Patent Publication Number: US-2023160492-A1

Title: Valve manifold arrangements for fluid distribution system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 17/726,569, filed on Apr. 22, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 16/779,731, filed Feb. 3, 2020 and entitled INTEGRATED ACTUATOR MANIFOLD FOR MULTIPLE VALVE ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,346,460, issued May 31, 2022, which claims priority to and all benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/801,379, filed on Feb. 5, 2019 and entitled INTEGRATED ACTUATOR MANIFOLD FOR MULTIPLE VALVE ASSEMBLY, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/801,388, filed on Feb. 5, 2019 and entitled VALVE MANIFOLD ARRANGEMENTS FOR GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fluid systems often include multiple valves arranged for mixing, switching, purging, and other such controls of one or more types of fluid, for example, for gas distribution employed in the manufacture of semiconductor wafers. Multiple valve arrangements have been provided in one or more manifold valve blocks, thereby reducing assembly size and the number of fluid connections. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a manifold body includes a body block, with one or more end connections each extending laterally outward from a first surface of the body block, one or more lower valve cavities each recessed laterally inward from the first surface, one or more upper valve cavities each recessed laterally inward from the first surface and connected with a corresponding one of the one or more lower valve cavities by a vertically extending second passage, one or more lower end ports each extending laterally outward from a second surface of the body block and connected with a corresponding one of the one or more lower valve cavities by a laterally extending third passage, and one or more upper end ports each extending laterally outward from the second surface and connected with a corresponding one of the one or more upper valve cavities by a laterally extending fourth passage. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an actuated manifold valve assembly includes a manifold body block, a plurality of valve subassemblies, and an actuator assembly. The manifold body block includes first and second laterally opposed surfaces extending along a vertical plane between an upper end and a lower end, at least one end connection extending laterally outward from the first surface of the body block, proximate to the lower end, a plurality of end ports extending laterally outward from the second surface of the body block, and a plurality of valve cavities each recessed laterally inward from the first surface of the body block, with each of the plurality of valve cavities being connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of end ports by a laterally extending passage and connected with one of the at least one end connection and another one of the plurality of valve cavities by a vertically extending passage. Each of the plurality of valve subassemblies is disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of valve cavities and includes a valve element movable to control fluid flow between the corresponding end port and the one of the at least one end connection and the another one of the plurality of valve cavities. The actuator assembly is assembled with the manifold body block and includes a unitary actuator housing defining a plurality of actuator cavities each aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of valve cavities, and a plurality of actuating members each disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of actuator cavities and operable for movement of the valve element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a multi-valve assembly including an actuator manifold assembled with a plurality of valve segments, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an actuator manifold assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates another side cross-sectional view of the actuator manifold assembly of  FIG.  2   , with the actuator housing shown in phantom to illustrate additional features of the actuator manifold assembly; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view of an actuator manifold assembly with a sensor manifold, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a lower perspective view of a multi-valve assembly, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates an upper perspective view of the multi-valve assembly of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the multi-valve assembly of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an upper perspective view of the valve manifold body of the multi-valve assembly of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the valve manifold body of the multi-valve assembly of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an upper perspective view of the actuator manifold housing of the multi-valve assembly of  FIG.  5   , shown in phantom to illustrate additional features of the manifold housing; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective phantom view of an actuator manifold housing including a mounting surface and internal actuating fluid passages arranged to accommodate a series of solenoid pilot valves, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates another perspective phantom view of the actuator manifold housing of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective view of the actuator manifold housing of  FIG.  10   , with installed actuating pistons and assembled with a series of solenoid piston valves; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary gas distribution system; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary gas distribution system; 
         FIG.  15    schematically illustrates a gas distribution system having actuated valve manifolds oriented perpendicular to, or extending laterally from, a mass flow controller; 
         FIG.  16    illustrate a schematic view of a gas distribution system having actuated valve manifolds oriented parallel to a mass flow controller, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  17    illustrate a schematic view of another gas distribution system having actuated valve manifolds oriented parallel to a mass flow controller, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a perspective view of a gas distribution system, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates another perspective view of the gas distribution system of  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  20    illustrates an end view of the gas distribution system of  FIG.  18   ; 
         FIG.  21    illustrates an end view of a middle section of the gas distribution system of  FIG.  18   ; and 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a perspective view of an inlet valve manifold body of the gas distribution system of  FIG.  18   , shown in phantom to illustrate internal passages of the manifold body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. For example, while specific exemplary embodiments in the present application describe normally closed (e.g., spring biased to a closed valve position) pneumatic actuator assemblies for multiple diaphragm valve manifolds, one of more of the features described herein may additionally or alternatively be applied to other types of actuators, including, for example, normally open (e.g., spring biased to an open valve position) actuator assemblies, double acting (e.g., fluid pressurized actuation in both directions) actuator assemblies, other types of remotely actuated actuator assemblies (e.g., hydraulic actuator, electric actuator, piezoelectric actuator, phase change actuator, shape memory alloy actuator), and manually operated (e.g., knob/handle operated) actuator assemblies. Further, one of more of the features described herein may additionally or alternatively be applied to use with other types of multiple valve manifolds (e.g., bellows valves, needle valves, etc.), single valve assemblies, and other fluid system components (e.g., pressure regulators, filters, etc.). Additionally, while the geometries and arrangements of many of the manifold body features described herein are such that their production is facilitated by additive manufacturing, such as 3-D printing, other manufacturing methods may be utilized to fabricate body components having one or more of the features described herein, such as, for example, stacked plate assembly, machining, welding, brazing, and casting (e.g., investment casting, sand casting, lost wax casting), independently or in combination. 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as “approximate” or “about” a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values within 10% of the specified value, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to be understood that the drawings accompanying the present application may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. 
