Microvalve battery

US6397880B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• FESTO AG & CO. · US

Inventors

• Kurt Stoll · Eßlingen, DE
• Peter Post · Esslingen am Neckar, DE
• Herbert Vollmer · Notzingen, DE
• Michael Weinmann · Schorndorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 8, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 4, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/5283
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A microvalve array, which possesses a plurality of microvalves (5) produced by microfabrication. It is furthermore provided with an electronic control means (7), which comprises at least one function preset unit (23) for the programmed grouped functional linking of the microvalves (5). A fluid ducts system (6) is connected with the microvalves (5), the fluid ducts (12, 12′; 13, 13′; and 14, 14′) of such system being individually connected for customization, starting with a standardized arrangement in a fashion dependent on the functional valve linking, predetermined by the function preset unit (23) by opening and/or closing of passages.