Valve Assemblies Including Electrically Actuated Valves
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.
109 Citations
69 Claims
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1-23. -23. (canceled)
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24. A valve assembly comprising:
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a main housing defining first, second, and third chambers, the main housing further defining a first valve enclosure between the first and second chambers and a second valve enclosure between the second and third chambers; first, second, third, and fourth electrical housing leads in the main housing with portions of each of the first and second electrical housing leads being exposed in the first valve enclosure and with portions of the third and fourth electrical housing leads being exposed in the second valve enclosure; a first valve in the first valve enclosure electrically coupled with the first and second electrical housing leads wherein the first valve is configured to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first and second chambers responsive to electrical signals provided on the first and second electrical housing leads; a second valve in the second valve enclosure electrically coupled with the third and fourth electrical housing leads wherein the second valve is configured to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second and third chambers responsive to electrical signals provided on the third and fourth electrical housing leads; and a controller electrically coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth electrical housing leads wherein the controller is configured to generate the electrical signals to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first and second chambers and between the second and third chambers. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A valve assembly comprising:
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a valve housing defining first and second chambers; a valve in the housing between the first and second chambers wherein the valve includes a planar substrate having a hole therethrough and a moveable valve member adjacent to the hole, and wherein the valve is configured to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first and second chambers; and a filter in the second chamber of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39-63. -63. (canceled)
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64. A valve assembly comprising:
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a valve housing defining first, second, and third chambers; a first valve between the first and second chambers, the first valve comprising a first valve substrate, wherein the first valve is configured to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first and second chambers; and a second valve between the second and third chambers, the second valve comprising a second valve substrate, wherein the second valve is configured to allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second and third chambers and wherein the first and second substrates are separate. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68)
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69-88. -88. (canceled)
Specification