A fluid-handling cassette comprising a plurality of diaphragm valves and pumps is configured to have its actuation ports located along a thin or narrow edge of the cassette. Actuation channels within the cassette lead from the actuation ports to actuation chambers of the valves and pumps in a space between plates that comprise the cassette. The individual plates have a nominal thickness that is sufficient to provide a rigid ceiling for the actuation channels, but sufficiently thin to minimize the overall thickness of the cassette. The cassette can be plugged into or unplugged from an actuation receptacle or a manifold by its narrow edge. A plurality of such cassettes can be stacked together or spaced apart from each other to form a cassette assembly, providing for a convenient way to install and remove the cassette assembly from its actuation receptacle. The arrangement allows for an improved way of connecting a complex cassette assembly to its associated pressure distribution manifold without the use of a plurality of flexible connecting tubes between the two.

A stepper motor proportionally controlled bellows valve system comprising: a valve manifold; one or more stepper motors; and one or more bellows valves. The one or more bellows valves may comprise a bellows, a sealing washer, and a profile washer. The sealing washer is configured to removeably engage with a vacuum orifice rim. The profile washers are configured to stick into the valve orifice, such that the profile washer defines a flow through the valve.

A switching assembly for diverting fluid flow can include a pair of chambers each having a three-way valve positioned therein. An actuator, which can include a lever and one or more gears, may be coupled with each three-way valve to allow an operator to divert flow through each three-way valve by means of the actuator. The switching assembly can be coupled with one or more pressure relief valves, allowing an operator to safely replace a pressure relief cartridge by diverting flow away from the corresponding pressure relief valve without diverting flow upstream or temporarily shutting off a fluid line.

A multi-tubing pinch valve assembly including a receiving space defined between a pinch protrusion and tubing contact body. The multi-tubing pinch valve assembly is moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, multiple tubes disposed in the receiving space are pinched, restricting flow therethrough. In the retracted state, multiple tubes are capable of being loaded into and/or out of the receiving space.

A block and a fluid control device includes a first mounting cavity. A wall portion of a first fluid passage is provided with a first valve. A first mounting-cavity bottom wall includes a first sub-bottom wall, and the height of the first sub-bottom wall increases as the first sub-bottom wall extends from a first end of the first sub-bottom wall toward a second end of the first sub-bottom wall. The pressure drop across the block and the fluid control device is low.

A block and a fluid control device includes a first mounting cavity. A wall portion of a first fluid passage is provided with a first valve. A first mounting-cavity bottom wall includes a first sub-bottom wall, and the height of the first sub-bottom wall increases as the first sub-bottom wall extends from a first end of the first sub-bottom wall toward a second end of the first sub-bottom wall. The pressure drop across the block and the fluid control device is low.

A method adjusts a regulated temperature in a faucet that includes a spout, a faucet body, a hot water valve and a cold water valve. The method includes regulating a maximum water temperature of water provided to the spout using a thermostatic valve cartridge to add cold water that bypasses the cold water valve to the water provided to the spout as a function of water temperature inside the thermostatic valve cartridge. The thermostatic valve cartridge is affixed to the faucet body and external access to the thermostatic valve cartridge is inhibited by at least one element. The method also includes removing the at least one element to expose at least a portion of a thermostatic valve cartridge, and rotating a rotatable portion of the thermostatic valve cartridge to adjust the regulated maximum water temperature.

A method adjusts a regulated temperature in a faucet that includes a spout, a faucet body, a hot water valve and a cold water valve. The method includes regulating a maximum water temperature of water provided to the spout using a thermostatic valve cartridge to add cold water that bypasses the cold water valve to the water provided to the spout as a function of water temperature inside the thermostatic valve cartridge. The thermostatic valve cartridge is affixed to the faucet body and external access to the thermostatic valve cartridge is inhibited by at least one element. The method also includes removing the at least one element to expose at least a portion of a thermostatic valve cartridge, and rotating a rotatable portion of the thermostatic valve cartridge to adjust the regulated maximum water temperature.

A valve device includes valve elements each having a valve seat, a valve seat support, and a diaphragm provided so as to be able to abut on and separate from the seat surface of the valve seat, the diaphragm making the flow passage of the valve seat and the corresponding secondary flow path communicate through the gap between the diaphragm and the valve seat, and the valve seat support has seal surfaces that cooperate with a part of the inner wall surface of the corresponding accommodation recess to shut off the communication between the corresponding primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and a detour passage that connects the primary flow path and the flow passage of the valve seat, and the valve body defines a communication passage that makes the secondary flow paths communicates with each other.

A valve device includes valve elements each having a valve seat, a valve seat support, and a diaphragm provided so as to be able to abut on and separate from the seat surface of the valve seat, the diaphragm making the flow passage of the valve seat and the corresponding secondary flow path communicate through the gap between the diaphragm and the valve seat, and the valve seat support has seal surfaces that cooperate with a part of the inner wall surface of the corresponding accommodation recess to shut off the communication between the corresponding primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and a detour passage that connects the primary flow path and the flow passage of the valve seat, and the valve body defines a communication passage that makes the secondary flow paths communicates with each other.