A valved manifold module is disclosed, constructed and arranged to be readily connected in a chain with similar modules to form a manifold assembly. The modular manifolds allows for expansion or modification of the manifold assembly to control a group of pneumatically or hydraulically driven pumps, valves or combinations thereof in a liquid flow control apparatus. The valved manifold module can be configured to accept a group of four substantially identical valve assemblies, and can be controlled by a local controller mounted to the manifold module, thus forming an independently programmable valved manifold module. The resulting modular system is expandable to allow for coordinated operations of a liquid flow control system, using substantially independent controller functions originating at the manifold assembly level.

Systems and apparatuses include a solenoid valve including a first coil, a second coil coupled to the first coil, a banjo fitting coupled to the second coil, a spool housing coupled to the banjo fitting so that the first coil and the second coil are selectively rotatable about the spool housing, a spool received within the spool housing, and an armature received within the first coil and the second coil and including a spool actuator coupled to the spool.

The absence of high efficiency, compact fluidic pumps has until recently blocked the consideration of using hydraulic devices within portable and/or alkaline battery powered consumer and non-consumer products. The higher the functionality and programmability desired for a consumer and/or non-consumer product exploiting a fluidic pump then the more complex the overall fluidic system in terms of the number of actuators, valves, switches etc. within the fluidic system coupled to the one or more fluidic pumps. Accordingly, there exists a requirement to provide compact fluidic valves and switches to support configurability, programmability, and operation of these portable battery-operated consumer and non-consumer devices in conjunction with these newly available high efficiency, compact fluidic pumps. Such fluidic valves and switches should offer high efficiency, have a small footprint, be low complexity for high reliability and ease of manufacture, and low cost.

A valve (10) including a first port (12), a second port (14), a third port (16) and a flexure (30), the flexure (30) being moveable between a first position which causes the first port (12) to open, a second position which causes the second port (14) to open, and a third position which causes the first and second ports (12, 14) to close, wherein at least a part of the flexure (30) is magnetisable, to provide a first magnet (32), a second magnet (34) is associated with the first port (12) and a third magnet (36) is associated with the second port (14). A valve assembly includes a pair of valves wherein only one of the valves is operable at any given time.

A sealing diaphragm for a fluid valve is provided. The fluid valve includes a valve housing and a drive unit, the sealing diaphragm being of hat-like design and being configured for enclosing, on the free-end side, a portion of a valve-closing body which projects into the valve housing of the fluid valve. The sealing diaphragm can include a base portion which is configured to be rotationally asymmetrical on the outer circumferential side, the base portion being provided to abut in a form-fitted manner against an opening of the valve housing, and the base portion of the sealing diaphragm being configured to be received between the valve housing and the drive unit in such a way that the opening of the valve housing is sealed in a fluid-tight manner towards the drive unit.

A fluid valve having a magnetic drive unit for a valve closing body is provided. The drive unit can have a core, a coil partially surrounding the core, and an armature which can be pivoted about a pivot axis by the energization of the coil and the resulting magnetic force, the valve closing body being in operative connection with the armature and being pivotable by the pivoting of the armature about a pivot axis and being positionable at least in a first and a second pivot position, and the valve closing body having a first and a second leg, the first leg extending into a valve housing having at least one fluid channel and the second leg projecting at an angle from the first leg and establishing the operative connection with the armature.

A fluid valve having a drive unit for a valve closing body is provided. The drive unit can have a core, an electric coil partially surrounding the core, and an armature movable by the energization of the coil and the resulting magnetic force, the drive unit having a main body on which a support for the coil, at least one insertion opening for the core and an armature support are provided, and the core inserted into the at least one insertion opening being fixed to the main body by an overmold in such a way that the core assumes a defined position relative to the armature support.

A valve housing for a fluid valve having at least one fluid channel through which a fluid can flow is provided. The valve housing can have a receiving space for a valve closing body movable in the valve housing, the receiving space having an opening, via which the valve closing body is introduced into the receiving space of the valve housing, and at least one first valve seat being formed in the receiving space and projecting into the receiving space in such a way that at least one undercut is formed in the receiving space by the first valve seat, and the valve housing being an integral injection-molded part, the at least one valve seat being produced integrally with the valve housing by an injection molding process.

A fluid valve having a magnetic drive unit for a valve closing body is provided. The drive unit can include a core, a coil partially surrounding the core, and an armature movable by the energization of the coil and the resulting magnetic force, wherein a bearing portion can be provided at the armature, which bearing portion comprises a bearing area, by which the armature is pivotably mounted on a main body of the drive unit.

A solenoid valve including a non-sliding plunger assembly. The solenoid valve disclosed herein generally includes a plunger assembly that is moveably suspended within an internal chamber of a housing of the solenoid valve away from any sliding contact with adjacent surfaces. The plunger assembly may not be in sliding contact with any of the adjacent surfaces, and thus a radial gap may be defined between the plunger assembly and all non-moving, non-flexing features and surfaces of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve may include a flexural washer that is resiliently flexible and is configured to enable selective axial movement of the plunger assembly in response to energizing the solenoid coil. In various embodiments, the flexural washer is configured to moveably suspend the plunger assembly within the internal chamber away from any sliding contact with adjacent surfaces.