# US 11,441,700 B2 · Valve cooling and noise suppression

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- Number: US 11,441,700 B2
- Document ID: US11441700B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/844,145
- Filed: 2020-04-09
- Published: 2020-10-29
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-04-24
- Assignees: Alcon Inc.
- Applicants: Alcon Inc.
- Inventors: Jiansheng Zhou; Craig Fritch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441700B2

## CPC

- A61F 9/00745: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic}
- F16K 49/00: Means in or on valves for heating or cooling (heating or cooling of pipes or pipe systems F16L53/00; thermal insulation in connection with pipes or pipe systems F16L59/16)
- A61F 9/00736: {Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments (A61F9/008 takes precedence)}
- A61F 9/00754: {for cutting or perforating the anterior lens capsule, e.g. capsulotomes}
- A61F 9/00763: {with rotating or reciprocating cutting elements, e.g. concentric cutting needles (atherectomy cutting instruments A61B17/3207; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016)}
- F16K 27/12: Covers for housings
- F16K 47/02: for preventing water-hammer or noise
- A61B 2017/00544: {pneumatically}
- A61F 2009/00874: {Vitreous}
- G05D 16/2024: {the throttling means being a multiple-way valve}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- 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)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1, wherein:
the inlet port is positioned between a first side of the cover and the first side of the valve; and
a second side of the cover comprises the exhaust opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is rectangular in shape with an open bottom, wherein the open bottom of the cover is configured to receive the valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a dome with an open bottom, wherein the open bottom of the cover is configured to receive the valve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cover of claim 4, wherein the cover comprises an oval-shaped dome.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cover of claim 1, wherein:
the pressurized gas is released from the valve and the second valve through the exhaust port,
the exhaust port is shared between the valve and the second valve.

### Claim 7

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.

### Claim 8

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.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, 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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The pneumatic system of claim 9, wherein:
the inlet port is positioned between a first side of the cover and the first side of the valve, and
a second side of the cover comprises the exhaust opening.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, wherein the cover is rectangular in shape with an open bottom, wherein the open bottom of the cover is configured to receive the valve.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a dome with an open bottom, wherein the open bottom of the cover is configured to receive the valve.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The pneumatic system of claim 12, wherein the cover comprises an oval-shaped dome.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, 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.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, wherein a second valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The pneumatic system of claim 15, 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,
the pressurized gas is released from the valve through the exhaust port, and
the exhaust port is shared between the valve and the second valve.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

The pneumatic system of claim 8, further comprising an isolation valve and a control system, wherein:
the control system is configured to actuate the isolation valve to selectively allow pneumatic pressure to flow to the valve and suppress pneumatic pressure to a backup valve and suppress pneumatic pressure to flow to the valve and allow pneumatic pressure to the backup valve,
the isolation valve is coupled to the outer surface of the manifold and positioned within the space.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The pneumatic system of claim 17, 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,
the pressurized gas is released from the valve through the exhaust port,
the exhaust port is shared between the valve and the second valve.