Valve with flexible sheet member

• US 4,848,722 A
• Filed: 02/11/1988
• Issued: 07/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eastern Plastics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Integrated Fluidics, Inc.
• Inventors: Webster, Milo E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US07/155,038
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 251/61.1, 137/885, 137/884, 137/613
• US Class Current: 251/61.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/022 comprising a deformable member
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/17 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87893 With fluid actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

A valve is disclosed comprising a first body portion (2) having a first surface (16), a second body portion (4) having a second surface (51) facing the first surface, a flexible sheet (8) positioned between the first and second surfaces, a void (4) in the first body portion created and defined by a concave surface (46) formed in the first surface and one side (18) of the flexible sheet.

There are at least two fluid passageways (20) (22) in the first body portion communicating with the void at spaced locations, at least one of the fluid passageways being a channel formed in the first surface and terminating at the void.

A source of pressure and vacuum (50) (54) is provided for flexing the sheet against and away from the first body portion in order that when the flexible sheet is flexed against the first body portion, the passageways are sealed from each other, and when the flexible sheet is flexed away from the first body portion the fluid passageways are placed in communication with each other by way of the void.

Claims

1. A valve comprising:

a first body portion having a first substantially flat surface,

a second body portion having a second substantially flat surface facing the first surface,

a flexible sheet positioned between the first and second surfaces,

a fluid receiving chamber comprising a void in the first body portion created and defined by a concave surface formed in the first substantially flat surface and a first side of the flexible sheet,

at least two fluid passageways formed in the first body portion communicating at spaced locations with the void which forms the fluid receiving chamber,

at least one of the fluid passageways being a flow through channel formed in the first substantially flat surface outside the void, then passing through the void and extending again outside the void in the substantially flat surface, the flow channel extending deeper into the first body portion than the concave surface,

means for flexing the sheet against and away from the concave surface formed in the first body portion,

in order that when the flexible sheet is flexed against the concave surface formed in the first body portion, the passageways are sealed from each other with the deeper-extending flow through channel remaining open to flow, and

when the flexible sheet is flexed away from the concave surface in the first body portion the fluid passageways are placed in communication with each other by way of the void.

4. A valve according to claim 1 wherein the other fluid passageway is a bore terminating in the void.

7. A valve according to claim 1 wherein the other fluid passageway is a flow through channel.

10. A valve according to claim 1 wherein the other fluid passageway is a channel formed in the first surface.

2. A valve comprising:

a first body portion having a first substantially flat surface,

a second body portion having a second substantially flat surface facing the first surface,

a flexible sheet positioned between the first and second surfaces,

a fluid receiving chamber comprising a void in the first body portion created and defined by a concave surface formed in the first substantially flat surface and a first side of the flexible sheet,

at least two fluid passageways formed in the first body portion communicating at spaced locations with the void which forms the fluid receiving chamber,

at least one of the fluid passageways being a flow through channel formed in the first substantially flat surface outside the void, then passing through the void and extending again outside the void in the substantially flat surface, the flow channel extending deeper into the first body portion than the concave surface,

a pressure chamber comprising a second void in the second body portion aligned with the first void and on the opposite side of the flexible sheet,

the pressure chamber comprising the second void being created and defined by a second concave surface formed in the substantially flat second surface and the opposite side of the flexible sheet,

means for flexing the sheet against and away from the concave surface formed in the first body portion,

in order that when the flexible sheet is flexed against the concave surface in the first body portion, the fluid passageways are sealed from each other with the deeper extending flow through channel remaining open to flow, and

when the flexible sheet is flexed away from the concave surface the first body portion fluid passageways are placed in communication with each other by way of the first void.

5. A valve according to claim 2 wherein the other fluid passageway is a bore terminating in the first void.

8. A valve according to claim 2 wherein the other fluid passageway is a flow through channel.

11. A valve according to claim 2 wherein the other fluid passageway is a channel formed in the first surface.

3. A valve comprising:

a first body portion having a first substantially flat surface,

a second body portion having a second substantially flat surface facing the first surface,

a flexible sheet positioned between the first and second surfaces,

a fluid receiving chamber comprising a void in the first body portion created and defined by a concave surface formed in the first substantially flat surface and a first side of the flexible sheet,

at least two fluid passageways formed in the first body portion communicating at spaced locations with the void which forms the fluid receiving chamber,

at least one of the fluid passageways being a flow through channel formed in the first substantially flat surface outside the void, then passing through the void and extending again outside the void in the substantially flat surface, the flow channel extending deeper into the first body portion than the concave surface,

a pressure chamber comprising a second void in the second body portion aligned with the first void and on the opposite side of the flexible sheet,

the pressure chamber comprising the second void being created and defined by a second concave surface formed in the substantially flat second surface and the opposite side of the flexible sheet,

means for flexing the sheet again and away from the concave surface formed in the first body portion,

in order that when the flexible sheet is flexed against the concave surface in the first body portion, the fluid passageways are sealed from each other with the deeper extending flow through channel remaining open to flow, and

when the flexible sheet is flexed away from the concave surface the first body portion fluid passageways are placed in communication with each other by way of the first void,

the second concave surface and hence, the void in the second body portion, having a larger diameter than the first concave surface and hence the void in the first body portion,

so that equal pressure in both voids will create a greater force on the surface on the sheet which faces the larger void.

6. A valve according to claim 3 wherein the other fluid passageway is a bore terminating in the first void.

9. A valve according to claim 3 wherein the other fluid passageway is a flow through channel.

12. A valve according to claim 3 wherein the other fluid passageway is a channel formed in the first surface.