Proportional flow control valve

Abstract

To realize proportional control over a precise amount of fluid that can pass through a valve.SOLUTION: A valve apparatus 10 includes: a valve assembly 12 including a valve retainer body 20 that houses a movable poppet 22 that defines a valve member 44 that is configured to contact a conically shaped valve seat 46 of the valve retainer body 20; and a motor assembly 14 including a rotatable shaft 25 that is configured to actuate the valve assembly 12. The rotatable shaft 25 includes a thread 58 formed at an end thereof. The thread 58 is engaged with a sleeve 56. Rotation of the thread 58 by the rotatable shaft 25 translates the sleeve 56 towards and away from the movable poppet 22 to transfer to the poppet 22 an axial force that forces the valve member 44 into and out of engagement with the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 294,240, filed on December 28, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure relates to proportional flow control valves.

Background Art

[0003] This section is intended to present background information related to the present disclosure, which may not necessarily be prior art.

[0004] Valves with proportional control enable further control of the amount of fluid that can pass through the valve. This can be particularly important, for example, when a specific amount of fluid is required for a particular application such as a medical procedure or treatment. In this regard, if the correct amount of fluid is not provided during medical treatment, the effectiveness of the medical treatment may be reduced. Other applications that may require proportional control include the supply of the correct amount of carbonation to beverages, the application of flow pressure control to mobility assist units, and applications that require fluid administration.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section presents an overall summary of the disclosure and does not disclose the full scope or all of the features thereof in an inclusive manner.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a valve device is provided comprising a valve assembly having a valve holder that houses a movable poppet valve defining a valve member configured to contact a valve seat of a valve holder, and a motor assembly having a rotary shaft configured to actuate the valve assembly, wherein the rotary shaft has a threaded portion formed at its end, the threaded portion engaging with a sleeve, and the rotation of the threaded portion by the rotary shaft causes the sleeve to translate so as to move closer to or away from the movable poppet valve, thereby transmitting an axial force to the poppet valve that engages and disengages the valve member with respect to the valve seat, and opening and closing the valve assembly.

[0007] According to the first embodiment, the valve device may further include a spring assembly that biases the valve member away from the valve seat.

[0008] According to the first embodiment, the valve holder has a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, the first inlet is configured to communicate fluidly with a first fluid, and the second inlet is configured to communicate fluidly with a second fluid.

[0009] According to the first embodiment, the first fluid and the second fluid mix when the valve assembly is open.

[0010] According to the first embodiment, the first fluid includes a gas, and the second fluid includes a liquid.

[0011] According to the first embodiment, the first fluid and the second fluid each include either a liquid or a gas.

[0012] According to the first embodiment, the threaded portion is configured such that the valve assembly is fully opened with one 360-degree rotation of the threaded portion of the rotating shaft.

[0013] According to the first embodiment, the valve device may further include a cylindrical spacer surrounding the rotating shaft between the threaded portion and the motor assembly.

[0014] According to the first embodiment, the threaded portion of the rotating shaft engages with the corresponding threaded surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve has a cylindrical extension that engages with a cylindrical spacer by sliding.

[0015] According to the first embodiment, the valve device may further include a sealing diaphragm located between the poppet valve and the threaded portion of the rotating shaft, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the valve holder.

[0016] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a valve device which may include a valve holder defining a valve seat, a movable poppet valve defining a valve member configured to contact the valve seat of the valve holder, a rotating shaft configured to actuate the movable poppet valve, a threaded portion formed at the end of the rotating shaft, a sealing diaphragm between the movable poppet valve and the rotating shaft, and a sleeve engaged with the threaded portion of the rotating shaft, wherein the rotation of the threaded portion by the rotating shaft causes the sleeve to translate toward or away from the movable poppet valve, thereby transmitting an axial force to the poppet valve that engages and disengages the valve member with respect to the valve seat, and opening and closing the valve assembly.

[0017] According to a second embodiment, the sleeve has an internal threaded surface that engages with the threaded portion of the rotating shaft.

[0018] According to a second embodiment, the sleeve has a contact surface configured to contact the poppet valve and transmit axial force to the poppet valve.

[0019] According to the second embodiment, the valve device may further include a cylindrical spacer surrounding the rotating shaft at the end of the rotating shaft which does not have a threaded portion.

