Patent ID: 6062532
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F01L,F15B,F16K,H02N,Y10T

Abstract:
An actuator assembly for operating a setting member, comprising(a) an actuator body undergoing a dimensional change upon applying electrical energy thereto;(b) a housing;(c) a preliminary pressure chamber defined in said housing for accommodating liquid;(d) a diaphragm sealing said preliminary pressure chamber and being coupled to said actuator body for being displaced by said actuator body;(e) a valve member carried by said diaphragm;(f) a transfer chamber defined in said housing for accommodating liquid; said transfer chamber having opposite first and second sides;(g) a displaceable plate body disposed in said preliminary pressure chamber and having opposite first and second surfaces; said plate body facing said diaphragm with said first surface; said plate body sealingly bounding said transfer chamber at said first side thereof and facing said transfer chamber with said second surface; said diaphragm being operatively coupled with said plate body for causing displacement of said plate body;(h) a displaceable piston body sealingly bounding said transfer chamber at said second side thereof; said piston body being displaceable by means of the liquid in said transfer chamber upon motion of said plate body; said plate body having a surface being oriented towards said transfer chamber and being smaller than said second surface of said plate body, whereby a displacement of said piston body is greater than a displacement of said plate body; said piston body being adapted to be coupled to the setting member for displacing the setting member by the piston body; and(j) a valve opening provided in said plate body and cooperating with said valve member to be placed into an open and a closed position; in said open position said valve opening establishing a hydraulic communication between said preliminary pressure chamber and said transfer chamber.