     In the present disclosure, the term “vertical” is used to describe a direction substantially perpendicular to a base (or bottom) surface of the fluid component body, and the term “horizontal” is used to describe a direction substantially parallel to the base surface of the fluid component body. It is to be understood that the fluid component body may be mounted or arranged in any suitable orientation (e.g., with the base surface of the fluid component body extending substantially vertically, or at some other angle). 
     According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a multiple valve assembly may be provided with actuators (e.g., pneumatically operated actuators) disposed in a single, unitary housing block or manifold, providing a plurality of actuator cavities in which valve actuating mechanisms (e.g., pneumatic actuating mechanisms, hydraulic actuating mechanisms, electric actuating mechanisms, piezoelectric actuating mechanisms, phase change actuating mechanisms, shape memory alloy actuating mechanisms) are disposed. In some embodiments, the actuator housing may additionally include integrated porting or internal passages to supply actuating fluid to each of the plurality of actuator cavities, which may be arranged to simplify the supply of actuating fluid to the actuator manifold. For example, the internal passages may extend to integral connections (e.g., press-fit push-to-connect fittings) arranged on a common exterior surface of the actuator housing block. As another example, the internal passages may intersect with a lower portion of the actuator cavities for upward pressurized actuation of an actuating member (e.g., internal piston), for example, to eliminate the need for additional fluid passages and corresponding seals for the actuating arrangements. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of a multi-valve assembly  100  including an actuator manifold  120  assembled with a plurality of valve segments  140   a ,  140   b , each including a valve subassembly  150 , for independent actuation of a valve control element  153  (e.g., diaphragm, regulating stem, plug, ported ball, etc.) to control fluid flow through each of the plurality of valve segments. The actuator manifold  120  includes a housing  125  defining a plurality of actuator cavities  122   a ,  122   b  each retaining an actuating member  130  (e.g., fluid driven piston, motor, etc.) operable to drive an output shaft  133  of the actuating mechanism. The output shaft  133  extends through a lower bore  123   a ,  123   b  in the actuator cavity  122   a ,  122   b  and is movable (e.g., rotationally and/or axially) to actuate the corresponding valve control element  153  within the valve cavity  142   a ,  142   b  to control fluid flow between valve passages  141   a ,  143   a ,  141   b ,  143   b.    
     The actuator cavities  122   a ,  122   b  may be enclosed by cover portions  126   a ,  123   b , for example, to protect the actuating member  130  from moisture or other contamination, and/or to define actuation limits of the actuating mechanisms (e.g., defining a piston stop). While the cover portions  126   a ,  126   b  may be formed from separate components (e.g., individual caps or plates), in another embodiment, the cover portions are defined by a cover plate  126  assembled with the actuator housing  125 , for example, by fasteners installed through aligned mounting holes (not shown) in the actuator housing and cover plate. 
