A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet. The valve body has an inner body surface defining an interior chamber extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A valve element is disposed within the interior chamber and rotatable through a range of positions relative to the outlet providing a high level of precision control of a fluid flow rate through the valve assembly. A valve seat with a seal is positioned around a valve element. The valve seat is configured to self-adjust its inner radial diameter to correspond to the outer radial diameter of the valve element to maintain a portion of an inner seat surface in contact with an outer valve surface of the valve element through the range of positions.

A temperature sensor for a first fluid senses a temperature of the first fluid downstream of a heat exchanger. A supply for a second fluid changes a temperature of the first fluid. The supply for the second fluid passes through the heat exchanger. A valve is positioned upstream of the said heat exchanger on the supply for the second fluid, and controls a flow rate of the second fluid diverted into a bypass line compared to a flow rate of the second fluid directed through the heat exchanger, with the three-way valve controlled by a control in response to feedback from said temperature sensor. The valve changes the respective flow rates delivered into the bypass line and through the said heat exchanger in a non-linear manner with a change in valve position. A manned spaceship is also disclosed.

A temperature sensor for a first fluid senses a temperature of the first fluid downstream of a heat exchanger. A supply for a second fluid changes a temperature of the first fluid. The supply for the second fluid passes through the heat exchanger. A valve is positioned upstream of the said heat exchanger on the supply for the second fluid, and controls a flow rate of the second fluid diverted into a bypass line compared to a flow rate of the second fluid directed through the heat exchanger, with the three-way valve controlled by a control in response to feedback from said temperature sensor. The valve changes the respective flow rates delivered into the bypass line and through the said heat exchanger in a non-linear manner with a change in valve position. A manned spaceship is also disclosed.

A hybrid rocket engine with a vortex flow field injection system that produces a high-speed sustained vortex flow field is described. The hybrid rocket engine includes a generally cylindrical injection chamber with an inner circumference to comprise an outer edge of a solid propellant grain in the hybrid rocket engine. The engine also includes an injection system that has a throttle valve and an injector that injects injection fluid into the engine and produces a vortex flow-field for the injected fluid. The injector includes at least one primary feed line that distributes the injection fluid throughout a pre-swirl chamber and multiple orifices along an inner edge of the injection chamber. The pre-swirl chamber connects to the injection chamber and at least one of the primary feed lines and redirects a primary fluid flow of the injected fluid from a primary axial direction to a centrifugal direction.

A hybrid rocket engine with a vortex flow field injection system that produces a high-speed sustained vortex flow field is described. The hybrid rocket engine includes a generally cylindrical injection chamber with an inner circumference to comprise an outer edge of a solid propellant grain in the hybrid rocket engine. The engine also includes an injection system that has a throttle valve and an injector that injects injection fluid into the engine and produces a vortex flow-field for the injected fluid. The injector includes at least one primary feed line that distributes the injection fluid throughout a pre-swirl chamber and multiple orifices along an inner edge of the injection chamber. The pre-swirl chamber connects to the injection chamber and at least one of the primary feed lines and redirects a primary fluid flow of the injected fluid from a primary axial direction to a centrifugal direction.

A piezoelectric valve includes: a valve main part including a gas pressure chamber receiving compressed gas supplied from outside; a plate inside the valve main part, and an actuator fixed to the plate and inside the valve main part, which is a case with an opening on a front surface. The plate includes a gas discharge path and a valve seat coming into contact with a valve element of the actuator opening and closing the gas discharge path. A lid member that closes the opening of the case has a gas discharge opening communicating with the gas discharge path of the plate; is welded and fixed to a front surface of the plate, where the gas discharge path opens, on an annular welded part surrounding the gas discharge opening; and is welded and fixed to an end surface of the case on an annular welded part on the outer peripheral part.

A piezoelectric valve includes: a valve main part including a gas pressure chamber receiving compressed gas supplied from outside; a plate inside the valve main part, and an actuator fixed to the plate and inside the valve main part, which is a case with an opening on a front surface. The plate includes a gas discharge path and a valve seat coming into contact with a valve element of the actuator opening and closing the gas discharge path. A lid member that closes the opening of the case has a gas discharge opening communicating with the gas discharge path of the plate; is welded and fixed to a front surface of the plate, where the gas discharge path opens, on an annular welded part surrounding the gas discharge opening; and is welded and fixed to an end surface of the case on an annular welded part on the outer peripheral part.

A pneumatic-hydraulic control valve includes a valve base and a valve stem movably disposed in the valve base. A first inner oil guiding hole of the valve stem communicates with a first outer oil guiding hole of the valve base. A second inner oil guiding hole of the valve stem does not communicate with a second outer oil guiding hole of the valve base when the valve stem is closed, and communicates with the second outer oil guiding hole of the valve base when the valve stem is opened. Further, the valve stem has a first stressed portion for bearing a fluid closing force and a second stressed portion for bearing a fluid opening force. The outer diameter of the first stressed portion is larger than that of the second stressed portion. Thus, the present invention reduces a valve opening force without affecting the sealing effect.

A pneumatic-hydraulic control valve includes a valve base and a valve stem movably disposed in the valve base. A first inner oil guiding hole of the valve stem communicates with a first outer oil guiding hole of the valve base. A second inner oil guiding hole of the valve stem does not communicate with a second outer oil guiding hole of the valve base when the valve stem is closed, and communicates with the second outer oil guiding hole of the valve base when the valve stem is opened. Further, the valve stem has a first stressed portion for bearing a fluid closing force and a second stressed portion for bearing a fluid opening force. The outer diameter of the first stressed portion is larger than that of the second stressed portion. Thus, the present invention reduces a valve opening force without affecting the sealing effect.

A valve system for controlling a corrosive process liquid flow, while avoiding corrosion due to a liquid/vapor interface of the process liquid, causes the process liquid to flow from the valve through a purge port into a vertical segment of a purge line. During valve initialization, a non-reactive gas backpressure within the purge line is controlled to establish the liquid/vapor interface at a desired height within the vertical segment, as determined by an interface level sensor, which can be ultrasonic. The vertical segment is constructed from, or lined with, a material that can withstand contact with the liquid/vapor interface. During valve operation, the non-reactive gas pressure can continue to be regulated, or a purge valve can be shut, trapping a fixed quantity of the non-reactive gas within the purge line. The valve can include a heater configured to prevent a molten process liquid from solidifying within the valve.