A valve includes a substrate, a shape-memory wire, a conductive polymer, and a current source. The substrate defines an opening therethrough and includes at least one flap selectively extendable across the opening. The shape-memory wire is coupled to the at least one flap. The conductive polymer is coupled to the at least one flap. The current source is coupled to the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer, such that electrical current from the current source selectively energizes the shape-memory wire and the conductive polymer thereby moving the at least one flap between a closed position and an open position.

A float valve, in particular for draining condensate in a medical compressed-air system, including: a float; a valve seat, which defines a valve opening having a valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A; and a closure element for opening and closing the valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A of the valve opening. The closure element can be controlled by means of the float between a completely open position X and a completely closed position Y. The closure element is elastic and is part of a partial opening mechanism, which is designed to successively open the valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A of the valve opening between the completely closed position Y and the completely open position X as a result of the elasticity of the closure element.

A float valve, in particular for draining condensate in a medical compressed-air system, including: a float; a valve seat, which defines a valve opening having a valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A; and a closure element for opening and closing the valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A of the valve opening. The closure element can be controlled by means of the float between a completely open position X and a completely closed position Y. The closure element is elastic and is part of a partial opening mechanism, which is designed to successively open the valve opening cross-sectional area q.sub.A of the valve opening between the completely closed position Y and the completely open position X as a result of the elasticity of the closure element.

An airlock system that includes a plurality of adjacent chambers successively arranged along a guide path. Predetermined pressures are produced in each chamber so that the predetermined pressure in each chamber is at a pressure different from the predetermined pressure produced in an adjacent chamber. Gate valves are positioned to separate adjacent chambers in order to maintain a pressure differential between the adjacent chambers.

A method for isolating a first region maintained at a first environment and a second region maintained at a second environment, wherein the first and second environments are different from each other. The method includes forming an airlock between the first region and the second region, in which the airlock includes a plurality of chambers, which are separated by gate valves, successively arranged along a guide path between the first region and the second region. The method also includes maintaining environments in the plurality of chambers so that an environment in one chamber is different from an environment in an adjacent chamber.

Provided is a small-sized controller capable of precisely controlling a flow rate of a high-pressure fluid. Between a working shaft of a drive device and a valve stem, a power transmission device is disposed to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and transmit the resultant force to the valve stem. A diaphragm as a valve element is made of metal and is deformable to: a state where a fluid passage is fully closed; a state where the fluid passage is fully open; or a state where the fluid passage is partially open. When the fluid passage is partially open, on the basis of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through fluid passages, the drive device finely adjusts the position of the working shaft such that the flow rate is constant.

Provided is a small-sized controller capable of precisely controlling a flow rate of a high-pressure fluid. Between a working shaft of a drive device and a valve stem, a power transmission device is disposed to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and transmit the resultant force to the valve stem. A diaphragm as a valve element is made of metal and is deformable to: a state where a fluid passage is fully closed; a state where the fluid passage is fully open; or a state where the fluid passage is partially open. When the fluid passage is partially open, on the basis of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through fluid passages, the drive device finely adjusts the position of the working shaft such that the flow rate is constant.

Disclosed herein is a flow control device. The flow control device comprises a sheet made from a shape memory alloy. The flow control device also comprises at least one slit through the sheet. At least the one slit defines at least one flap in the sheet. The flow control device further comprises at least one electrically-resistive trace printed on the sheet at least one of on or adjacent at least the one flap. Upon receipt of an electrical current, at least the one electrically-resistive trace configured to generate heat for deforming at least the one flap relative to the sheet and opening an aperture formed in the sheet.

Provided is a small-sized controller capable of precisely controlling a flow rate of a high-pressure fluid. Between a working shaft of a drive device and a valve stem, a power transmission device is disposed to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and transmit the resultant force to the valve stem. A diaphragm as a valve element is made of metal and is deformable to: a state where a fluid passage is fully closed; a state where the fluid passage is fully open; or a state where the fluid passage is partially open. When the fluid passage is partially open, on the basis of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through fluid passages, the drive device finely adjusts the position of the working shaft such that the flow rate is constant.

Provided is a small-sized controller capable of precisely controlling a flow rate of a high-pressure fluid. Between a working shaft of a drive device and a valve stem, a power transmission device is disposed to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and transmit the resultant force to the valve stem. A diaphragm as a valve element is made of metal and is deformable to: a state where a fluid passage is fully closed; a state where the fluid passage is fully open; or a state where the fluid passage is partially open. When the fluid passage is partially open, on the basis of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through fluid passages, the drive device finely adjusts the position of the working shaft such that the flow rate is constant.