     While the valve segments  140   a ,  140   b  may be formed from separate valve bodies individually assembled with the actuator housing  125 , in another embodiment, the valve segments  140   a ,  140   b  are integrated portions of a multi-valve manifold  140  and defined by a valve manifold body  145  assembled with the actuator housing  125 , for example, by fasteners installed through aligned mounting holes (not shown) in the actuator housing  125  and valve manifold body  145 . Many different types of multi-valve manifold bodies may be utilized. Exemplary multi-valve manifold bodies are shown and described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/445,365, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate an exemplary pneumatically actuated actuator manifold  220 , including an actuator housing  225  defining actuator cavities  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c  for retaining a plurality of actuator arrangements or actuating mechanisms  230  for actuating corresponding valve arrangements, described in greater detail below. Each actuating mechanism  230  includes a piston  231  and a biasing member  235  (e.g., coil spring or stack of Belleville spring washers, as shown) applying a biasing force to the piston. The piston  231  includes a lower annular stop portion  232  seated in a recessed counterbore portion  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  of the actuator cavity  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c  and an output shaft  233  extending through a lower bore  223   a ,  223   b ,  223   c  of the actuator cavity. O-ring seals  236 ,  237  are installed around the piston OD and output shaft  233  to provide a leak tight, pressure containing seal between the piston  231  and the actuator housing  225 . The actuator cavities  222   a ,  222   b ,  222   c  are enclosed by cover portions  226   a ,  226   b ,  226   c  of a cover plate  226  assembled with the actuator housing  225  by fasteners  261  installed through aligned mounting holes  228 ,  238  in the actuator housing  225  and cover plate  226  ( FIG.  3   ). 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, to operate the actuating mechanisms, the actuator housing may be provided with internal actuating fluid passages that intersect with lower portions of the actuator cavity counterbores to apply fluid pressure to a lower surface of the piston for upward movement of the piston against the biasing member(s). These actuating fluid passages may extend through the top end of the actuator manifold (e.g., through the cover plate) to for attachment of the actuator pressure lines to the exposed top surface of the actuator manifold. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the actuator housing  225  includes integrated actuator inlet ports  221   b ,  221   c  extending to internal actuating fluid passages  227   b ,  227   c  intersecting with the recessed portions  224   b ,  224   c  of the actuator cavities  222   b ,  222   c . Many different types of actuator inlet port fittings may be provided, including for example, as shown, push-to-connect fittings for plastic hose ends. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each actuating arrangement may be provided with a manually adjustable stop for user adjustment of the upper axial position of the piston, for example, to control fluid flow rate when the corresponding valve is opened. In the illustrated embodiment, the manually adjustable stops are defined by set screws  263  installed in the cover plate  226  in alignment with upper end portions  234  of the corresponding pistons  231 , and threadably adjustable to position a lower surface of the set screw  263  to abut the upper end portion  234  when the actuator arrangement  230  is actuated, thereby limiting fluid pressurized (e.g., upward) movement of the piston  231 . 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, each actuator arrangement may be provided with a sensor configured to detect a position of the corresponding piston, for example, to identify a biased/return actuator position (e.g., corresponding to a closed valve position) or a pressurized/actuated actuator position (e.g., corresponding to an open valve position). In one such embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  4   , a sensor board or sensor manifold  270  may be assembled with the actuator manifold  220  to provide a position sensor  271  for each of the actuator arrangements  230 , and circuit communication between the position sensors and a single electrical connector or data port  275 . For example, the position sensors may be actuated (e.g., mechanical, magnetic, or proximity switch actuation) by pins or other such inserts (shown schematically at  272 ) disposed between the sensors  271  and the upper end portions  234  of the pistons  231  (e.g., extending through set screws) or may be actuated directly by the upper portions of the pistons (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor manifold  270  includes upper and lower plates  273 ,  274  between which a membrane switch layer  276  is sandwiched. The sensors  271  (extending through holes in the lower plate  274 ) and data port  275  (extending through a hole in the upper plate  273 ) are carried by the membrane switch layer  276 , and circuitry (not shown) on the membrane switch layer connects the sensors  271  with the data port  275 , for example, to provide a single wired connection between the position sensors  271  and an external device. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aligned positioning of the actuator inlet ports on the actuator manifold may facilitate connectivity with directly mounted solenoid pilot valves for independent and/or automatic control of each of the actuator arrangements. In one such embodiment, the solenoid pilot valves may be connected in parallel to provide for a single supply port and/or exhaust port for the assembly. As one example, a solenoid manifold, having a series of parallel pilot valves, may be mounted to the actuator manifold to provide a compact arrangement for actuating each of the actuating mechanisms of the actuator manifold, while provided a single connection to a source of pressurized actuating fluid (e.g., air, nitrogen).  FIG.  3    schematically illustrates solenoid valves or pilot valves  280   b ,  280   c  (which may be separate valves or part of a solenoid manifold assembly  280 ) directly mounted (e.g., by bolts or other fasteners) to the housing  225  or cover plate  226  of the actuator manifold  220 , with solenoid outlet ports  281   b ,  281   c  connected to the actuator inlet ports  221   b ,  221   c . The solenoid pilot valves  280   b ,  280   c  may be connected in parallel to provide for a single supply port  282  and exhaust port  283  for the assembly. A shutoff valve  285  (e.g., toggle valve) may be connected with the supply port  282 , for example, to disable the entire actuator assembly. Alternatively, for a non-linear arrangement of actuator inlet ports on an actuator manifold body, separate solenoid pilot valves may be directly mounted (e.g., by bolts or other fasteners) to actuator inlet ports (not shown) disposed on a top surface of the actuator manifold (e.g., on an actuator cover plate). One example of a direct mounted solenoid valve is the Bullet Valve®, manufactured by MAC Valves, Inc. In one such embodiment (not shown), the actuator housing block and/or cover plate may be provided with cavities sized to partially or fully receive the solenoid valves within the actuator housing. 
