Patent ID: 6705347
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve, comprising(a) a housing containing a chamber, a pressurized fluid input, a working fluid outlet, and an exhaust outlet; (b) an elongated piezoelectric element arranged within said housing chamber and operable between an inactive condition in which one end portion of said element closes said pressurized fluid input and an active condition in which said element one end portion closes said exhaust outlet; and (c) means for mounting said piezoelectric element within said housing chamber, said mounting means including (1) a first support connected with a second end portion of said piezoelectric element and arranged in a recess in said housing; and (2) a second support connected with said piezoelectric element intermediate the ends thereof, said second support further being rotatably connected with said housing, whereby when said piezoelectric element is in said active condition, said element bends to apply a strong closing force of said first end portion against said exhaust outlet.