In a flow path forming structure, axial runout of a shaft relative to a central axis generated when the shaft is inserted into the flow path is suppressed. This structure includes a flow path along which a fluid passes, and a shaft body that is inserted into the flow path. An upstream side of the shaft body and an inner circumferential surface of the flow path have a plurality of contact positions at different phases, and a downstream side of the shaft body and an inner circumferential surface of the flow path have a plurality of contact positions at different phases. The fluid flows through gaps between the shaft body and the inner circumferential surface. The contact positions on one of the upstream and downstream sides are at different phases from all of the contact positions on the other one of the upstream and downstream sides.

A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) exhaust valve-based impact attenuating fluid filled cell for use in cushioning impact and decelerating of a wearer's body portion (e.g. head, shoulder, torso, etc.) after an impact. In combination with the use of accelerometers, pressure sensors, location and other electronics supply signals to a microcontroller, the controlled opening/closing of said exhaust valve (resulting in the expelling of said fluids with an optional combination with cell refill means) when certain parameters exceed a threshold. Individuals who engage in activities that carry a risk of injury to the head from impact in the normal course of the activity could, in combination with regular exams, benefit from a system that produces and updates a kinematic 3D model of the individual's head, including brain matter, cerebrospinal fluid paths, arterial and venous blood flow pathways, as well as the skull, supporting connective tissues and other biological structures in the head suitable for interaction with exogenous stimuli prepared from hypothetical or actual recorded impact events.

Provided is a valve device which can precisely adjust the flow rate while ensuring the flow rate of the fluid. A valve device includes a main actuator which receives a pressure of a supplied drive fluid and moves an operating member to an open position or closed position; an adjusting actuator arranged to receive at least a part of a force generated by the main actuator and for adjusting the position of the operating member positioned at the open position; and a pressure regulator provided in a feed path of the drive fluid to the main actuator and for regulating the pressure of the supplied drive fluid to suppress fluctuation of the pressure of the drive fluid supplied to the main actuator.

An assembly having a coupling component and a poppet is disclosed. The coupling component has a first end. The first end has an opening extending into the coupling component, such that the coupling component has a sidewall extending around and defining the opening, the sidewall at least partially constructed of a ductile material. The poppet is positioned within the opening. The poppet has a first end outside of the opening, a second end within the opening, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. The poppet has a recess positioned between the first end and the second end, the recess being defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom. At least a portion of the ductile material of the sidewall is positioned within the recess to secure the poppet into the opening.

A control device for a valve device can detect open/close state of the valve device without using limit switches. The valve device includes a diaphragm for opening and closing a flow path for flowing a fluid, a coil spring for biasing the diaphragm in the closing direction of flow path, a main actuator for driving it against the biasing force of the coil spring, and an adjusting actuator using a piezoelectric element for adjusting the opening degree of the flow path determined by the diaphragm. The controller detects the open/close state of flow path based on the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element of the adjusting actuator, and controls valve device using the detection signal.

A flow rate control valve includes a base block and a valve opening/closing mechanism. The base block is provided with a valve chamber in which a valve seat through which a liquid raw material L flows, and a diaphragm that is brought into contact with or separated from the valve seat so as to close/open the valve seat are installed. The valve opening/closing mechanism includes a slide bearing part, a support post part, a piezoelectric actuator part, and a valve-actuating part. The slide bearing part is installed on the base block 1 and is provided with a bearing. The support post part includes a support post that is inserted slidably in the bearing and that moves upward and downward in a diaphragm direction.

A process for ventilating a patient as well as a devicepatient module (20)operating according to the process, wherein, for example, a body weight value concerning an estimated body weight of the patient is transmitted to a patient module (20) intended for ventilating the patient, wherein the patient module (20) automatically selects ventilation parameters (52) fitting the body weight value on the basis of the body weight value and wherein the ventilation of the patient is carried out with the selected ventilation parameters (52).

A self-diagnosis method of a flow rate control device includes: a step (a) for measuring a pressure drop characteristic after a pressure control valve (6) has been changed to a closed state from a state where a fluid flows from the upstream side of the pressure control valve with the opening of a flow rate control valve (8) is larger than a restriction part; a step (b) for measuring the pressure drop characteristic after the pressure control valve has been changed to the closed state from a state where the fluid flows from the upstream side of the flow rate control valve to the downstream side with the opening of the flow rate control valve is smaller than the restriction part; a step (c) for determining whether there is an abnormality by comparing the pressure drop characteristic measured in step (a) with a corresponding reference pressure drop characteristic; a step (d) for determining whether there is an abnormality by comparing the pressure drop characteristic measured in step (b) with a corresponding reference pressure drop characteristic; and a step (e) for determining that there is an abnormality in the flow rate control valve when it is determined that there is an abnormality only in the step (d).

A piezoelectric valve including an actuator that drives a valve body; a valve seat plate including a valve seat that is adapted to be positioned in contact with and away from the valve body, and a discharge passage; and a body case that houses the valve seat plate, in which the actuator includes a proximal portion fixed to the valve seat plate, a piezoelectric element having one end portion connected to an attachment face of the proximal portion and extending in a first longitudinal direction, a support portion integrally formed with the proximal portion, the support portion being arranged side-by-side with the piezoelectric element and extending in a second longitudinal direction crossing the first longitudinal direction, an operating portion connected to another end portion of the piezoelectric element and to a distal end portion of the support portion.

A piezoelectric valve, having superior responsiveness during valve opening and capability to stabilize gas supply at an early stage, includes a gas pressure chamber receiving compressed gas and an exhaust path discharging the compressed gas from the gas pressure chamber; a valve disc placed in the gas pressure chamber to open and close the exhaust path; a piezoelectric element generating a driving force for operation of the valve disc, as a displacement; a displacement magnifying mechanism magnifying the displacement of the piezoelectric element and applying the magnified displacement to the valve disc; and driving means including a signal generator generating a signal including a first prepulse, a second prepulse, and a main pulse, applies a drive voltage to the piezoelectric element using the signal generated by the signal generator, as an input signal to a drive circuit, and drives and opens the valve disc by expanding the piezoelectric element.