     Many different types of multiple valve arrangements may be utilized with an integrated actuator manifold, as described in the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, a multiple diaphragm valve manifold arrangement is assembled with an integrated multiple pneumatic actuator manifold.  FIGS.  5 - 9    illustrate various views of an exemplary seven-valve manifold assembly  300  including a multi-actuator manifold  320  (which may be similar to the actuator manifold  220  of  FIGS.  2 - 4   ) having an actuator housing  325  (see  FIG.  8   ) assembled with a manifold valve body  345  of a multiple valve manifold  340 . In other embodiments, a different number of valves may be provided. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the exemplary manifold valve body  345  includes seven valve body segments  345   a - g  each having an upper perimeter wall portion defining a valve cavity  342   a - g , and a lower base portion defining central flow ports  346   a - g  and offset flow ports  347   a - g ,  348   a ,  348   f , and a plurality of flow passages  341   a - l  extending between the flow ports  346   a - g ,  347   a - g ,  348   a ,  348   f  and valve end ports  349   a - i  connectable to a fluid system (e.g., by welding, fitting connections, etc.). 
     The valve flow ports  346   a - g ,  347   a - g ,  348   a ,  348   f  and valve end ports  349   a - i  may be connected using a variety of flow passage patterns or arrangements. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  8   , a first flow passage  341   a  extends between a first end port  349   a  and an offset flow port  347   a  of the first valve body segment  345   a . A second flow passage  341   b  extends between a second end port  349   b  and central flow ports  346   a ,  346   b  of the first and second valve body segments  345   a ,  345   b . A third flow passage  341   c  extends between a third end port  349   c  and an offset flow port  347   b  of the second valve body segment  345   b . A fourth flow passage  341   d  extends between a fourth end port  349   d , a central flow port  346   c  of the third valve body segment  345   c , and an offset flow port  347   e  of the fifth valve body segment  345   e . A fifth flow passage  341   e  extends between a fifth end port  349   e  and a central flow port of the fourth valve body segment  345   d . A sixth flow passage  341   f  extends between a sixth end port  349   f  and an offset flow port  347   f  of the sixth valve body segment  345   f . A seventh flow passage  341   g  extends between a seventh end port  349   g  and an offset flow port  347   g  of the seventh valve body segment  345   g . An eighth flow passage  341   h  extends between an eight end port  349   h  and central flow ports  346   b ,  346   e  of the second and fifth valve body segments  345   b ,  345   e . A ninth flow passage  341   i  extends between a ninth end port  349   i  and the central flow port  346   g  of the seventh valve body segment  345   g . A tenth flow passage  341   j  extends between another offset flow port  348   a  of the first valve body segment  345   a  and an offset flow port  347   d  of the fourth valve body segment  345   d . An eleventh flow passage  341   k  extends between offset flow ports  347   c ,  348   f  of the third and sixth valve body segments  345   c ,  345   f . A twelfth flow passage  341   l  extends between the central flow ports  346   f ,  346   g  of the sixth and seventh valve body segments  345   f ,  345   g.    
     As shown, the first through seventh end ports  349   a - g  extend vertically, laterally offset from the actuator housing  325 , to provide for coplanar fluid system connections (e.g., modular C-seal connections). While the eighth and ninth end ports  349   h ,  349   i  are show as laterally extending, truncated conduit ends, these end ports may also extend vertically, laterally offset from the actuator housing  325 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , apertured mounting bosses  301  may be provided to facilitate mounting of the manifold body  345  within a system (e.g., to a plate or other such base component of a fluid system). As shown, the mounting bosses may be joined or fused with an adjacent perimeter wall portion of one of the valve segments to facilitate manufacturing, to reduce overall size of the manifold body  345  and/or to strengthen or reinforce these joined portions. The mounting bosses  301  may additionally be provided with tapers and/or counterbores, for example, to facilitate centering the head of the installed fastener (e.g., mounting screw, not shown). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, valve arrangements or subassemblies  350  are installed within the valve cavities  342   a - g  of the valve manifold body  345 . Many different types of valve arrangements may be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  6   , the exemplary valve subassemblies  350  each include a flexible diaphragm  353  and an annular seat carrier  352  received in the valve cavity  342   a - g . The seat carrier  352  includes a lower seal portion  354  that seals against a recessed surface  344   a - g  around a central port  346   a - g  and an upper seal portion or valve seat  355  that seals against the diaphragm  353  when the diaphragm is moved to the closed position. The diaphragm  353  may, but need not, be welded to the seat carrier  352  (e.g., around an outer periphery of the diaphragm and seat carrier), for example, to retain the diaphragm with the seat carrier as a subassembly. A threaded retainer  356  is installed in the valve cavity  342   a - g  to clamp the seat carrier  352  and diaphragm  353  against the recessed surface  344 , with an outer male threaded portion of the retainer  356  mating with an inner female threaded portion of the valve cavity  342   a - g.    
