MODULAR VALVE

Abstract

A modular valve (1) comprising a housing (2), a valve seat (20), a diaphragm (10) cooperating with the seat and deformable between an open position and a closed position against said valve seat (20), an actuator (3) connected to the diaphragm (10) for deforming the latter between its open and closed positions, said seat (20) forming a fluid passage (25) between an inlet channel (23) and an outlet channel (24) arranged on either side of the seat (20), and comprising a sealing zone (21) capable of being closed by the diaphragm (10) in the closed position, the diaphragm (10) and the seat (20) being diamond-shaped. FIGURE 1

Description

Title of the invention: MODULAR VALVE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular valve, comprising a housing, a valve seat, a diaphragm cooperating with the seat and deformable between an open position and a closed position against said valve seat, an actuator, connected to the diaphragm, for deforming the latter between the open position and its closed position. Previous technique

[0002] In order to offer more targeted and effective therapies against certain endogenous diseases such as cancers, the pharmaceutical industry offers treatments targeted at very small cohorts of patients, up to and including individual therapies such as gene therapies, cell therapies, or personalized therapies using neoantigens. The implementation of these therapies requires managing fluids with valves on a very small scale while complying with all pharmaceutical requirements, namely: sanitary, hygienic, retention-free, cleanable, and sterilizable design requirements, with control of leachables, while also meeting fluidic requirements such as low pressure drop, chemical compatibility, and low volume.

[0003] On a more conventional fluidic scale in pharmaceuticals, corresponding to larger volume applications on pipes with an internal diameter of 4 mm or more, a wide range of solutions is available in hygienic diaphragm valves offered individually or in multi-valve blocks to reduce captive volume. Modular designs are also available.

[0004] On a very small scale, there is an offer of small valves but for research and development use, or oriented towards the electronics industry, without hygienic or sterile design requirements and unable to meet the requirements of good manufacturing practices used in pharmaceuticals.

[0005] Document US20210097880 describes a diaphragm valve having a body comprising an inlet and an outlet, a sealing diaphragm, a connecting piece linking the sealing diaphragm to a pressure piece of an actuation, in which the body, the sealing diaphragm and the connecting piece are rigidly connected to each other to form an interchangeable sealed body, in which the connecting piece is molded on the sealing diaphragm, and in which the valve body and the sealing diaphragm are ultrasonically welded to each other. This type of valve allows for cost savings but in return presents major dimensional limitations excluding the production of small-sized valves.

[0006] Document WO2014182756 describes a valve comprising a valve body including a fluid flow path, an inlet and an outlet, a valve element disposed in said valve body and which can be moved between a first position and a second position, a plate disposed in said valve body between said inlet and said outlet, said plate including an orifice, said valve element including a seal which will block said orifice when said valve element is in said first position. This type of architecture is well suited to certain dimensions, but excluded from small-dimension embodiments.

[0007] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means. Summary of the invention

[0008] The main objective of the invention is to provide a simple and effective means for designing a simple and reliable valve particularly suited to small dimensions.

[0009] To this end, the invention provides for a modular valve, comprising a housing, a valve seat, a diaphragm cooperating with the seat and deformable between an open position and a closed position against said valve seat, an actuator, connected to the diaphragm, for deforming the latter between the open position and its closed position, said seat forming a fluidic passage between an inlet channel and an outlet channel arranged each on either side of the seat, and comprising a sealing zone, capable of being closed by the diaphragm in the closed position, in which the diaphragm is diamond-shaped and includes a central zone, a deformable active zone and a peripheral bead, the valve seat is also diamond-shaped and corresponding to the profile of the diaphragm, delimited by a peripheral groove adapted to house the peripheral bead of the diaphragm.

[0010] This architecture makes it possible to produce a very small valve, for example for channel diameters less than 3.2 mm, with very precise settings.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator is connected to the central area of ​​the membrane by means of a membrane shaft comprising two parts, namely a ring inside which the central area of ​​the membrane is connectable, and an actuator rod, screwable inside the ring, opposite the membrane.

[0012] This two-part architecture allows for a reduced diameter actuator, facilitating the mounting of a membrane also of minimal size.

[0013] Advantageously, the seat of the ring is convex.

[0014] This arrangement allows maximum deformability of the membrane towards its closed position. This allows the membrane to be supported against its seat while minimizing the stresses exerted on the membrane, thus permitting flexing in both directions over a very large number of cycles.

