Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for controlling fluid flow through a valve, said valve being normally biased in one operative attitude comprising, a housing associated with said valve and including a movable control member movable from a first to a second position for changing said one operative attitude of said valve, said housing further including a first fluid orifice for directing a control fluid under pressure to said control member and to a bleed orifice assembly, said bleed orifice assembly having a second orifice communicating with said first orifice, said second orifice terminating in a normally open bleeder valve seat, a piezoelectric crystal mounted in said housing adjacent said valve seat, said crystal being mounted with peripheral edge support so that central portions thereof are free to move laterally towards said valve seat when said crystal is energized, a separate bleeder valve element disposed between said crystal and said valve seat, and means for energizing the crystal so as to deform same to force said bleeder valve element into contact with said bleeder valve seat to close said bleeder orifice thereby causing fluid pressure to build up in said first orifice so as to cause said control member to move to said second position, said bleed orifice assembly including a plug disposed within a bore interrupting said first orifice, said plug having means for connecting said interrupted portions of said first orifice and means for connecting said bleed orifice to said first orifice.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A device for controlling fluid flow through a valve, said valve being normally biased in one operative attitude comprising, a housing associated with said valve and including a movable control member movable from a first to a second position for changing said one operative attitude of said valve, said housing further including a first fluid orifice for directing a control fluid under pressure to said control member and to a bleed orifice assembly, said bleed orifice assembly having a second orifice communicating with said first orifice, said second orifice terminating in a normally open bleeder valve seat, a piezoelectric crystal mounted in said housing adjacent said valve seat, said crystal being mounted with peripheral edge support so that central portions thereof are free to move laterally towards said valve seat when said crystal is energized, a separate bleeder valve element disposed between said crystal and said valve seat, and means for energizing the crystal so as to deform same to force said bleeder valve element into contact with said bleeder valve seat to close said bleeder orifice thereby causing fluid pressure to build up in said first orifice so as to cause said control member to move to said second position, said bleed orifice assembly including a plug disposed within a bore interrupting said first orifice, said plug having means for connecting said interrupted portions of said first orifice and means for connecting said bleed orifice to said first orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device set forth in claim 1, said valve seat formed at one end of said plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 2, said bore being circular and having a circumferential path for connecting said interrupted portions of said first orifice, said plug having peripheral wall portions in contact with said bore on opposite sides of said path, said plug laterally movable within said bore so as to adjustably position said valve seat with respect to said crystal.