     The actuator manifold  320  includes a plurality of actuator arrangements or actuating mechanisms  330  for actuating the valve arrangements  350 , each disposed in an actuator cavity  322   a - g  in the actuator housing  325 . Many different types of actuator arrangements may be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  6   , the exemplary actuator subassemblies  330  each include a piston  331  and a biasing member  335  (e.g., coil spring or Belleville spring washers, as shown). The piston  331  includes a lower annular stop portion  332  seated in a recessed counterbore portion  324   a - g  of the actuator cavity  322   a - g  and an output shaft  333  extending through a lower bore  323   a - g  of the actuator cavity for engagement with the valve arrangement  350 , for example, engaging a button  359  to apply a closing force to the diaphragm  351  and against the valve seat. O-ring seals  336 ,  337  are installed around the piston OD and output shaft  333  to provide a leak tight, pressure containing seal between the piston  331  and the actuator housing  325 . As shown, a cover plate  326  may be assembled with the actuator housing  325  to enclose the actuator cavities  322   a - g . In other embodiments (not shown), separate cover plates or end caps may be provided for each actuator arrangement. 
     Each actuator arrangement  330  includes a manually adjustable stop defined by a set screw  363  installed in the cover plate  326  in alignment with upper end portions  334  of the corresponding pistons  331 , and threadably adjustable to position a lower surface of the set screw  363  to abut the upper end portion  334  when the actuator arrangement  330  is actuated, thereby limiting fluid pressurized (e.g., upward) movement of the piston  331 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , the actuator housing  325  includes integrated actuator inlet port connections  321   a - g  (aligned with openings in the cover plate  326 ) extending to internal actuating fluid passages  327   a - g  intersecting with the recessed portions  324   a - g  of the actuator cavities  322   a - g . Many different types of actuator inlet port connections may be provided, including, for example, push-to-connect fittings for plastic hose ends. To actuate the valve arrangements  350  from the biased or return (e.g., closed) position to the pressurized or actuated (e.g., open) position, pressurized fluid is applied to the actuator inlet port connection  321   a - g  and through the internal actuating fluid passage  327   a - g  to apply fluid pressure to a lower surface of the piston  331  for upward movement of the piston against the biasing member(s)  335 , to allow movement of the diaphragm  353  to an open position. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  5 - 9   , the actuator inlet port connections  321   a - g  are positioned in an array, with each port connection generally adjacent to the corresponding actuator cavity  322   a - g , as shown in  FIG.  5 A . In other embodiments, an actuator manifold housing may be provided with internal actuating fluid passages extending to actuator inlet ports aligned in series along a mounting surface of the actuator manifold housing, to accommodate direct mounting of a series of solenoid pilot valves for compact, controlled actuation of the actuator arrangements.  FIGS.  10 - 12    illustrate an exemplary actuator manifold housing  425  including a mounting surface and internal actuating fluid passages configured to accommodate a series of solenoid pilot valves for operation of a multi-valve manifold arrangement. While the illustrated actuator manifold housing  425  is configured for operation of a twelve valve manifold arrangement, in other embodiments, an actuator manifold may be configured for operation of a different number of valves. 
     As shown, the exemplary actuator manifold housing  425  includes twelve actuator cavities  422   a - l , recessed from a front side of the housing and arranged in a 2×6 array, to retain actuating arrangements. These cavities may be enclosed by a cover plate (not shown) mounted to the actuator manifold housing  425 , similar to the embodiments of  FIGS.  2 - 9   . While the cavities may be shaped to accommodate circular pistons, similar to the embodiments of  FIGS.  2 - 9   , in the embodiment of  FIGS.  10 - 12   , the actuator cavities  422   a - l  have a substantially square cross-sectional shape (e.g., with flat, equal sides and rounded corners), to accommodate substantially square shaped pistons  431  ( FIG.  12   ), for example, to reduce the size of the actuator housing  425 , by reducing spaces between the adjacent cavities, while maintaining a sufficient fluid-driven surface area of the pistons. 
