F16K31/005

Membrane microfluidic valve with piezoelectric actuation and manufacturing process thereof
11555554 · 2023-01-17 · ·

A microfluidic valve formed in a body having a first and a second surface; an inlet channel extending in the body from the second surface; a first transverse channel extending in the body in a transverse direction with respect to the inlet channel; and an outlet channel extending in the body from the first surface. The inlet channel, the first transverse channel and the outlet channel form a fluidic path. The microfluidic valve further has an occluding portion, formed by the body and extending over the transverse channel; and a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the occluding portion and configured to move the occluding portion from an opening position of the valve, where the occluding portion does not interfere with the fluidic path, and a closing position of the valve, where the occluding portion interferes with and interrupts the fluidic path.

Fluidic devices with piezoelectric actuators and related methods

The disclosed fluidic devices may include a valve chamber in a valve body, a fluid inlet into the valve chamber, a piston positioned within the valve chamber, a first fluid outlet for passing fluid out of the valve chamber when the piston is in a first position, a second fluid outlet for passing fluid out of the valve chamber when the piston is in a second position, a first piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the first position to the second position, and a second piezoelectric actuator positioned and configured for moving the piston from the second position to the first position. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

FLUID CONTROL DEVICE
20220381361 · 2022-12-01 ·

A fluid control device includes a first main plate, a second main plate, a driving body, a frame body, a plurality of support bodies, a plurality of gaps, a side wall member, a valve film, and a fixing member. A pump chamber is formed by a flat plate part consisting of the first main plate, the frame body, and the plurality of support bodies, and the second main plate and the side wall member. The valve film is disposed on a main surface of the first main plate on the side where the pump chamber is located. The valve film has an annular shape and fixed to the first main plate by the fixing member so that an outer end thereof is a movable end. The outer end of the valve film overlaps the plurality of gaps located between the plurality of support portions in plan view.

DYNAMIC VALVE FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and a sound output port to an ambient environment; a transducer positioned within the interior chamber and dividing the interior chamber into a front volume chamber coupling a first side of the transducer to the sound output port and a back volume chamber coupled to a second side of the transducer; and an electromechanical valve comprising a number of flaps operable to open and close a vent to the interior chamber, the front volume chamber or the back volume chamber.

Piezoelectric ring bender servo valve assembly for aircraft flight control actuation and fuel control systems
11608840 · 2023-03-21 ·

Method of adjusting the pressure balance or a control device, in particular of a servo valve, the requisite adjusting movement being applied by a disc translator.

PIEZOELECTRIC RING BENDER SERVO VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROL ACTUATION AND FUEL CONTROL SYSTEMS
20230204052 · 2023-06-29 ·

A piezoelectric ring bender servo valve assembly reduces mechanical wear by removing mechanical components used in prior art servo valves. The assembly does not use torque motor, flapper, and feedback spring. In this manner, no moving parts are required, which reduces maintenance and costs. A pair of piezoelectric ring benders mount adjacently to a pair of nozzles. The piezoelectric ring benders independently regulate the flow of fluid through the nozzles by moving between an open position to enable flowage, and a closed position to restrict flowage. A linear position sensing device measures and provides feedback about the spool position to a valve controller. The valve controller allows the spool valve to move until valve position achieves command position and the force on the spool valve is in equilibrium with pressure difference across spool valve. An H-bridge operable to switch the polarity of a differential pressure applied across to a load.

Piezoelectric actuator
09806250 · 2017-10-31 ·

A piezoelectric actuator is provided which acts as a micromechanical actuating element. Thus, the piezoelectric actuator has a piezoelectric element and an electrode structure, wherein said electrode structure is arranged with the electrodes thereof exclusively on one side of the piezoelectric element. Furthermore, the piezoelectric actuator has at least one attachment element, wherein the attachment element is fitted on the piezoelectric element and on the side of the electrode structure of the piezoelectric element, and the attachment element at least partially encompasses the electrode structure of the piezoelectric actuator. The attachment element in the process, by virtue of encompassing the electrode structure, provides a physical limit for the expansion of the piezoelectric element.

FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN IMPLANTABLE INFLATABLE DEVICE

An implantable fluid operated device may include a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and a pump assembly configured to transfer fluid between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. The pump assembly may include one or more fluid pumps and one or more valves. The one or more valves may be normally open valves, normally closed valves, or a combination thereof. One or more sensing devices may be positioned within fluid passageways of the fluid operated device. The electronic control system may control operation of the pump assembly based on fluid pressure measurements and/or fluid flow measurements received from the one or more sensing devices. Variable voltage can be applied to the control of the pump and/or the valves based on varying atmospheric conditions and the fluid pressure and/or flow measurements processed by the electronic control system.

Fluid system

A fluid system includes a fluid active region, a fluid channel, a convergence chamber, a sensor and plural valves. The fluid active region includes at least one fluid-guiding unit. The fluid-guiding unit is enabled under control to transport fluid to be discharged out through an outlet aperture. The fluid channel is in communication with the outlet aperture of the fluid active region, and has plural branch channels for splitting the fluid discharged from the fluid active region. The convergence chamber is in communication with the fluid channel. The sensor is disposed in the fluid channel for measuring fluid. The valves each of which is disposed in the corresponding branch channel, wherein the fluid is discharged out through the branch channels according to opened/closed states of the valves under control. The fluid system is capable of acquiring required flow rate, pressure and amount of the fluid to be transported.

PIEZO VALVE AND VALVE SYSTEM
20230296188 · 2023-09-21 ·

A piezo valve for influencing a fluid flow, with a strip-shaped piezo bender which is arranged in a fluid channel and which includes a band-shaped carrier layer and a band-shaped actuator layer applied thereto and which is pressed with a first surface by a spring against a front bearing blade and a rear bearing blade and on a second surface facing away from the first surface with a seal which seals a valve seat in a functional position. The valve seat serves as an orifice opening of a fluid channel section is formed, in which the first surface is formed either by the carrier layer or by the actuator layer and the seal in the first functional position optionally on the valve oil seat or releases the valve seat.