Patent ID: 8430346

Claim:
A compressed air throttle apparatus, comprising: an adjustable throttle valve having a stationary valve element and a displaceable valve element displaceable in an axial direction of the throttle valve relative to the stationary valve element to adjust an opening of the throttle valve; at least one electrical circuit having an electrically conductive stationary contacting element mounted on the stationary valve element, and an electrically conductive displaceable contacting element mounted on the displaceable valve element; a spring disposed between the displaceable contacting element and the stationary valve element, and biasing the displaceable contacting element in the axial direction against the displaceable valve element and away from the stationary contacting element; a stepping motor for moving the displaceable valve element and the displaceable contacting element in the axial direction relative to the stationary valve element and the stationary contacting element; and an electrical control coupled to the electrical circuit for receiving a reference electrical signal from the electrical circuit indicating that the stationary and displaceable contacting elements are brought into contact, said electrical control being further coupled to the stepping motor for controlling the motor, while using the reference electrical signal as a reference setting, to adjust the opening of the throttle valve.