Patent ID: 7011378

Claim:
A microvalve comprising: a first layer, a second layer defining a flow area, and a third layer, the second layer disposed between the first layer and the third layer, the first layer defines a first port therethrough and at least one of the first layer and the third layer defines a second port therethrough to permit fluid flow from the first port to the second port through the flow area defined in the second layer, a first member defined by the second layer; a displaceable structure attached to the first member and including a first end and a second end; and a first actuator defined by the second layer and operatively coupled to the displaceable structure through the first member to displace the second end of the displaceable structure in a plane parallel to the second layer between an open state and a closed state relative to one of the first and second ports; a second member defined by the second layer and attached to the displaceable structure; a second actuator defined by the second layer and operatively coupled to the displaceable structure through the second member; first electrical contacts formed through the third layer and coupled to the first actuator to provide a first electrical control signal thereto; second electrical contacts formed through the third layer and coupled to the second actuator for providing a second electrical control signal to the second actuator; wherein at least the first actuator thermally expands in response to the first electrical control signal; and the second layer includes an electrical isolation structure which electrically isolates portions of the second layer so as to allow the first electrical control signal to pass only through the first actuator.