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:
Dec. 18, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 26, 2004
James M. Harris, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Michael Selser, Livermoe, CA (US);
Bradford A. Cozad, Newark, CA (US);
Albert K. Henning, Palo Alto, CA (US);
James M. Harris, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Michael Selser, Livermoe, CA (US);
Bradford A. Cozad, Newark, CA (US);
Albert K. Henning, Palo Alto, CA (US);
SMC Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Integrated micro-valve is formed to control fluid flow and pressure. The valve converts supplied energy to mechanical energy through a means for energy conversion resident above a flexible wall or membrane. In one embodiment a sealed cavity contains a fluid that expands and contracts as it is heated or cooled, thus causing the flexible wall to move. Movement of this wall or membrane is used to move a valve element and dynamically control the opening or closing of a valve port over a predetermined range. Additional means for stiffening are added to the membrane to improve performance.