Patent ID: 6830071
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: F15C,F16K,H02N,Y10T

Abstract:
A normally-closed electrostatic microvalve device of multilayer form comprising:a stationary valve plate layer, having a plurality of fluid flow orifices therethrough; a moveable valve plate layer, comprising a plurality of valve elements to close the fluid flow orifices of the stationary valve plate layer, one valve element able to move with a degree of independence from the remaining valve elements, the moveable valve plate layer arranged for deflection under an applied electrostatic force from a normal closed position in which each of said fluid flow orifices of the stationary valve plate layer is closed by a valve element to an open position in which one or more of the valve elements is displaced from said stationary valve plate layer; and a base plate layer spaced from said stationary valve plate layer, the base plate layer having at least one inlet fluid flow orifice therethrough, the base plate layer and the stationary valve plate layer defining therebetween an inlet chamber, the movable valve plate layer being disposed for movement within said inlet chamber, and wherein the base plate layer includes a first conductive electrode element and the movable valve plate layer includes a second conductive electrode element such that application of an electrical potential difference between the respective electrode elements creates an electrostatic force on the movable valve plate layer to activate the microvalve.