Patent ID: 6883774

Claim:
A microvalve comprising: first and second layers secured together to form a valve body, the valve body forming an inlet opening for receiving fluid, an outlet opening for conducting the fluid from the valve body, and a flow channel for conducting the fluid from the inlet to the outlet; a diaphragm member disposed between said first and second layers and moveable between closed and open positions, wherein in the closed position, the diaphragm blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet to the flow channel; and in the open position, the diaphragm allows fluid flow from the inlet into said flow channel to allow fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet; and wherein the diaphragm is biased to the closed position and moves from the closed position to the open position when the pressure of fluid in the inlet reaches a preset value; and an actuator mechanism connected to the valve body for moving the diaphragm to the closed position against the pressure of fluid in the inlet; whereby the diaphragm has first and second closed states; the diaphragm is in the first closed state when the pressure of fluid in the inlet is below the preset value; the diaphragm is in the second closed state when the actuator mechanism is actuated to move the diaphragm to the closed position; and in both of the first and second closed states, the diaphragm blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet to the flow channel.