Patent ID: 6807892
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: B33Y,F15B,F15C,F16K,G02B

Abstract:
A pneumatic actuator comprising:a housing having an upper wall and defining a cavity having an inner wall; an elastomeric membrane mounted on the upper wall over the cavity such that the inner wall and the elastomeric membrane form an expandable chamber; a first electrostatic flap valve mounted inside the expandable chamber such that the first electrostatic flap valve selectively blocks a first orifice in response to a first control signal; and a second electrostatic flap valve mounted outside the chamber such that the second electrostatic flap valve selectively blocks a second orifice in response to a second control signal, wherein one of said first and second orifices communicates between the expandable chamber and a pressure source, and wherein the other of the first and second orifices communicates with a vent hole defined in the upper wall.