Piezoelectric actuator with a gimballed valve
US7841579B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0318
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A gimballed valve for a flow control valve operates as a sealing member for an adjustable nozzle and is coupled to a piezoelectric actuator having stacked piezoelectric members that are toroidally shaped. The gimballed valve includes at least two support rings and a center closure member. In one embodiment only an outermost support is in contact with at least one member of the piezoelectric actuator. The support rings may be concentrically arranged and coupled together with flexure members. The center closure member operates to seal against an orifice in the adjustable nozzle and may deflect upon contact with the adjustable nozzle to account for misalignment issues that may arise during machining and/or assembly of the flow control valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.