Patent ID: 6142442
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B60T,F16K

Abstract:
An electrically activated valve assembly for control of a fluid under pressure, said electrically activated valve assembly comprising:(a) a fluid containment structure;(b) a diaphragm valve disposed within said fluid containment structure, said diaphragm valve including;(i) a control chamber,(ii) a diaphragm disposed adjacent said control chamber, said control chamber being on a first side of said diaphragm, said diaphragm having a diaphragm sealing surface on a second side thereof,(iii) a flow barrier on said second side of said diaphragm, said flow barrier having a sealing surface for cooperating with said sealing surface of said diaphragm,(iv) a first passageway having at least a portion thereof disposed on said second side of said diaphragm on a first side of said flow barrier,(v) a second passageway having at least a portion thereof disposed on said second side of said diaphragm on a second side of said flow barrier, said diaphragm having at least a first position wherein a first gap exists between said sealing surface of said diaphragm and said sealing surface of said flow barrier so that fluid communication is provided between said first passageway and said second passageway, said diaphragm also having a second position wherein said sealing surface of said diaphragm seats against said sealing surface of said flow barrier thereby preventing fluid communication between said first passageway and said second passageway, and(vi) said first and second positions of said diaphragm being determined by a control pressure in said control chamber in relation to a combination of a first pressure in said first passageway and a second pressure in said second passageway;(c) a third passageway having a third pressure, said third passageway connected to said control chamber of said diaphragm valve so that said control pressure is approximately equal to said third pressure in said third passageway;(d) an electrically activated valve disposed within said fluid containment structure, said electrically activated valve responsive to an electrical signal to control fluid communication between said third passageway and a fourth passageway having a fourth pressure so that when said electrically activated valve is energized, said control pressure generally equals said fourth pressure of said fourth passageway;(e) an alternate pressure control path connected to said third passageway and to a fifth passageway having a fifth pressure so that when said electrically activated valve is deenergized, said third pressure and said control pressure generally equalize with said fifth pressure; and(f) whereby said electrically activated valve controls said control pressure and therefore controls said fluid communication between said first passageway and said second passageway.