Electrorheological fluid plate valve
First Claim
1. An electrorheological fluid valve comprising a plurality of flat plates, at least one of the plates non-electroconductive and formed with a plurality of channels that direct movement of fluid therein generally in the direction of the plane of the plate, second and third plates with sides in contact with the non-electroconductive channel plate sides, the second and third plates each having electroconductive surfaces facing the non-electroconductive channel plate, a pair of the electroconductive surfaces on at least one of the second and third plates in electrical communication therebetween and facing at least one pair of channels and a separate second pair of the electroconductive surfaces on at least one of second and third plates in electrical communication therebetween and facing a second pair of channels.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid control valve of "Wheatstone Bridge" arrangement for use with electrorheological fluids comprises a plurality of channel plates and printed circuit board plates alternatingly stacked together. Electrodes are printed on the printed circuit board plates to form walls on sides of channels formed in the channel plates. Holes piercing the printed circuit board plates are so located as to permit the flow of fluid through the printed circuit board plates from channel plate to channel plate at specific locations thereby causing the flow of fluid through a "Wheatstone Bridge" arrangement. Electric activation of selected electrodes cause the flow of fluid in channels between the selected electrodes to become exceedingly viscous or "freeze" and thereby close selected portions of the "Wheatstone Bridge". In the most common arrangement closure of parallel valves cause flow through the cross arm of the "Wheatstone Bridge" and actuation of an hydraulic device connected into the cross arm. The printed circuit board plates can be manufactured with conventional automated printed circuit manufacturing technology and the channel plates may be punched or otherwise formed with automated technology. Such parameters as pressure drop and capacity can be adjusted by changing the fluid, the number of sets, size, spacing and shape of alternating channel plates and printed circuit board plates.
45 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. An electrorheological fluid valve comprising a plurality of flat plates, at least one of the plates non-electroconductive and formed with a plurality of channels that direct movement of fluid therein generally in the direction of the plane of the plate, second and third plates with sides in contact with the non-electroconductive channel plate sides, the second and third plates each having electroconductive surfaces facing the non-electroconductive channel plate, a pair of the electroconductive surfaces on at least one of the second and third plates in electrical communication therebetween and facing at least one pair of channels and a separate second pair of the electroconductive surfaces on at least one of second and third plates in electrical communication therebetween and facing a second pair of channels.
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15. An electrorheological fluid valve comprising a plurality of alternating channel plates and electrode plates stacked in arrangement,
the channel plates each pierced by a plurality of channels formed to cause fluid flow therein to be guided substantially in the plane of the channel plate, the electrode plates including electroconductive surfaces thereon facing the channels in the channel plates and including holes piercing the electrode plates for fluid communication between channels in channel plates to either side of the individual electrode plates, wherein the plurality of channel plates are identical and the plurality of electrode plates include conductive means connecting pairs of electroconductive surfaces on at least some of the electrode plates.
Specification