Patent ID: 6032667
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A unitary, variable orifice pulse valve comprising:a housing having an inlet for receiving gas and an outlet discharging gas from the valve;a chamber formed in said housing intermediate the inlet and outlet of said housing, said intermediate chamber having a first opening in fluid communication with one of said inlet and outlet and a second opening in fluid communication with the other of said outlet and inlet;variable orifice forming means in said housing relatively movable with respect said first opening of said chamber;first operating means operatively associated with said variable orifice forming means, said first operating means moving said variable orifice forming means with respect to said first opening responsive to a variable magnitude signal applied to said first operating means to cause said variable orifice forming means to form a variably sized orifice at said first opening for metering a quantity of gas, the size of said orifice being proportional to the magnitude of the signal;sealing means in said housing relatively movable with respect to said second opening of said chamber for sealing and unsealing said second opening;means for urging said sealing means into sealing engagement with said second opening to block fluid communication through said second opening; andsecond operating means operatively associated with said sealing means, said second operating means being responsive to a signal applied thereto to move said sealing means out of engagement with said second opening for a period of time to provide a discharge of gas from said valve.