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. 12, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2009
Applicants:
Eric Peeters, Mountain View, CA (US);
Ashish Pattekar, Cupertino, CA (US);
Gregory B. Anderson, Woodside, CA (US);
Inventors:
Eric Peeters, Mountain View, CA (US);
Ashish Pattekar, Cupertino, CA (US);
Gregory B. Anderson, Woodside, CA (US);
Assignee:
Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F15B 13/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.