     The actuator manifold housing  425  includes actuator inlet ports  421   a - l . ( FIG.  11   ) aligned in series along a mounting surface  410  on a rear side of the actuator manifold housing. The mounting surface  410  includes mounting holes  411  positioned for mounting (e.g., using bolts or other fasteners) a series of solenoid pilot valves  480   a - l . ( FIG.  12   ), to align outlet ports of the solenoid pilot valves with the actuator inlet ports  421   a - l . Internal actuating fluid passages  427   a - l  extend from the actuator inlet ports  421   a - l  to intersect with recessed or bottom portions of the actuator cavities  422   a - l , such that when each solenoid pilot valve  480   a - l  is actuated (e.g., by an electric actuation signal) to an open position, pressurized fluid is transmitted through the corresponding actuating fluid passage  427   a - l  to move the piston  431  within the corresponding actuator cavity  421   a - l  to an actuated or pressurized position. 
     While the solenoid pilot valves may be independently or collectively (e.g., as a solenoid manifold) directly connected to a source of pressurized actuating fluid, in another embodiment, the actuator manifold may be provided with a pressurization port (e.g., for connection with a pressurized air line) connected with branching internal pressurization passages to supply pressurized actuating fluid to each of the solenoid pilot valves, thereby eliminating external fluid connections to the solenoid pilot valves. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG.  10   , the actuator manifold housing  425  includes a pressurization port  412  connected with an internal pressurization passage  413  having branches  413   a - l  extending to the mounting surface  410  to align with inlet ports of the mounted solenoid pilot valves  480   a - l . As shown, the exemplary actuator manifold housing  425  may additionally include a vent port  414  connected with an internal vent passage  415  having branches  415   a - l  extending to the mounting surface  410  to align with vent ports of the mounted solenoid pilot valves  480   a - l.    
     The overall shape and internal flow path arrangements of an actuator housing block may make it difficult to manufacture using conventional machining, molding, or casting techniques. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator housing block may be fabricated using additive manufacturing to produce a monolithic body having discrete, but partially joined or fused, valve segments and conduit segments. Examples of additive manufacturing techniques that may be utilized include, for example: laser powder bed fusion (direct metal laser sintering or “DMLS,” selective laser sintering/melting or “SLS/SLM,” or layered additive manufacturing or “LAM”), electron beam powder bed fusion (electron beam melting or “EBM”), ultrasonic additive manufacturing (“UAM”), or direct energy deposition (laser powder deposition or “LPD,” laser wire deposition or “LWD,” laser engineered net-shaping or “LENS,” electron beam wire deposition). Providing an actuator housing block as a single, monolithic component may eliminate assembly costs, reduce component wear, reduce adverse effects from heat cycling, improve corrosion behavior (galvanic effects, crevice, stress corrosion cracking), and reduce lead time to manufacture. Further, fabrication using additive manufacturing may reduce the amount of raw material used (e.g. stainless steel or other metals), and may reduce the size and weight of the finished body. 
     Many systems require a large number of valves and corresponding actuators, and would benefit from compact, manifold-based valve and actuator arrangements. For example, gas distribution systems, such as ultra-high purity (UHP) gas boxes, can require dozens of remotely operable valves (and corresponding actuators) installed upstream and downstream of one or more mass flow controllers (MFCs) for precise control of gas flow, for example, for semiconductor wafer processing. These assemblies can occupy a large footprint, having valves V extending laterally outward from a row of MFCs C, as shown in  FIG.  13   . The footprint of the system may be reduced by utilizing rows of multi-valve manifolds M, as shown in  FIG.  14   . 
       FIG.  15    schematically illustrates an exemplary fluid system  1000 , including a MFC  1050  having first side ports  1051  and second side ports  1052  extending from a lower end or base  1053  of the MFC, proximate corresponding first and second sides  1054 ,  1055  of the MFC, for lateral flow through the MFC from the first side ports to the second side ports. A first manifold assembly  1100  includes first end connections  1109  coupled to the first side ports  1051  of the MFC  1050 , and a second manifold assembly  1200  includes second end connections  1209  coupled to the second side ports  1052  of the MFC. The first and second manifold assemblies  1100 ,  1200  include manifold bodies  1145 ,  1245  that extend laterally outward from the MFC  1050  and include a plurality of valve subassemblies  1150 ,  1250  arranged along a plane P 1  extending substantially parallel to the laterally extending base  1053  of the MFC (with valve movement perpendicular to the base of the MFC). Actuator arrangements  1120 ,  1220  (e.g., any of the actuator manifolds described herein) are assembled with upper ends of the manifold bodies  1145 ,  1245  for remote actuation of the manifold valve subassemblies  1150 ,  1250 . Valve fluid passages  1141 ,  1241  extend to end ports  1149 ,  1249  that extend longitudinally from the manifold bodies  1145 ,  1245 . 
     According to another exemplary aspect of the present application, a fluid distribution system (e.g., an ultra-high purity gas distribution system) including a fluid processing device (e.g., a mass flow controller) having a housing having a base defining a width extending laterally between first side (e.g., inlet) and second side (e.g., outlet) ports and first and second side walls defining a height greater than the width, may be provided with first side (e.g., inlet) and/or second side (e.g., outlet) valve manifold assemblies connected to the first side and second side ports of the housing and extending parallel to the first and second side walls of the housing. Such an arrangement may, for example, provide for a reduced footprint size of the fluid distribution by reducing the lateral extent of the valve manifold assemblies. 
