Variable pressure valve apparatus

• US 6,474,360 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ito, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US09/592,723
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 251/11, 251/230, 251/129.06, 137/530, 137/531, 604/9, 604/891.1
• US Class Current: 137/530
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/025 actuated by thermo-electric means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/52425 with a ball-shaped valve member
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/54 with pinion and rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7906 Cam means for adjusting and fixing bias

Abstract

A variable pressure valve apparatus has a case having a fluid inlet port and a fluid discharge port, a valve element for closing the fluid inlet port, a spring member disposed in the case for biasing the valve element to close the fluid inlet port, and a cam wheel for undergoing rotation to deform the spring member and thereby vary a biasing force applied to the valve element by the spring member. A feed ratchet is disposed in the case for undergoing movement to rotate the cam wheel. A shape memory alloy or a piezoelectric element undergoes extension movement to move the feed ratchet to thereby rotate the cam wheel to deform the spring member.

Claims

1. A variable pressure valve apparatus comprising:

a case having a fluid inlet port and a fluid discharge port;

a valve element for closing the fluid inlet port;

a spring member disposed in the case for biasing the valve element to close the fluid inlet port;

a cam wheel for undergoing rotation to deform the spring member and thereby vary a biasing force applied to the valve element by the spring member;

a feed ratchet disposed in the case for undergoing movement to rotate the cam wheel; and

moving means for undergoing extension movement to move the feed ratchet to thereby rotate the cam wheel to deform the spring member.

2. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the moving means comprises a shape memory alloy spring.

3. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 1;

wherein the moving means comprises a piezoelectric element.

4. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 1;

further comprising a primary electromagnetic coil for generating electric power and a secondary electromagnetic coil supplied with electric power generated by the primary electromagnetic coil for supplying electric power to the moving means to extend the moving means.

5. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 4;

wherein the moving means comprises a shape memory alloy spring.

6. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 4;

wherein the moving means comprises a piezoelectric element.

7. A variable pressure valve apparatus comprising:

a case having a fluid inlet port and a fluid discharge port;

a valve element for closing the fluid inlet port;

a spring member disposed in the case for biasing the valve element to close the fluid inlet port;

rotation means for undergoing rotation to deform the spring member and thereby vary a biasing force applied to the valve element by the spring member;

movable means disposed in the case for undergoing movement to rotate the rotation means; and

moving means for undergoing extension movement to move the movable means to thereby rotate the rotation means to deform the spring member.

8. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 7;

wherein the moving means comprises a shape memory alloy spring.

9. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 7;

wherein the moving means comprises a piezoelectric element.

10. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 7;

wherein the movable means is mounted in the case for undergoing linear movement in accordance with extension movement of the moving means.

11. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 7;

further comprising a primary electromagnetic coil for generating electric power and a secondary electromagnetic coil disposed in the case and supplied with electric power generated by the primary electromagnetic coil;

wherein the secondary electromagnetic coil supplies electric power to the moving means to extend the moving means.

12. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 11;

further comprising a control probe having the primary electromagnetic coil; and

wherein the secondary electromagnetic coil is disposed opposite to and confronting the first electromagnetic coil.

13. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 12;

wherein the control probe is spaced apart from the case.

14. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 12;

wherein the moving means comprises a shape memory alloy spring.

15. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 12;

wherein the moving means comprises a piezoelectric element.

16. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 12;

further comprising detecting means for detecting a relative position between the case and the control probe.

17. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 16;

wherein the detecting means comprises a magnetic sensor and a magnet.

18. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 12;

further comprising means for preventing exposure of the secondary magnetic coil and the moving means to a fluid flowing from the fluid inlet port to the fluid discharge port.

19. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 18;

wherein the case comprises a first compartment containing the secondary magnetic coil and a second compartment containing the valve element, the spring member, the rotation means and the movable means.

20. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 19;

wherein the means for preventing exposure comprises a partition wall of the case separating the first compartment from the second compartment.

21. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 7;

wherein the spring member comprises a leaf spring.

22. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 21;

wherein the leaf spring has a first end portion for contacting the valve element and a second end portion; and

wherein the rotation means comprises a cam portion disposed in contact with the second end portion of the leaf spring.

23. A variable pressure valve apparatus comprising:

a control probe having a primary electromagnetic coil for generating electric power; and

a variable pressure valve spaced apart from the control probe and having a fluid inlet port, a fluid discharge port, a valve element for closing the fluid inlet port, a spring member for biasing the valve element to close the fluid inlet port, rotation means for undergoing rotation to deform the spring member and thereby vary a biasing force applied to the valve element by the spring member, movable means for undergoing movement to rotate the rotation means, moving means for undergoing extension movement to move the movable means to thereby rotate the rotation means to deform the spring member, and a secondary electromagnetic coil supplied with electric power generated by the primary electromagnetic coil for supplying electric power to the moving means to extend the moving means.

24. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 23;

wherein the moving means comprises a shape memory alloy spring.

25. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 23;

wherein the moving means comprises a piezoelectric element.

26. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 23;

further comprising means for preventing exposure of the secondary magnetic coil and the moving means to a fluid flowing from the fluid inlet port to the fluid discharge port.

27. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 23;

further comprising detecting means for detecting a relative position between the control probe and the variable pressure valve.

28. A variable pressure valve apparatus according to claim 27;

wherein the detecting means comprises a magnetic sensor connected to the control probe and a magnet connected to the variable pressure valve.