[0020] According to a second embodiment, the sleeve has a first portion configured to engage with the threaded portion of the rotating shaft and an axially extending cylindrical portion configured to slide along the spacer.

[0021] According to the second aspect, the valve holder has a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. The first inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a first fluid, and the second inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a second fluid.

[0022] According to the second aspect, the first inlet is disposed on the first side of the valve member, the second inlet is disposed on the second side of the valve member, the outlet is disposed between the first inlet and the second inlet, and the first fluid and the second fluid mix when the valve assembly is open.

[0023] According to the second aspect, the first fluid and the second fluid each contain either a liquid or a gas. 000o077<000oo78>According to the second aspect, the diameter of the sealing diaphragm is substantially equal to the diameter of the valve holder.

[0025] According to the second aspect, the valve device may further include a motor that rotates a rotating shaft and a threaded portion of the rotating shaft to translate the sleeve to move closer to or away from the movable poppet.

[0026] Regarding the further scope of applicability, it will become apparent from the description given herein. The description and specific examples in the summary of the invention are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of any embodiment and not all possible implementations, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of a first proportional control valve according to the principles of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of a second proportional control valve according to the principles of the present disclosure.

[0029] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in some of the illustrations of the drawings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The exemplary embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments are provided to convey in detail and fully to those skilled in the art the scope of this disclosure. Many specific details are described as examples of specific components, apparatus and methods, enabling a full understanding of the embodiments of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not necessary to adopt specific details, that the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many different forms, and that none of them should be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

[0031] The terms used herein are intended to describe, and not limit, specific exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include the plural form unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and identify the presence of the features, actions, elements, and / or components described, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0032] When an element or layer is described as "adjacent to," "engaged to," "connected to," or "linked to" another element or layer, it may be directly adjacent to, engaged to, connected to, or linked to that other element or layer, or there may be an intervening element or layer. On the other hand, when an element is described as "directly adjacent to," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly linked to" another element or layer, there may not be an intervening element or layer. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" vs. "directly between," "adjacent" vs. "directly adjacent").

[0033] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used to describe various elements or components, but these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element or component from another. The terms "first," "second," and other numerical terms, as used herein, do not imply continuity or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Accordingly, a first element or component may be referred to as a second element or component without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Space-related terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “immediately below,” “below,” “on the lower side,” “above,” and “upper side” may be used herein to facilitate descriptions of the relationship between one element or feature shown in a drawing and another element or feature. Space-related terms may include different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation shown in the drawing. For example, if the device in the drawing is turned upside down, an element described as “below” or “immediately below” another element or feature would be oriented “above” that other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” may include both upward and downward orientations. The device may be oriented in other directions (90-degree rotation or other orientations), and space-related descriptions used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a first proportional control valve device 10 according to the present disclosure. The valve device 10 is configured to proportionally control the flow rate of a fluid, including liquids and gases. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve device 10 is a valve configured to allow two fluids to enter the valve device 10 and mix with each other before exiting the valve device 10. The two fluids may be the same or different, and one fluid may be a liquid and the other a gas.

[0036] The first valve device 10 comprises a valve assembly 12 and a motor assembly 14 that actsuates the valve assembly 12. The motor assembly 14 may include a stepping motor (not shown) and an encoder 18 housed in a motor housing 16. The encoder 18 is configured to provide position feedback and indexing. Using indexing, the valve device 10 may be fully opened and closed digitally.

[0037] The valve assembly 12 comprises a valve holder 20, a poppet valve 22, a connecting member 24 that brings the poppet valve 22 into contact with the shaft 25 of the motor assembly 14, a connector bush 26, a spring assembly 28, and a pair of sealing diaphragms 30. The valve assembly 12 further comprises a valve housing assembly 32 which includes a first housing 34 that connects the valve assembly 12 to the motor assembly 14, and a second housing 36 that houses the spring assembly 28.