     One such exemplary fluid system  2000 , schematically illustrated in  FIG.  15   , includes a mass flow controller (MFC)  2050  having first side ports  2051  and second side ports  2052  extending from a lower end or base  2053  of the MFC, proximate corresponding first and second sides  2054 ,  2055  of the MFC, for lateral flow through the MFC from the first side ports to the second side ports. A first manifold assembly  2100  includes first end connections  2109  coupled to the first side ports  2051  of the MFC  2050 , and a second manifold assembly  2200  includes second end connections  2209  coupled to the second side ports  2052  of the MFC. The first and second manifold assemblies  2100 ,  2200  include manifold bodies  2145 ,  2245  that extend along planes P 2   a , P 2   b  parallel to the first and second sides  2054 ,  2055  of the MFC  2050 , with actuator arrangements  2120 ,  2220  (e.g., actuator manifolds, as described herein) assembled with laterally outward facing sides of the manifold bodies. The manifold bodies  2145 ,  2245  enclose a plurality of valve subassemblies  2150 ,  2250 , operated by the actuator arrangements  2120 ,  2220  and arranged along the vertical planes P 2   a , P 2   b  (with valve movement perpendicular to the sides of the MFC). Valve fluid passages  2141 ,  2241  extend to end ports  2149 ,  2249  that extend longitudinally from the manifold bodies  2145 ,  2245 . This arrangement reduces a lateral dimension of the fluid distribution system  2000 , as compared to a fluid distribution system having valve assemblies extending laterally outward of the first and second sides of a MFC, as shown in  FIG.  14   . 
     In other embodiment, valve manifolds with laterally outward extending end ports may be desirable.  FIG.  16    schematically illustrates an exemplary fluid system  3000  including a mass flow controller (MFC)  3050  having first side ports  3051  and second side ports  3052  extending from a lower end or base  3053  of the MFC, for lateral flow through the MFC from the first side ports to the second side ports. As shown, the side ports  3051 ,  3052  may extend laterally outward of the sides  3054 ,  3055  of the MFC  3050 , for coupling with end connections  3109 ,  3209  of first and second manifold assemblies  3100 ,  3200 . The first and second manifold assemblies  3100 ,  3200  include manifold bodies  3145 ,  3245  that extend along planes P 2   a , P 2   b  parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first and second sides  3054 ,  3055  of the MFC  3050 , to accommodate actuator arrangements  3120 ,  3220  (e.g., actuator manifolds, as described herein) assembled with laterally inward facing sides of the manifold bodies, and sandwiched between the MFC and the corresponding manifold body. The manifold bodies  3145 ,  3245  enclose a plurality of valve subassemblies  3150 ,  3250 , operated by the actuator arrangements  3120 ,  3220  and arranged along the vertical planes P 2   a , P 2   b  (with valve movement perpendicular to the sides of the MFC). Valve fluid passages  3141 ,  3241  extend to end ports  3149 ,  3249  that extend laterally outward from the manifold bodies  3145 ,  3245 . In other embodiments, other arrangements may be provided, including, for example, a system having an inner lateral first manifold body with an outer lateral actuator manifold, and an outer lateral second manifold body with an inner lateral actuator manifold. 
     The arrangements described herein may provide for compact automated multi-valve arrangements including mass flow controllers and dozens of valves, actuators, and solenoids in an assembly that enables the use of fewer components, easier/faster installation, fewer connections, fewer potential leak points, and a smaller footprint size.  FIGS.  18 - 21    illustrate various views of an exemplary gas distribution system  4000  for installation in an ultra-high purity gas box, according to another aspect of the present disclosure. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the gas distribution system  4000  includes a bank of mass flow controllers (MFCs)  4050  including side ports  4051 ,  4052  connected with first (inlet) and second (outlet) sets of actuated manifolds assemblies,  4100 ,  4200 ,  4300 . While such a system may be configured to utilize any number of fluid system components, the exemplary system  4000  includes eighteen MFCs  4050 , three twelve-valve inlet manifolds  4100 , two twenty-eight valve outlet manifolds  4200 , and one twelve-valve outlet manifold  4300 , for compact control of 104 valves. 
