Electokinetic high pressure hydraulic system
First Claim
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1. A valve for the manipulation of a fluid, comprising:
- a) a microchannel having an inlet and an outlet and a porous dielectric material disposed therebetween;
b) at least one fluid inlet and fluid outlet in communication with the outlet of said microchannel;
c) an electrolyte contained within the porous dielectric material said electrolyte being selectively moveable between a first position opening communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a second position closing communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and
d) spaced electrodes for moving said electrolyte between the first and second positions.
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Abstract
A compact high pressure hydraulic system having no moving parts for converting electric potential to hydraulic force and for manipulating fluids. Electro-osmotic flow is used to provide a valve and means to compress a fluid or gas in a capillary-based system. By electro-osmotically moving an electrolyte between a first position opening communication between a fluid inlet and outlet and a second position closing communication between the fluid inlet and outlet the system can be configured as a valve. The system can also be used to generate forces as large as 2500 psi that can be used to compress a fluid, either a liquid or a gas.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A valve for the manipulation of a fluid, comprising:
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a) a microchannel having an inlet and an outlet and a porous dielectric material disposed therebetween; b) at least one fluid inlet and fluid outlet in communication with the outlet of said microchannel; c) an electrolyte contained within the porous dielectric material said electrolyte being selectively moveable between a first position opening communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a second position closing communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and d) spaced electrodes for moving said electrolyte between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for manipulating a flow of a fluid, comprising:
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applying an electric potential to spaced electrodes in communication with an electrolyte contained within a porous dielectric disposed within a microchannel, thereby causing the electrolyte to move from a first position, wherein a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are in open communication, to a second position closing communication between the fluid inlet and outlet; and shutting off the electric potential, thereby causing the electrolyte to move to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system for compressing a fluid, comprising:
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a) a microchannel having an inlet and an outlet and a porous dielectric material disposed therebetween; b) an electrolyte contained within said microchannel; c) spaced electrodes in communication with said electrolyte; and d) at least one flow channel in communication with the outlet of said microchannel, wherein said flow channel contains a fluid and is provided with at least one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet configured such that when an electro-osmotic force is applied to said electrolyte the fluid is compressed. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for compressing a liquid or a gas, comprising:
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applying an electric potential to spaced electrodes in communication with an electrolyte contained within a porous dielectric disposed within a microchannel having one end sealed, thereby to cause the electrolyte to move compressing a fluid contained between the electrolyte and the sealed end; and shutting of the electric potential to release the pressure on the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An apparatus for the manipulation of a fluid, consisting of:
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a) a flow channel for passage of a fluid having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and outlet ends are disposed at an angle to each other; and b) means for generating an electro-osmotic force in communication with the inlet end of said flow channel.
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22. An apparatus for compressing a fluid, consisting of:
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a) a flow channel for passage of a fluid having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet end of said channel is constricted; and b) means for generating an electro-osmotic force in communication with the inlet end of said flow channel.
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Specification