The present invention relates to a proportional valve (1), particularly for fluid dispensing devices, comprising a main body (3) in which an inlet conduit (5) for an inlet fluid to said proportional valve (1) and an outlet conduit (7) for a fluid leaving said proportional valve (1) are defined, said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) being in fluid communication with each other, said proportional valve (1) comprising at least one shutter element (9) arranged between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) adapted to intercept said fluid, said shutter element (9) comprising a movable fluid sealing element (90) adapted to intercept said fluid at one of said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) and a lever element (92) associated at a first end with said movable fluid sealing element (90) and at a second end with an actuator device (11), said lever element (92) being hinged about said main body (3) at a fulcrum point (94) arranged between said first end and said second end of said lever element (92), said actuator device (11) being configured for moving said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to move said movable fluid sealing element (90) between an opening position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is allowed and a closing position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is prevented. According to the invention, said actuator device (11) comprises an actuator element (13) made of a shape memory material which can be operated progressively to move said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to proportionally vary the degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) between said opening position and said closing position, and vice versa, the variation of said degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) allowing the regulation of the flow rate of said fluid exiting from said outlet conduit (7).

A valve includes a valve housing having first and second regions, at least one valve chamber configured to be pressurized with air and including an actuating element for opening and closing a valve opening and an actuator for actuating the actuating element, both arranged in the first region. A printed circuit board extends into each valve chamber and to electrically operate the actuator, the printed circuit board(s) being connected to a common main printed circuit board arranged in the second region. Each valve chamber is surrounded by boundary surfaces closing the valve chamber in a substantially gas-tight manner. An open space open to at least two oppositely disposed sides of the valve housing extends between at least two of the valve chambers, and a connecting member of the printed circuit boards extends through connecting openings of the boundary surfaces of adjacent valve chambers and the open space. A sealing material located in the open space encloses the connecting member and the connecting openings in a gas-tight manner at least in the direction of the oppositely disposed sides. A method of manufacturing such a valve includes manufacturing a conductor element including the printed circuit boards and the main printed circuit board; introducing the conductor element into the valve housing; and filling the open space at least in part with the sealing material from at least one side after the introducing step so that the sealing material seals the connecting member and the connecting openings in a gas-tight manner at least in the direction of the oppositely disposed sides.

A fluid management system includes a housing having a central manifold in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, a plurality of first ports in communication with the central manifold, a plurality of second ports in communication with the environment surrounding the housing, and a plurality of third ports each configured to be coupled to a vessel for containing the pressurized fluid. The fluid management system also includes a plurality of valves and a plurality of actuators, each actuator including a smart material and associated with one of the plurality of valves. In response to activation by an energy source, each actuator is configured to move the associated valve to one of a first position or a second position.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling hydraulic valves. One embodiment is a method that includes blocking an orifice for a return line of a hydraulic valve via a flapper assembly, initiating a phase change in a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) at the flapper assembly, and opening the orifice for the return line via the flapper assembly in response to the phase change.

A valve with a sleeve movable along its central axis regulates fluid flow between the orifices of a housing for the valve. The valve has a thermost including heat-sensitive and movable parts, the latter being translatable relative to the heat-sensitive part along the central axis during expansion of a thermodilatable material contained in the heat-sensitive part. The thermostat is kinematically connected to the housing by a stirrup and kinematically connected to the sleeve, such that movements between the heat-sensitive and movable parts regulate the sleeve. In order for the valve to be more compact and safer, the stirrup has an arm extending lengthwise parallel to the central axis and connecting inside the sleeve the heat-sensitive part to an attachment part of the housing, and a fastener at its longitudinal end opposite the thermostat suitable for locking to the attachment part by plastic deformation.

A fluid management system includes a housing with a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a valve body moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position. The valve body is configured to seal the third port and permit fluid flow between the first and second ports in the first position, and to seal the first port and permit fluid flow between the second and third ports in the second position. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the valve body. The actuator includes a shape memory alloy material. A biasing element is coupled to the valve body to bias the valve body toward one of the first or second positions. The actuator is configured to move the valve body to one of the first or second positions against a biasing force of the biasing element in response to heating the actuator.

A valve assembly failsafe configured to be coupled to an actuator of a coolant control regulator assembly is provided. The valve assembly failsafe includes a wind arm, a spring that engages the wind arm under spring tension, a latch that engages the wind arm, a drive gear that engages the wind arm and the actuator, and a driver that engages the latch. The valve assembly failsafe is configured to be positioned in a set state where the latch engages and retains the wind arm under spring tension and the drive gear freely rotates during rotation of the actuator, and a tripped state where the driver rotates the latch to disengage the latch from the wind arm, causing the wind arm to rotate under the spring tension to engage the drive gear and cause the drive gear to drive the actuator to a default position.

Systems and methods relate to a manner of improving an actuator used to hold an object. In one embodiment, an actuator includes a body that is bi-stable with a coiled state and an uncoiled state. The actuator also includes a strip, coupled to the body, that coils the body according to a power source that activates in response to a detected proximity of an object. The actuator also includes a wire coupled to a side of the body opposite from the strip and the wire uncoils the body in response to heat caused by the power source.

Systems and methods relate to a manner of improving an actuator used to hold an object. In one embodiment, an actuator includes a body that is bi-stable with a coiled state and an uncoiled state. The actuator also includes a strip, coupled to the body, that coils the body according to a power source that activates in response to a detected proximity of an object. The actuator also includes a wire coupled to a side of the body opposite from the strip and the wire uncoils the body in response to heat caused by the power source.

A circuit arrangement to control at least one valve includes at least one actuator with at least one positioning element adjustable between at least one first position and a second position. At least one driver unit activates the actuator and a control unit operates the driver unit. At least one air mass measuring device measures an air mass flowing through the valve. The control unit processes an output signal of the air mass measuring device. Valves, valve arrangements, seat comfort systems, and methods all use such circuit arrangements.