[0038] The valve holder 20 may be formed from a hard material such as a metal or polymer. The valve holder 20 has a first end 37a connected to a connector bush 26 and a second end 37b connected to a second housing 36. The connector bush 26 and the second housing 36 may be connected to the first and second ends 37a and 37b of the valve holder 20, respectively, by screwing. One end of the sealing diaphragm 30 is located between the first end 37a of the valve holder 20 and the connector bush 26, and the other end of the sealing diaphragm 30 is located between the second end 37b of the valve holder 20 and the second housing 36. The sealing diaphragm 30 is used to balance the poppet valve 22 under pressure. The diaphragm 30 may have annular ribs 31 to improve the sealing of the inner and outer diameters of the diaphragm 30. In this regard, for example, when the diaphragm 30 is located between the first end 37a of the valve holder 20 and the connector bush 26, and these components are screwed together, the rib 31 is configured to compress to enhance sealing performance. A similar effect occurs when the diaphragm 30 is located between the second end 37b of the valve holder 20 and the second housing 36, and these components are screwed together. Furthermore, the compression of the rib 31 helps to offset manufacturing tolerances of the components sandwiching the diaphragm 30.

[0039] The valve holder 20 has a first inlet aperture or port 38 configured to communicate fluidly with a first fluid source (not shown), a second inlet aperture or port 42 configured to communicate fluidly with a second fluid source (not shown), and an outlet aperture or port 40.

[0040] The poppet valve 22 is movably received within the valve holder 20. Like the valve holder 20, the poppet valve 22 can be formed from a rigid material such as a metallic or polymer material. The poppet valve 22 has a proximal end 41 connected to a connecting member 24 and a distal end 43 connected to a spring assembly 28. A valve member 44 is positioned between the proximal end 41 and the distal end 43 of the poppet valve 22 at the second port 30. The valve member 44 is configured to contact a valve seat 46 of the valve holder 20 when the poppet valve 22 translates back and forth along the X-axis of the valve assembly 12, opening and closing the valve assembly 12. The valve seat 46 is conically shaped to improve flow rate and pressure loss. When the valve member 44 is in contact with the valve seat 46, the valve assembly 12 is closed (as shown in Figure 1), and when the valve member 44 is away from the valve seat 46, the valve assembly 12 is open (not shown). When the valve assembly 12 is open, the fluids flowing into the first inlet port 38 and the second inlet port 42 can pass through the valve member 44, mix, and then flow out of the valve assembly 12 through the outlet aperture 40.

[0041] The connector bush 26 connects the first end 37a of the valve holder 20 to the first housing 34. The connector bush 26 may be formed from a hard material such as a metal or polymer. The connector bush 26 has an outer threaded surface for connecting to the valve holder 20 and an inner threaded surface for connecting to the first housing 34.

[0042] The poppet valve 22 is actuated by an axially translatable sleeve 56 driven by a shaft 25 of the motor assembly 14. More specifically, the poppet valve 22 is connected to the shaft 25 via a connecting member 24 and the sleeve 56. The connecting member 24 has a threaded projection 48 that engages with a threaded recess 50 of the poppet valve 22 by screwing. The cylindrical body 52 of the connecting member 24 has a contact surface 54 configured to abut against the sleeve 56 surrounding the threaded portion 58, which is part of the shaft 25. As the shaft 25 and the threaded portion 58 rotate, the sleeve 56 can be moved closer to or further away from the connecting member 24. When the sleeve 56 contacts the connecting member 24 and exerts force on the contact surface 54, the connecting member 24 transmits this force to the poppet valve 22, causing the valve member 44 to engage with the valve seat 46. When the sleeve 56 separates from the connecting member 24, the reaction force provided by the spring assembly 28 biases the valve member 44 of the poppet valve 22 away from the valve seat 46, causing the valve assembly 12 to open.

[0043] The threaded portion 58 can be specially designed and customized to control the movement of the valve member 44 and customize the proportional flow rate that can pass through the valve assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded portion 58 is designed so that one 360-degree rotation of the threaded portion 58 allows for a valve stroke of 2.5 mm (i.e., the valve assembly 12 is fully opened). Valve strokes of less than 2.5 mm can be achieved by controlling the amount of rotation of the threaded portion 58. In this way, by controlling the amount of rotation of the threaded portion 58, the flow rate through the valve assembly 12 can be precisely controlled without fully opening or closing the valve assembly 12. Note that the 2.5 mm valve stroke is just one example, and different valve strokes can be obtained by changing the pitch between the threads 59 of the threaded portion 58.

