Claims
- 1. A bi-stable latching valve for controlling fluid flow through a channel, comprising:
a substrate defining an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with the channel; a valve seat defining a valve chamber in communication with the inlet port and the outlet port for containing a volume of fluid, wherein the valve seat moves between a closed position wherein the valve seat blocks one of said inlet port and said outlet port and an open position to allow fluid flow through the valve chamber to regulate fluid flow through the chamber; an actuator assembly for selectively moving the valve seat between the open position and the closed position; and a latching mechanism for latching the valve seat in one of said open position and closed position.
- 2. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a magnet.
- 3. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 1, wherein the latching valve latches the valve seat in the closed position.
- 4. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric element.
- 5. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 1, further comprising a cantilever beam hinged to the substrate and connected to the valve seat for moving the valve seat between the open position and the closed position.
- 6. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric element attached to the cantilever beam for moving the cantilever beam
- 7. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 6, further comprising a controller for actuating the piezoelectric element.
- 8. The bi-stable latching valve of claim 1, wherein the valve seat a membrane portion having a rim defining a valve chamber forming a flow path, a first protrusion 34 for contacting the cantilever beam and a second protrusion for selectively blocking the inlet port.
- 9. A flow regulating system, comprising:
a first flow channel for conveying liquids having a first flow resistance; a first bi-stable valve in communication with the first flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the first flow channel; a second flow channel for conveying liquids having a second flow resistance; and a second bi-stable valve in communication with the second flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the second flow channel.
- 10. The flow regulating system of claim 9, wherein the first flow resistance is equal to the second flow resistance.
- 11. The flow regulating system of claim 9, wherein the first flow resistance is different than the second flow resistance.
- 12. The flow regulating system of claim 9, wherein the first bi-stable latching valve comprises a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the first flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position.
- 13. The flow regulating system of claim 9, wherein the second bi-stable latching valve comprises a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the first flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position.
- 14. The flow regulating system of claim 9, further comprising:
a second flow channel for conveying liquids having a third flow resistance; and a third bi-stable valve in communication with the third flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the third flow channel.
- 15. A flow regulating system, comprising:
a first flow channel for conveying liquids having a first flow resistance; a first bi-stable latching valve in communication with the first flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the first flow channel, comprising a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the first flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position; a second flow channel for conveying liquids having a second flow resistance; and a second bi-stable latching valve in communication with the second flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the second flow channel, comprising a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the second flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position.
- 16. The flow regulating system of claim 15, wherein the first flow resistance is equal to the second flow resistance.
- 17. The flow regulating system of claim 15, wherein the first flow resistance is different than the second flow resistance.
- 18. The flow regulating system of claim 15, further comprising:
a second flow channel for conveying liquids having a third flow resistance; and a third bi-stable valve in communication with the third flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the third flow channel.
- 19. The flow regulating system of claim 18, wherein the third bi-stable latching valve comprises a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the third flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position.
- 20. The flow regulating system of claim 15, wherein said first bi-stable latching valve and the second bi-stable latching valve further include
a substrate defining an inlet port and an outlet port in communication with one of said first flow channel and said second flow channel; and a valve seat controlled by the actuator defining a valve chamber in communication with the inlet port and the outlet port for containing a volume of fluid, wherein the valve seat moves between a closed position wherein the valve seat blocks one of said inlet port and said outlet port and an open position to allow fluid flow through the valve chamber to regulate fluid flow through the chamber.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/364,803 filed Mar. 15, 2002 entitled “Latching Micro-Regulator”, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60364803 |
Mar 2002 |
US |