Patent ID: 6834663
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: B81B,F03G,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a flow valve, comprising:forming a channel having channel surfaces in a first silicon substrate; disposing a first coating on a first region of the channel surfaces; disposing a second coating on two second regions of the channel surfaces adjacent to opposite ends of the first region; positioning a piston in the channel, the piston having a first surface tension when in a liquid state and contacting the first coating, the piston having a second surface tension when in a liquid state and contacting the second coating, with the second surface tension greater than the first surface tension; forming a fluid flow channel in the first silicon substrate, the flow channel having an orifice in fluid communication with the channel; sealing the piston in the channel by attaching to the first silicon substrate a second silicon substrate having a surface facing toward the piston; forming a piston heating element in at least one of the first and second silicon substrates to heat the piston to a liquid state; and coupling a first hydrogen source to one end of the channel and coupling a second hydrogen source to an opposite end of the channel.