Metering solenoid valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a proportional valve (1) having a valve body (12) and a movable sealing element (5), wherein: the valve body has a sealing seating (12a) and a restriction channel (12b); and a flow surface of the valve increases continuously and / or linearly with increasing valve travel, preferably over the movement path.

Description

[0001] DOSING SOLENOID VALVE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a proportional valve which can be used as a dosing valve, in particular for dosing in an extracorporeal circuit for the treatment of a patient, in particular for dialysis.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In devices for providing an extracorporeal circuit for treating a patient, particularly for dialysis, solenoid valves are used to control fluid flow in a fluid channel of the device. For valves in medical applications, it is important that the moving parts of the valve do not come into contact with the fluid. The fluid can be, for example, dialysis fluid (dialysate). For this purpose, such valves typically have a sealing element that serves to fluid-tightly separate the valve drive from the valve's fluid channel. For this purpose, the sealing element comprises, for example, a bellows to enable axial mobility of the sealing element.

[0006] Particularly in such medical applications, not only must a fluid flow be safely sealed off, but highly precise dosing of the fluid flow is often also required.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a proportional valve that ensures safe and simple dosing and can be manufactured with little effort and at low cost.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The proportional valve or electromagnetically actuated valve according to the invention has a fluid chamber that is delimited (among other things) by a valve body, preferably a plastic valve body. The proportional valve further comprises a sealing element that can be moved axially or linearly along or on a valve axis of the proportional valve and along a travel path. This sealing element can also be referred to as a sealing plug or sealing body and can, for example, be part of a bellows.

[0011] The valve body has a sealing seat and a throttle channel, wherein the valve axis forms a central or symmetry axis of the throttle channel and the sealing seat. The sealing element has an axial sealing surface on an axial front side facing the sealing seat, which corresponds to the sealing seat, and a radial throttle surface on a radial outer side, which corresponds to the throttle channel. The axial front side of the sealing element is preferably located within the throttle channel along the entire travel path, i.e. the sealing element or the front side of the sealing element preferably moves exclusively or at least partially within the throttle channel, thereby ensuring good guidance of the sealing element. The throttle channel is preferably directly connected to the sealing seat along the valve axis, i.e. the throttle channel ends at the sealing seat orat the level of the sealing seat and / or one (front) end of the throttle channel is located at the axial position of the sealing seat.

[0012] The sealing seat is preferably part of the valve body or is formed integrally with the valve body and is arranged on the valve axis or concentrically thereto. The axial sealing surface corresponds to the sealing seat and is preferably completely flat or planar. The throttle channel is preferably also part of the valve body or is also formed integrally with the valve body and also extends concentrically to and along the valve axis.

[0013] According to the invention, the throttle surface and throttle channel are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that a valve flow area increases with increasing stroke of the sealing element, i.e. with increasing distance of the sealing element from the sealing seat, preferably increasing continuously and / or linearly over the entire travel path of the sealing element, wherein the valve flow area of ​​the proportional valve is preferably determined over the entire travel path exclusively by (the interaction of) the throttle surface and throttle channel, but not by the sealing seat and sealing surface. The valve flow area is the minimum flow area between the valve body and the sealing element or between the throttle surface and the throttle channel for the fluid or the working medium. In other words, the valve flow area is the throttling-determining or flow-limiting parameter of the proportional valve, which can be predetermined or adjusted based on the stroke of the sealing element.Accordingly, a valve flow area stroke characteristic curve is preferably (at least approximately) a straight line, preferably an origin straight line, which preferably extends over the entire travel path.

[0014] The fluid chamber of the proportional valve, which is defined by the valve body (in combination with other fluid chamber components), is one, or usually the exact one, volume area of ​​the proportional valve that carries fluid during operation and / or is intended and / or configured to be pressurized with a working or operating medium. The fluid chamber forms a sub-area of ​​the total volume of the proportional valve, i.e., the total volume occupied by the proportional valve. Another sub-area, or the remaining area of ​​the proportional valve, is formed, for example, by an actuator chamber (described in more detail below).

