US Patent 7213613 High-flow dual poppet valve having equalized closing forces

A dual-poppet valve comprising a valve body having spaced-apart coaxial valve seats and being arranged such that first and second poppets both open into the primary chamber. A first pintle shaft engages the first poppet, and a second pintle shaft engages the second poppet. A motorized actuator having a gear transmission includes a pinion gear. The pintle shafts include opposing gear racks, and the pinion gear engages both racks. Thus, rotation of the pinion gear in a first direction causes both poppets to be lifted from their seats simultaneously, in opposite directions; and counter-rotation engages each poppet with its respective seat. In closing, one poppet engages its seat slightly before the other poppet engages the other seat. The first pintle slides through the first poppet until the second poppet is fully seated by the actuator. The force of the spring fully engages the first poppet with the first seat.