초록 ▼

A flow control valve assembly for an electro-rheological (ER) fluid has an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow path for ER fluid extending between the inlet and outlet ports. A flow control valve is disposed in the flow path and includes a resilient diaphragm, which is acted upon by pressure in th

A flow control valve assembly for an electro-rheological (ER) fluid has an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow path for ER fluid extending between the inlet and outlet ports. A flow control valve is disposed in the flow path and includes a resilient diaphragm, which is acted upon by pressure in the flow path and which is moveable towards and away from the free end of a hollow boss. A flow restrictor in the form of an annular passage defined by electrodes is disposed in the flow path upstream of the flow control valve. An electric field is applied to the ER fluid as it passes between the electrodes to enable control of the resistance to flow of the ER fluid therethrough, thereby enabling control of the pressure drop across the diaphragm. A bypass passage defining a pressure relief valve is disposed downstream of the flow restrictor and permits flow between the inlet and outlet ports when the flow control valve is closed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flow-control valve assembly for an FR fluid, said valve assembly comprising:an inlet port; an outlet port; a flow path for the FR fluid extending between the inlet and outlet ports; a flow-control valve disposed in the flow path between the ports, said flow-control valve including a valve membe

1. A flow-control valve assembly for an FR fluid, said valve assembly comprising:an inlet port; an outlet port; a flow path for the FR fluid extending between the inlet and outlet ports; a flow-control valve disposed in the flow path between the ports, said flow-control valve including a valve member and a seating surface, the valve member being moveable between a first position in which the valve is open and the valve member is spaced from the seating surface, and a second position in which the valve is closed and the valve member is in engagement with the seating surface; a flow restrictor disposed in the flow path upstream of the flow-control valve, said flow restrictor including means for applying a field to the FR fluid as it passes through the flow restrictor to enable control of the resistance to flow of the FR fluid therethrough, so as to affect a pressure drop across the valve member, and thereby to control movement of the valve member between its first and second positions; and a bypass passage independent of the flow-control valve defining a pressure-relief means, which can permit flow between the inlet and outlet ports when the valve member is in the second position, said bypass passage being disposed downstream of the flow restrictor and spaced from the seating surface.