[0015] Also advantageously, the diaphragm includes, before being mounted in the valve, a connecting wire designed to attach the diaphragm to the ring by clipping. After clipping, the wire can be partially cut or removed to allow the actuator rod to be installed. The rod can be drilled to allow the uncut wire remnant to pass through.

[0016] This arrangement makes it possible to connect a very small membrane to an actuator of equally minimal size using a simple configuration, at controlled costs.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the housing forms a module with side faces provided with channel openings arranged for fluidic connection with one or two other modules arranged against the side faces.

[0018] This architecture allows for various configurations with small valves for sterile applications with low flow rates. The valve modules allow the fluid to be routed from one side of the seat to a lateral connection, either through the module or across half its width, for lateral fluid connection between modules.

[0019] Advantageously, the fluidic connections form "T" shaped or parallel arrangements. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] All implementation details are given in the following description, supplemented by Figures 1 to 15, presented solely for the purpose of non-limiting examples, and in which: Fig. 1

[0021] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a valve presented in the plane passing through the two channels of the valve; Fig. 2

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view of an example of a valve seat; Fig.3

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an example of a membrane; Fig. 4

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a valve in position open; Fig. 5

[0025] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a valve in position closed; Fig. 6

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a housing with a valve seat; Fig. 7

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a valve presented in the valve closure plan; Fig. 8

[0028] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] shows an example of a membrane being assembled with a membrane axis, with connecting wire; Fig. 9

[0029] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows an example of a membrane being assembled with a membrane axis once the connecting wire is cut; Fig. 10

[0030] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] shows an example of a valve with a side seal with a tube sealing, the valve being also mounted on a support plate; Fig. II

[0031] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] shows an example of a valve with lateral sealing with a sealing gasket; Fig. 12

[0032] [Fig.12] [Fig.12] is a schematic representation of an example of T-valve configuration and through-manifold; Fig. 13

[0033] [Fig.13] [Fig.13] is a schematic representation of an example of T-valve configuration without an open manifold; Fig. 14

[0034] [Fig.14] [Fig.14] is a schematic representation of an example of T-valve and isolation valve configuration; Fig. 15

[0035] [Fig.15] [Fig.15] is a schematic representation of an example of T-valve configuration and intermediate connection module; Description of the implementation methods

[0036] The problem related to the miniaturization of hygienic diaphragm valves and valve blocks raises significant technical challenges. For example, for the miniaturization of the diaphragm, down to the centimeter scale, the diaphragm must combine a gap-free sealing function at its periphery, to be hygienic, with a system for attaching to the actuator at its center so that it can be pulled or pushed against the sealing seat. Thus, the area of ​​the membrane located between the center and the periphery being restricted to a few millimeters, the design of the membrane and the valve must minimize the stresses on the membrane so that it can perform thousands to hundreds of thousands of extension and compression cycles, without significant degradation of its properties which would impair its functionality or its pressure tightness, or its cleanability, etc.

[0037] The problem related to the miniaturization of lateral seals is also difficult to address. Indeed, pharmaceutical standards (ASME, GLP, etc.) specify design rules for sealing solutions based on elastomer seals compressed in a groove in order to avoid seal protrusions in fluid passages or, conversely, gaps between parts that are conducive to contamination and poor cleanability. Given the manufacturing tolerances on the seals and mechanical parts, which do not follow the scale proportions, these solutions cannot be transposed to the miniature scale.

[0038] Finally, the miniaturization of the valve's internal volume implies several cumulative constraints. The size of the actuators does not follow the scale proportion (for example, a compact 10mm diameter cylinder is 16mm wide, i.e., 160% of its usable dimension, whereas it is only 130% for a 40mm diameter cylinder). The valve size is therefore dictated more by the size of the actuators than by the size of the fluidic section. The piping in miniature sizes is too small to support the mass of the valves, unlike in larger sizes. A front-mounted valve mounting system is therefore necessary to support them and allow the fluidic connections to be accessible and visible to the operator, which necessitates working in a single plane for practical reasons. Similarly, the manufacturing methods for valve seats must meet the surface finish requirements (Ra<0.6pm), namely molding or machining, do not allow for very deep bores in very small diameters, which constrains the design. Finally, ASME BPE imposes a ratio between the length indicated by "Note 1" (distance between the fluid circuit and the valve sealing area) and the inside diameter of the valve pipe of H / D < 2, which introduces another challenge when D is very small.

[0039] All of these opposing constraints, normative and practical, require innovation in design which has led to the design of narrow, stackable and modular valve modules, with a set of innovative designs on the diaphragm, on the sealing systems and on the design of the modules, which are the subject of this document.

