An actuator that controls flow through a fluid path during filling of beverages includes an actuator element that exerts an actuating force. In response to control signals, the actuator element transitions between an elongated state and a resting state.

A valve device includes a valve body that defines flow paths, a diaphragm provided so as to be capable of opening and closing the flow paths, an operation member provided so as to be capable of moving in opening and closing directions that open and close the flow paths by operating the diaphragm, a main actuator that applies a driving force corresponding to an operating pressure applied in the opening direction or the closing direction of the opening and closing directions with respect to the operation member, a switching mechanism capable of selectively switching a position of the operation member that regulates a degree of opening of the flow paths between a first open position and a second open position in accordance with a magnitude of the operating pressure, and regulating mechanisms capable of independently regulating the first open position and the second open position.

In order to provide a piezo valve in which it is possible to accurately predict the remaining lifespan of a piezo actuator, there are provided a valve seat, a valve body that is able to move between a fully closed position in contact with the valve seat and a fully open position, a piezo actuator that drives the valve body, a drive circuit that receives an input signal, and outputs to the piezo actuator a corresponding drive voltage, and a leakage current detector that, when the drive circuit outputs a voltage equal to or greater than a maximum rated voltage that drives the valve body to the fully closed/open position, detects leakage current from the piezo actuator. When the leakage current is detected or in a state immediately prior to detection, a fluid is flowing between the valve seat and the valve body.

A metering valve has a closing member and a valve seat. The closing member is movable between a closed position on the valve seat sealing a material outlet, and an open position raised above the valve seat leaving the outlet clear. An actuating element rigidly connected to the closing member is arranged between first and second piezo-actuators at a distance from the first piezo-actuator in the closed position less than the maximum length change of the first piezo-actuator, or lies loosely thereon and at a distance from the second piezo-actuator longer than the maximum length change of the first piezo-actuator. The actuating element in the open position is arranged at a distance from the second piezo-actuator less than the maximum length change of the second piezo-actuator, or lies loosely thereon and at a distance from the first piezo-actuator greater than the maximum length change of the second piezo-actuator.

A servovalve includes: a fluid transfer valve assembly comprising a supply port and a control port; a moveable valve spool arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port to the control port in response to a control signal; and a drive assembly configured to axially move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow. The drive assembly comprises a piezoelectric actuator configured to vary the flow of fluid to respective ends of the valve spool in response to the control signal.

A piezo actuator is provided which is capable of continuing a provisional operation at least in a limited movable range without bringing an operation to a complete stop even upon occurrence of dielectric breakage. The piezo actuator includes a plurality of piezo blocks and a driving circuit. The piezo blocks are formed by alternately stacking a piezoelectric ceramic layer and an electrode layer. The driving circuit is connected to the piezo blocks. The piezo blocks are arranged in an extension/contraction direction. The driving circuit includes a power source part to which the piezo blocks are individually connected in parallel, and a plurality of limiting resistors respectively disposed in series to the piezo blocks.

A piezoelectric-element-driven valve includes a valve seat provided on a flow path, a valving element detachably seated on the valve seat, and a piezoelectric element, and is configured to move the valve body by extension of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric-element-driven valve also is provided with a detection mechanism for detecting an extension amount of the piezoelectric element, the detection mechanism including a strain sensor, and being capable of detecting an movement amount of the valving element from an output of the strain sensor.

A valve arrangement for controlling gas flow. A gas block includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas cavity fluidly connecting the gas inlet to the gas outlet. A diaphragm is configured for controlling gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. An actuator is configured to vary the position of the diaphragm so as to control the gas flow. The actuator comprises a tubular housing; a plunger positioned inside the housing and having an actuating extension extending outside of the housing and coupled to the diaphragm, the plunger configured to be slidable inside the housing; a piezoelectric body positioned inside the plunger; and a pre-loader applying force to the plunger so as to press the plunger against the piezoelectric body.

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.

A mechanism for coupling motion of a piezoelectric actuator in axisymmetric devices like modulating proportional valves uses actuator extension motion to cause translation away from a mechanism mounting plane and thereby enables lifting open of a valve element instead of the usual pushing closed of the valve element. The mechanism does not contain any gears nor leadscrew threads, and in usual practice is constantly loaded, so apparent change of direction is achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The mechanism surrounds a piezoelectric stack actuator by contacting opposite ends of the piezoelectric stack, whereby extension motion lengthening the actuator causes a lifting portion of the mechanism to translate toward the bulk of the actuator while the proximally adjacent mounting portion of the mechanism remains at a fixed location.