Patent ID: 7789371
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A high flow range microvalve comprising: an opposed first and second plate spaced to provide therebetween a flow channel between an inlet and outlet; a piezoelectric actuator communicating with the first plate to move the first plate toward or away from the second plate to control a constriction of the flow channel over an actuation area; and an augmented length valve seat positioned between the first and second plate in the actuation area and separating the inlet and outlet, the augmented length valve seat having a contiguous length greater than four times a square root of the actuation area; wherein the actuation area is an area bounded by contact between the first and second plates through the valve seat; and wherein the augmented length valve seat is a serpentine wall separating the inlet and outlet.