Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve. The valve includes a valve element having a metering opening, a valve gate which is movable in translation for the opening and closing of the metering opening, an actuating actuator configured for the execution of a tilting movement, and a lever arm which is coupled to the actuating actuator and which converts the tilting movement of the actuating actuator for the opening and closing of the metering opening into a translatory stroke movement of the valve gate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve comprising a valve housing having a valve inlet and outlet, a valve seat arranged in the direction or flow of the fluid between the valve inlet and outlet, a closure means which is movably arranged in the valve housing and has a first side and a second side, wherein the closure means closes off the valve seat tightly when the valve is in the closed state, a balancing opening for producing a pressure compensation between the first side and the second side of the closure means, and at least one control actuator, wherein the control actuator closes off the balancing opening of the closure means in a closed position and frees the balancing opening of the closure means in an open position so that the closure means frees the valve seat as a result of a pressure compensation via the balancing opening

Abstract: A system for facilitating obesity control includes an inflatable gastric banding device, a fluid reservoir couplable to the inflatable portion, and an implantable fluid handling device including one or more piezoelectric valves.

Abstract: A sub sea actuator including an actuator housing. An activating element is movably arranged between activating and deactivating positions, respectively. A return spring is supported in the actuator housing to move the activating element into the deactivating position. The sub sea actuator includes an SMA element supported in the actuator housing and arranged with a temperature elevator configured to control a temperature of the SMA element. The SMA element acts on the activating element to move the activating element into the activating position against the force of the return spring in result of a rise in the temperature of the SMA element.

Abstract: The faucet assembly employs a sensor on the side of the spigot to control the flow of water from the spigot. An initial waving of a user's hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be opened and a subsequent waving of the user's hand across the sensor causes the spigot to be closed.

Abstract: A needle is received in a nozzle body and is adapted to reciprocate relative to an injection hole to open and close the injection hole. A pressure chamber receives the fuel and exerts a pressure against the needle in an opening direction away from the injection hole upon increasing of the pressure of the fuel in the pressure chamber. A damper arrangement is actuated upon increasing of the pressure in the pressure chamber to alleviate a change in the pressure in the pressure chamber. A pressurizing piston reciprocates to increase and decrease the pressure of the fuel in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus includes a fluid outlet located on a first side of a barrier and at least one electrically powered component located on a second side of the barrier. The apparatus also includes a wireless power transfer device to supply power to the electrically powered component.

Abstract: A method of controlling a main fluid in a conduit using a microvalve is described. The microvalve includes a corresponding actuation aperture in an actuation aperture layer. A control fluid flows through the actuation aperture in response to an electric field applied via a charge distribution near an actuation aperture layer. In one embodiment, the electric field may adjust the opening and closing of the actuation aperture thereby controlling the flow of the control fluid. In a second embodiment, the control fluid is an electrorheological fluid where the electric field controls the viscosity of the ER fluid, thereby controlling fluid flow through the actuation aperture. In both embodiments the flow of the control fluid controls stretching of a flexible membrane into and out of the conduit, thereby controlling the flow of the main fluid by opening or closing the conduit.

Abstract: A procedure for dosing a reducing agent into the exhaust gas of an combustion engine with a valve is presented, which shows a solenoid and a movable seal body for adjusting a percolation profile, whose value is depending on the current through the solenoid, whereby the valve is triggered by a current profile, which shows two consecutive sectors. The procedure distinguishes itself in that it is checked in the first sector whether the valve is frozen or whether a danger of freezing exists, and that an electric energy that has been fed into the solenoid with the electric current is set in the second sector depending on the result of the checking. Furthermore a controller is introduced, which is customized for controlling the process of such a procedure.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of the flow rate of a valve in a fluidic delivery device in which a desired flow rate may be achieved by varying the duty cycle of the valve. The flow rate of fluid delivery from the valve over its lifetime is stabilized by minimizing the voltage OPENING time of the valve to account for valve and piezoelectric actuator drift. Also, the valve OPENING time of one or more fluidic parameters that impact on the flow rate delivery by the valve and differ among fluidic delivery devices is compensated to optimize the flow rate accuracy.

