Flow control devices

Abstract

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a flow control device can include, a first plate having one or more windows defining a flow path therethrough, a second plate configured to abut the first plate, and an actuator operatively connected to one or more of the first plate and/or the second plate. The actuator can be configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate.

1 . A flow control device, comprising:
 a first plate having one or more windows defining a flow path therethrough;   a second plate configured to abut the first plate; and   an actuator operatively connected to one or more of the first plate and/or the second plate, configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate, wherein the actuator includes a piezoelectric actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a force sensor operatively connected between the actuator and the first plate to sense a force applied to the first plate. 
     
     
         3 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the second plate further includes one or more windows offset from the one or more windows in the first plate, such that the actuator is configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another, perpendicular to the flow path, to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate and the one or more windows in the second plate. 
     
     
         4 . The flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein the second plate is stationary relative to the first plate. 
     
     
         5 . The flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator operatively connected to the first plate, and further comprising a second actuator operatively connected to the second plate to drive the second plate relative to the first plate. 
     
     
         6 . The flow control device of  claim 3 , wherein a total valve window area of the flow control device is determined as a function of a number of windows in the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         7 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A flow control system, comprising:
 a fluid source configured to provide fluid to a fluid destination via a fluid line;   a flow control device disposed in the fluid line configured to control flow from the fluid source to the fluid destination, wherein the flow control device includes,
 a first plate having one or more windows defining a flow path therethrough; 
 a second plate configured to abut the first plate; 
 an actuator operatively connected to one or more of the first plate and/or the second plate, configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate, 
   wherein total flow through the flow control device is controlled as a function of a number of the one or more windows in the first plate;   a force sensor operatively connected between the actuator and the first plate to sense a force applied to the first plate, and   a control module operatively connected to control the flow control device based at least in part on feedback from one or more sensors disposed on the flow control device or in the flow control system.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second plate further includes one or more windows offset from the one or more windows in the first plate, such that the actuator is configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another, perpendicular to the flow path, to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate and the one or more windows in the second plate. 
     
     
         16 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator includes a piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 controlling, with a piezoelectric actuator, a flow control device disposed in a fluid system, wherein controlling includes, driving one or more of a first plate and/or a second plate of the flow control device to allow flow to pass through the one or more windows in the first plate and through or more windows in the second plate or around one or more protrusions in the second plate.   
     
     
         20 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow control device is additively manufactured. 
     
     
         21 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module operatively connected to the actuator configured to control the flow control device based at least in part on feedback from one or more sensors disposed on or in the flow control device. 
     
     
         22 . The flow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator is configured to displace on a nanometers scale.