Modular valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular valve (1), comprising a casing (2), a valve seat (20), a membrane (10) that cooperates with the seat and is deformable between an open position and a closed position against the valve seat (20), an actuator (3), which is connected to the membrane (10), to deform the latter between the open position and its closed position, the seat (20) forming a fluid passage (25) between an inlet channel (23) and an outlet channel (24), which are each arranged on either side of the seat (20), and comprising a sealing zone (21), which is capable of being closed by the membrane (10) in the closed position, the membrane (10) and the seat (20) being diamond-shaped.

Description

MODULAR VALVE TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[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. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] To offer more targeted and effective therapies against certain endogenous diseases such as cancers, the pharmaceutical industry is developing treatments ranging from targeted therapies for very small patient cohorts to individual therapies such as gene therapies, cell therapies, or personalized neoantigen therapies. Implementing 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 controlled leachables, while also meeting fluidic requirements such as low pressure drop, chemical compatibility, and low volume.

[0003] At a more conventional fluidic scale in the pharmaceutical industry, corresponding to larger volume applications on pipes with internal diameters starting at 4 mm, 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] US20210097880 describes a diaphragm valve having a body comprising an inlet and outlet, a sealing diaphragm, and a connecting piece linking the sealing diaphragm to a pressure member of an actuator. The body, sealing diaphragm, and connecting piece are rigidly connected to form an interchangeable sealed body. The connecting piece is molded onto the sealing diaphragm, and the valve body and sealing diaphragm are ultrasonically welded together. This type of valve offers cost savings but, conversely, has significant dimensional limitations that preclude the production of small 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 within said valve body and movable between a first and a second position, a plate disposed within said valve body between said inlet and outlet, said plate including an orifice, and said valve element including a seal that blocks said orifice when said valve element is in said first position. This type of architecture is well-suited to certain dimensions but is not suitable for small-scale applications.

[0007] Document JP2024000756 describes a fluid control valve comprising a valve body with an internal sealing face, a diaphragm that either abuts or separates from the internal sealing face, an actuator connected to the diaphragm and incorporating a compression spring to supply the diaphragm on the side of the valve body, and a plurality of mounting bolts to secure the valve body to the actuator. A manually operated stop mechanism to limit the extension of the compression spring during the tightening and loosening of the mounting bolts is located on the fluid control valve. The chosen architecture is particularly complex with uncertain reliability.

[0008] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides for different technical means. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The main objective of the invention is to provide a simple and effective means of designing a simple and reliable valve particularly suited to small dimensions.

[0010] To this end, the invention provides 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.

[0011] This architecture makes it possible to create a very small valve, for example for channel diameters less than 3.2 mm, with very precise adjustments.

[0012] 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.

[0013] This two-part architecture allows for a reduced diameter actuator, facilitating the mounting of a membrane of equally minimal dimensions.

[0014] Advantageously, the seat of the ring is convex.

[0015] This arrangement allows for maximum deformability of the membrane towards its closed position. This allows the membrane to be supported against its seat. minimizing the stresses exerted on the membrane to allow flexing in both directions over a very large number of cycles.

[0016] 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.

[0017] This arrangement allows a very small membrane to be connected to an actuator of equally minimal size using a simple configuration, at controlled costs.

[0018] 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.

[0019] This architecture allows for various configurations with small valves for sterile applications with low flow rates. The valve modules allow 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.

