Patent ID: 8646479

Claim:
A valve for controlling the flow of fluid, said valve comprising: a first valve plate having apertures extending therethrough and at least two tabs extending from a periphery thereof, the tabs having a neck portion configured to be electrically fused; a second valve plate having apertures extending therethrough and substantially offset from the apertures of said first valve plate, the second valve plate having at least two tabs extending from the periphery thereof, the tabs having a neck portion configured to be electrically fused, the tabs of the second valve plate being coupled to the tabs of the first valve plate as a result of being electrically fused; a spacer disposed between said first valve plate and said second valve plate to form a cavity therebetween in fluid communication with the apertures of said first valve plate and the apertures of said second valve plate; and a flap disposed and moveable between said first valve plate and said second valve plate in response to fluid pressure oscillations having a frequency of about 20 kHz or greater, said flap being a polymer and having apertures substantially offset from the apertures of said first valve plate and substantially aligned with the apertures of said second valve plate, said apertures of said flap having a substantially elliptical shape.