The present invention relates in a first aspect to an actuator subassembly comprising a shape memory alloy wire (15), a biasing spring (16) and magnetic responsive elements (17, 17′) to couple the movement of a first movable element (13) and a second movable element (14) provided with a terminal (18), and in a second aspect to a fluidic valve comprising a plunger whose terminal part controls its opening and closing and where the plunger movement is controlled by the action of a shape memory alloy wire, a biasing element and magnetic responsive elements.

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.

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 servo valve includes a fluid transfer valve assembly comprising a supply port and a control port; a 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 means configured to move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow. The drive means is arranged to rotate the spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly, the spool provided with openings arranged to selectively align with or block flow channels in the fluid transfer assembly according to the direction and degree of rotation of the spool.

Example embodiments disclose a valve seat that encloses a fluid passage for passage of a fluid from a fluid chamber, and a holding element that exerts a holding force on a valve body, the holding force acting in a direction towards a valve seat. In the event that the fluid acts on an effective surface of the valve body with a force or a pressure above a limit value, the valve body moves away from the valve seat. In the event that the fluid acts on an effective surface of the holding element with a force or a pressure above a limit value, the holding force acting on the valve body decreases. In doing so, the fluid acts on the holding element more strongly and/or earlier than on the valve body.

A valve assembly consists essentially of a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port; a valve retainer at least partially housed within the valve body; a valve poppet positioned within the valve body; a magnet affixed within the valve body near the valve body inlet port; and a solenoid coil mounted around the valve body.

A latching assembly for a solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid assembly including a core defining a bore extending along an axis, and a coil mounted to the core and disposed about the axis. The solenoid operated valve further includes an armature assembly including an armature stud disposed at least partially within the bore and extending along the axis, an armature disc disposed radially about a portion of the armature stud and defining at least one window, and at least one stationary magnet respectively disposed within the at least one window.

A latching assembly for a solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid assembly including a core defining a bore extending along an axis, and a coil mounted to the core and disposed about the axis. The solenoid operated valve further includes an armature assembly including an armature stud disposed at least partially within the bore and extending along the axis, an armature disc disposed radially about a portion of the armature stud and defining at least one window, and at least one stationary magnet respectively disposed within the at least one window.

The invention relates to a shut-off valve (1) for a pressurized-gas vessel, comprising a valve closing body (2) which can perform stroke movements and which is preloaded by the spring force of a closing spring (3) against a valve seat (4), such that, when the valve closing body (2) is in a closed position, a connection of a valve inlet (5) to a valve outlet (6) is shut off, and furthermore comprising an actuator arrangement (7) for opening the valve closing body (2). According to the invention, the actuator arrangement (7) interacts with an actuating element (8) which is arranged spaced apart from and coaxial with respect to the valve closing body (2) and which is movable by means of the actuator arrangement (7) in the direction of the valve closing body (2), such that, when the actuating element (8) abuts against the valve closing body (2), an opening impulse can be generated. The invention furthermore relates to a pressurized-gas vessel having a shut-off valve (1) according to the invention.

An emergency shut-off device comprises an activation means configured to generate an activation force in response to detecting a seismic event, and a magnetic driver having a hollow guide tube with two magnets affixed at a selected position on opposite sides along a length of the guide tube with like poles facing each other and a drive piston movable inside the guide tube. The driver piston is coupled to a third magnet and has a first end for receiving an activation force to move the third magnet crossing a magnetic repulse shift line formed by the two magnets, and a second end for applying the drive force to an output system to effectuate a shut-off of a fluid line.