Patent ID: 7954785
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. An automotive fluid system valve for controlling flow rate and/or pressure comprising: a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, a seat, a first port, a low pressure chamber, and a high pressure chamber; a first valve member moveable between a first valve member closed position and a first valve member open position, wherein at least a portion of the first valve member is in contact with the seat in the first valve member closed position, and the at least a portion of the first valve member is spaced a predetermined distance from the seat when the first valve member is in the first valve member open position, wherein the first valve member has an axial cavity located therein, the axial cavity receiving fluid-flow from the inlet; a piezoelectric portion for receiving a voltage, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric portion is moveable relative to the valve body, and wherein the piezoelectric portion is a ring disc, the piezoelectric portion having a plurality of holes formed therein which allow the passage of fluid through the piezoelectric portion during use of the valve when the first valve member is in the first valve member open position in order to reduce resistance of the piezoelectric portion to movement thereof, the piezoelectric portion being positioned in the low pressure chamber; a first needle coupled to the piezoelectric portion and being moveable between a first needle open position and a first needle closed position, wherein at least a portion of the first needle is in contact with at least a portion of the first port when the first needle is in the first needle closed position, thereby defining a first boundary between the low pressure chamber and the high pressure chamber, and wherein the first valve member, in the first valve member closed position, defines a second boundary between the low pressure chamber and the high pressure chamber; and a restriction passageway communicating with the axial cavity of the first valve member, wherein, during use of the automotive fluid system valve, a pressure differential across the restriction passageway creates a change in pressure in the axial cavity causing the first valve member to move.