Hybrid Micro/Macro Plate Valve
First Claim
1. A microvalve for controlling the operation of a first valve comprising:
- a plurality of layers defining a body, the body having a chamber and a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the chamber;
a movable portion positioned within the chamber, the movable portion being selectively moved to control a fluid flow in a first fluid circuit;
wherein the first valve is moved to a first position when there is a fluid flow from a first fluid source through the chamber, and the first valve is moved to a second position when there is a fluid flow from the first valve through the chamber to a first fluid reservoir.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microvalve device includes a pilot valve and a pilot operated valve. The pilot valve includes a first layer having openings and a second layer having a chamber in communication with the openings, and a movable member for controlling fluid flow. The pilot operated valve includes three plates. Two the openings, and pressure apply and release channels in communication with a spool portion of the pilot operated valve. The spool is movable to allow from a second fluid source to a load. The third plate includes a first source port in communication with a first fluid, the pressure apply and release channel, one of the first plate ports, one of the openings, a first port in communication with a first reservoir, a second port is in communication with the second fluid source and a load port in communication with a load.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A microvalve for controlling the operation of a first valve comprising:
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a plurality of layers defining a body, the body having a chamber and a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the chamber; a movable portion positioned within the chamber, the movable portion being selectively moved to control a fluid flow in a first fluid circuit; wherein the first valve is moved to a first position when there is a fluid flow from a first fluid source through the chamber, and the first valve is moved to a second position when there is a fluid flow from the first valve through the chamber to a first fluid reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A microvalve device comprising:
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a microvalve pilot valve including a first layer, a third layer having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, and a second layer being positioned between the first layer and the third layer, the second layer including a chamber in fluid communication with the openings, and a movable member for selectively controlling fluid flow through the chamber and between the openings; and a pilot operated valve including a first plate, a third plate, and a second plate positioned between the first plate and the third plate; wherein the first plate includes a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the openings of the microvalve, a pressure apply channel, and a pressure release channel; the second plate includes the pressure apply channel and the pressure release channel, both of the channels being in fluid communication with a spool portion of the pilot operated valve, the spool portion being selectively movable to allow flow from a second source of fluid to a load; the third plate includes; a first source port in fluid communication with a first fluid source, the pressure apply channel, one of the first plate ports, and one of the microvalve openings; a first reservoir port in fluid communication with a first reservoir, the pressure release channel, one of the first plate ports, and one of the microvalve openings; a second source port in fluid communication with the second source of fluid; and a load port in fluid communication with the load. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A plate valve comprising:
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a first plate defining a plurality of ports connected with a second plate; a second plate defining a chamber, the chamber having a spool positioned therein the spool being movable between a first position and a second position; and
a plurality of fluid channels, the fluid channels being in fluid communication with the plurality of ports; anda third plate including a first port connected with a first source of fluid, a second port connected with a reservoir;
a third port connected with a second source of fluid; and
a fourth port connected with a load;
wherein one of the fluid channels connects the first source of fluid with one of the plurality of openings of the first plate and the spool, another of the fluid channels connects the reservoir with one of the openings of the first plate and the spool;wherein movement of the spool is caused by at least one of fluid moving from the first source of fluid to the spool, and from the spool to the reservoir; and movement of the spool creates a fluid path between the second source of fluid and the load. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification