Media isolated electrostatically actuated valve
First Claim
1. An electrostatic valve comprising:
- a bottom structure;
a top structure situated on the bottom structure;
a diaphragm situated between the bottom structure and the top structure;
a squeezable conveyance structure situated between the bottom structure and the diaphragm;
a first electrical conductor attached to the diaphragm; and
a second electrical conductor attached to the top structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve structure having a top part, a flexible media conveyance, such as a tube, a diaphragm and a bottom part with a support for the tube. The top surface of the diaphragm and the bottom surface of the top part may have electrodes attached. When there is no electric potential applied across the electrodes, the diaphragm may rest on and close the passageway in the flexible tube for effectively preventing a fluid flow. When an electrical potential is applied to the electrodes, the diaphragm may be pulled up off from the tube thereby opening or partially opening the passageway in the tube for a media flow or pressure transfer. Partial opening may be for modulation purposes. There may be a tension mechanism attached to the diaphragm. A controller may apply an electrical potential to the electrodes for at least partially opening or closing the valve.
54 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An electrostatic valve comprising:
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a bottom structure; a top structure situated on the bottom structure; a diaphragm situated between the bottom structure and the top structure; a squeezable conveyance structure situated between the bottom structure and the diaphragm; a first electrical conductor attached to the diaphragm; and a second electrical conductor attached to the top structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A valve structure comprising:
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a base; a perimeter layer situated on the base; a diaphragm situated on the perimeter layer; a chamber structure situated on a perimeter of the diaphragm; a first electrode attached to the chamber structure; a second electrode attached to the diaphragm; and a tube situated between the base and the diaphragm. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A fluid control device comprising:
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a first part having a base, a perimeter wall having a first port and a second port, and a support structure situated on the base; a tube at least partially situated on the support structure, and having a first end connected to the first port and a second end connected to the second port; a diaphragm situated on the perimeter wall and covering an area within the perimeter wall; a second part situated on the diaphragm in a vicinity of the perimeter wall and having a cavity in an area within the perimeter wall; a first electrode attached to the diaphragm; and a second electrode attached to an inside surface of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An electrostatic actuated valve comprising:
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a bottom part having a ridge at a perimeter; a post situated on the bottom part; a squeezable tube situated on the post having a first end at the ridge for external access and a second end at the ridge for external access; a diaphragm over the bottom part having an edge at the ridge; a top part having a ridge that clamps the edge of the diaphragm; a first electrode attached to the diaphragm; and a second electrode attached to a bottom side of the top part. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification