US5354032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling fluid flow
Assignee: Electrolux AB
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Filing: 1992-10-23
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Granted: 1994-10-11
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Expires: 2012-10-23
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a piezoelectric valve for controlling fluid flow and, more particularly to such a valve which is neither solenoid or servo assisted. In this specification and claims, reference to fluid(s) includes both liquid(s) and gas(es). One particular form of piezoelectric valve for controlling fluid flow comprises a housing, a cavity within the housing, piezoelectric valve disc element and a valve seat, inlet and outlet ducts for leading fluid into and out from the cavity and disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that upon actuation of the element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable and at least a portion of a peripheral region of the disc serves to control fluid flow between the inlet and outlet ducts.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Sims
- 👤 Victor C. Humberstone
- 👤 Adrian M. Woodward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K7/00; F16K7/18; F16K31/00; F16K31/004; F16K31/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein the disc is circular and the support is disposed concentrically with respect to the disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein the metal substrate extends outwardly beyond the piezoelectric layer to form a piezoelectric free peripheral boundary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A valve according to claim 1 including a main electrode and a sensing electrode isolated from the main electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein the metal substrate is made from an iron/nickel alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein the metal substrate is thermally matched relative to the layer of piezoelectric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A valve according to claim 1 wherein thicknesses of the respective layers of the piezoelectric valve disc are chosen such that a neutral axis of the disc is not coincident with an interface between adjacent layers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
206 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet, said metal substrate extending outwardly beyond the piezoelectric layer to form a piezoelectric free peripheral boundary, said piezoelectric free peripheral boundary sealing against the valve seat when the valve is closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
206 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet, said metal substrate extending outwardly beyond the piezoelectric layer to form a piezoelectric free peripheral boundary, said piezoelectric free peripheral boundary sealing against the valve seat when the valve is closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 8 including a feedback control means for controlling the opening displacement and hence modulating the fluid flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 8 wherein the disc is circular and the support is disposed concentrically with respect to the disc.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A valve according to claim 8 including a main electrode and a sensing electrode isolated from the main electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A valve according to claim 8 wherein thicknesses of the respective layers of the piezoelectric valve disc are chosen such that a neutral axis of the disc is not coincident with an interface between adjacent layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A valve according to claim 8 wherein the valve seat includes a compliant elastomeric seal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
183 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet, said valve seat including a compliant elastomeric seal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
183 words
A shut-off and flow control valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising a housing, a cavity within the housing, a valve disc element made from an electro-strictive material and a valve seat disposed within the cavity between an inlet and an outlet, the valve seat having a peripheral shape corresponding to a peripheral shape of the valve disc element, the valve disc element comprising a metal substrate having a piezoelectric layer bonded to at least one face thereof, the inlet and outlet leading fluid into and out from the cavity and being disposed on opposite sides of the valve disc element, and means for supporting the valve disc element at a central region of the element with the peripheral region of the disc disposed for cooperation with the valve seat so that, upon actuation of the valve disc element by a voltage applied thereto, the periphery of the disc is displaceable away from the valve seat to permit fluid to flow from the inlet over the periphery of the disc to the opposing outlet, said valve seat including a compliant elastomeric seal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 14 wherein the disc is circular and the support is disposed concentrically with respect to the disc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A valve according to claim 14 wherein the metal substrate extends outwardly beyond the piezoelectric layer to form a piezoelectric free peripheral boundary, said piezoelectric free boundary sealing against the valve seat when the valve is closed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A valve according to claim 14 including a main electrode and a sensing electrode isolated from the main electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 14 including a feedback control means for controlling the opening displacement and hence modulating the fluid flow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A valve according to claim 14 wherein the metal substrate is thermally matched relative to the layer of piezoelectric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A valve according to claim 14 wherein thicknesses of the respective layers of the piezoelectric valve disc are chosen such that a neutral axis of the disc is not coincident with an interface between adjacent layers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-10 | 1998-04-11 | 1998-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-10 | 2002-04-11 | 2002-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-10 | 2006-04-11 | 2006-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |