Patent ID: 6032689
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
An integrated flow controller module comprising:a fluid channel allowing a fluid to flow through;a flow sensor provided in said fluid channel to measure velocity of said flow;a microvalve assembly positioned in said fluid channel to control velocity of said flow; anda controller to generate microvalve assembly control signals according to velocity of said flow;wherein said flow sensor comprises:a pressure sensor to measure pressure of said fluid; anda pressure signal generator to convert pressures measured by said pressure sensor into an electric format and to output pressure signals of said pressures; andwherein said microvalve assembly comprises:a microvalve to control sectional area of said fluid channel; anda microvalve controller to control operations of said microvalve according to said microvalve assembly signals;characterized in that said microvalve is elastically sustained by a wall of said fluid channel and that said microvalve controller controls operations of said microvalve by generating heat to said wall such that deformation of said wall occurs.