Patent ID: 8608127

Claim:
A method of operating a control valve to allow a pressurized fluid to flow therethrough, the method comprising: applying a voltage to a piezoelectric actuator positioned in a tube, both of which are substantially immersed in the pressurized fluid, thereby causing the piezoelectric actuator to distort, wherein the piezoelectric actuator and the tube are subject to deformation caused by the pressure of the pressurized fluid; and in response to the piezoelectric actuator distorting, displacing a seal in a first direction to create an opening thereby allowing pressurized fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator caused by the pressure of the pressurized fluid results in a first effect on the flow of the pressurized fluid, and the deformation of the tube caused by the pressure of the pressurized fluid results in a second effect on the flow of the pressurized fluid, the second effect compensating at least in part for the first effect.