Abstract:
A microvalve device for controlling the supply of pressurized fluid to a load in a fluid circuit, and having multiple internal fluid conduits for providing pressure feedback.
Abstract:
A microvalve device includes a body, a valve element supported for movement relative to the body, and an actuator operatively coupled to the valve element for moving the valve element in a normal range of travel. A travel limiting structure operatively cooperates with at least one of the valve element and the actuator to effectively limit the magnitude of movement of the valve element or the actuator outside the normal range of travel to prevent failure of the body, the valve element, or the actuator due to exceeding failure stress limits. A method of forming a microvalve with such a travel limiting structure is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A device has been disclosed that may include a spool valve including a body having a first connector and a second connector and a spool movable relative to the body for controlling flow between the first connector and the second connector. The reversible flow control assembly further may include a pilot valve device developing a single pressure command in the form of a fluid at a command pressure. The spool valve may be responsive to the single pressure command developed in said pilot valve device to control flow between the first connector and the second connector without regard to the direction of flow. The majority of axial forces acting on the spool to position the spool relative to the body when fluid is flowing through the valve may be fluid forces.
Abstract:
A microvalve device includes a body, a valve element supported for movement relative to the body, and an actuator operatively coupled to the valve element for moving the valve element in a normal range of travel. A travel limiting structure operatively cooperates with at least one of the valve element and the actuator to effectively limit the magnitude of movement of the valve element or the actuator outside the normal range of travel to prevent failure of the body, the valve element, or the actuator due to exceeding failure stress limits. A method of forming a microvalve with such a travel limiting structure is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method to prevent movable structures within a MEMS device, and more specifically, in recesses having one or more dimension in the micrometer range or smaller (i.e., smaller than about 10 microns) from being inadvertently bonded to non-moving structures during a bonding process. The method includes surface preparation of silicon both structurally and chemically to aid in preventing moving structures from bonding to adjacent surfaces during bonding, including during high force, high temperature fusion bonding.
Abstract:
A method to prevent movable structures within a MEMS device, and more specifically, in recesses having one or more dimension in the micrometer range or smaller (i.e., smaller than about 10 microns) from being inadvertently bonded to non-moving structures during a bonding process. The method includes surface preparation of silicon both structurally and chemically to aid in preventing moving structures from bonding to adjacent surfaces during bonding, including during high force, high temperature fusion bonding.