[0044] The spring assembly 28 includes a first spring seat 60 attached to the second end 37b of the valve holder 20 and a second spring seat 62 connected to the inner surface of the second housing 36, with the coil spring 64 positioned between the first spring seat 60 and the second spring seat 62. The first spring seat 60 has a threaded extension 66 connected to the second end 37b of the valve holder 20 and an annular shoulder 68 configured to support the first end 64a of the spring 64. The second spring seat 62 has a cylindrical projection 70 surrounded by an annular surface 72, and the second end 64b of the spring 64 surrounds the cylindrical projection 70 and is supported by the annular surface 72.

[0045] As described above, the amount by which the valve assembly 12 can open can be controlled by the rotation of the shaft 25 and the threaded portion 58. Also, as described above, the spring assembly 28 is configured to bias the valve member 44 of the poppet valve 22 away from the valve seat 46. When the shaft 25 and the threaded portion 58 rotate and move the poppet valve 22, the spring 64 compresses, allowing the poppet valve 22 to move along the X axis. The shaft spacer 74 is a hollow cylindrical member having an axial length that can be specially selected and adjusted to restrict the movement of the shaft along the X axis by a spring (not shown) located within the motor assembly 14. The sleeve 56 has an inner threaded surface 57 configured to mesh with the threaded portion 58 and a cylindrical portion 61 extending axially. The cylindrical portion 61 is configured to slide along an opening formed in the housing assembly 32, which has a pair of planar portions that prevent the sleeve 56 from rotating and allow the sleeve 56 to move back and forth when the shaft 25 rotates.

[0046] The valve assembly 12 may also include a plurality of sealing members, i.e., O-rings 76, located around the outside of the valve holder 20. Specifically, the sealing members 76 are positioned in recesses 78 located above the valve holder 20. The depth of the recesses 78 and the cross-sectional diameter of the sealing members 76 may be specially designed and adjusted so that the valve assembly 12 can be inserted into a manifold (not shown) without damaging the sealing members 76. In this regard, conventional valve devices typically engage with a hole (not shown) in a manifold (not shown) by screwing (i.e., rotating), and this connection process can damage the sealing members. Furthermore, when disengaging a conventional valve device from a hole, rotation can cause the motor assembly to separate from the valve assembly, leaving the valve assembly in the hole. This necessitates additional work to remove the valve assembly from the hole. In the illustrated configuration, the valve device 10 can be inserted into a hole in a manifold without rotating the valve device, ensuring a connection that seals the fluid. To ensure that the valve device 10 remains seated with the manifold, the first housing 34 has an aperture 80 configured to receive fasteners 82 that can secure the valve device 10 to the manifold.

[0047] Referring to Figure 2, the second proportional control valve device 100 will be described. The valve device 100 is similar to the valve device 10 described above. In this respect, the second valve device 100 comprises a valve assembly 112 and a motor assembly 114 configured to actuate the valve assembly 112. The motor assembly 114 may comprise a stepping motor (not shown) housed in a motor housing 116 and an encoder 118 configured to provide position feedback and indexing.

[0048] The valve assembly 112 comprises a valve holder 120, a two-piece poppet valve 122 connected to the shaft 124 of the motor assembly 114, a connector bush 126, a spring assembly 128, and a single sealing diaphragm 30. The valve assembly 112 also includes a valve housing assembly 132 that connects the valve assembly 112 to the motor assembly 114.

[0049] The valve holder 120 may be formed from a hard material such as a metallic or polymer material. The valve holder 120 has a first end 120a configured to connect to a connector bush 126 and a second open end 120b that defines the outlet of the valve assembly 112. The connector bush 126 may be screw-connected to the first end 120a of the valve holder 120. The sealing diaphragm 130 is located between the first end 120a of the valve holder 120 and the connector bush 126. The sealing diaphragm 130 is used to balance the poppet valve 122 under pressure. The diaphragm 130 may include annular ribs 131 to improve the sealing of the inner and outer diameters of the valve holder 120.

[0050] The valve holder 120 has an inlet port 138 configured to communicate fluidly with a first fluid source (not shown). As described above, the second open end 120b of the valve holder 120 defines the fluid outlet 140 of the valve assembly 112.

