Electrostrictive valve for modulating a fluid flow
US6626416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K2099/008
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electrostrictive micro-valve is provided for modulating a fluid flow through a cannula or other narrow liquid conduit. The micro-valve includes a valve body having a passageway for conducting a flow of fluid, a valve element formed from a piece of viscoelastic material and disposed in the passageway, and a control assembly coupled to the viscoelastic material for electrostatically controlling the shape of the material to open or close the passageway. The valve element has a flat lower side connected to an inner wall of the passage of the valve body, and an upper side which faces an opposing wall within the passageway. The control assembly includes a pair of electrodes disposed over the upper and lower sides of the valve element. The electrode facing the lower side of the element is patterned so that localized electrostatic forces are generated across the viscoelastic material when a voltage is applied across both electrodes. Localized electrostatic forces generate a sinusoidal ripple throughout the viscoelastic material forming the valve element whose peak portions act as obstructions throughout the valve body that partially or completely obstruct a fluid flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.