MICROVALVE SWITCHING ARRAY
First Claim
1. A switching valve array, comprising:
- a valve body;
a first chamber defined within the valve body, the first chamber having a first inlet and a first outlet;
a first diaphragm disposed within the first chamber, the first diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is restricted, and an second position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is permitted;
a second chamber defined within the valve body, the second chamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;
a second diaphragm disposed within the second chamber, the second diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is permitted; and
a valve array inlet in fluid communication with the first inlet and the second inlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A low power switching valve array employing two or more actuated microvalves that are arranged to accommodate any desired number of inlets and any desired number of outlets. Fluid entering one of inlets may be directed to any one or more of the outlets. In one illustrative embodiment, a valve body may have a valve array inlet, and two or more pumping chambers defined within the valve body. Each of the two or more pumping chambers have an inlet in fluid communication with the valve array inlet. In another illustrative embodiment, a valve body may have a valve array outlet, and two or more pumping chambers defined within the valve body. Each of the two or more pumping chambers have an outlet in fluid communication with the valve array outlet.
101 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A switching valve array, comprising:
-
a valve body;
a first chamber defined within the valve body, the first chamber having a first inlet and a first outlet;
a first diaphragm disposed within the first chamber, the first diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is restricted, and an second position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is permitted;
a second chamber defined within the valve body, the second chamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;
a second diaphragm disposed within the second chamber, the second diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is permitted; and
a valve array inlet in fluid communication with the first inlet and the second inlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A switching valve array, comprising:
-
a valve body;
a first chamber defined within the valve body, the first chamber having a first inlet and a first outlet;
a first diaphragm disposed within the first chamber, the first diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is restricted, and an second position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is permitted;
a second chamber defined within the valve body, the second chamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;
a second diaphragm disposed within the second chamber, the second diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is permitted; and
a valve array outlet in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second outlet.
-
-
18. A switching valve array, comprising:
-
a valve body;
a first chamber defined within the valve body, the first chamber having a first inlet and a first outlet;
a first diaphragm disposed within the first chamber, the first diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the first outlet is permitted;
a second chamber defined within the valve body, the second chamber having a second inlet and a second outlet;
a second diaphragm disposed within the second chamber, the second diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the second outlet is permitted;
a third chamber defined within the valve body, the third chamber having a third inlet and a third outlet, the third inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second outlet;
a third diaphragm disposed within the third chamber, the third diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the third outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the third outlet is permitted;
a fourth chamber defined within the valve body, the fourth chamber having a fourth inlet and a fourth outlet, the fourth inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second outlet; and
a fourth diaphragm disposed within the fourth chamber, the fourth diaphragm having a first position in which fluid flow into the fourth outlet is restricted, and a second position in which fluid flow into the fourth outlet is permitted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
-
Specification