which a closure element (21) is controlled during operation by means of an automatic control unit (63) in an ejection direction (E) and/or retraction direction (R). To this end, the closure channel (55) is realized in at least one cross-section perpendicular to the ejection direction (E) and/or retraction direction (R) relative to the cross-section of the closure element (21) in the same plane to give an aperture gap (57) between the outer surface (S1) of the closure element (21) and the inner surface (S2) of the closure channel (55), which aperture gap (57) is shaped and/or dimensioned to form an outlet channel, at least in places, for the dosing material.