[0015] During operation or control operation, i.e. when the proportional valve is used as intended, the fluid chamber is filled with a pneumatic or hydraulic, preferably aqueous, working or operating medium (operating fluid), is pressurized with a working or operating pressure, and is designed for this purpose. The fluid chamber is hermetically sealed, i.e. fluid-tight and pressure-tight, and is closed or lockable (at fluid connections) from the remaining (total) volume of the proportional valve and / or from an external environment (outside area) of the proportional valve and, for example, from the actuator chamber. During control operation, the maximum working pressure provided in the fluid chamber (hereinafter referred to as the operating pressure) is, for example, 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 bar.

[0016] In the proportional valve according to the invention, it is preferred that the throttle channel or an inner side of the throttle channel has one or exactly one conical surface section or several or a plurality of, i.e. two, three, four or more, conical surface sections. This results in an increasing valve flow area with increasing stroke. A conical surface section is a continuous, continuously conical surface, wherein on a conical surface or within a conical surface section, the radial distance of the surface of the inner side of the throttle channel from the valve axis decreases with decreasing distance from the sealing seat. Preferably, a conical surface section extends in the direction of the valve axis (without interruption) along the entire throttle channel.

[0017] In the proportional valve according to the invention, it is further preferred that the throttle channel or an inner side of the throttle channel has one or exactly one axial (and vertical) guide web or several or a plurality of, i.e. two, three, four or more axial guide webs. An axial guide web is a continuous cylinder section or a continuous cylindrical surface, wherein the valve axis forms the cylinder axis for this purpose or the radial distance of the surface of the guide web from the valve axis is constant at every point. A guide web is preferably provided to guide the sealing element along its (entire) travel path and / or extends (uninterruptedly) along the entire throttle channel. The guide webs ensure improved guidance of the sealing element in the throttle channel.

[0018] It is further preferred that the sealing element as a whole and / or (at least) the throttle surface be rotationally symmetrical, preferably cylindrical or conical. In the simplest case, the throttle channel consists (exclusively) of conical surface sections and axial guide webs, which are arranged, for example, alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0019] In the proportional valve according to the invention, it is alternatively or additionally preferred that the radial throttle surface or the outer side of the sealing element has one or exactly one conical surface section or several or a plurality of, i.e. two, three, four or more conical surface sections. This also results in an increasing valve flow area in this case with increasing stroke. A conical surface section of the throttle surface is a continuous, continuously conical surface, wherein on a conical surface or within a conical surface section the radial distance of the surface of the outer side of the throttle surface from the valve axis decreases with decreasing distance from the sealing seat. Preferably, a conical surface section extends (without interruption) along the entire throttle surface or the entire radial outer side of the sealing element.

[0020] In this alternative, it is further preferred that the throttle surface or the outer side of the sealing element has one or exactly one axial guide web or several or a plurality of, i.e. two, three, four or more axial guide webs. An axial guide web of the throttle surface is a continuous cylinder section or a continuously cylindrical surface, wherein the valve axis forms the cylinder axis for this, or the radial distance of the surface of the guide web from the valve axis is constant at every point. A guide web is preferably provided to guide the sealing element along its (entire) travel path and / or extends in the direction of the valve axis (without interruption) along the entire throttle surface or the entire radial outer side of the sealing element. It is further preferred that the throttle channel (as a whole) is rotationally symmetrical, preferably cylindrical.In the simplest case, the throttle surface consists (exclusively) of conical surface sections and axial guide webs, which are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, for example.

[0021] Preferably, conical surface sections and axial guide webs are arranged only either in the throttle channel of the valve body or on the throttle surface of the sealing element, while the respective other component is rotationally symmetrical at least at this point (throttle channel or throttle surface) and / or completely cylindrical or conical in the circumferential direction. However, it is also conceivable to provide conical surface sections and axial guide webs both in the throttle channel of the valve body and on the throttle surface of the sealing element.

[0022] In the proportional valve according to the invention, it is preferred that the conical surface sections of the throttle channel and / or throttle surface each have a constant cone angle throughout, thus forming conical section surfaces. Accordingly, the radial distance of the surface of the conical surface section from the valve axis decreases linearly in the direction of the sealing seat (while remaining constant in the circumferential direction), which promotes a uniform increase in the valve flow area with increasing stroke.

[0023] In the proportional valve according to the invention, it is further preferred that all conical surface sections of the throttle channel and / or throttle surface have the same cone angle and / or that each conical surface section in the throttle channel or on the throttle surface is a section of a single cone or a single conical surface.

