The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 18, 2001
Imin Kao, Stony Brook, NY (US);
Robert P. Wong, Huntington, NY (US);
Thomas J. Cassar, St. James, NY (US);
The Research Foundation of SUNY, Stony Brook, NY (US);
Abstract
An improved microvalve device is configured to provide a more robust and durable operation to withstand the demands of various operating environments. The microvalve may comprise a valve seat and a diaphragm, with the diaphragm operated by an external actuator device, such as a bladder, through various mechanisms of actuation, such as direct and indirect mechanisms, that are separate from the microvalve. Through use of the various mechanisms of actuation, the actuator device is configured to apply forces on the diaphragm to suitably move the diaphragm to open and close the microvalve. The valve seat and diaphragm can be configured to provide the microvalve with a plurality of openings configured to permit flow thereinbetween. In addition, the microvalve may be configured to facilitate uni-directional or bi-directional flow. Further, a plurality of microvalves can be cascaded together in a parallel and/or series configuration, with each valve having similar or different flow characteristics, and being selectively operated. The microvalve can also include a combination gate valve configuration and a bladder configuration to provide high frequency response characteristics in addition to stability and reduction in leak flow.