Piezo-actuated high response valve
US6019346A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86759
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A high response valve (10) has a leaf spring (25) preloaded and positioned over an orifice plate (23). The orifice plate (23) has a plurality of interleaved ridges (62, 64) and grooves (61, 63, 65) with the grooves being in continuous communication with a valve inlet (13, 19). A plurality of slits or openings (49, 51) in the aperture plate (23) are in continuous communication with a valve outlet (21), each opening (49, 51) passing through a corresponding ridge (62, 64). A pair of electromechanical transducers (27, 29), each comprising a generally cylindrical stack of piezo-electric disks having a central axis (71), actuate the valve (10). One end of each stack (27, 29) is adjustably fixed relative to the housing by adjustment screws (41, 43), and a cap (35, 37) at the other end of the stack couples the stack to a corresponding spring (25) end. Each cap (35, 37) includes a notch (39) for engaging and maintaining a corresponding spring end near the corresponding central axis (71). Energization of the piezo-electric stacks (27, 29) applies an additional axial load to the spring (25) and proportionally opens the flow area of the valve (10). The high mechanical forces available from a p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.