Patent ID: 7201185

Claim:
A multi-position micro-fluidic valve system having a drive motor, said comprising: an actuator assembly including a housing and a drive shaft rotatably disposed in said housing for rotational displacement about a drive axis thereof, said housing includes a first bearing race portion defining a central passage therethrough; a carrier platform at a proximal portion of the drive shaft, said carrier platform being configured to operably couple to said drive motor for selective rotation of said drive shaft about said drive axis; one of at least two different multi-position fluid valve devices each configured for rotational movement of a corresponding valve shaft about a valve rotational axis thereof between a plurality of discrete fluid distribution positions; a coupling device configured to selectively, removably mount the valve shaft of the respective valve device to the drive shaft of the actuator assembly to enable selective positioning of the multi-position fluid valve device at a discrete one of said plurality for discrete distribution positions; and an encoder spool device disposed in said housing and including a second bearing race portion oriented opposite said first bearing race portion, and said encoder spool device defining a central port formed and dimensioned for friction fit receipt of said drive shaft therethrough such that when carrier platform is positioned on an opposite side of the first bearing race portion of the housing, and said drive shaft is friction fit to said encoder spool such that said first bearing race portion is sandwiched between said second bearing race portion of said encoder spool and said carrier platform of said drive shaft to provide rotational support of said drive shaft relative said housing.