Patent ID: 6182702
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: F15B,Y10T

Abstract:
A pneumatic valve assembly comprising:a valve manifold (10) defining a surface:said manifold defining a pressurized air channel (2) fluidly coupled to a plurality of pressure ports situated along said surface;said manifold defining a vacuum channel (20) coupling a first vacuum port (11) formed in said surface with a second vacuum port formed at other than said surface;at least one valve unit (5) mounted to the surface in fluid communication with at least one of said pressure ports;an ejector unit (1) mounted to the surface in fluid communication with a second of said pressure ports and with said first vacuum port;a pilot valve (3);said ejector unit fluidly coupling the pilot valve to said second pressure port;said ejector unit defining a partial vacuum region (17);said ejector unit comprising an ejector (4) fluidly coupled to the pilot valve and creating a partial vacuum at the partial vacuum region; andsaid ejector unit defining a fluid path coupling the partial vacuum region with said first vacuum port.