A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

A hybrid spool valve includes a body having a longitudinal bore. The bore has a fluid inlet chamber in fluid communication with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with a fluid outlet port. A spool is slidably mounted in the bore and is movable between a fully open position, a fully closed position, and a plurality of partially open positions. A pilot microvalve is mounted within the bore and is configured to control the sliding movement of the spool by varying the flow of fluid therethrough. A seal is disposed in a groove formed in an outside surface of the spool such that when the spool is in the fully closed position the seal engages a wall of the bore, and when the spool is the fully open position or one of the partially open positions the seal does not engage the bore.

A microvalve device and fluid flow control method, the microvalve device comprising: a microvalve body, the microvalve body being composed of multiple layers and comprising a first layer (1) and a second layer (2) bonded with the first layer (1), the second layer (2) having a plurality of fluid ports (7, 8, 9); a cavity (6) disposed between the first layer and the second layer; a plurality of actuators (3, 4, 5) respectively disposed corresponding to each fluid port, the plurality of actuators (3, 4, 5) controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of fluid ports (7, 8, 9). The fluid flow control method comprising: respectively employing a plurality of actuators to independently control the opening and closing of a plurality of fluid ports.

A method of cleaning contaminants, including particulate contaminants, from a valve in a fluid system includes moving a valve flow control element of the valve from a first position to a second position in response to a change in a condition in the fluid system other than a change in superheat.

A hybrid spool valve includes a body having a longitudinal bore. The bore has a fluid inlet chamber in fluid communication with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with a fluid outlet port. A spool is slidably mounted in the bore and is movable between a fully open position, a fully closed position, and a plurality of partially open positions. A pilot microvalve is mounted within the bore and is configured to control the sliding movement of the spool by varying the flow of fluid therethrough. A seal is disposed in a groove formed in an outside surface of the spool such that when the spool is in the fully closed position the seal engages a wall of the bore, and when the spool is the fully open position or one of the partially open positions the seal does not engage the bore.