[0024] It is preferred that the guide webs and conical surface sections in the throttle channel or on the throttle surface are arranged regularly or periodically in the circumferential or circumferential direction. Accordingly, the throttle channel and / or the throttle surface preferably have an n-fold rotational symmetry with n > 2 and an integer, and where n is preferably 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12.

[0025] In the simplest case, the guide ribs have a constant axial width, meaning the width of the guide rib in the circumferential direction is identical at every axial position or for every position along the valve axis. Accordingly, the conical surface sections also have a constant axial width. The axial width of the guide ribs is preferably in the range between 5° and 30° (angular degrees) and is, for example, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, or 30°, whereby each of the specified values ​​can also represent an upper or lower limit of the specified value range.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the guide webs have an axial width that increases, preferably continuously, towards the sealing seat, i.e. the width of a guide web in the circumferential direction increases towards the sealing seat. Correspondingly, the conical surface sections have an axial width that decreases towards the sealing seat. The guide webs preferably join on the inside of the throttle channel at the sealing seat (or at the axial position of the sealing seat) or on the throttle surface on the front side of the sealing element, so that there, for example, the sum of the axial widths of the guide webs is equal to the circumference of the throttle channel or the throttle surface. Likewise, the axial width of the or all of the guide webs of the throttle channel at the end of the travel path facing away from the sealing seat orthe axial width of the guide webs of the throttle surface at the rear end of the sealing element, i.e. the end opposite the front end, has a minimum value which is preferably zero or lies in the range between 0° and 30° and can be, for example, 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20° or 30°, whereby each of the stated values ​​can also represent an upper or lower limit of the stated value range.

[0027] Preferably, the stroke of the proportional valve or the length of the travel path of the sealing element is in the range between 1 and 10 mm and is, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 10 mm, whereby each of the stated values ​​can also represent an upper or lower limit of the stated value range. Preferably, the diameter of the throttle channel and / or the sealing element or the throttle surface is in the range between 3 and 20 mm and is, for example, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 mm, whereby each of the stated values ​​can also represent an upper or lower limit of the stated value range. Preferably, the cone angle of the conical surface sections is in the range between 2° and 20° and is, for example, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 15° or 20°, whereby each of the said values ​​can also represent an upper or lower limit of the said value range.

[0028] The valve body is preferably one of several or a plurality of components of the proportional valve which together form or provide or completely and / or hermetically delimit the fluid chamber. These are referred to below as fluid chamber components. The fluid chamber components thus define a volume region of the proportional valve which is hermetically sealed during normal operation and is intended to be filled with the working medium of the proportional valve during operation. During normal operation, therefore, only or precisely the fluid chamber components come into direct contact with the working medium and / or are wetted by the working medium. The remaining components of the proportional valve, such as an electromagnetic actuator arranged in the actuator chamber, are not exposed to the working medium and are thus protected from corrosion, wetting, contamination, frost damage, etc.The proportional valve is therefore preferably a media-separated proportional valve.

[0029] The proportional valve preferably comprises exactly or at least two fluid chamber components, namely the valve body and a diaphragm, which is preferably designed as a bellows. The diaphragm preferably delimits the fluid chamber from exactly or at least the aforementioned actuator chamber of the proportional valve. In the simplest case, the diaphragm delimits the fluid chamber (completely or as the sole component) from the remaining total volume or the actuator chamber of the proportional valve, and the valve body delimits the fluid chamber (completely or as the sole component) from the outer area of ​​the proportional valve.

[0030] The diaphragm is preferably designed symmetrically around the valve or actuator axis and / or has a circumferential and / or rotationally symmetrical movement fold that facilitates the movement of the sealing element by the actuator, and / or has a circumferential and / or rotationally symmetrical clamping lip. The diaphragm is preferably a bellows, which is particularly preferably designed rotationally symmetrically and / or is arranged concentrically to the valve axis. The diaphragm or bellows is generally axially spaced from an actuator, so that an interior space (cavity) exists between the actuator or magnet armature and the diaphragm or bellows, which is part of the actuator chamber. The diaphragm or bellows is designed in a conventional manner with regard to material, material thickness, material stiffness, material flexibility, etc., so that it can be moved by the actuator during normal operation and / or does not collapse due to the operating pressure.Due to the intended movement of the actuator, the diaphragm or bellows changes its shape during control operation, preferably exclusively or essentially exclusively in the axial direction.

