| 摘要 |
<p>A micro-fluidic valve actuator assembly (23) is provided for controlling a multi-position micro-f luidic valve device for switching between a plurality of discrete fluid distribution positions. The actuator assembly includes a housing (27) having an exterior wall and an interior wall defining an interior through-chamber. A drive assembly (24) is rotatably positioned within the chamber, having a drive axis of rotation positioned substantially co-axial with the chamber axis. A removable, stand alone, self contained encoder assembly (36) is positioned within the actuator housing. The encoder assembly includes an encoder shaft rotatably mounted to a support structure for rotation about an encoder shaft axis. The encoder assembly further includes an encoder wheel mounted to the encoder shaft for rotation about the encoder shaft axis, and an encoder module mounted to the support structure. The encoder module cooperates with the encoder wheel, as a preset unit, to determine the rotational position of the encoder shaft about the encoder shaft axis. When the encoder assembly is oriented in a mounting position, the encoder shaft can be rotatably coupled to the drive assembly, while the support structure is free of rigid coupling directly to the housing.</p> |