[0040] The following description relates to a design of a sanitary and modular diaphragm valve suitable for very small diameters, from 1 / 32" (0.8mm) to 1 / 8" (3.2mm). It makes it possible to reconcile, on a very small scale, a series of often contradictory characteristics: a. The fluidic barrier function (valve function), in a "single-acting" monostable configuration with a return spring in the open or closed position, or in a bistable configuration; b. The possibility of assembling side by side multiple narrow, stackable and modular valve modules, by connecting their pipe upstream or downstream of the dam function to constitute a common collector for all the valves (config "clarinet"); c. The possibility of inserting intermediate modules to provide a barrier function (valve) at the end of the collectors mentioned in the previous point; d. The miniaturization of functions (b), (c) to very small diameters imposes particular design rules, in particular on the design of the membrane and the sealing systems between the modules in order to provide sealing at the maximum service pressure, without retention or gaps, and easy to assemble or maintain; e. The possibility of adding straight side modules or modules incorporating an elbow to allow fluid connection in the axis of the manifold or towards the front face, in the middle or at the ends of the module assembly; f. Minimizing volumes, particularly in the valve seat, while minimizing the pressure drop of the valve in the open position. Thus, in an intermediate diameter configuration (D 1.6mm), the proposed design generates an internal volume representing less than 10% more than a pipe of equivalent diameter; g. Perfect cleanability of individual valve modules and module assemblies thanks to a sanitary seat design and a special design of sealing systems specifically designed for very small diameters, and easily industrially feasible; h. The valve module mounting function allows for the watertight installation of these modules onto a perforated mounting plate. This enables the valve actuators to be positioned at the rear of the panel, facilitating electrical or pneumatic connections within the equipment enclosure, while providing access to fluid connections at the front of the panel for mounting piping, instruments, and other actuators. The entire design incorporates sanitary features, allowing for cleaning of the valve fronts and sheet metal, for example, in controlled atmosphere areas (cleanrooms).

[0041] The present invention applies to internal diameters from 1 / 32" (0.8mm) to 1 / 8" (3.2mm) in low or medium pressure applications, below 1 Obar, and in any application requiring good cleanability, or even sterility, and a very low risk of contamination of any kind (particles, microbes, endotoxins, or any chemical solution injected in a previous step and having to be replaced by a new one).

[0042] Valves are well known for their use as flow control devices for the distribution of gases and liquids. The modular valve described below can be used in several fields of activity, such as those requiring high cleanliness, ease of cleaning, or effective sterilization of a process, such as in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or food processing industries. Such a modular valve is used, for example, in chemical, semiconductor, and medical device operations.

[0043] ARCHITECTURE

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a modular valve, shown in section in [Fig.1], in partial view showing the valve seat in [Fig.2] and using a perspective view of the diaphragm and diaphragm axis in [Fig.3], as well as in [Fig.7], showing a section in the plane along which the valve acts as a barrier.

[0045] As illustrated, a valve 1 comprises a housing 2, a diaphragm 10, a linear actuator 3 cooperating with the housing 2 through a linear actuator adapter 4.

[0046] As described later, several valve modules can be assembled as a block, each valve including lateral connections allowing fluidic links between the modules.

[0047] The casing 2 is made of a material conforming to pharmaceutical requirements, namely conforming to USP Class VI, conforming to FDA 21CFR 177, etc., with good chemical compatibility with the chemical solutions with which the body will be in contact, and good mechanical characteristics for resistance to the stresses exerted by hydraulic pressure, and a very smooth surface condition to prevent the formation of bacterial film.

[0048] The membrane 10 is typically made of elastomeric materials, such as, for example, but not limited to, EPDM, PE, FKM, FFKM, or others. These materials must be elastic and impermeable with the same requirements for chemical compatibility and conformity to pharmaceutical uses, as mentioned above.

[0049] The linear actuator 3 is connected to the diaphragm 10 and allows it to be moved away from the seat of 20 when the valve is in the open position (as shown in [Fig. 4]), or to press it against the valve seat on a sealing area 21 when the valve is in the closed position (as shown in [Fig.5]).

[0050] To move the membrane, a two-part membrane shaft 16, consisting of a ring 17 and an actuator rod 19, serves as a link between the linear actuator 3 and the membrane 10. The specifics of the two-part membrane shaft are described later.

