Patent ID: 7090471

Claim:
An electrostatic fluid regulating device comprising a plurality of fluid regulating elements numbered from 1 through N disposed on a substrate; each of the fluid regulating elements comprising: a fluid channel comprises an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, the fluid channel being disposed overlying the substrate; an actuation region disposed overlying the substrate and coupled to the fluid channel; a polymer based diaphragm coupled between the fluid channel and the actuation region; a first electrode coupled to the substrate and to the actuation region; a second electrode coupled to the polymer based diaphragm; an electrical power source coupled between the first electrode and the second electrode and substantially free from causing an electric field within the fluid channel region; and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are physically separated from each other by at least the actuation region, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode provide electrode movement to vary the height of the fluid channel when a potential difference arises between them.