     As shown, the first (inlet) and second (outlet) side ports  4051 ,  4052  of the MFCs  4050  include elbow fittings  4057 ,  4058  (e.g., weld fittings) extending downward from the MFC base portions  4053  and laterally outward from the first and second sides  4054 ,  4055  of the MFC, to connect with end connections  4109 ,  4209 ,  4309  of the multi-valve manifolds  4100 ,  4200 ,  4300 . The manifold assemblies  4100 ,  4200 ,  4300  include manifold bodies  4145 ,  4245 ,  4345  that extend along planes P 2   a , P 2   b  parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first and second sides  4054 ,  4055  of the MFCs  4050 , to accommodate actuator arrangements  4120 ,  4220 ,  4320  (e.g., actuator manifolds, as described herein) assembled with laterally inward facing sides of the manifold bodies. The manifold bodies  4145 ,  4245 ,  4345  enclose a plurality of valve subassemblies (not shown, but may be similar to the other valve subassemblies described herein), operated by the actuator arrangements  4120 ,  4220 ,  4320  and arranged along the vertical planes P 2   a , P 2   b  (with valve movement perpendicular to the sides of the MFC). Valve fluid passages (not shown) extend to end ports  4149 ,  4249 ,  4349  disposed on outer lateral surfaces of the manifold bodies  4145 ,  4245 ,  4345 . 
     The exemplary valve manifold actuator arrangements  4120 ,  4220 ,  4320  include actuator manifold housings  4125 ,  4225 ,  4325  having actuator inlet ports  4121 ,  4221 ,  4321  aligned in series along a surface  4110 ,  4210 ,  4310  of the actuator manifold housing, for connection with sources of pressurized actuating fluid. As shown with the actuator arrangements  4120  of the inlet manifold assemblies  4100  (but applicable to any of the actuator arrangements described herein), a series of solenoid pilot valves  4180  may be mounted to the actuator manifold surface  4110  to align outlet ports of the solenoid pilot valves with the actuator inlet ports  4121 . As shown in the exemplary embodiments described herein, the actuator manifolds may be provided with internal actuating fluid passages extending from the actuator inlet ports to intersect with actuator cavities, for pressurized actuation of the actuator arrangement when the solenoid is energized. Additionally, similar to the embodiment of  FIG.  10   , the actuator manifold housing  4125  may include a pressurization port  4112  connected with an internal pressurization passage having branches extending to the mounting surface  4110  to align with inlet ports of the mounted solenoid pilot valves  4180 , and a vent port  4114  connected with an internal vent passage having branches extending to the mounting surface  4110  to align with vent ports of the mounted solenoid pilot valves. As shown, a shutoff valve  4118  (e.g., toggle valve, as shown) may be connected with the pressurization port, for example, to disable the entire solenoid operated actuator assembly  4100 . A lockout-tagout (LOTO) arrangement  4119  (e.g., a bracket that receives a locked padlock to block movement of the valve handle, as shown) may be assembled with the shutoff valve to facilitate lockout of the actuated system. 
     The exemplary twenty-eight-valve outlet manifolds  4200  include inner lateral valve subassemblies actuated by the inner lateral actuator arrangements  4220 , and outer lateral valve subassemblies actuated by outer lateral actuator arrangements  4290  (including actuator manifold housings  4295  having actuator inlet ports  4291 ) mounted to the outer lateral surfaces of the manifold bodies  4245 . The outer lateral actuator arrangements  4290  may cover limited portions of the outer lateral surfaces of the manifold bodies  4245 , for example, to accommodate the end ports  4249 . 
       FIG.  22    illustrates an exemplary manifold body  4145  of an inlet manifold  4100  of the system of  FIGS.  18 - 21   . The manifold body  4145  includes inlet end ports  4149   a  having passages extending to central ports  4146   a  of supply valve cavities  4142   a . An offset port  4147   a  of each supply valve cavity  4142   a  is connected to a first offset port  4147   b  of a corresponding bleed valve cavity  4142   b  by a connecting passage  4143   a . A central port  4146   b  of each bleed valve cavity  4142   b  is connected to a bleed passage  4144   b  that extends between purge end ports  4149   b . A second offset port  4148   b  of each bleed valve cavity  4142   b  is connected with the manifold body end connection  4109  by an outlet passage  4143   b  to supply fluid to the end port  4051  of the MFC  4050  ( FIGS.  18 - 21   ). When a supply valve subassembly (not shown, but may be similar to the valve subassembly  350  of  FIG.  6   ) assembled with the supply valve cavity  4142   a  is in an open position and the corresponding bleed valve subassembly (not shown, but may be similar to the valve subassembly  350  of  FIG.  6   ) assembled with the bleed valve cavity  4142   b  is in a closed position, fluid passes through the supply valve cavity, into the bleed valve cavity  4142   b , through the second offset port  4148   b  and to the end connection  4109 . When the supply valve subassembly is in a closed position and the corresponding bleed valve subassembly is in an open position, fluid in the valve cavities  4142   a ,  4142   b  and end connection  4109  may be purged from the manifold body  4145 , for example, by applying a purge gas to a purge end port  4149   b.    
     The inventive aspects have been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments. Modification and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.