초록 ▼

A microvalve and microthruster are provided. Both include a housing with an interior in which an armature can travel and abut a valve seat to provide an electromagnetic valve. The armature acts as a valve body that is maintained in a or normally closed position by a permanent magnet, and is opened b

A microvalve and microthruster are provided. Both include a housing with an interior in which an armature can travel and abut a valve seat to provide an electromagnetic valve. The armature acts as a valve body that is maintained in a or normally closed position by a permanent magnet, and is opened by interaction with a selectively activatable electromagnet. A microthruster is provided by fashioning the valve discharge as a nozzle, preferably of a material that is permanently and selectively magnetizable, so that the nozzle functions as the permanent magnet and which magnetism can be adjusted to assure proper opening and closing of the valve portion. The valve body is guided without any sliding fit mechanism and is suitable for controlling gas or liquid fluid flows.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [33.] A method for controlling the flow of a gas, comprising:(a) providing a housing in fluid flow stream, said housing comprising a fluid flow path through a fluid entrance, an internal space, and a fluid exit;(b) providing in said flow path adjacent said internal space a val

[ What is claimed is:] [33.] A method for controlling the flow of a gas, comprising:(a) providing a housing in fluid flow stream, said housing comprising a fluid flow path through a fluid entrance, an internal space, and a fluid exit;(b) providing in said flow path adjacent said internal space a valve seat;(c) providing in said internal space a magnetically susceptible armature, the armature comprising means for sealing said valve seat when in abutting relation therewith;(d) supplying pressurized gas in fluid communication with said fluid entrance; and(e) subjecting said armature selectively to a magnetic force effective to abut said armature with said valve seat and prevent flow, or changing the application of said selectively applied magnetic force effect to cause said armature and said valve seat to move apart and thereby allow flow, the armature being sized relative to the internal space such that, during a portion of said moving apart of said armature and valve seat, a clearance is established between the entire outer surface of said armature and the inner surface of the housing.