US 5,100,100 A · Fluid control and shut off valve

Abstract

An improved control and shut off valve assembly is disclosed. The preferred valve assembly provides sufficient forces to overcome biasing forces so as to provide adequate shut off at a leakage rate of less than 10.sup.-9 std cc/sec of He with an atmospheric differential of Helium applied across the valve seat of the assembly, and precise control of the flow rate, all as a function of a single electrical control signal. In accordance with another aspect the valve seat is made from a material softer than the valve seat engagement means so that the seat is coined by the valve seat engagement means when first used so as to insure tight tolerances for sealing the valve passageway during the shut off mode. Finally, in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the valve assembly is constructed with no separate parts within the flow path so as to maintain a clean passageway.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A fluid control system and shut off valve assembly comprising:

a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway connecting the inlet and outlet;
and
a single valve disposed in said housing and including a valve body and a valve seat movable relative to one another so as to define the size of an opening through the passageway;
means, including at least a stack of laminated layers of material adapted to deflect along an axis normal to said layers responsively to an electrical control signal, for moving said valve body and valve seat relative to one another in response to said electrical control signal, and means for allowing for any uneven off axis deflection of said stack;
wherein (1) the flow rate of fluid through the passageway between the inlet and outlet, and (2) complete shut off of the valve, such that any leak through the valve is at a rate less than 10.sup.-9 std cc/sec. of Helium, are controlled by and are a function of said electrical control signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid control and shut off valve

Life of this patent

Fluid control and shut off valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21