[0031] The sealing element is preferably an integral component of the diaphragm or bellows and / or is formed by a section (on the front side) of the diaphragm or bellows and / or is designed in one piece with the diaphragm or bellows. The diaphragm or bellows is preferably clamped (circumferentially) by the valve body, preferably on a clamping lip of the diaphragm or bellows and / or between the valve body and a sealing plate or a valve housing. In other words, the diaphragm or bellows is clamped or clamped circumferentially around the actuator axis (directly) between the valve body and a (further) stationary component of the proportional valve, in particular the sealing plate or the valve housing, preferably on the clamping lip, whereby the fluid space and / or a hermetic or tight connection between the diaphragm and the valve body is preferably created. The diaphragm orThe bellows is generally clamped circumferentially and / or along a circular path around the actuator axis. Furthermore, the actuator is preferably firmly coupled or connected to the sealing element, the diaphragm, and / or the bellows on its end face facing the fluid chamber. The sealing plate is preferably annular and / or cylindrical and has a central through-hole for the plunger and / or the magnet armature.

[0032] The sealing element, diaphragm, or bellows are made entirely or partially of an elastomeric material, in particular EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) or HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber). Accordingly, the diaphragm is flexible and / or elastic during normal operation, movable or (reversibly) deformable by the actuator, and allows the sealing element to move through the actuator. Accordingly, the volumes of the actuator chamber and fluid chamber are variable due to the actuator and depend, for example, on the position of the actuator.

[0033] Preferably, the valve body is a plastic valve body and / or consists entirely or partially and / or on the media-exposed side of a plastic, particularly preferably of a PPSU (polyphenylene sulfone; for example, marketed on the date of filing by the manufacturer Solvay under the brand name "Radel") or a PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0034] The actuator arranged in the actuator chamber is preferably a linear actuator, in particular a stepper motor or a linear magnetic actuator. The actuator chamber of the proportional valve comprises, for example, all components of the actuator or all movable or displaceable components of the proportional valve or actuator, i.e., generally an actuator that is suitably coupled to the actuator, for example, permanently connected. The actuator chamber further comprises the volume area of ​​the proportional valve, which is necessary for the intended movement of the displaceable components of the proportional valve.

[0035] The actuator chamber is preferably at ambient pressure, usually atmospheric pressure, and is usually filled with air. In the simplest case, the same fluid and pressure conditions exist in the actuator chamber as in the exterior of the proportional valve. Accordingly, the proportional valve is a non-pressure-balanced proportional valve.

[0036] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0037] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] The drawings are merely schematic representations and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a section through an embodiment of the proportional valve according to the invention,

[0040] Figure 2 shows a perspective sectional view of a first variant of the throttle channel with uniformly wide guide webs (over the entire stroke),

[0041] Figure 3 shows a perspective sectional view of a second variant of the throttle channel with the width of the guide webs changed over the stroke, and

[0042] Figure 4 shows valve flow area-stroke characteristics.

[0043] DETAILED FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the proportional valve 1 according to the invention along a valve or actuator axis 1a. The proportional valve 1 comprises a stepper motor 2 as an actuator, which is coupled to an actuator 3 such that the actuator 3 can be moved linearly along the valve or actuator axis 1a. In the present case, this is a stepper motor that generates the linear movement via a gear or transmission. The actuator 3 is firmly connected at its front side to the front of a membrane in the form of a bellows 4, which forms a sealing element 5, so that the sealing element 5 can also be moved linearly along the valve or actuator axis 1a. The sealing element 5 and also the entire bellows 4 are rotationally symmetrical.

[0045] The stepper motor 2 is arranged outside the fluid chamber 11 in an actuator chamber 10 of the proportional valve 1, which is separated from a fluid chamber 11 by the bellows 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the fluid chamber 11 is completely defined and delimited by a valve body 12 and the bellows 4 (except for the openings of the fluid connections 12e, 12f).