[0051] The poppet valve 122 is movably received within the connector bush 126 and the valve holder 120. The poppet valve 122 can be formed from a hard material such as a metallic or polymer material. The poppet valve 122 has a proximal end 123 within the connector bush 126 and a distal end 127 within the valve holder 120. The proximal end 123 of the poppet valve 122 has a threaded projection 125a. The threaded projection 125a is received within a corresponding threaded recess 125b of the distal end 127, so as to fix the proximal end 123 to the distal end 127. The diaphragm 130 is sandwiched between the proximal end 123 and the distal end 127 of the poppet valve 122. The distal end 127 defines the valve member 144. As the poppet valve 122 translates back and forth along the X-axis of the valve assembly 112, opening and closing the valve assembly 112, the valve member 144 is configured to contact the valve seat 146 of the valve holder 120. The valve seat 146 is conically shaped to improve flow rate and pressure loss. When the valve member 144 is in contact with the valve seat 146, the valve assembly 112 is closed (as shown in Figure 2), and when the valve member 144 is away from the valve seat 146, the valve assembly 112 is open (not shown). When the valve assembly 112 is open, fluid flowing into the inlet port 138 can pass through the valve member 144 and then flow out of the valve assembly 112 through the outlet 140.

[0052] The connector bush 126 connects the first end 120a of the valve holder 120 to the housing 132. The connector bush 126 may be formed from a hard material such as a metal or polymer. The connector bush 126 has an inner threaded surface 126a for connecting to the valve holder 120 and an outer threaded surface 126b for connecting to the housing 132. The radially inwardly extending threads 129 extend toward the poppet valve 122.

[0053] The proximal end 123 of the poppet valve 122 is actuated by the shaft 124 of the motor assembly 114. More specifically, the proximal end 123 of the poppet valve 122 defines a cylindrical body 152. The cylindrical body 152 has a contact surface 154 configured to contact an axially translatable threaded sleeve 156 that surrounds a threaded portion 158, which is part of the shaft 124. As the shaft 124 and the threaded portion 158 rotate, the sleeve 156 can be moved closer to or further away from the contact surface 154. When the sleeve 156 contacts the contact surface 154, the sleeve 156 transmits force to the poppet valve 122, causing the valve member 144 to engage with the valve seat 146. As the sleeve 156 separates from the contact surface 154, the reaction force provided by the spring assembly 128 biases the valve member 144 of the poppet valve 122 away from the valve seat 146, causing the valve assembly 112 to open.

[0054] The threaded portion 158 can be specially designed and customized to control the movement of the valve member 144 and customize the proportional flow rate that can pass through the valve assembly 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded portion 158 is designed so that one 360-degree rotation of the threaded portion 158 allows for a valve stroke of 2.5 mm (i.e., the valve assembly 112 is fully open). Valve strokes of less than 2.5 mm can be achieved by controlling the amount of rotation of the threaded portion 158. In this way, by controlling the amount of rotation of the threaded portion 158, the flow rate through the valve assembly 112 can be precisely controlled, rather than opening and closing the valve assembly 112 completely.

[0055] The threads 129 extending radially inward toward the poppet valve 122 define the first spring seat 160, the shoulder portion 161 extending radially outward from the proximal end 123 of the poppet valve 122 defines the second spring seat 162, and the coil spring 164 is located between the first spring seat 160 and the second spring seat 162.

[0056] As described above, the amount by which the valve assembly 112 can open can be controlled by the rotation of the shaft 124 and the threaded portion 158. Also, as described above, the spring assembly 128 is configured to bias the valve member 144 of the poppet valve 122 away from the valve seat 146. When the shaft 124 and the threaded portion 158 rotate and move the poppet valve 122, the spring 164 compresses, allowing the poppet valve 122 to move along the X axis. The shaft spacer 174 is a hollow cylindrical member having an axial length that can be specially selected and adjusted to restrict the movement of the shaft along the X axis by a spring (not shown) located within the motor assembly 114.

[0057] Furthermore, the valve assembly 112 may include a plurality of sealing members, i.e., O-rings 176, located around the outside of the valve holder 120. Specifically, the sealing members 176 are positioned in recesses 178 located above the valve holder 120. The depth of the recesses 178 and the cross-sectional diameter of the sealing members 176 may be specially designed and adjusted so that the valve assembly 112 can be inserted into a manifold (not shown) without damaging the sealing members 176. In this regard, conventional valve devices typically engage with a hole (not shown) in a manifold (not shown) by screwing (i.e., rotating), and this connection process can damage the sealing members. Moreover, when disengaging a conventional valve device from a hole, rotation can cause the motor assembly to separate from the valve assembly, leaving the valve assembly in the hole. This necessitates additional work to remove the valve assembly from the hole. In the illustrated configuration, the valve device 100 can be inserted into a hole in a manifold without rotating the valve device, ensuring a connection that seals the fluid. To ensure that the valve device 100 remains seated with the manifold, the housing 132 has an aperture 180 configured to receive fasteners 182 that can secure the valve device 100 to the manifold.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that each of the valve assemblies 12 and 112 results in a balanced design during their use. The valve assemblies 12 and 112 are balanced because each of the valve holders 20 and 120 has substantially the same diameter as the effective sealing diameter of the diaphragms 30 and 130. By making the diameters of the valve holders 20 and 120 approximately the same as the effective sealing diameters of the diaphragms 30 and 130, the pressure fluctuations experienced by the valve assemblies 12 and 112 become more balanced during their operation.

