Patent ID: 8561963
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: B01L,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A novel microvalve comprising: a conduit for carrying a main fluid being controlled, the conduit including at least two walls separated by a gap therebetween; an actuation aperture layer comprising a dielectric gel material having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the dielectric gel material including a hole formed by sidewalls extending entirely between a first opening defined in the first surface and a second opening defined in the second surface; a flexible membrane disposed between the first surface of the actuating aperture layer and the conduit, the flexible membrane including a first side facing the actuation aperture layer, a second side of the flexible membrane facing the conduit and extending between the two walls such that the second side forms a portion of the conduit; and, a flow control mechanism including a control fluid and means for generating an electric field across the actuation aperture layer during a microvalve operation, said electric field being generated by applying a first electrical charge of a first polarity near the first opening and a second electrical charge of a second polarity near the second opening such that attraction between the applied charges generates said electric field across the dielectric gel material disposed between the first and second openings, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the dielectric gel material and a strength of said electric field are characterized in that said electric field generates a compressive force on the dielectric gel material sufficient to cause elastic deformation of the dielectric gel material such that the distance between the first opening and the second opening is reduced and the sidewalls of the hole are bowed sufficiently to close the hole, thereby preventing flow of the control fluid through the hole.