Piezoelectric pressure control valve
US7849870B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7761
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pressure control valve having a common plenum formed by two flow control valves that each utilize electrically controlled piezoelectric actuators to generate a number of possible operating states and thus control an output pressure from the common plenum formed by the two flow control valves. The flow control valves each have at least one pressure fitting and nozzle, and a nozzle orifice sealing mechanism coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator may be a piezo-ceramic actuator fixed along one side to a chamber of the flow control valve and having a free side opposite the fixed side. Upon receiving a voltage of a desired magnitude and polarity, the free side of the piezo-ceramic actuator and the nozzle orifice sealing mechanism moves to control a fluid flow into the common plenum. By controllably dithering the piezoelectric actuators, the output pressure from the common plenum may be accurately regulated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.