[0059] The embodiments described above are provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. This description is not intended to be comprehensive, i.e., to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features in a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in any embodiment, even if not specifically illustrated or described. They may also be modified in various ways. Such modifications will not be considered departures from the disclosure, and all such modifications will remain within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. a valve assembly including a valve retainer containing a movable poppet valve defining a valve member configured to contact a valve seat in the valve retainer; a motor assembly having a rotatable shaft configured to actuate the valve assembly, the rotatable shaft has a threaded portion formed on an end thereof, the threaded portion of the rotatable shaft engaging a corresponding threaded surface of an axially translatable sleeve having a cylindrical extension; Rotation of the threaded portion by the rotating shaft causes the sleeve to translate in the axial direction toward or away from the movable poppet valve, transmitting an axial force to the movable poppet valve that engages and disengages the valve member from the valve seat, thereby opening and closing the valve assembly; A valve device having a cylindrical spacer surrounding the rotatable shaft at an end of the rotatable shaft that does not have the threaded portion, the cylindrical spacer being positioned between the threaded portion and the motor assembly and having an axial length configured to limit axial movement of the rotatable shaft.

2. The valve arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a spring assembly biasing the valve member away from the valve seat.

3. the valve holder has a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; The valve device of claim 1 , wherein the first inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a first fluid and the second inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a second fluid.

4. 4. The valve device of claim 3, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid mix when the valve assembly is open.

5. The valve device of claim 4 , wherein the first fluid comprises a gas and the second fluid comprises a liquid.

6. The valve device of claim 4 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid each comprise either a liquid or a gas.

7. 2. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the threads are configured such that one 360 ​​degree rotation of the threads fully opens the valve assembly.

8. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sealing diaphragm between said poppet valve and said threaded portion, said diaphragm having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said valve retainer.

9. a valve retainer defining a valve seat; a movable poppet valve defining a valve member configured to contact the valve seat of the valve retainer; a rotatable shaft configured to actuate the movable poppet valve; a threaded portion formed on an end of the rotary shaft; a sealing diaphragm between the movable poppet valve and the threaded portion; a sleeve having an internal threaded surface engaged with the threaded portion, the sleeve having a cylindrical extension; a cylindrical spacer surrounding the rotary shaft at the end of the rotary shaft that does not have the threaded portion and disposed between the cylindrical extension and the rotary shaft; A valve device comprising: a valve device in which rotation of the threaded portion by the rotating shaft causes the sleeve to translate toward and away from the movable poppet valve, transmitting an axial force to the movable poppet valve that engages and disengages the valve member from the valve seat, thereby opening and closing the valve assembly.

10. 10. The valve arrangement of claim 9, wherein the sleeve has an abutment surface configured to contact the poppet valve and transmit the axial force to the poppet valve.

11. 10. The valve device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve has a first portion configured to mate with the threaded portion and an axially extending cylindrical portion.

12. the valve holder has a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; 10. The valve device of claim 9, wherein the first inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a first fluid and the second inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a second fluid.

13. the first inlet is located on a first side of the valve member, the second inlet is located on a second side of the valve member, and the outlet is located between the first inlet and the second inlet; 13. The valve device of claim 12, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid mix when the valve assembly is open.

14. 13. The valve device of claim 12, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid each comprise either a liquid or a gas.

15. 10. The valve arrangement of claim 9, wherein the diameter of the sealing diaphragm is substantially equal to the diameter of the valve retainer.

16. 10. The valve assembly of claim 9, further comprising a motor for rotating the rotatable shaft and the threaded portion to translate the sleeve toward and away from the movable poppet.

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