Coupled drive multi-position fluid valve apparatus and method
US7201185B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87772
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A multi-position micro-fluidic valve system that includes an actuator assembly with a housing and a drive shaft rotatably disposed in the housing for rotational displacement about a drive axis thereof. One end of the drive shaft is configured to couple to a drive motor for selective rotation of the drive shaft about the drive axis. One of at least two different multi-position fluid valve devices can be removably mated to the actuator assembly. Each valve device is configured for rotational movement of a corresponding valve shaft about a valve rotational axis thereof between a plurality of discrete fluid distribution positions. A coupling device selectively and removably mounts the valve shaft of the respective valve device to the drive shaft of the actuator assembly. This enables selective positioning of the multi-position fluid valve device at a discrete one of the plurality for discrete distribution positions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.