Patent ID: 8231563

Claim:
An electrokinetic actuator for fluid flow titration comprising: a first chamber having a closed proximal end and an opposite open distal end; a second chamber having an open proximal end and an opposite open distal end, the open distal end of the first chamber being separated from the open proximal end of the second chamber by a porous dielectric disposed therebetween; a plurality of electrodes disposed about a perimeter of the first and second chambers; and polar electrolyte disposed within the actuator and adapted to pass through the porous dielectric between the first and second chambers upon the application of an electric field or electric potential to the plural electrodes; and a mechanical valve actuation mechanism connected to the open distal end of the second chamber for fine titration of a fluid using electro-osmosis of the polar electrolyte isolated to prohibit intermixing with the fluid being titrated; wherein the mechanical valve actuation mechanism comprises: a bellows having an open proximal end and an opposite distal end, the open proximal end of the bellows being connected to the open distal end of the second chamber; an actuator pin having a proximal end connected so as to close off the open distal end of the bellows and an opposite distal end; a rack connected to the distal end of the actuator pin, the rack having a plurality of teeth; a pinion gear having complementary teeth and disposed so as to engage the teeth of the rack; a coil-spring connected at a first end to the pinion gear and having an opposite second end; a bias plate connected at a proximal end to the second end of the coil-spring and an opposite distal end, the bias plate being supported and held fixed by a fulcrum.