Abstract: A diaphragm-type solenoid valve has a valve body 3 fixed onto a base, a diaphragm 4 for opening and closing a valve seat 13 provided to an inner end of a second port 12, a plate 5 for forming a driving chamber 14 between the plate 5 and the diaphragm sandwiched between the plate 5 and the valve body 3, and a pilot valve 6 for supplying pilot fluid pressure to the driving chamber 14. In the diaphragm, a disc 20 is encapsulated in a portion facing the port 12, a sealing rib 21 corresponding to the valve seat is provided, and cushion projecting portions 22 and 23 for coming in contact with cushion receiving portions 32 and 33 of the plate 5 in valve opening are formed behind the portion where the disc is encapsulated.

Abstract: An improved micro-machined valve assembly includes a valve diaphragm that will not adhere to a valve seat during elevated temperature operation. In one embodiment, a portion of the diaphragm that is susceptible to adhering to the valve seat at elevated temperature is removed in the region where the diaphragm contacts the valve seat. In another embodiment, the valve diaphragm includes a metal layer applied to the portion of the diaphragm that comes into contact with the valve seat during operation of the valve. The metal layer extends the operating temperature of the valve by preventing adhesion of the diaphragm to the valve seat during high temperature operation. Selection of an appropriate material for the metal layer can improve chemical inertness of valve, thereby reducing the possibility that the material flowing through the valve will react with the metal.

Abstract: A flow control valve which does not utilize any moving components in the valve is disclosed. In the flow control valve, a valve housing that has a cylindrical-shaped wall is first provided. Inside the valve housing, is then provided a first and a second end plate for sealingly engaging an inner periphery of the valve housing. The first and the second end plate are positioned spaced-apart in a predetermined distance while each of the end plates has at least one aperture therethrough for the passage of a fluid flow to be controlled. Inside a valve cavity formed between the two end plates and the inner periphery of the valve housing is positioned an inflatable bag such that when a fluid is flown into the inflatable bag, the bag inflates to either partially block or completely block the fluid passageway through the valve cavity.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.

Abstract: A flow control valve which does not utilize any moving components in the valve is disclosed. In the flow control valve, a valve housing that has a cylindrical-shaped wall is first provided. Inside the valve housing, is then provided a first and a second end plate for sealingly engaging an inner periphery of the valve housing. The first and the second end plate are positioned spaced-apart in a predetermined distance while each of the end plates has at least one aperture therethrough for the passage of a fluid flow to be controlled. Inside a valve cavity formed between the two end plates and the inner periphery of the valve housing is positioned an inflatable bag such that when a fluid is flown into the inflatable bag, the bag inflates to either partially block or completely block the fluid passageway through the valve cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic actuator which includes a housing comprised of two halves and having at least two passages defined therethrough, including a “loop” groove defined in an inner peripheral wall of the housing into which a seal member is inserted. A rotary piston is rotatably received in the housing. The piston has a top and a bottom with an intermediate wall connected there between, and an actuating shaft extending through the housing, which is rotated by movement of the rotary piston. The seal member extends into the housing and is in contact with the top and bottom of the rotary piston all the times. The rotary piston moves free of contact with the interior surface of the housing and this one seal member provides a seal for the joint created between the halves of the housing, the chambers of the housing as well as the actuating shaft. Movement of the piston is effected by air pressure and return motion of the piston can be air driven or spring assisted.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A water system uses a pressure reservoir of an extremely small size. A valve device is placed between a water pump and the pressure reservoir. The valve device has a constant outlet pressure to limit the flow from the pump at high pressures. The pump is turned on and off by a pressure on/off switch. The valve device maintains the pressure to the reservoir at or below the off switch pressure except for a trickle flow. The trickle flow fills the reservoir when there is little or no water usage from the reservoir. The trickle flow is achieved by preventing the surfaces to seal by a projection or notch the valve surfaces of the valve device. Each time the valve opens any debris is washed from the valve surfaces thereby keeping them free of debris.

Abstract: The invention provides highly adaptable valves for providing hemostasis about minimally invasive surgical implements such as guidewires and endovascular prosthetic delivery catheters. The valves generally comprise an elastomeric sealing body which will maintain hemostasis by contacting a surgical implement traversing the valve over a very small contact area. Preferably, the orifice is formed in a thin membrane which extends radially inward from a torroidal balloon having a relatively rigid outer rim and a flexible inner portion. When a vacuum is applied within such a balloon, the flexible inner portion pulls the membrane radially outward to expand the orifice diameter. A positive pressure can be applied within the torroidal balloon so that the balloon expands radially inward to block access through the valve.