[0051] The linear actuator 3 can be in an on / off position (open position shown in [Fig. 4] or closed position shown in [Fig. 5]), using, for example, a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic cylinder, or an electric cylinder with an electromagnet, or with a motor and worm gear, or with a device with a cam or lever. The linear actuator 3 can also be used continuously along its stroke between the open and closed positions to regulate flow or pressure. Finally, it has been observed that the use of a pneumatic cylinder, supplied with controlled air pressure, allows it to function as a safety valve: in the closed position, the valve remains sealed below a pressure in the fluid circuit, beyond which the diaphragm detaches from the sealing area, allowing pressure to be released downstream of the valve.

[0052] Clearly visible in [Fig. 2], the housing 1 incorporates the valve seat 20 located opposite the diaphragm 10, forming a fluid passage 25 extending between the inlet channel 23 and the outlet channel 24. These two channels 23 and 24 are further separated by a sealing zone 21 in the middle of the fluid passage, advantageously transverse to it. This sealing zone ensures fluid circulation between the two channels when the diaphragm 20 is retracted and provides a barrier function between the two channels when the diaphragm 20 is pressed against the sealing zone 21.

[0053] The specific shape of the valve seat 20, visible in [Fig.2], includes a flare allowing a transition between the two channels to a plane perpendicular to the two channels below the sealing area, of a shape close to the ellipse or in a semi-ellipse (both designated as "pseudo-ellipse") whose lower curvature is given by the valve seat and the upper shape (flat or curved) is given by the diaphragm in the open position.

[0054] The term "close to an ellipse" refers to the fact that the transition between the lower and upper curvatures forming the joint plane cannot have as perfect a curvature as at the ends of the major axis of an ellipse. The design must aim to ensure that this joint plane does not form a gap where fluid flow would be reduced compared to the passage section, with a risk of deposit or bacterial film formation.

[0055] To avoid this phenomenon, the membrane 10 has a diamond shape whose outer bead 13 which forms the seal comes flush with the passage in the valve seat 20. The passage area when the diaphragm is retracted must be close to the cross-section of channels 23 and 24 of the valve so that the fluid is neither slowed down in this passage, which could reduce cleanability, nor accelerated excessively, which could increase pressure drop or shear of the product (e.g., pharmaceutical molecules). Therefore, the flare of the two channels must allow the transition from the orifice diameter to the greater width of the ellipse, with a curvature that prevents the fluidic veins from separating, so that the valve surfaces are uniformly exposed to the fluid flow and thus prevent product deposition or the formation of a bacterial film. The sealing zone 21 located between these two channels preferably has a concave elliptical shape to ensure the barrier function when the valve is in the closed position.

[0056] One of the two channels of the valve seat 20 opens towards the outer face of the valve, along an axis normal to the pseudo-ellipse of the sealing surface. It terminates with a connection allowing the mounting of a flexible hose for fluid transfer. For example, a 1 / 4" 28 UNF fitting (for 59mm diameter tubing = 1 / 16") or a 5 / 16" 24 UNF fitting (for 2.00mm diameter tubing) is used. The other channel of the valve seat is connected to a lateral channel allowing fluid to flow laterally between the valve modules. The distance between this channel and the valve's sealing area is less than or equal to twice the channel diameter, in accordance with ASME BPE. This channel can extend across the entire width of the valve module, thus connecting the valve to the module on its right and the module on its left, or it can extend only halfway across the width of the end block, connecting the valve seat to only one lateral module on its left or right.This allows for different traffic configurations.

[0057] Visible in [Fig. 3], the diaphragm 10 has a rhombus shape with rounded corners to allow both perfect irrigation of the valve seat 20 without dead zones, minimization of the internal volume, and a seal flush with the fluid passage in the valve seat. Thus, as visualized in [Fig. 2], under the two ends of the major axis of the rhombus are the inlet 23 and outlet 24 channels of the valve, separated by 7 mm in the illustrated design example, and under the minor axis of the rhombus is the sealing area 21 of the valve seat, against which the diaphragm 10 is pressed in the closed position. The seat profile at this point has a concave curve that the diaphragm can conform to. To ensure that the membrane takes this shape in the plated state, the ring 17 of the axis 16 of the membrane made of plastic or metallic material is provided with a convex seat which allows the seal to be plated according to the convex shape which fits the concavity of the seat.

[0058] The edge of the membrane terminates in a bead 13 which allows for the centering of the various elements of the valve: membrane 10, valve seat 20, housing 2 and Linear actuator adapter 4. The bead also helps to retain the diaphragm on its periphery despite the extension forces during opening or closing.

