Patent · US Expired

High pressure capillary micro-fluidic valve device and a method of fabricating same

US7204264B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
53References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 15, 2004
Grant dateApr 17, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/4643
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A freeze-thaw valve and a method of micro-machining the freeze-thaw valve is provided and includes a valve housing, wherein the valve housing defines a housing cavity and includes a housing inlet, a housing vent, a capillary tubing inlet and a capillary tubing outlet. A valve body is provided, at least a portion of which is lithographically constructed, wherein the valve body includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet and an expansion chamber. The expansion chamber is disposed to communicate the refrigerant inlet with the refrigerant outlet and includes a restriction region having a flow restriction. Additionally, the valve body is disposed within the housing cavity to form an insulating channel between the valve housing and the valve body.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.