Abstract: A fluid control valve has a valve member which, on closing creates a stagnation zone between the valve member and a surface within the valve. In the stagnation zone fluid pressure is greater than it is in an adjacent constriction zone. This causes the valve to close slowly, thereby reducing the likelihood that water hammer will occur on closure of the valve. The design of the valve member also reduces resonances which can cause annoying noises and premature wear. A flow restriction chamber further slows closure of the valve. The fluid control valve may be controlled by a conventional 3-way pilot valve. Preferably the fluid control valve is used with a pilot valve according to the invention having a rocker member which, on actuation, first closes an inlet valve member and then opens an outlet valve member. The pilot valve may be used in other situations where a 3-way valve is needed.

Abstract: The diaphragm regulator controls fluid pressure in downstream piping. The regulator may also be used as an on/off valve, although this is not its primary application. A central circular housing in the body of the regulator receives a removable flow diffuser to reduce turbulence when fluid is flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port of the regulator. The flow diffuser has a flat circular base with an inlet zone in the center and a plurality of vanes extending from the inlet zone to the outer circumference of the base. These vanes are spaced apart and define a plurality of flow passageways permitting fluid to flow from the inlet port, through the inlet zone, through the passageways, through the transition zone and exit the outlet port. Each vane has a flat upper surface parallel with the base and an inclined surface sloping downward from the flat upper surface to the inlet zone.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve including a valve housing having at least three ports and at least two valve chambers provided in the valve housing. Each valve chamber has at least one first space communicating with a respective one of the ports and a second space separated from the first space by a threshold. The second space of each valve chamber communicates only with the second space of others of the at least two valve chambers, such that communication between any two of the at least two ports can take place only by passing across two thresholds.

Abstract: A housing of diaphragm valve has two valve chambers (11, 12). A central channel (21, 22) opens in each valve chamber and has an external connection (B, D). On each side of the central channels there are first (17, 19) and second side channels (18, 20) having an external connection (A, C). Each valve chamber has two valve seats (13, 14, 15, 16). Diaphragms (23, 24) are arranged to seal against the valve seats. Control means (25, 26) are arranged to press portions of the diaphragms (23, 24) against one valve seat each, thereby shutting passage between a central channel and a side channel, and to raise portions of the diaphragms off the valve seats, thereby to open passage between a central channel and a side channel. The first side channels (17, 19) are interconnected and both are connected to a common external connection (A), and the second side channels (18, 20) are interconnected and both are connected to a common external connection (C).

Abstract: A system for sealing a building air duct in response to a chemical or biological attack to prevent the building HVAC system from delivering the chemical or biological agent throughout the building. The system can include an inflatable bladder for disposition within an air duct, a source of gas for expanding the bladder, an initiator for initiating the gas expansion, and a detector for detecting the agent. One bladder is formed of a resilient material suitable for extending into duct corners. Another bladder is larger than the duct to be sealed and is formed of a non-resilient material capable of inflating and bunching into duct corners. One source of gas is a gas canister while another source of gas is a chemical composition capable of reacting and forming the gas. One bladder includes a foaming agent which can expand and solidify within the bladder. One initiator utilizes an electronic signal to initiate the gas expansion. Another initiator includes use of an RF signal to initiate the gas expansion.

Abstract: A valve is provided including a body made of anaerobic, reactive fluid resistant material. The valve also directs pressurized fluid in a substantially planar manner between adjacent port holes on a recessed area of a fluid body section of the valve. The flexible diaphragm can be actuated manually or programmed to dispense pressurized fluid, such as cyanoacrylate fluid. A method of dispensing anaerobic, reactive material is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated squeeze valve is provided for use where leak-tight operation and/or very rapid valve closure characteristics are required. The valve comprises an annular valve body with a generally cylindrical open-ended bore for receiving the frusto-conical end portions of two, axially aligned, opposed end plugs. An annular clearance is provided between the end portions and the bore wall for receiving an elastomeric sleeve. Each end plug is provided with an axially extending bore for passage of process fluid which communicates with angled passageways extending from the bore to the slant surface of a respective frusto-conical end portion. The smaller truncated end surfaces of the two opposed end portions are spaced apart axially to define a narrow gap therebetween. Fluid pressure is exerted through an access port in the valve body to actuate the valve by causing the elastomeric sleeve to press against the end portions. Means for operating the valve in response to system pressure parameters are described.