[0020] Advantageously, the fluidic connections form "T" shaped or parallel arrangements. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] All implementation details are given in the following description, supplemented by figures 1 to 15 presented solely as non-limiting examples, and in which: -Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a valve presented in the plane passing through the two channels of the valve; -Figure 2 is a front view of an example of a valve seat; -Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a membrane; -Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a valve in the open position; -Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a valve in the closed position; -Figure 6 is a perspective view of a housing with a valve seat; -Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a valve presented in the plane of valve closure; -Figure 8 shows an example of a membrane being assembled with a membrane shaft, with connecting wire; -Figure 9 shows an example of a membrane being assembled with a membrane axis once the connecting wire has been cut; -Figure 10 shows an example of a valve with lateral sealing with a sealing tube, the valve being mounted on a support plate; -Figure 11 shows an example of a valve with lateral sealing with a sealing gasket; -Figure 12 is a schematic representation of an example of a T-valve and through-manifold configuration; -Figure 13 is a schematic representation of an example of a T-valve configuration without an open manifold; -Figure 14 is a schematic representation of an example of a T-valve and isolation valve configuration; -Figure 15 is a schematic representation of an example of a T-valve configuration and intermediate connection module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The miniaturization of hygienic diaphragm valves and valve blocks presents significant technical challenges. For example, to achieve centimeter-scale diaphragm miniaturization, the diaphragm must provide a seamless, hygienic seal around its periphery while also incorporating a central attachment system for the actuator, allowing it to be pulled or pushed against the sealing seat. Since the area of ​​the diaphragm between the center and periphery is limited to just a few millimeters, the design of both the diaphragm and the valve must minimize stress on the diaphragm. This allows it to withstand thousands to hundreds of thousands of expansion and compression cycles without significant degradation of its properties that could compromise its functionality, pressure tightness, cleanability, or other aspects.

[0023] The challenge of miniaturizing lateral seals is also difficult to address. Pharmaceutical standards (ASME, GLP, etc.) specify design rules for sealing solutions based on elastomer seals compressed into a groove. These rules aim to prevent seal protrusions in fluid passages or, conversely, gaps between parts that could lead to contamination and poor cleanability. Given that manufacturing tolerances for seals and mechanical parts are not proportional to the scale, these solutions cannot be transposed to miniature production.

[0024] Finally, miniaturizing the internal volume of the valve involves several cumulative constraints. The size of the actuators does not follow the scale proportion (for example, a compact 10mm diameter cylinder is 16mm wide, representing 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. 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 for accessible and visible fluidic connections for 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 valve pipe inside diameter of H / D < 2, which introduces another challenge when D is very small.

[0025] The combination of these opposing constraints, normative and practical, necessitates design innovation which has led to the design of narrow, stackable and modular valve modules, with a set of innovative designs on the diaphragm, sealing systems and module design, which are the subject of this document.

[0026] The following description concerns a modular, sanitary diaphragm valve design suitable for very small diameters, from 1 / 32" (0.8 mm) to 1 / 8" (3.2 mm). It allows for the reconciliation, on a very small scale, of a series of often contradictory characteristics: a) The fluid 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 multiple narrow, stackable, modular valve modules side by side, connecting their piping upstream or downstream of the barrier function to form a common manifold for all the valves (a "clarinet" configuration); c) The possibility of inserting intermediate modules to provide a barrier function (valve) at the end of the manifolds mentioned in the previous point;d) The miniaturization of functions (b), (c) to very small diameters imposes specific design rules, particularly regarding the design of the diaphragm and the sealing systems between modules, to ensure tightness at maximum operating pressure, without retention or gaps, and with ease of assembly and maintenance; e) The possibility of adding straight side modules or modules incorporating an elbow to allow fluid connection along the axis of the manifold or towards the front face, in the middle or at the ends of the module assembly; f) The minimization of volumes, particularly in the valve seat, while minimizing the pressure drop of the valve in the open position. Thus, in an intermediate diameter configuration (D1.6 mm), the proposed design generates an internal volume less than 10% larger 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, allowing the watertight embedding of these modules on a perforated mounting plate, allowing the valve actuators to be placed at the rear of the panel, to facilitate electrical or pneumatic connections within the equipment enclosure, and access to the fluid connections at the front of the panel to allow the piping to be mounted; instruments and other actuators. All with a sanitary design allowing the front face of the valves and the sheet metal to be cleaned, for example in controlled atmosphere areas (cleanroom).

