An actuator base, bobbin, and pole piece form a pocket for an armature that a flexible membrane encloses to form an armature chamber filled with an incompressible fluid. The membrane protects the armature from exposure to corrosive fluids flowing in a conduit. Conduit flow can be stopped by driving the membrane against a valve seat. Pressure from the controlled fluid in the conduit is transmitted through the membrane to the fluid within the armature chamber so that the armature does not need to counteract force applied to the membrane by the conduit fluid's pressure.

Apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow

An electronic faucet ( 10 ) mounted on a countertop ( 12 ) includes a housing, at least one fluid inlet line ( 24 a , 24 b ) extending into the housing, a fluid outlet ( 46 ) from the housing, a solenoid ( 142, 143 ) for operating a valve controlling the fluid flow between at least one inlet line and the outlet, and a control circuit ( 206 ) for controlling the opening and closing of the valve.

Electronic faucets for long-term operation

A multizone irrigation system includes a central control unit having a central control system interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit. The central valve regulates water flow for irrigation from a water source and can lower water pressure in the pipes at its output. The central communication unit is constructed to transmit or receive pressure based communication signals providing irrigation information. Each zone includes a sprinkler control unit having a sprinkler connected to a water pipe for irrigation. Each sprinkler control unit includes a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to the sprinkler. The sprinkler control unit also includes a local communication unit (e.g., a pressure sensor) constructed to receive communication signals from the central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to the local controller.

Communication system for multizone irrigation

A water delivery unit (10) for irrigation having a water input port (22) coupled to a water conduit, a controller (60) connected to a sensor, a valve device having an actuator (80) and receiving control signals from the controller for providing water to a water delivery unit.

Automated water delivery systems with feedback control

An optical system includes one or several passive optical detectors sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics and flow valves and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms.

Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers

A proportional variable force solenoid valve comprises a non-magnetic housing having a solenoid and a permanent magnet armature movable by the solenoid in response to current applied to the solenoid, a coil compression spring for biasing the armature in a direction to establish a valve fluid pressure response to solenoid current, and a valve housing closure engaging the spring and permanently deformed to position the closure relative to the spring in a manner to adjust the valve response. The size of the valve is reduced by providing a permanent magnet armature of reduced length having a flat outermost axial end which is engaged by the spring. A plate spring retainer is disposed on the flat axial end of the permanent magnet armature and is received with clearance in an enlarged longitudinal bore region of the solenoid coil bobbin.

Hamid Najmolhoda

Papers

Proportional variable force solenoid control valve