Patent ID: 6837476

Claim:
An electrostatic actuated valve comprising: a body forming a chamber; the chamber having a first port and a second port; a diaphragm mounted in the chamber, said diaphragm having a first position that restricts fluid from flowing between the first port and the second port, and a second position that allows fluid to flow between the first port and the second port; a first electrode secured relative to the diaphragm; a second electrode secured relative to the body; and wherein the diaphragm is electrostatically actuated between the first position and the second position when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and wherein the chamber has a first opposing wall and a second opposing wall, the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall being configured such that the spacing between the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall is smaller in a first region of the chamber than in an adjacent second region, the diaphragm being mounted between the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall such that the diaphragm is electrostatically pulled toward the second electrode in a rolling action beginning in the first region.