Apparatus and methods for thrust sensing valves

摘要

Apparatus and methods for thrust sensing valves are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing including an input port and an output port and further having a mounting portion adapted to be coupled to a manufacturing tool. A supply member is operatively coupled to the housing to provide a flow of the pressurized medium into the input port of the housing. Finally, an elongated body is operatively coupled to the housing and moveable along an axis between a first position corresponding to a first pressure output from the housing and a second position corresponding to a second pressure output from the housing. The elongated body is biased into the first position and moveable into the second position in the presence of a thrust force on the mounting portion.