[0059] For example, without limiting ourselves to these values, the height of the ridges is 2.6 mm and the total height of the two housings in the case is 2.7 mm.

[0060] At the inner periphery of the bead 13, the diaphragm is pinched between the seat 20 and the actuator adapter 4 to ensure the assembly is sealed. The deformable active area 12 of the diaphragm has a thinner thickness (from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm) to limit shear during opening and closing bends, thus allowing for a large number of cycles. The perimeter of the active area 12 is pinched between the housing 2 and the actuator adapter 4 to exert a nominal compression on the assembly between 5% and 20%, depending on the diaphragm material, ensuring its seal.

[0061] The deformable active zone 12 allows:

[0062] -To create a sealing barrier and to resist hydraulic pressure to contain the liquid or gas inside the valve;

[0063] -To give the membrane the degrees of freedom allowing it to move from a flat or concave shape in the open position to a convex shape in the closed position, and to be able to remain in either of these positions indefinitely, and to withstand a very large number of opening and closing cycles. It is indeed possible that between two preventive maintenance replacements of membranes, they may have undergone more than 100,000 opening and closing cycles;

[0064] - To ensure good sealing contact in the sealing area when the ring 17, with its convex end, presses the diaphragm against the seat. In one design example, this area has a contact radius of 7.4 mm, this radius of the contact area being able to change depending on the size of the valve and the manufacturing process of the body.

[0065] MEMBRANE COUPLING

[0066] The membrane 10, which must be able to be slightly pulled during opening, must therefore have a central attachment device for the membrane axis 16. This attachment device must necessarily be very small given the size of the membrane, but easily mounted and replaceable, and must withstand numerous opening and closing cycles. To avoid unnecessary stress and shearing of the membrane during these numerous opening and closing cycles, the coupling must be of the "ball joint" or "point joint" type, so as to reduce the degrees of freedom on the membrane only where necessary, namely the transmission of the tensile or compressive force to the center of the membrane. The following design has been tested over 91,000 opening and closing cycles, without any loss of membrane performance in terms of sealing, surface finish, and cleanability after cycling.

[0067] As illustrated, the diaphragm shaft 16 consists of two parts: a ring 17 connected to the diaphragm 10 and an actuator rod 19, which is fixed to the actuator 3. The ring 17 has a bore and a convex seat that allows the diaphragm 10 to bear against the valve seat 20. The ring 17 and the actuator rod 19 are assembled by a coupling 18, for example by screwing. Similarly, the actuator rod 19 is connected to the linear actuator 3, for example by screwing, or otherwise.

[0068] As shown in Figures 3, 8 and 9, the membrane 10 is preferably made in one piece. The central area 11 is surmounted by a bulge 14 which extends into a connecting wire 15 as shown in [Fig. 8]. This connecting wire 15 allows the membrane 10 to be assembled with the membrane axis 16, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, which illustrate the successive steps of this assembly.

[0069] As shown in [Fig.8] on the left, the connecting wire 15 is threaded through the ring 17. It is pulled by the operator in such a way that the conical bulge 14, although larger than the bore, by the elastic property of the membrane and its conicity can compress, pass through the bore and can regain its diameter once placed as shown in [Fig.8] on the right.

[0070] This clip-on assembly is simple, quick, efficient, and inexpensive. This design and type of assembly allow for the use of a reduced-sized membrane axis 16. Furthermore, the active zone 12 of the membrane is thus free to flex in either direction around the central zone 11.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting wire 15 has a diameter of 1.5 mm, making it easily threaded through the 2 mm bore. The bulge 14 has a diameter of 2.5 mm. Once the membrane is clipped in place, the operator or the assembly machine pulls on the wire 15 to cut or tear it at the junction of the bulge 14, as shown in [Fig. 9] on the left. The actuator rod 19 can then be attached to the ring 17, as shown in [Fig. 9] on the right. To avoid having to cut or tear the wire 15 at the base of the bulge, the actuator rod 19 can be hollow, as in the example in [Fig. 7], so that the remaining wire section can be accommodated.

[0072] MULTIPLE MODULES

[0073] As shown in [Fig.6], the lateral channel 5 opens onto one or two joint housings 6 depending on whether it is through or half-width, to ensure watertight connections with the lateral module(s).

