# US 2014/0150901 A1 · Piezo-actuated pilot valve

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- Number: US 2014/0150901 A1
- Document ID: US20140150901A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/909,820
- Filed: 2013-06-04
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-06-04
- Applicants: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
- Inventors: Steven Mark Mesner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150901A1

## CPC

- F16K 31/004: {actuated by piezoelectric means}
- F16K 31/42: by means of electrically-actuated members in the supply or discharge conduits of the fluid motor (F16K31/40 takes precedence)
- 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)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A pilot valve includes a first port in selective fluid communication with a second port by a passageway through the valve; a valve seat; a movable piston selectively engagable with the valve seat to close the valve when the valve member engages the valve seat and to open the valve when the valve member is spaced from the valve seat; a pilot passageway providing a pathway to a portion of the piston opposite the side that engages the valve seat, the pathway being opened and closed by a pilot plug; and a piezo unit operable to control movement of the pilot plug to control whether the pathway is opened or closed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pilot valve comprising:
a first port in selective fluid communication with a second port by a passageway through the valve;
a valve seat;
a movable valve member selectively engagable with the valve seat to close the valve when the valve member engages the valve seat and to open the valve when the valve member is spaced from the valve seat;
a pilot passageway providing a pathway to a portion of the valve member opposite the side that engages the valve seat, the pathway being opened and closed by a pilot plug; and
a piezo unit operable to control movement of the pilot plug to control whether the pathway is opened or closed,
wherein controlling pilot flow controls the pressure imbalances on the valve member, selectively engaging and disengaging the valve member with the valve seat.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pilot valve of claim 1, wherein the piezo unit is powered by a battery.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The pilot valve of claim 2, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The pilot valve of claim 3, further comprising a solar panel electrically coupled to the battery for recharging the battery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The pilot valve of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel electrically coupled to the piezo unit for providing power to the piezo unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The pilot valve of claim 1, further comprising an antenna for receiving a wireless signal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The pilot valve of claim 6, wherein the valve is wirelessly controlled.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The pilot valve of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling the piezo unit.