Bubble valve and bubble valve-based pressure regulator
First Claim
1. A bubble valve for controlling flow of a liquid in a flow direction, the bubble valve comprising:
- a liquid delivery channel, including;
an upstream portion having a cross-sectional area, anda constriction downstream of the upstream portion, the constriction including an opening having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion; and
localized heating means located in the liquid delivery channel for generating heat to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid;
in which;
the constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble; and
the localized heating means is additionally for generating heat to shift the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bubble valve that comprises a liquid delivery channel and a localized heating arrangement. The liquid delivery channel includes an upstream portion and a constriction downstream of the upstream portion. The constriction has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream portion. The localized heating arrangement is located in the liquid delivery channel and generates heat to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid. The constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble. The localized heating arrangement additionally generates heat to move the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid. A pressure regulator that comprises a liquid delivery channel connected to a liquid outlet, a sensor located adjacent the liquid outlet, a controller that operates in response to the sensor and a localized heating arrangement. The liquid delivery channel includes an upstream portion, and a constriction located between the upstream portion and the liquid outlet. The constriction has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream portion. The localized heating arrangement is located in the liquid delivery channel and generates heat in response to the controller to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid. The constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble. The localized heating arrangement additionally generates heat to move the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid to the liquid outlet.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A bubble valve for controlling flow of a liquid in a flow direction, the bubble valve comprising:
-
a liquid delivery channel, including; an upstream portion having a cross-sectional area, and a constriction downstream of the upstream portion, the constriction including an opening having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion; and localized heating means located in the liquid delivery channel for generating heat to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid;
in which;the constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble; and the localized heating means is additionally for generating heat to shift the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A pressure regulator for regulating pressure at which liquid is delivered to a liquid outlet, the pressure regulator comprising:
-
a liquid delivery channel connected to the liquid outlet, the liquid delivery channel including; an upstream portion having a cross-sectional area, and a constriction located between the upstream portion and the liquid outlet, the constriction including an opening having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion; a sensor located adjacent the liquid outlet; a controller that operates in response to the sensor; localized heating means, operating in response to the controller, for generating heat to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid, the localized heating means being located in the liquid delivery channel;
in which;the constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble; and the localized heating means is additionally for generating heat to shift the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid to the liquid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification