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:
Sep. 30, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Theodore M. Winger, Oceanside, CA (US);
John D. Evans, Marina del Rey, CA (US);
Noel G. Harvey, Efland, NC (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16K 3/102 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F16K 3/102 ;
Abstract
A microactuator device includes a base with at least one electrode pad and a permeation membrane. Permeation membrane is typically a water-permeable membrane that is able to deform by applying an electric charge to the electrode pad. The actuator device can be incorporated into valve assembly to open and close the valve. The valve assembly can have a reciprocating valve member operated by the deforming of the water-permeable member. Alternatively, the valve assembly can have an opening positioned to cooperate with the water-permeable membrane so that the deformation of the membrane closes the opening.