Patent ID: 8622086
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A direct mount micro-fluidic valve apparatus configured to operably mount a micro-fluidic valve assembly, having a drive assembly, directly to a communication face of a fluid distribution manifold, in a fluid-tight manner, said fluid distribution manifold defining a plurality of fluid distribution channels each having a respective communication port terminating at the manifold communication face, said apparatus comprising: a housing having a proximal portion and a distal mounting end having a substantially planar distal mounting face configured for mounting directly to and in contact against the communication face of said distribution manifold, said housing having an interior wall defining an interior central passage extending therethrough from the housing distal mounting end to the housing proximal portion, said interior wall at the distal mounting end terminating at said distal mounting face, forming an opening into said central passage such that when said housing is mounted to the fluid distribution manifold, said opening into said central passage is enclosed therebetween; a stator device disposed entirely within said interior central passage, in a seated position, such that a distal stator face thereof is oriented substantially adjacent and proximal to the housing distal mounting face, said distal stator face, the interior wall at the housing opening and the manifold communication face collectively defining a gasket receptacle, containing said distal stator face therein when said stator device is oriented in the seated position, said stator device further defining a plurality of stator passages terminating at respective communication ports at said distal stator face; and a relatively thin, one-piece elastomeric gasket member having a proximal gasket face and an opposed distal gasket face, said gasket member being configured for disposition in the gasket receptacle of the housing in abutting contact between said proximal gasket face and said distal stator face, said gasket member further defining a plurality of independent through-holes, each strategically positioned such that when the housing is securely mounted to said distribution manifold, said distal gasket face contacts the manifold communication face, in a compressed condition, to form a fluid-tight seal between each respective stator communication port and a corresponding manifold communication port.