A multi-way valve includes an outer casing provided with an internal cavity, at least one input to the cavity, at least one output from the cavity, the at least one input having sealing means, and an actuator adapted to cause the opening of the sealing means of the inputs. A cross-section of the actuator is smaller than a cross-section of the inner cavity.

Embodiments of the invention provide a push valve assembly. The push valve assembly includes a valve piston that is movable within a valve body between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, passing through an intermediate rinsing position, to selectively provide pressurized fluid through flow paths defined by the position of the valve piston.

Provided is a valve drive device including a power transmission switching unit capable of reducing noise and improving positional accuracy to perform smooth power switching. In the valve drive device, a valve element drive mechanism includes a motor, a driving gear, a driven gear, and a power transmission switching unit configured to switch between a power transmission state and a power non-transmission state. The power transmission switching unit includes at least one convex unit formed on the driven gear, a rotation restriction unit that is pivotably mounted on the driven gear with respect to the driven gear and engageable with the at least one convex unit, and a lever pivoting restriction unit formed on the driven gear and configured to restrict the rotation restriction unit from pivoting. The rotation restriction unit includes a pivot shaft and a lever unit.

Embodiments of the invention provide a push valve assembly. The push valve assembly includes a valve piston that is movable within a valve body between a fully opened position and a fully closed position, passing through an intermediate rinsing position, to selectively provide pressurized fluid through flow paths defined by the position of the valve piston.

A liquid chromatography system includes a pumping system with a selector valve in fluidic communication with a pump inlet. The selector valve switches between a first position, in which the selector valve fluidically couples a solvent reservoir to the pump inlet, and a second position, in which the selector valve fluidically couples a pressurized source of liquefied carbon dioxide (for example) to the pump inlet. The liquid chromatography system can perform as a HPLC system (or as an UPLC system) when the selector valve is in the first position and as a CO.sub.2-based chromatography system when the selector valve is in the second position. The selector valve can have a third position in which both the fluidic pathway between the solvent reservoir and the pump inlet and the fluidic pathway between the pressurized source and the pump inlet are blocked. This shut-off position advantageously facilitates system maintenance.

Provided is a valve drive device including a power transmission switching unit capable of reducing noise and improving positional accuracy to perform smooth power switching. In the valve drive device, a valve element drive mechanism includes a motor, a driving gear, a driven gear, and a power transmission switching unit configured to switch between a power transmission state and a power non-transmission state. The power transmission switching unit includes at least one convex unit formed on the driven gear, a rotation restriction unit that is pivotably mounted on the driven gear with respect to the driven gear and engageable with the at least one convex unit, and a lever pivoting restriction unit formed on the driven gear and configured to restrict the rotation restriction unit from pivoting. The rotation restriction unit includes a pivot shaft and a lever unit.

A multi-way valve includes an outer casing provided with an internal cavity, at least one input to the cavity, at least one output from the cavity, the at least one input having sealing means, and an actuator adapted to cause the opening of the sealing means of the inputs. A cross-section of the actuator is smaller than a cross-section of the inner cavity.

A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

A wearless water distribution valve directs a flow of water through a swimming pool cleaning system and includes a housing having an inlet, outlets, and an inner surface bounding and defining an interior coupled in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlets. The valve further includes a disc having a port, and being mounted for rotation in the housing for movement among a plurality of positions, each position of the disc characterized by the port being aligned with a respective one of the outlets. The valve further includes a drive assembly carried by the housing and operably coupled to impart rotation to the disc. In response to application of the flow of water into the housing, actuation of the drive assembly imparts rotation to the disc through the plurality of positions. The disc is disposed in spaced relation away from the inner surface of the housing.

A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.