Three-Port Proportional Flow Control Valve with an Integrated Turbine for Flow Rate Sensing

    公开(公告)号:US20220397439A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-15

    申请号:US17712565

    申请日:2022-04-04

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    IPC分类号: G01F15/00 G01F1/115 G01F15/06

    摘要: An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: a first port, a second port, and a third port; a spool configured to block fluid flow from the first port to the third port while allowing fluid flow from the third port to the second port when the valve is in an unactuated state; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool in a proximal direction, wherein when the valve is actuated, the spool moves in a distal direction against the spring, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the third port while blocking fluid flow from the third port to the second port; and a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flows from the first port to the third port when the valve is in an actuated state.

    Flow control valve with load-sense signal generation

    公开(公告)号:US11274752B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-03-15

    申请号:US16736892

    申请日:2020-01-08

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    摘要: An example valve includes a first port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid, a second port fluidly coupled to an actuator, a third port fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and a fourth port configured to export a load-sense (LS) fluid signal. The valve can operate in: a neutral state, wherein fluid is allowed to flow from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port are blocked; a first actuated state, wherein fluid flow is throttled from the second port to the third port, while the first port and the fourth port remain blocked; or a second actuated state, wherein fluid flow from the second port to the third port is blocked, while fluid flow is allowed from the first port to the second port and from the second port to the fourth port.

    Proportional flow control and counterbalance valve having single seat configuration

    公开(公告)号:US10969801B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-06

    申请号:US16442880

    申请日:2019-06-17

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    摘要: An example valve includes: a first port configured to be fluidly coupled to an actuator; a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a pilot poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port and configured to be subjected to a second fluid force of the input pilot fluid signal; a solenoid actuator sleeve that is axially movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state; and at least one setting spring configured to apply a biasing force on the pilot poppet.

    Valve solenoid tube having a two chamber configuration

    公开(公告)号:US10781934B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-09-22

    申请号:US16019820

    申请日:2018-06-27

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    摘要: An example solenoid tube of a solenoid actuator for a valve includes: (i) a cylindrical body includes: a first threaded region formed on an exterior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, and a second threaded region formed on an interior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body; and (ii) a pole piece formed as a protrusion from the interior peripheral surface of the cylindrical body and configured to divide a hollow interior of the cylindrical body into a first chamber and a second chamber, where the pole piece defines a channel therethrough, such that the channel fluidly couples the first chamber to the second chamber, where the first chamber is configured to receive an armature of the solenoid actuator therein, and where the second chamber is configured to a component such as a sensor or a manual actuator therein.

    Proportional Valve for Fluid Flow Control and Generation of Load-Sense Signal

    公开(公告)号:US20200182371A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-06-11

    申请号:US16215120

    申请日:2018-12-10

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    IPC分类号: F16K31/40 F15B11/16

    摘要: An example valve includes: a piston movable between a neutral position and an actuated position, wherein in the neutral position: a second port of the valve is fluidly coupled to a first port, and a third port is fluidly decoupled from the second port; a solenoid actuator sleeve movable between an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein in the actuated state, the solenoid actuator sleeve allows pilot fluid to apply a fluid force on a piston in a distal direction; a first feedback spring; and a second feedback spring disposed in series with the first feedback spring, wherein the first feedback spring and the second feedback spring cooperate to apply a biasing force in a proximal direction on the piston against the fluid force, wherein the piston is configured to move to the actuated position based on a relationship between the fluid force and the biasing force.

    Pressure-Balanced Fluidic Actuation Mechanism for a Valve

    公开(公告)号:US20190128441A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-02

    申请号:US15797194

    申请日:2017-10-30

    发明人: Bernd Zähe

    IPC分类号: F16K31/122 F16K3/26

    摘要: An example fluidic actuation mechanism includes: (i) a piston having: a first flanged portion with a first annular surface area, a second flanged portion with a second annular surface area, where the first flanged portion and the second flanged portion project from an exterior peripheral surface of the piston, and a longitudinal cavity bounded by an interior peripheral surface of the piston; and (ii) a pin disposed in the longitudinal cavity of the piston. The pin engages the piston such that a force applied on the pin in a given axial direction is transferred to the piston. A difference between the second annular surface area of the second flanged portion and the first annular surface of the first flanged portion is substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of the pin.

    Valve with an Integrated Turbine for Energy Harvesting

    公开(公告)号:US20220397089A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-15

    申请号:US17739293

    申请日:2022-05-09

    摘要: An example valve includes: a seat member; a spool configured to be seated on the seat member to block fluid flow from a first port to a second port when the valve is in a closed state, wherein fluid at the first port applies a fluid force on the spool; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool toward the seat member, wherein as the fluid force overcomes the biasing force, the spool moves in the proximal direction off the seat member, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port through a flow area formed between the spool and the seat member; a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flowing through the flow area flows downstream across the turbine; and an electric generator coupled to the turbine, such that rotation of the turbine causes the electric generator to generate electric power.