Patent ID: 7210502
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: F04B,F15C,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow comprising: a 2-way pilot operated microvalve; and a 4-way pilot microvalve for controlling the 2-way pilot operated microvalve; wherein the 4-way pilot microvalve comprises: a pilot body having an intermediate pilot plate layer with a pilot cavity formed therein; an elongated beam being movably disposed in said pilot cavity and attached to a fixed portion of said intermediate pilot plate layer by a flexible hinge so as to be moveable between a first and second position; first and second pilot valves each including a first pilot port, a second pilot port, and a third pilot port formed in said pilot body, each of said pilot ports being in fluid communication with said pilot cavity, each of said pilot valves including a pilot blocking portion extending from opposite ends of said elongated beam and moveable with said beam in said pilot cavity; and an actuator operably coupled to said elongated beam for moving said beam between said first and second positions such that when said actuator is in an unactuated position said beam is in said first position and said third pilot ports are in fluid communication with said first pilot ports and isolated from said second pilot ports and such that when said actuator is in a fully actuated position said beam is in said second position and said second pilot ports are in fluid communication with said third pilot ports and isolated from said first pilot ports.