Patent · US Expired

Integrated flow controller module

US6032689A · kind A · utility

57Cited by
2References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 1998
Grant dateMar 7, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7761
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flow controller module comprising at least one micro flow sensor and a microvalve, integrated in a micro flow channel, is disclosed. The micro flow sensor comprises a pressure sensitive flow sensor. At the position of the micro flow sensor, the micro flow channel is provided with an orifice so that pressure of a flow may be enlarged to facilitate measurement of the flow speed. The microvalve comprises a silicon microbridge with a mesa structure and is driven by a voltage. The microvalve may operate under a normally closed mode or a normally open mode. Disclosed in this invention is also a flow sensor suited in the integrated flow controller module. Methods for preparing the flow sensor and the flow controller module are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.