[0074] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the use of conventional seals such as O-rings between juxtaposed modules is possible, but in very small dimensions it is difficult to reconcile the absence of a gap, good compression of the seal to guarantee a sealing generator, and the absence of a protrusion of the seal inside the conduit, which would form a fluid restriction. likely to cause retention or unnecessarily increase the valve's pressure drop. In the design preferences, the use of a washer 7 made of plastic material such as PP, PVDF, PTFE, or PEEK, or the use of a tube 8, for example, made of PTFE, have been successfully tested and are therefore among the preferred solutions. In both cases, the height of the washer 7 or the tube 8 is slightly greater than that of the housing in the valve body so that the sealing element is compressed by a factor of 1% to 20%, depending on the material, to ensure a tight seal and the absence of gaps that would compromise cleanability.

[0075] In the examples in Figures 12, 13, and 14, the side modules can be additional valve bodies or connection modules with flexible hoses, equipped with any type of gap-free connection to maintain the sanitary design. The valve modules are designed symmetrically so that a module can be rotated 180° (example in [Fig. 14] with the right and left modules).

[0076] Here are some examples of possible configurations: valve body with through-side channel with identical valve body (example [Fig. 12]), or valve body with through-side channel with valve body with half-channel (example [Fig. 13]), or valve body with through-side channel with valve body with two half-channels for isolation valve function (example [Fig. 14]), or valve body with half-channel or through-channel with interface piece with fluidic outlet and valve body with half-channel or through-channel (example [Fig. 15]).

[0077] The interface piece in [Fig. 15] is only an example, since any fluidic configuration can be used between the two lateral fluidic connection points, and one or more fluidic outlets between these two points. Finally, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a valve body with an end block and fluidic connections 27 can also be used.

[0078] VERTICAL PLATE MOUNTING

[0079] These examples are not exhaustive but are intended solely to show configuration examples. Assemblies of up to eight to ten valve modules have been successfully tested.

[0080] As seen in [Fig. 10], the valve assemblies can be mounted on a vertical plate 9 with openings at the actuators, with a sealing gasket 26 installed in a groove formed in the valve modules, which provides a seal between the module and the plate. The valves can thus be installed on the front of an enclosure or cabinet. The fluidic part of the valve is therefore outside the enclosure, accessible to operators, in an environment that can be classified as an air handling unit ("cleanroom"). The actuator part is located inside the enclosure or cabinet to

[0081] facilitate pneumatic or electrical connection between actuators and control devices that may be located within the enclosure. List of reference signs 1. Modular valve 2. Case 3. Linear actuator 4. Adapter for linear actuator 5. Lateral canal 6. Seal housing 7. Sealing washer 8. Sealing tube 9. Mounting plate 10. Membrane 11. Central membrane zone 12. Deformable active zone of membrane 13. Peripheral bead 14. Swelling 15. Connecting wire 16. Membrane axis 17. Ring 18. Coupling 19. Actuator rod 20. Valve seat 21. Sealing zone 22. Peripheral groove 23. Input Channel 24. Output Channel 25. Fluidic passage 26. Sealing gasket 27. Fluidic connection

Claims

Demands

1. A modular valve (1) comprising a housing (2), a valve seat (20), a diaphragm (10) cooperating with the seat and deformable between an open position and a closed position against said valve seat (20), an actuator (3) connected to the diaphragm (10) for deforming the latter between its open and closed positions, said seat (20) forming a fluid passage (25) between an inlet channel (23) and an outlet channel (24) arranged on either side of the seat (20), and comprising a sealing zone (21) capable of being closed by the diaphragm (10) in the closed position, characterized in that the diaphragm is rhomboid-shaped and comprises a central zone (11), a deformable active zone (12), and a peripheral rim (13), the valve seat (20) also being rhomboid-shaped and corresponding to the profile of the diaphragm (10),delimited by a peripheral groove (22) adapted to house the peripheral rim (13) of the membrane.

2. Valve according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (3) is connected to the central area (11) of the diaphragm (10) by means of a diaphragm shaft (16) comprising two parts, namely a ring (17) inside which the central area (11) of the diaphragm is connectable, and an actuator rod (19), screwable inside the ring, opposite the diaphragm.

3. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the seat of the ring (17) is convex.

4. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diaphragm (10) has, before mounting in the valve, a connecting wire (15) designed to fix the diaphragm to the ring (17) by clipping.

5. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (2) forms a module with side faces provided with channel openings arranged for fluidic connection with one or two other modules disposed against the side faces.

6. Valve according to claim 5, wherein the fluidic connections are in the shape of “T”.

7. Valve according to claim 5, wherein the fluidic connections are in parallel.

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