[0046] The proportional valve 1 has a sealing seat 12a, which is part of the valve body 12 or is formed integrally with the valve body 12 and is arranged on the valve or actuator axis 1a or concentrically thereto. The sealing element 5 has, on its end face or front side facing the sealing seat 12a, a sealing surface 5a corresponding to the sealing seat 12a, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is completely flat or planar.

[0047] The proportional valve 1 further comprises a throttle channel 12b directly adjacent to the sealing seat 12a, which is also part of the valve body 12 or is formed integrally with the valve body 12 and extends concentrically to and along the valve or actuator axis 1a. The sealing element 5 has a throttle surface 5b on its radial outer side, which corresponds to the throttle channel 12b. The diameter of the throttle channel 12b is 8 mm in this case and is generally larger than the diameter of the sealing seat 12a, which is 4 mm in this case.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the valve body 12 further comprises two (radial) fluid connections 12e, 12f, which are arranged on different sides of the sealing seat 12a.

[0049] To form the fluid chamber 11, the bellows 4 is clamped to a circumferential clamping lip 4a between the valve body 12 and an annular sealing plate 13. The valve body 12 itself is also fluid-tight, except for the openings of the fluid connections 12e and 12f, which can be closed by suitable supply lines. Accordingly, a hermetically sealed fluid chamber 11 is created, and the working fluid or medium is kept away from the remaining areas of the proportional valve 1, such as the actuator chamber 10, so that the actuator and the moving parts of the proportional valve 1 (apart from the diaphragm or the bellows 4 itself) are not wetted by the working medium in the fluid chamber 11 (media separation). In an embodiment not shown, the sealing plate 13 is omitted, and the bellows 4 is clamped to the circumferential clamping lip 4a directly between the valve body 12 and a valve housing 14.

[0050] Figure 2 shows a first variant of the throttle channel 12b of the valve body 12. The throttle channel 12b has four guide webs 12c, one of which is shown in its entirety and two others in section. In this variant, the guide webs 12c have a constant axial width, which in the present case is approximately 20° or 19.2°. With the diameter of the throttle channel of 8 mm, this results in an axial width of approximately 1.5 mm. Between each guide web 12c there is a conical surface section 12d. These four conical surface sections 12d each form conical section surfaces which have the same cone angle and each form a section of a common cone or a common conical surface. In this variant, the throttle channel 12b has fourfold rotational symmetry.

[0051] Figure 2 also shows the sealing element 5, which in the present case is completely rotationally symmetrical and is intended to slide along the guide webs 12c on the valve axis 1a.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a second variant of the throttle channel 12b. This differs from the variant in Figure 2 in that the guide webs 12c have an axial width that increases towards the sealing seat. The axial width of the conical surface sections 12d located between the guide webs decreases accordingly. In the example shown, the axial width of the guide webs 12c increases continuously along the valve axis 1a and the guide webs merge at the level of the sealing seat 12a. In the example shown, the axial width changes non-linearly in the direction of the valve axis 1a. However, the axial width can also change linearly and other designs are also conceivable, resulting in a further degree of freedom for adjusting the valve flow-stroke characteristic curve. In this variant, the throttle channel 12b has four guide webs 12c and accordingly also has a fourfold rotational symmetry.

[0053] Figure 4 shows two valve flow area-stroke characteristic curves. The stroke characteristic curve shown in dashed lines corresponds to a simple sealing seat which, for example, has no pneumatic or hydraulic flow obstructions (e.g., in the form of conical surface sections) in the radial direction. Accordingly, the characteristic curve rises relatively steeply from zero and reaches a maximum value at a relatively low stroke (which is usually caused by other flow obstructions in the valve), so that the characteristic curve is not linear over the entire travel range (which in this case is 2 mm). The solid characteristic curve, on the other hand, is the characteristic curve of the exemplary embodiment discussed above. Due to the throttle channel, a much flatter characteristic curve results, which in this case is linear over the entire travel range. This makes it much easier to specifically adjust or dose the desired flow rate during operation.In an embodiment not shown, the guide webs are located on the throttle surface 5b of the sealing element 5, which has an n-fold rotational symmetry, where n is the number of guide webs 12c and the conical surface sections 12d located between them. In contrast, in this embodiment, the throttle channel 12b is rotationally symmetrical.

