Patent ID: 6626416
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: F15C,F16K

Abstract:
An electrostrictive micro-valve for modulating a fluid flow, comprising:a valve body having a passageway for conducting a flow of said fluid; a valve element formed from a piece of viscoelastic material and disposed in said passageway, and a control assembly coupled to said viscoelastic material for controlling the shape of said material to open and close said passageway, wherein said control assembly includes first and second electrodes mounted on opposite sides of said viscoelastic material, and wherein said control assembly includes a source of electrical voltage connected to said first and second electrodes, and a switching means for selectively applying a voltage from said source across said electrodes to generate an electrostatic force therebetween that changes the shape of said viscoelastic material, wherein a valving action is created by said shape change of said viscoelastic material, and a restorative force generated in said material in reaction to said shape change when said electrostatic force is terminated.