Dunan Microstaq, Inc.

Zhejiang Dunan Hetian Metal Co., Ltd.

Chen Yang

Joe Albert Ojeda, Sr

Parthiban Arunasalam

E Nelson Fuller

Gengxun Kara Gurley

Edward Nelson Fuller

Jennifer O'Keefe

Arvind Rao

Buu C Chung

Wayne Curtis Long

Joseph Nguyen

Dhaman Kumar Besarla

Kevin C Sinkar

Colin B Bingle

Mark Luckevich

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member. The displaceable member includes a sealing portion having a plurality of elongated control arms extending inwardly from one end thereof, wherein the control arms are configured as a valve closing members for each of a plurality of fluid flow openings in the first plate.

Two port mems silicon flow control valve

An electronically switchable, bi-stable two-port valve includes a sleeve, a first pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a first wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to a source of electrical power, a second pole piece having air flow passages formed therethrough and a second wire-wound coil mounted therein and connected to the source of electrical power, and a permanent magnet defining an armature and movably mounted between the first and second pole pieces. The first pole piece is mounted in a first end of the sleeve and the second pole piece is mounted in a second end of the sleeve.

Bi-stable two-port valve

A spool assembly configured for use in a two-stage proportional control valve in a fluid system includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an axially extending sleeve bore extending from an open first end to an open second end. A spool includes a spool bore that extends from an open first axial end to a closed second axial end and is slidably mounted within the sleeve bore. The spool further includes a first circumferentially extending groove defining a fluid flow path, a second circumferentially extending groove formed near a first end thereof, a third circumferentially extending groove formed near the second axial end thereof, a circumferentially extending pressure groove formed therein between the second axial end and the third circumferentially extending groove, and first, second, and third transverse fluid passageways formed through a side wall of the spool.

Expansion valve

A manifold assembly is configured to calibrate and test one or more superheat controllers and includes a manifold frame, a manifold having a plurality of fluid conduits mounted to the manifold frame, and a plurality of superheat controller fittings mounted to the fluid conduits, each superheat controller fitting configured to have a superheat controller attached thereto.

Apparatus for calibrating and testing multiple superheat controllers

A test equipment arrangement includes a superheat controller configured for connection to a unit under test, and further configured to test at least one operational parameter of the unit under test.

Test equipment arrangement having a superheat controller

The electronically switchable MEMS valve includes a housing formed from soft magnetic material and defining a fluid flow path therethrough. A magnetic field generating member is mounted within the housing and connected to a source of electrical power. A MEMS valve portion is mounted within the magnetic field generating member, has a valve closing member movably mounted therein, and defines a portion of the fluid flow path therethrough. The valve closing element is movable between a closed position wherein the fluid flow path is blocked, and an open position wherein the fluid flow path is not blocked. When an electric current is removed from the magnetic field generating member, the valve closing element is configured to move to and remain in the one of the closed position and the open position to which the valve closing element is the closest when the electric current is removed.

MEMS based solenoid valve

A two-stage proportional control valve configured for use in a fluid system includes a valve body having a longitudinally extending valve body bore formed therethrough. A first stage microvalve is mounted within the valve body bore, and a second stage spool assembly is mounted within the valve body bore downstream of the microvalve. The second stage spool assembly includes a sleeve and a spool slidably mounted within the sleeve.

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface, a recessed area provided within the surface, a fluid port provided within the recessed area, and a sealing structure extending about the fluid port, the sealing structure having at least one divot formed therein. A second plate has a surface adjacent the surface of the first plate and including a displaceable member that is movable between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port, and an open position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port.

Microvalve having contamination resistant features

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A second plate has a surface that abuts the surface of the first plate and includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve. An actuator is connected to the displaceable member and has only one or two pairs of actuator ribs.

Microvalve having improved actuator

A microvalve includes a first plate having an inner surface, a recessed region provided within the inner surface, a normally open fluid port and a normally closed fluid port provided within the recessed region. A first sealing structure extends about the normally open fluid port, and a second sealing structure extends about the normally closed fluid port. A second plate defines a non-movable portion and a movable portion. A surface of the non-movable portion abuts the inner surface of the first plate, the non-movable portion having an opening formed therethrough. The movable portion is formed within the opening, has an axis, and defines a displaceable member connected to the non-movable portion by a convoluted spring formed in the opening. The displaceable member is slidingly and axially movable within the opening between a first position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the second sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the normally closed fluid port, and a second position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the second sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the normally closed fluid port.

Three-port microvalve with improved sealing mechanism

A microvalve includes a displaceable member having an elongated arm portion, a plurality of actuator ribs connected through a central spine to the elongated arm portion, and a hinge portion. Each of the actuator ribs has a first portion and a second portion, the first portions each having an end connected to the central spine, the second portions each having an end connected to the central spine. A channel is formed in the plate. A plurality of elongated openings is formed in the plate and define the actuator ribs, each elongated opening having longitudinally extending side edges. One of the elongated openings separates each rib in the second portion of ribs from an adjacent rib or the plate. The channel and a longitudinally extending side edge of one of the elongated openings separate the second portion of the actuator ribs from the plate and define an electrical isolation region.

Microvalve having a reduced size and improved electrical performance

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface, a recessed region provided within the surface, a fluid port provided within the recessed region, and a sealing structure extending about the fluid port. A second plate defines a non-movable portion and a movable portion, a surface of the non-movable portion abutting the surface of the first plate, the non-movable portion having first and second openings formed therethrough. The movable portion is formed within the first opening and has an axis, the movable portion defining a displaceable member connected to the non-movable portion by a convoluted spring formed in a second opening. The displaceable member is slidingly and axially movable within the first opening between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port.

Plate microvalve with improved sealing mechanism

A microvalve includes a first plate having a surface, a recessed region provided within the surface, a fluid port provided within the recessed region, and a sealing structure extending about the fluid port. A second plate defines a non-movable portion and a movable portion formed within the first opening and having an axis. A surface of the non-movable portion abuts the surface of the first plate, the non-movable portion having first and second openings formed therethrough. The first opening has a notch formed in each of two longitudinally extending side walls thereof. The movable portion defines a displaceable member connected to the non-movable portion by a convoluted spring formed in a second opening. The displaceable member has a tab extending outwardly from each of two longitudinally extending side walls thereof, each tab positioned within one of the notches. The displaceable member is slidingly and axially movable within the first opening between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member cooperates with the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not cooperate with at least a portion of the sealing structure to prevent fluid communication through the fluid port. The notches define stop surfaces that limit travel of the displaceable member between the closed position and the open position.

On-off microvalve with improved sealing mechanism

A microvalve includes a base plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A venting groove extends from a first cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a dead end region to a second cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. A cover plate includes a surface having an actuator cavity provided therein that includes a first cavity portion having a dead end region and a second cavity portion having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. An intermediate plate includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Chen Yang