Abstract: A valve device includes an oil path that is formed such that a hydraulic fluid flows therethrough, a ball valve that opens and closes the oil path, and a contraction-type PVC gel actuator including a plurality of planar cathode plates, a plurality of mesh-like anode plates, and PVC gel layers. The cathode plates and the anode plates are alternately stacked one on top of the other with the PVC gel layers sandwiched therebetween. With expansion or contraction deformation of the contraction-type PVC gel actuator, the ball valve is driven so as to close or open the oil path. The cathode plates and the anode plates included in the contraction-type PVC gel actuator are interconnected using the belt-like wiring portions. Thus, an integrated unit of the plurality of cathode plates and an integrated unit of the plurality of anode plates are formed.

Abstract: According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric pump may include a hydraulic fluid path between a low pressure source and a high pressure tool port; a fluid disposed in the hydraulic fluid path; a piston in communication with the fluid; and a piezoelectric material connected to the piston to pump the fluid through the high pressure tool port.

Abstract: A piezoelectric valve having a housing is provided with an inner chamber, in which ends at least one nozzle communicating with an associated port for a medium and provided with a sealing seat having a seat face, a deformable piezoelectric bending element being received in the inner chamber of the housing in such a way that the nozzle can be closed by a portion of the bending element movable relative to the nozzle in response to deformation of the bending element, and the bending element being provided with padding of an elastically resilient material, at least in its region opposite the nozzle. This sealing seat is disposed at the end face of a nozzle insert, which is disposed to be displaceable substantially perpendicular to the seat face in a receptacle fixed to the housing, a thermally expandable compensating member acting between the receptacle and the associated nozzle insert.

Abstract: A relief valve and related systems and methods have particular use in fluid distribution lines. The relief valve comprises a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. A connector piece is connected to the body at the first opening to connect the valve to a fluid distribution line. A rupture disc is disposed within and obstructs the first opening. When it is desired that fluid from the fluid distribution line be vented from the system, the rupture disc is punctured via activation of an active material initiator and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening of the valve.

Abstract: A control valve has a body that forms a valve chamber and a valve seat, a metal diaphragm installed inside the valve chamber and making contact with and departing from the valve seat, an actuator box fixed to the side of the body, a piezoelectric element installed inside the actuator box to thrust the metal diaphragm through mediation of a metal diaphragm presser by elongating downward when voltage is applied, a conical spring mechanism that absorbs elongation of the piezoelectric element at the time when the metal diaphragm makes contact with the valve seat and a prescribed thrust is applied to the valve seat and the like, and a preload mechanism that applies upward compressive force to the piezoelectric element all the time wherein the compressive force applied to the piezoelectric element is externally adjustable.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system to dissipate heat in an information handling system includes a first heat-generating component adapted to process first data and a second heat-generating component adapted to process second data. The system also includes a cooling fluid guide including an electroactive material. The cooling fluid guide is adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape, in response to receiving a trigger voltage or in response to no longer receiving the trigger voltage. The system also includes a controller adapted to detect a data load processed at the second heat-generating component and, in response to detecting the data load, to cause the trigger voltage to be received at, or no longer received at, the cooling fluid guide. The cooling fluid guide is adapted to direct an increased portion of cooling fluid toward the first heat-generating component when the cooling fluid guide is in a form of the second shape, as compared to the first shape.

Abstract: A piezoelectric valve is provided that includes a valve body includes a plug and a drive body coupled to the valve body and operable to cause the rotatable plug to rotate about a rotational axis. The drive body includes a shaft disposed along the axis, the shaft statically coupled to the plug and rotatably coupled to the drive body. The drive body also includes a rotor assembly disposed about the axis and rotatably coupled to the drive body. The drive body further includes a first piezoelectric actuator disposed about the axis and statically coupled to the drive body, the first piezoelectric actuator configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the rotor assembly. The drive body additionally includes a second piezoelectric actuator disposed about the axis and statically coupled to the shaft, the second piezoelectric actuator configured to frictionally engage the inner surface of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A control valve has a body that forms a valve chamber and a valve seat, a metal diaphragm installed inside the valve chamber and making contact with and departing from the valve seat, an actuator box fixed to the side of the body, a piezoelectric element installed inside the actuator box to thrust the metal diaphragm through mediation of a metal diaphragm presser by elongating downward when voltage is applied, a conical spring mechanism that absorbs elongation of the piezoelectric element at the time when the metal diaphragm makes contact with the valve seat and a prescribed thrust is applied to the valve seat and the like, and a preload mechanism that applies upward compressive force to the piezoelectric element all the time wherein the compressive force applied to the piezoelectric element is externally adjustable.

