Provided is a piezoelectric actuator that can reduce a risk of air leakage due to weakening of pressing force of a valve element against a valve seat surface and airtightness. The piezoelectric actuator is used for a piezoelectric valve that opens and closes a valve utilizing displacement of a laminated piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric actuator includes: a valve element; a laminated piezoelectric element that generates a driving force, required for operation of the valve element, as a displacement; and a displacement enlargement mechanism that enlarges a displacement of a laminated piezoelectric element and causes the enlarged displacement to act on the valve element. In the piezoelectric actuator, a surface of the valve element to be in contact with a valve seat of the piezoelectric valve is made flat and smooth in a state in which a tensile load is applied to the laminated piezoelectric element.

A cold water discharge apparatus, for discharging water from an outlet port when feed water is hot and from a cold water discharge port when the feed water is cold, includes a temperature-sensitive first switching valve body and a diaphragm-type second switching valve body. The first switching valve body is configured to open/close a cold water discharge flow channel depending on temperature. The second switching valve body is configured to open a discharge flow channel due to the pressure caused by the flow of hot water through the discharge flow channel. The second switching valve body is configured to close the discharge flow channel due to the pressure caused by the flow of the cold water through the cold water discharge flow channel. The second switching valve body is configured to discharge residual water from the cold water discharge flow channel after stopping water has cooled down.

Two problems with existing electronically controlled mixing valves for domestic use is their size and difficulty accessing and repairing them. Their size means that they often become hidden behind wall linings, and because of the way in which they are plumbed into the pipework of a house, they are difficult to access and remove for repair or replacement. Disclosed is a compact and replaceable mixing valve cartridge that can be mated to a fixed fitting that is permanently plumbed into the pipework of a house. The compact size allows the cartridge to be positioned behind the type of removable face plates that are often installed over existing manually operated mixing valves. Simplified valve actuators and a compact mixing and temperature sensing configuration have facilitated the compact size. The valve cartridge can simply be accessed, unbolted and removed, without the need for extensive plumbing re-work.

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container for storing a material for a printing system. The container has a channel structure for conveying the material, the channel structure providing an opening of the container and an axis of the channel structure defining an axial direction. The container also has a valve structure disposed within the channel structure. The valve structure is translatable within the channel structure between a proximal position and a distal position in the axial direction. The valve structure is non-rotatable relative to the channel structure about the axis of the channel structure. The valve structure is arranged to seal the channel structure when the valve structure is in the proximal position.

Examples of the present disclosure relate to a container for storing a material for a printing system. The container has a channel structure for conveying the material, the channel structure providing an opening of the container and an axis of the channel structure defining an axial direction. The container also has a valve structure disposed within the channel structure. The valve structure is translatable within the channel structure between a proximal position and a distal position in the axial direction. The valve structure is non-rotatable relative to the channel structure about the axis of the channel structure. The valve structure is arranged to seal the channel structure when the valve structure is in the proximal position.

A translating actuator acting between two extreme positions defined by mechanical stops is described. Said actuator comprises: an armature mass movable relative to the armature body, a stiff armature spring set such that the natural resting position of the armature mass is close to the centre of travel between the two extreme positions and pair of latches with sufficient holding force that the armature mass can be held at either extreme position against the restoring force of the spring and can be released quickly relative to the natural period of vibration determined by the armature mass on the armature spring.

Apparatus and methods for integrated emergency wash systems. Various embodiments include thermostatically controlled mixing valves arranged so as to permit load carrying by the body of the valve. Further, the integrated wash systems are especially suited for use in laboratories and manufacturing settings in which available space is at a premium

Mounting clip (30) to mount an actuator unit (20) to a valve unit (10), the valve unit having a valve unit housing (11) and flange (12) formed at the valve unit housing (11), the actuator unit having an actuator unit housing (21) and a shoulder (22) formed at the actuator unit housing (21). The mounting clip has first sections (31) positioned in first level (32), wherein said first sections (31) are straight and run parallel to each other within said first level (32), and wherein said first sections (31) are configured to be inserted into rooves (25) provided at the shoulder (22) of the actuator unit. The mounting clip has a second section (33) positioned in a second level (34), wherein said second section (33) is U-shaped, and wherein said second section (33) is configured to be inserted into a recess (15) provided at the flange (12) of the valve unit. The mounting clip has third sections (35) extending between each of said first sections (31) and the second section (33), wherein each of said third sections (35) has a first subsections (35a) being bent, a second subsection (35b) being bent and a third subsection (35c) being straight or angled, wherein the first subsections (35a) of the third sections (35) extend between the first sections (31) and the third subsections (35c) of the third sections (35), wherein the second subsections (35b) of the third sections (35) extend between the second section (33) and the third sub-sections (35c) of the third sections (35).

Mounting clip (30) to mount an actuator unit (20) to a valve unit (10), the valve unit having a valve unit housing (11) and flange (12) formed at the valve unit housing (11), the actuator unit having an actuator unit housing (21) and a shoulder (22) formed at the actuator unit housing (21). The mounting clip has first sections (31) positioned in first level (32), wherein said first sections (31) are straight and run parallel to each other within said first level (32), and wherein said first sections (31) are configured to be inserted into rooves (25) provided at the shoulder (22) of the actuator unit. The mounting clip has a second section (33) positioned in a second level (34), wherein said second section (33) is U-shaped, and wherein said second section (33) is configured to be inserted into a recess (15) provided at the flange (12) of the valve unit. The mounting clip has third sections (35) extending between each of said first sections (31) and the second section (33), wherein each of said third sections (35) has a first subsections (35a) being bent, a second subsection (35b) being bent and a third subsection (35c) being straight or angled, wherein the first subsections (35a) of the third sections (35) extend between the first sections (31) and the third subsections (35c) of the third sections (35), wherein the second subsections (35b) of the third sections (35) extend between the second section (33) and the third sub-sections (35c) of the third sections (35).

A piezoelectric ring bender servo valve assembly reduces mechanical wear by removing mechanical components used in prior art servo valves. The assembly does not use torque motor, flapper, and feedback spring. In this manner, no moving parts are required, which reduces maintenance and costs. A pair of piezoelectric ring benders mount adjacently to a pair of nozzles. The piezoelectric ring benders independently regulate the flow of fluid through the nozzles by moving between an open position to enable flowage, and a closed position to restrict flowage. A linear position sensing device measures and provides feedback about the spool position to a valve controller. The valve controller allows the spool valve to move until valve position achieves command position and the force on the spool valve is in equilibrium with pressure difference across spool valve. An H-bridge operable to switch the polarity of a differential pressure applied across to a load.