[0027] The present invention applies to internal diameters from 1 / 32" (0.8mm) to 1 / 8" (3.2mm) in low or medium pressure applications, less than 10 bar, 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).

[0028] Valves are well known for their use as flow control devices in the distribution of gases and liquids. The modular valve described below can be used in various fields, such as those requiring high cleanliness, ease of cleaning, or effective sterilization of a process, like those found in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food industries. This type of modular valve is used, for example, in chemical, semiconductor, and medical device manufacturing. ARCHITECTURE

[0029] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of a modular valve embodiment, shown in cross-section in Figure 1, in partial view showing the valve seat in Figure 2 and using a perspective view of the diaphragm and diaphragm axis in Figure 3, as well as in Figure 7, showing a cross-section in the plane along which the valve acts as a barrier.

[0030] 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.

[0031] As described later, several valve modules can be assembled as a block, each valve including lateral connections allowing fluidic links between modules.

[0032] The housing 2 is made of a material that meets pharmaceutical requirements, namely USP Class VI compliant, FDA 21CFR 177 compliant, etc., with good chemical compatibility with the chemical solutions with which the body will come into contact, and good mechanical characteristics for resistance to stresses exerted by hydraulic pressure, and a very smooth surface condition to prevent the formation of bacterial film.

[0033] Membrane 10 is typically made of elastomeric materials, such as, but not limited to, EPDM, PE, FKM, FFKM, or others. These materials must be elastic and impermeable, with the same chemical compatibility requirements and compliance for pharmaceutical uses as mentioned above.

[0034] 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 Figure 4), or pressed against the valve seat on a sealing area 21 when the valve is in the closed position (as shown in Figure 5).

[0035] 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.

[0036] The linear actuator 3 can be used in an on / off configuration (open position shown in Figure 4 or closed position shown in Figure 5), for example, using a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic cylinder, an electric cylinder with an electromagnet, a motor and worm gear, or 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 using 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.

[0037] Clearly visible in Figure 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.

[0038] The specific shape of the valve seat 20, visible in Figure 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 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.

[0039] The term "near ellipse" refers to the fact that the transition between the lower and upper curves 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 create a gap where fluid flow would be reduced compared to the main passage section, with a risk of sedimentation or bacterial film formation.

[0040] To avoid this phenomenon, the membrane 10 has a diamond shape, with its outer rim 13, which forms the seal, flush with the passage in the valve seat 20. The passage area when the membrane is retracted must be close to the cross-section of the valve channels 23 and 24 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 a transition from the diameter of the orifices to the greater width of the ellipse, with a curvature that prevents the fluidic veins from separating, so that the valve surfaces are uniformly subjected to the fluid flow and thus prevent product deposition or the formation of a bacterial film. The area The sealing element 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.

[0041] 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 1.59mm 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.

[0042] Visible in Figure 3, the diaphragm 10 has a rhombus shape with rounded corners to ensure both perfect irrigation of the valve seat 20 without dead zones, minimization of the internal volume, and a tight seal at the fluid passage in the valve seat. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the valve's inlet 23 and outlet 24 channels, 7 mm apart in the illustrated design example, are located under the two ends of the rhombus's major axis. The sealing area 21 of the valve seat is located under the minor axis of the rhombus, 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.

[0043] The edge of the diaphragm terminates in a bead 13 which serves to center the various components of the valve: diaphragm 10, valve seat 20, housing 2, and linear actuator adapter 4. The bead also helps to retain the diaphragm around its periphery despite the extension forces during opening or closing.

[0044] For example, without limiting ourselves to these values, the height of the beading is 2.6 mm and the total height of the two housings in the case is 2.7 mm.

