Patent ID: 6345502
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: B81B,F04B,F15C,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A thermopneumatic actuator comprising:a base; a cavity formed from sidewalls of micromachined silicon; a membrane, formed from a silicon substrate, formed to have first and second sidewalls and an open space between said first and second sidewalls, a first layer of membrane material extending over said open space; and a second layer of membrane material, extending along said sidewalls, under said first layer of membrane material to thereby form strengthened edge portions at locations where said sidewalls meet said first layer of membrane material; and a free standing heater, located in said cavity and formed from a thinned material which has low thermal conductivity , and operating to selectively heat thermopneumatic liquid in said cavity to expand the membrane or cool the thermopneumatic liquid to contract the membrane.