Patent ID: 9505608
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: B81B,F16K

Claim Text:
1. A microvalve comprising: a first plate; a second plate; a first opening formed through one of the first and second plates; a second opening formed through one of the first and second plates; and an intermediate plate disposed between the first plate and the second plate, the intermediate plate including: (1) a displaceable member movable between an opened position, wherein fluid communication is permitted between the first and second openings, and a closed position, wherein fluid communication is prevented between the first and second openings; (2) an actuator rib including a first end connected to the intermediate plate, a second end connected to the intermediate plate, and a spine connected to the displaceable member such that movement of the actuator rib causes movement of the displaceable member between the opened and closed positions; (3) a channel formed through the intermediate plate that extends from the second end of the actuator rib to adjacent a portion of the actuator rib located between the spine and the second end of the actuator rib to define an electrical isolation region; (4) a first bond pad located adjacent to the first end of the actuator rib; and (5) a second bond pad located within the electrical isolation region.