Abstract: Provided is a microvalve having a magnetic wax plug which includes a micro fluidic structure having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a magnetic wax plug provided at a predetermined section where the inlet portion and the outlet portion meet, existing in a solid state, melted at a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, and reversibly moving along a magnetic field, so as to control flux of a fluid through the micro fluidic structure, a heating portion provided corresponding to the section and heating the magnetic wax plug to be melted, and a magnetic field application portion selectively applying a magnetic field to a position where the melted magnetic wax plug arrives.

Abstract: Stable flow control is made possible even under high-temperature environments by relieving tensional force applied to a piezoelectric element when a piezoelectric actuator is retracted. Thus, a piezoelectric driven control valve includes: a body having a valve seat; a metal diaphragm to contact with and separate from the valve seat; an actuator box supported ascendably and descendably on the body; a split base fixed to the body; a disc spring pressing and urging the actuator box downward to bring the metal diaphragm into contact with the valve seat; and a piezoelectric actuator housed inside the actuator box and that extends upward with application of voltage to press the actuator box upward against the elastic force of the disc spring, and a precompression mechanism, for applying a compression force constantly to piezoelectric elements in the piezoelectric actuator, provided between the split base and the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microvalve having a valve plug, connecting legs, anchors and actuators, allowing the valve plug to move vertically to open or close the valve. The valve plug can contain magnetic materials, and be operated by an actuator.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of the flow rate of a valve in a fluidic delivery device in which a desired flow rate may be achieved by varying the duty cycle of the valve. The flow rate of fluid delivery from the valve over its lifetime is stabilized by minimizing the voltage OPENING time of the valve to account for valve and piezoelectric actuator drift. Also, the valve OPENING time of one or more fluidic parameters that impact on the flow rate delivery by the valve and differ among fluidic delivery devices is compensated to optimize the flow rate accuracy.

Abstract: A valve-actuator includes a chamber, a spool that opens and closes connections between ports in the chamber, an actuator including a housing containing a piezoelectric stack having a bore, and a spring contacting the spool through the bore and forcing the stack toward the chamber, the stack expanding and contracting in response to a voltage, the spool moving in the chamber in response to said expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated device includes a body, a valve disposed within the body and an actuator for the valve, the actuator including a casing coupled with the body and a piezoelectric element disposed within the casing The actuator further includes a multi-function spring applying a preloading force to the piezoelectric element. The multi-function spring includes a first segment having a piston configured to translate a motion of the piezoelectric element during operation of the actuator, a second segment having at least one flexural element and a third segment having a first set of threads. The first set of threads is engaged with a second set of threads of the actuator and maintains the second segment in a tension state which corresponds with the preloading force.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids having a piezoelectric actuator unit which has an actuator base and an actuator head that acts on a coupling module which is connected to a valve closing member that cooperates with a valve seat; the actuator base is braced via a spherical face on a conical seat of a valve housing and has an O-ring seal on its circumference. The spherical face of the actuator base is located on the side of the O-ring seal facing away from the actuator head.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to microfluidic valves and pumping systems, which may be suitable for controlling and facilitating liquid flow. Electrodes are disposed proximately to volumes containing a liquid. The liquid flow can be facilitated by electrowetting forces. Processes for controlling the flow of liquids, as well as for pumping liquids, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing. A valve body is movable within the housing. The valve body has a land to selectively block or communicate a supply port to an outlet. A piezoelectric bending element actuator moves the valve body to selectively communicate the supply port to the outlet port.

Abstract: A valve is described having an inlet, an outlet, a sealing element and a device to generate a magnetic field, whereby the sealing element can be moved at least partially by the device and whereby the sealing element connects the inlet to the outlet in a fluid-conducting manner in that the sealing element lifts off at least partially from a valve seat wherein the sealing element is made at least partially of a foam element that can be deformed by the magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices, and in particular, flow management in such devices. In particular, the present invention provides an electrostatic valve for flow manipulation in a microfluidic device. The valve of the present invention sits on a valve seat in a microchannel and deflects away from the valve seat by electrostatic actuation to assume an opened configuration to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: A metering device has an actuating unit within a housing in which an actuator is inserted and a hydraulic compensating element. The hydraulic compensating element is connected to the actuator and can be filled with a fluid when subjected to pressure. A first end of the actuator is provided with a first end cap. The metering device further has a stop that is disposed on the housing in the form of a seat, faces the first end cap, and defines a stopping position for the first end cap. The stop maintains a maximum distance between a sealing element and the end cap, the distance being smaller than the actuator traveling distance such that the actuator stroke beyond the end cap is sufficient for opening the valve. The first end cap hits the stop when moving in the direction of the hydraulic compensating element such that the movement is blocked.

Abstract: Control method of the position of a solenoid valve using dithering; the control method provides the steps of: determining a target current across the solenoid valve which is expressed in digital form with a given minimum quantization interval; adding a dithering square wave to the target current; controlling the voltage applied to the solenoid valve to cause the current across the solenoid valve to track the target current added to the dithering square wave; jiggling the dithering square wave with a frequency which is a sub-multiple with respect to the maximum variation frequency of the current across the solenoid valve; and varying the amplitude of the dithering square wave for a fraction of the period of the dithering square wave itself and by an amount equal to the minimum quantization interval for temporarily determining a deviation of the mean value of the dithering square wave with respect to zero and therefore obtaining a corresponding variation of the mean value of the target current.

Abstract: Microfluidic valves constructed from elastomeric materials as the valve body components and employing shape memory alloy in wire form as the valve actuator. Various configurations of individual valves having both normally open and normally closed states are described. Apparatus using such valves and providing logic functionality with fluidic logic outputs are discussed. Apparatus that can be used for materials processing at the nano- or micro-scale are presented. Various forms of logical control of valve arrays are explained.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device including a housing having an internal chamber and at least one exhaust port communicating with the internal chamber. An ultrasonic waveguide in the internal chamber ultrasonically energizes liquid within the chamber prior to the liquid being exhausted through the exhaust port. The waveguide includes a valve member movable relative to the housing between a closed position closing the exhaust port, and an open position. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide to atomize liquid exiting the exhaust port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic slide valve for controlling flow-rate or pressure comprising at least one movable valve moving from a closed position by contacting a seat and an open position remote therefrom, the displacement of said valve being controlled by a piezoelectric washer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer protective enclosure for protecting humans, animals or perishables from hazardous agents in the environment. The enclosure contains a porous adaptive membrane structure that has movable membranes with insertable protrusions. The structure can be made to change its gas, liquid or particulate permeability in response to surrounding environmental conditions. Hence, the enclosure is highly breathable in a non-hazardous environment but impermeable or only semipermeable in a hazardous environment.

Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A control valve has a body that forms a valve chamber and a valve seat, a metal diaphragm installed inside the valve chamber and making contact with and departing from the valve seat, an actuator box fixed to the side of the body, a piezoelectric element installed inside the actuator box to thrust the metal diaphragm through mediation of a metal diaphragm presser by elongating downward when voltage is applied, a conical spring mechanism that absorbs elongation of the piezoelectric element at the time when the metal diaphragm makes contact with the valve seat and a prescribed thrust is applied to the valve seat and the like, and a preload mechanism that applies upward compressive force to the piezoelectric element all the time wherein the compressive force applied to the piezoelectric element is externally adjustable.

Abstract: The object is to provide a polymer actuator capable of being utilized for any of various drive sources, wherein the amount of deformation of the polymer actuator can particularly be used also for a valve or shaft-sealing device. The polymer actuator comprises a power driver deformed upon receiving electro stimuli and electrodes disposed on the upper and lower surface sides of the power driver in an opposite manner for applying positive and negative electro stimuli to the power driver in a planar fashion. The electrodes have different stimuli application regions to have different electrical field distributions for causing distribution of stress-generated in the power driver to be eccentrically located on one of positive and negative sides, thereby bending and deforming the power driver onto a side on which the opposite stimuli application regions do not exist.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprising a valve member (14) having surfaces (70, 72, 74, 76, 78) radially sized and axially situated to provide an axial sealing force to insure leakfree operation. When the valve member (14) is in a supply position, the sum of fluid forces imposed on the radial surfaces is positive towards supply position, and, when the valve member (14) is a nonsupply position, the sum of fluid forces imposed on the radial surfaces is positive towards the nonsupply position. The valve assembly (10) is compatible with a piezo-type actuator (18) that provides lift-shift forces early in its stroke. Once movement of the valve member (14) has been initiated by the actuator (18), the fluid forces can be relied upon to complete the shift and seal the valve member (14) against the corresponding seat (40/42).

Abstract: A pressure control valve having a common plenum formed by two flow control valves that each utilize electrically controlled piezoelectric actuators to generate a number of possible operating states and thus control an output pressure from the common plenum formed by the two flow control valves. The flow control valves each have at least one pressure fitting and nozzle, and a nozzle orifice sealing mechanism coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator may be a piezo-ceramic actuator fixed along one side to a chamber of the flow control valve and having a free side opposite the fixed side. Upon receiving a voltage of a desired magnitude and polarity, the free side of the piezo-ceramic actuator and the nozzle orifice sealing mechanism moves to control a fluid flow into the common plenum. By controllably dithering the piezoelectric actuators, the output pressure from the common plenum may be accurately regulated.

Abstract: A gimballed valve for a flow control valve operates as a sealing member for an adjustable nozzle and is coupled to a piezoelectric actuator having stacked piezoelectric members that are toroidally shaped. The gimballed valve includes at least two support rings and a center closure member. In one embodiment only an outermost support is in contact with at least one member of the piezoelectric actuator. The support rings may be concentrically arranged and coupled together with flexure members. The center closure member operates to seal against an orifice in the adjustable nozzle and may deflect upon contact with the adjustable nozzle to account for misalignment issues that may arise during machining and/or assembly of the flow control valve.

Abstract: The piezo injector includes a piezo element expanding when electrical charges supplied from an external DC source are accumulated therein, and contracting when the electrical charges are discharged therefrom, an open/close valve opening and closing in accordance with expansion and contraction of the piezo element, a housing containing therein the piezo element and the open/close valve, and an inductor element through which the electrical charges are accumulated in and discharged from the piezo element.

Abstract: In a control system and method for operating an ultrasonic liquid delivery device, an ultrasonic waveguide, separate from the housing, is disposed at least in part within an internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through an exhaust port. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the waveguide and a control system controls operation of the liquid delivery device between an excitation mode in which the excitation device is operated at an excitation frequency to excite the ultrasonic waveguide and a ring down mode in which the excitation device is inoperable to excite the waveguide such that the waveguide rings down. The control system monitors the ring down and is responsive to the ring down to adjust the excitation frequency of the excitation device in the excitation mode thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device has an elongate housing with an internal chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing, and an outlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide is disposed at least in part within the internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid within the internal chamber prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through the outlet. The ultrasonic waveguide has an agitating member extending outward from the ultrasonic waveguide within the internal chamber of the housing intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The agitating member and the ultrasonic waveguide are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating member relative to the ultrasonic waveguide upon ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic waveguide. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide and the agitating member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for a fuel injection valve has an actuator body with a multiplicity of ceramic layers and a multiplicity of electrode layers which are arranged between the ceramic layers. In this case, an external electrode is provided which is connected to some of the electrode layers. The external electrode has a plurality of longitudinal wires, which run in the longitudinal direction of the actuator body, and a plurality of weft wires, wherein a weft wire is passed through the longitudinal wires in such a way that some of the longitudinal wires run above the weft wire and other longitudinal wires run beneath the weft wire.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for a fuel injection valve has an actuator body with a plurality of ceramic layers and a plurality of electrode layers between the ceramic layers. There is a connection area between an electrode layer and a ceramic layer adjacent to the electrode layer, where the adhesive strength between the electrode layer and the ceramic layer is reduced in parts of the connection area to provide for a predetermined breaking point within the actuator body. This allows for a controlled rupture of layers within the actuator body with high forces, in particular high shear forces such as those that occur with stress due to shock.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microvalve employs a valve element formed of hermetically sealed and opposed plates flexed together by a cross axis piezoelectric element. Large flow modulation with small piezoelectric actuator displacement is obtained by perimeter augmentation of the valve seat which dramatically increases the change in valve flow area for small deflections.

Abstract: A fuel injecting device and method of controlling the fuel injection device. The fuel injection device includes a cylindrical body, a needle whose end includes with a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the end of the cylindrical body, an actuator made of an electroactive material, including a rod and that displaces the head such that the valve is opened, and a prestressing device holding the needle and a counterweight such that they are pressed against the rod opposite end. The needle extends coaxially to the cylindrical body in a form of a rigid bar and axially resonates when exposed to axial pulses at a determined excitation frequency by the actuator.