Bi-stable Pinch Valve

The Camcon Bi-stable Pinch Valve is a magnetically supported actuator based on the Camcon energy recycling concept. This drives the tube pinching process, opening and closing the passage for fluid, and is extremely energy efficient.

The valve status is altered in a fully bi-stable manner by driving a short pulse of electric current through a coil. A spring loaded ball, acting as a catapult, flips the armature into the other stable position. No electric current is needed to maintain the open or close position.

When used with a 5 millimetre silicon tube, the mechanism can open or close the fluid passage in less then 2 milliseconds, using no more then 0.01 Jul (10 mJ) of electrical energy. Such a small amount of energy can be provided by a cell battery incorporated within the pinching mechanism and its electronic driver.