Passively addressable cantilever valves
US5941501A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K2099/0084
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bistable valve useful for paper handling applications is disclosed. The valve can be batch fabricated in two dimensional valve arrays, with each valve in the array being controlled by passive matrix addressing. Typically, each valve includes a valve housing an electrically conductive movable element such as cantilever beam, diaphragm or film. Valve action is provided by use of housing embedded switching electrodes for moving the movable element between an aperture blocking position and an aperture open position. To reduce unswitched movement when the switching electrode bias is reduced or not present, electrostatic or mechanical catches can be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.