# US 10,865,903 B2 · Interlace lifting mechanism

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- Number: US 10,865,903 B2
- Document ID: US10865903B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/481,312
- Filed: 2017-04-06
- Published: 2017-08-17
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-04
- Assignees: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Kim Ngoc Vu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865903B2

## CPC

- F16K 27/029: {Electromagnetically actuated valves}
- F16K 31/007: {Piezoelectric stacks}
- H02N 2/043: {Mechanical transmission means, e.g. for stroke amplification}
- Y10T 137/7758: Pilot or servo controlled
- Y10T 137/7761: Electrically actuated valve
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A mechanism for coupling motion of a piezoelectric actuator in axisymmetric devices like modulating proportional valves uses actuator extension motion to cause translation away from a mechanism mounting plane and thereby enables lifting open of a valve element instead of the usual pushing closed of the valve element. The mechanism does not contain any gears nor leadscrew threads, and in usual practice is constantly loaded, so apparent change of direction is achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The mechanism surrounds a piezoelectric stack actuator by contacting opposite ends of the piezoelectric stack, whereby extension motion lengthening the actuator causes a lifting portion of the mechanism to translate toward the bulk of the actuator while the proximally adjacent mounting portion of the mechanism remains at a fixed location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mechanism for coupling motion of an actuator, the mechanism being adapted to surround the actuator and to contact opposite ends of the actuator, whereby an extension motion in an extension direction lengthening the actuator causes a lifting portion of the mechanism to translate toward a bulkier portion of the actuator while a mounting nut of the mechanism remains at a fixed location, wherein
the lifting portion comprises a lifting portion housing,
the lifting portion housing comprises a traverse bar that is linked with a central shaft integrally formed and coupled with a valve, the traverse bar provided with a hole in which the central shaft is accommodated, and
the traverse bar is positioned in an oblong slot formed in the mounting nut.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a cross-over plate arranged between the lifting portion and the mounting nut.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the traverse bar is arranged between the mounting nut and the central shaft along a direction which is vertical to the extension direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the lifting portion housing is linked with the central shaft by screwing a retaining nut to the central shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein a diaphragm and the traverse bar are configured to move together according to an expansion and a contraction of the actuator.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the central shaft is configured to pull up a center of a diaphragm.