Miniature electrically operated diaphragm valve

Valves and valve actuation – Electrically actuated valve – Balanced valve

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C251S129170

Reexamination Certificate

active

06328279

ABSTRACT:

RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to an application titled “Miniature High Pressure Electrically Operated Valve,” Ser. No. 09/306,675, filed previously.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of electrically operated valves, specifically miniature valves that can be inexpensively produced.
Electrically-operated valves are widely known, and are used in a wide variety of applications. The required mechanical actuation generally requires significant force, and the consequent valves are generally large and consume significant electrical power for actuation.
Miniature electrically-operated valves are available. Conventional miniature electrically-operated valves are generally very expensive, and often require continuous electrical current to maintain the valve in the open or closed positions. Further, they often have limited ability to stand off significant fluid pressures. Accordingly, conventional miniature electrically-operated valves are not suitable for applications where cost is important, and for applications where continuous electrical power for valve operation is undesirable.
Accordingly, there is a need for a miniature electrically operated valve that can stand off significant pressures, that can be inexpensively produced, and that can be made to operate without continuous electrical power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a miniature electrically operated valve that can stand off significant pressures, that can be inexpensively produced, and that can be made to operate without continuous electrical power. A valve according to the present invention comprises a housing and a beam mounted with the housing. A diaphragm mounted with the housing forms a sealed fluid volume. An electromagnetic energy source, such as an electromagnetic coil, mounts with the housing and when energized urges the beam in one direction. The beam can be urged in the opposing direction by reversing the polarity of the electromagnetic energy source or by a second electromagnetic energy source. Two fluid ports mount with the housing. A first fluid port mounts so that, as the beam is urged in one direction or the opposite, the beam urges the diaphragm to move between engaging and substantially sealing the fluid port and disengaging and not substantially sealing the fluid port. A seat can be mounted with the diaphragm to aid in sealing the fluid port. Latching mechanisms such as permanent magnets can be mounted with the valve so that the valve remains in the open or closed positions without continuous electrical power input. Fluid thus can flow through the housing between the two fluid ports when the diaphragm does not seal the first fluid port, but can be prevented from flowing by urging the beam so that the diaphragm seals the first fluid port. Various embodiments accommodate various latching mechanisms, electromagnetic energy sources, number of fluid ports, and diaphragm design considerations.
Advantages and novel features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4304391 (1981-12-01), Yamaguchi
patent: 5653422 (1997-08-01), Pieloth et al.
Hal Jerman, Electrically-activated, normally-closed diaphragm valves, Journal of Micromech Microeng., vol. 4, pgs. 210-216 (1994).
Wong, et al, Development of a Latching Valve for Micro-ChemLab™, ASME 1999 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exxposition Session on MicroFluids, Nov. 14, 1999.
Lee Company Technical Center, Electro-Fluidic Systems Technical Handbook, 6thEdition, Component Catalog 1994.
Redwood Microsystems, NC-1500 Fluistor™ Microvalve, Data Sheet.
NAiS, TQ-Relays, Data Sheet.

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