Dielectric gate and methods for fluid injection and control

US6866762B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Peter Gascoyne · Bellaire, US
• Jon Schwartz · Sugar Land, US
• Jody Vykoukal · Houston, US
• Frederick F. Becker · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/2191
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A dielectric gate and related systems and methods for controlling fluid flow. A dielectric gate includes one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway. The electrodes are configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway in a precise manner by using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the electrodes.