Liquid microvalve
US6729599B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K2099/008
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A valve for the control of fluid flow in microsize systems, such as for transfer of small samples of blood for processing. An actuator beam comprised of a microribbon formed of a shape memory alloy is in a normally closed position where inlet and outlet ports of the valve are closed. In this position a compliant member presses against and holds the microribbon, together with a compliant tape carried below the microribbon, against the ports. The valve is actuated by heating the alloy through its crystalline phase change transition temperature. The resulting change of the microribbon to its memory shape moves the microribbon and tape away from the ports, enabling fluid flow through between the ports in a valve-open mode. The microribbon and tape are held in the valve-open mode when the alloy cools below the transition temperature by a force applied from a heat-shrinkable layer carried on the upper side of the microribbon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.