Electrically opened micro fluid valve
US7159618B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2224
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to an electrically-opened micro fluid-valve. The inventive valve comprises: at least one planar support (12); at least one afferent microchannel (14); at least one efferent microchannel (16), said microchannels being arranged in the support (12); such that at least one of the ends (141 and 161) thereof touch the inner face (121) of the support close to one another; at least one deposit (18) of a heat-sensitive material which is disposed on the inner face (121) of the support (12); and at least one heating means (20). According to the invention, the aforementioned deposit (18) of heat-sensitive material at least partially seals the space separating the ends (141 and 161) of the microchannels (14 and 16), thereby preventing same from intercommunicating. When the temperature of the above-mentioned heating means (20) is raised, the structure of the heat-sensitive material is altered, thereby at least partially opening the ends of the microchannels an the space therebetween, in order to enable communication between said microchannels and to restore the flow of the fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.