[0045] 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 zone 12 of the diaphragm has a thinner profile (0.5 mm to 1.5 mm) to limit shear stress during opening and closing flexure, thus allowing for a high number of cycles. The perimeter of the active zone 12 is pinched between the housing 2 and the actuator adapter 4 to exert a nominal compression of between 5% and 20% during assembly, depending on the diaphragm material, ensuring its seal.

[0046] The deformable active zone 12 allows: -To create a sealing barrier and resist hydraulic pressure to contain the liquid or gas inside the valve; -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; -To ensure a 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 may vary depending on the size of the valve and the body manufacturing process. MEMBRANE COUPLING

[0047] 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 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 a Due to the shear stress on 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.

[0048] 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 other means.

[0049] 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 Figure 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 stages of this assembly.

[0050] As shown in Figure 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 Figure 8 on the right.

[0051] This clip-on assembly is simple, quick, efficient, and inexpensive. This design and assembly method allow for the use of a reduced-sized membrane axis 16. Furthermore, the active zone 12 of the membrane is free to flex in either direction around the central zone 11.

[0052] 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 Figure 9 on the left. The actuator rod 19 can then be attached to the ring 17, as shown in Figure 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 Figure 7, so that the remaining wire can be accommodated. MULTIPLE MODULES

[0053] As shown in Figure 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).

[0054] 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 gaps, good seal compression to ensure a tight seal, and the absence of seal protrusion inside the conduit, which would create 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 piece is compressed with a rate of 1% to 20% depending on the material, to ensure sealing and the absence of gaps which would compromise cleanability.

[0055] 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 Figure 14 with the right and left modules).

[0056] Here are some examples of possible configurations: valve body with through-side channel with identical valve body (example figure 12), or valve body with through-side channel with valve body with half-channel (example figure 13), or valve body with through-side channel with valve body with two half-channels for isolation valve function (example figure 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 figure 15).

[0057] The interface piece in Figure 15 is only an example, since any fluid configuration can be used between the two lateral fluid connection points, and one or more fluid outlets between these two points. Finally, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, a valve body with an end block and fluid connections 27 can also be used. VERTICAL PLATE MOUNTING

[0058] These examples are not exhaustive but are intended solely to illustrate configuration possibilities. Assemblies of up to eight to ten valve modules have been successfully tested.

[0059] As shown in Figure 10, the valve assemblies can be mounted on a vertical plate 9, which is perforated at the actuators. A sealing gasket 26 is installed in a groove in the valve modules, ensuring a seal between the module and the plate. The valves can thus be installed on the front panel 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 facilitate pneumatic or electrical connection between the actuators and the control devices, which may be located within the enclosure. Reference numbers used in the figures

Claims

DEMANDS 1. 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 position and its closed position, 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 being rhomboid-shaped and comprising 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,said valve being characterized in that the central area (11) of the diaphragm (10) is surmounted by a bulge (14), and in that the actuator (3) is connected to the central area (11) by means of a diaphragm shaft (16) comprising two parts, namely a ring (17) through which a bore passes, allowing connection of the diaphragm with the shaft (16) by clipping said bulge (14), and an actuator rod (19), screwable inside the ring, opposite the diaphragm.

2. Valve according to claim 1, wherein the seat of the ring (17) is convex.

3. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2, 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.

4. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (2) forms a module with lateral faces provided with channel openings arranged for fluidic connection with one or two other modules arranged against the lateral faces, the seal between the modules is ensured by a washer (7) or tube (8) whose height is slightly greater than that of the housing in the body of the valve so that the washer or tube is compressed with a rate of 1% to 20%.

5. Valve according to claim 4, wherein the fluidic connections are in the shape of “T”.

6. Valve according to claim 4, wherein the fluidic connections are in parallel.

7. Valve assembly comprising a plurality of modular valves (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a plate (9) with openings at the actuators on which the valves are mounted.

8. Box comprising a set of valves according to claim 7, the perforated plate (9) forming one of the walls of the box, the actuator part being located inside the box and the fluid part of the valves being outside the box.

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