Dielectric gate and methods for fluid injection and control
First Claim
1. A dielectric gate comprising one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway, the one or more electrodes configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the one or more electrodes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A dielectric gate comprising one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway, the one or more electrodes configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the one or more electrodes.
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9. A dielectric gate comprising:
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an inlet fluid pathway;
one or more electrodes in operative relation with the inlet fluid pathway;
a hydrophobic patch adjacent at least one of the electrodes; and
an outlet fluid pathway in operative relation with at least one of the electrodes;
wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the one or more electrodes; and
wherein the hydrophobic patch is configured to inhibit fluid flow from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway in the absence of the electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for fluid flow control, comprising:
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a dielectric gate including an inlet and outlet fluid pathway;
a fluid reservoir coupled to the inlet fluid pathway of the dielectric gate; and
a fluidic device coupled to the outlet fluid pathway of the dielectric gate;
wherein the dielectric gate comprises one or more electrodes configured to draw fluid from the fluid reservoir via the inlet fluid pathway to the fluidic device via the outlet fluid pathway using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the one or more electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for fluid flow control, comprising:
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flowing fluid from a fluid reservoir to an inlet fluid pathway;
drawing the fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to an outlet fluid pathway by dielectric forces arising from a dielectric gate;
flowing the fluid from the outlet fluid pathway to a fluidic device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification