Valves, the components used to create valves and, more particularly, to piston-activated cartridge valves are disclosed. The valves include cartridge valve assemblies having a housing and a slidable member, the major part of which is located within the internal space of the housing. One end of the slidable member extends outward beyond the second end of the cartridge housing, and can be contacted by an actuator piston to open the valve. The interior surface of the cartridge housing and the sides of the slidable member are configured so that when the slidable member is in the open position, at least one fluid flow path is provided between the first and second openings of the cartridge housing so that fluid can flow either: (a) from the first opening to the second opening; or (b) from the second opening to the first opening. A system comprising a plurality of insertable devices that are used to create various valve configurations is also provided herein, as are various fluid circuits that can be created using the insertable devices described herein.

Valves, the components used to create valves and, more particularly, to piston-activated cartridge valves are disclosed. The valves include cartridge valve assemblies having a housing and a slidable member, the major part of which is located within the internal space of the housing. One end of the slidable member extends outward beyond the second end of the cartridge housing, and can be contacted by an actuator piston to open the valve. The interior surface of the cartridge housing and the sides of the slidable member are configured so that when the slidable member is in the open position, at least one fluid flow path is provided between the first and second openings of the cartridge housing so that fluid can flow either: (a) from the first opening to the second opening; or (b) from the second opening to the first opening. A system comprising a plurality of insertable devices that are used to create various valve configurations is also provided herein, as are various fluid circuits that can be created using the insertable devices described herein.

An air control valve for a fuel cell vehicle includes: a valve housing formed with air flow paths; valve members configured to selectively open or close the air flow paths; and a drive unit configured to rectilinearly operate the valve members so that the valve members rectilinearly move from a first position at which the air flow paths are closed to a second position at which the air flow paths are opened, such that it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of improving sealing performance and improving stability and reliability.

An air control valve for a fuel cell vehicle includes: a valve housing formed with air flow paths; valve members configured to selectively open or close the air flow paths; and a drive unit configured to rectilinearly operate the valve members so that the valve members rectilinearly move from a first position at which the air flow paths are closed to a second position at which the air flow paths are opened, such that it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of improving sealing performance and improving stability and reliability.

Hand-operated suction and irrigation medical devices are provided. An example medical device comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines first and second inlet paths and an outlet path. A first tubular member is partially disposed within the first inlet path and a second tubular member is partially disposed within the second inlet path. Each of the first and second tubular members extends from the proximal end of the housing. A third tubular member is partially disposed within the outlet path and extends from the distal end of the housing. A control member is slidably disposed on the housing and is movable between a first, proximal position and a second, distal position. A passageway provides fluid communication between the first inlet path and an opening to an environment external to the housing such that covering the opening provides control over the flow of fluid through the first inlet path and the first tubular member.

Hand-operated suction and irrigation medical devices are provided. An example medical device comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The housing defines first and second inlet paths and an outlet path. A first tubular member is partially disposed within the first inlet path and a second tubular member is partially disposed within the second inlet path. Each of the first and second tubular members extends from the proximal end of the housing. A third tubular member is partially disposed within the outlet path and extends from the distal end of the housing. A control member is slidably disposed on the housing and is movable between a first, proximal position and a second, distal position. A passageway provides fluid communication between the first inlet path and an opening to an environment external to the housing such that covering the opening provides control over the flow of fluid through the first inlet path and the first tubular member.

A fluid distribution apparatus comprising a fluid chamber, at least one fluid inlet, a plurality of fluid outlets and a distribution unit, including a plurality of valve elements for closing the fluid outlets and a camshaft supported to be rotatable about a rotary axis, having a plurality of cams for operating the valve elements. The valve elements are formed as valve flaps and the cams of the camshaft are provide to lift the valve elements off of the fluid outlets as a function of a rotary position of the camshaft.

A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

A pneumatic solenoid valve, comprising an electromagnetic actuator and an air chamber with multiple air connections configured to be connected with the interposition of the air chamber via multiple switching positions of the magnetic actuator is disclosed. The actuator is configured to assume three different switching positions by energizing the actuator in a unipolar manner with three different current intensities and to move first and second sealing element via an actuation mechanism when switching between the switching positions. In a first position, a first sealing element closes a first air connection, and a second sealing element releases a second air connection. In a second switching position, the first sealing element closes the first air connection, and the second sealing element closes the second air connection. In a third switching position, the first sealing element releases the first air connection, and the second sealing element closes the second air connection.