[0054] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0055] 1 proportional valve la valve axis, actuator axis

[0056] 2 actuator, stepper motor

[0057] 3 Actuator

[0058] 4 Bellows, diaphragm

[0059] 4a clamping lip

[0060] 5 Sealing element

[0061] 5 a sealing surface

[0062] 5b Throttle area

[0063] 10 Actuator room

[0064] 11 Fluid chamber

[0065] 12 valve bodies

[0066] 12a Sealing seat

[0067] 12b throttle channel

[0068] 12c guide bridge

[0069] 12d conical surface section

[0070] 12e Fluid connection

[0071] 12f fluid connection

[0072] 13 sealing plates

[0073] 14 valve housing

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Proportional valve (1) with a valve body (12) delimiting a fluid chamber (11) and a sealing element (5) which can be moved along a valve axis (1a) of the proportional valve, along a travel path, wherein the valve body has a sealing seat (12a) and a throttle channel (12b), wherein the sealing element has an axial sealing surface (5a) on a front side facing the sealing seat and a radial throttle surface (5b) on a radial outer side, and wherein a valve flow area increases with increasing stroke, preferably increases continuously and / or linearly over the travel path.

2. Proportional valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - that the throttle channel (12b) has one or more conical surface sections (12d), and / or - that the throttle channel has one or more axial guide webs (12c), and / or - that the throttle surface (5b) is rotationally symmetrical, preferably cylindrical or conical, wherein the throttle channel preferably consists of conical surface sections and axial guide webs.

3. Proportional valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - that the throttle surface (5b) has one or more conical surface sections, and / or - that the throttle surface has one or more axial guide webs, and / or - that the throttle channel (12b) is rotationally symmetrical, preferably cylindrical or conical, wherein the throttle surface preferably consists of conical surface sections and axial guide webs.

4. Proportional valve (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in - that the conical surface sections (12d) each have a constant cone angle throughout and / or - that each conical surface section has the same cone angle and / or - that each conical surface section is a section of a single cone.

5. Proportional valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the throttle channel (12b) and / or the throttle surface (5b) has an n-fold rotational symmetry with n > 2 and integer, and wherein n is preferably 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12.

6. Proportional valve (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that - that the guide webs (12c) have a constant axial width, which is preferably in the range between 5° and 30°, or - that the guide webs have an axial width which increases, preferably continuously, towards the sealing seat (12a), wherein the guide webs in the throttle channel (12b) preferably unite at the sealing seat or on the throttle surface (5b) on the front side of the sealing element (5) and / or the axial width at the end of the throttle channel facing away from the sealing seat or at a rear end of the sealing element is zero.

7. Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the stroke is in the range between 1 and 10 mm, and / or - that the diameter of the throttle channel (12b) and / or the sealing element (5) or the throttle surface (5b) is in the range between 3 and 20 mm, and / or - that the cone angle of the conical surface sections (12d) is in the range between 2° and 20°.

8. Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a valve flow area-stroke characteristic curve of the proportional valve is a straight line or origin line, which preferably extends over the entire travel path.

9. Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the proportional valve is a media-separated proportional valve and / or - that the fluid space (11) of the proportional valve is delimited by a plurality of fluid space components, wherein the plurality of fluid space components comprises or consists of the valve body (12) and a membrane (4), in particular a bellows, and / or wherein the sealing element (5) is preferably integrated in the membrane and / or is formed by a section of the membrane and / or is formed integrally with the membrane, and / or wherein the membrane preferably delimits the fluid space from at least one actuator space (10), preferably from the rest of the proportional valve, and / or wherein the membrane is preferably clamped by the valve body (12), preferably on a clamping lip (4a) and / or between the valve body and a sealing plate (13), and / or wherein the sealing element and / or the membrane are preferably made entirely or partially of an elastomeric material, in particular of an EPDM or an HNBR, and / or wherein the proportional valve is preferably designed for a hydraulic or pneumatic working medium, in particular a water-based fluid, and / or for an operating pressure of 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 bar, and / or wherein the valve body is preferably made entirely or partially and / or on the side exposed to the media from a plastic, preferably from a PPSU or a PEEK.

10. Proportional valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the proportional valve and / or the actuator chamber (10) comprises an actuator (2), preferably a linear actuator, in particular a stepper motor or a linear magnetic actuator, and / or - that the membrane (4) or the bellows is designed to be moved or deformed by the actuator.

Images