Patent ID: 8628055

Claim:
An electrostatically actuated microvalve, comprising: a first electrode insulated with dielectric and defining a fluid inlet and outlet; a second electrode insulated with dielectric; a microcavity defined by at least one of said first and second electrodes; a membrane electrode insulated with dielectric and held between said first and second electrodes, said membrane electrode being deformable by application of voltage to one or both of said first and second electrodes to control fluid flow between said fluid inlet and outlet; a central pad defined in said second electrode, said central pad being disposed closer to said membrane electrode than said microcavity when said membrane electrode is against said first electrode; and wherein the surfaces of said first and second electrodes are generally flat and said membrane electrode is generally flat when said membrane electrode is disposed against said first electrode such that actuation occurs without rolling action by displacing said membrane electrode against said central pad to open said microvalve and permit communication between said fluid inlet and outlet.