Valve cooling and noise suppression
AssigneeAlcon Inc.
InventorsJiansheng Zhou, Craig Fritch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Certain embodiments provide a cover mounted on top of a manifold, the cover comprising an exhaust opening and an inner surface forming a space between the inner surface of the cover and an outer surface of the manifold, wherein the space is configured to receive pressurized gas at an inlet positioned on a first side of a valve. The valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space. The exhaust opening is positioned on a second side of the valve opposite the first side of the valve such that pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening.
Claims18
A cover mounted on top of a manifold, the cover comprising:
- an exhaust opening;
- and
- an inner surface forming a space between the inner surface of the cover and an outer surface of the manifold, wherein:
- the space is configured to receive pressurized gas at an inlet positioned on a first side of a valve;
- the valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space;
- and
- the exhaust opening is positioned on a second side of the valve opposite the first side of the valve such that the pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening;
- wherein a second valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space;
- wherein:
- the inlet comprises an inlet port,
- the inlet port is connected to an exhaust port of the valve through a passage in the manifold, and
- the pressurized gas is released from the valve through the exhaust port.
A cover mounted on top of a manifold, the cover comprising:
- an exhaust opening;
- and
- an inner surface forming a space between the inner surface of the cover and an outer surface of the manifold, wherein:
- the space is configured to receive the pressurized gas at an inlet positioned on a first side of a valve;
- the valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space;
- and
- the exhaust opening is positioned on a second side of the valve opposite the first side of the valve such that pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening;
- wherein a second valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space;
- wherein:
- the inlet comprises a tube,
- the tube is connected to an exhaust port of the valve, and
- the pressurized gas is released from the valve through the exhaust port.
A pneumatic system, comprising:
- a tool with a first chamber and a second chamber on respective sides of a pneumatically driven diaphragm for reciprocating a component of the tool;
- a pressurized gas source;
- a valve coupled to the pressurized gas source, the valve having a solenoid which, when supplied with a current, moves a solenoid plunger to alternatively deliver and vent pressurized gas through a first outlet line and a second outlet line which respectively deliver and vent pressurized gas to and from the first chamber and to and from the second chamber of the tool;
- a power supply coupled to the solenoid of the valve for supplying a voltage to drive a current in the solenoid;
- a manifold on top of which the valve is mounted;
- a cover mounted on top of the manifold, wherein the cover comprises:
- an exhaust opening;
- and
- an inner surface forming a space between the inner surface of the cover and an outer surface of the manifold, wherein:
- the space is configured to receive the pressurized gas at an inlet positioned on a first side of a valve;
- the valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space, and
- the exhaust opening is positioned on a second side of the valve opposite the first side of the valve such that the pressurized gas circulates from the inlet around the valve and exits through the exhaust opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.