Patent ID: 8528602
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: B01L,F04B,F16K,G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A microvalve system comprising: a first body portion having a fluid channel defined in a face thereof; an electrode layer disposed on the first body portion within said fluid channel, the electrode layer being electrically connectable to a power source; a first membrane disposed on the face of the first body portion covering said fluid channel in alignment with said electrode, the first membrane sealingly enclosing the fluid channel; a second body portion disposed on said face of said first body portion, said second body portion comprising a liquid receiving cavity aligned with said first membrane such that the first membrane separates the fluid channel and the liquid receiving cavity, said liquid receiving cavity containing an electrical conducting liquid therein, an electrical contact being disposed at least partially within the liquid receiving cavity in electrical communication with the electrical conducting liquid and being electrically connectable to said power source; said first membrane being displaceable between an open valve position, wherein fluid is free to flow through said fluid channel, and an at least partially closed valve position, wherein the first membrane is displaced towards the electrode layer within the fluid channel upon application of an electrical potential difference between said electrode layer and said electrical conducting liquid in order to at least partially obstruct said fluid channel; and a second membrane wherein said first body portion further includes at least one additional channel in said face that is adapted to receive an additional fluid said second membrane being disposed over said additional channel and wherein said second body portion further comprises an additional cavity fluidly connected to said liquid receiving cavity to form with said first membrane and said second membrane, a hermetically dosed chamber which receives said electrical conducting liquid said electrical conducting liquid being substantially incompressible, and wherein the application of said electrical potential difference causes displacement of said first membrane towards said electrode and a corresponding displacement of said second membrane away from said additional channel.