Patent classifications
F16K31/005
FLUID SYSTEM
A fluid system includes a fluid active region, a fluid channel, a convergence chamber, a sensor and plural valves. The fluid active region includes at least one fluid-guiding unit. The fluid-guiding unit is enabled under control to transport fluid to be discharged out through an outlet aperture. The fluid channel is in communication with the outlet aperture of the fluid active region, and has plural branch channels for splitting the fluid discharged from the fluid active region. The convergence chamber is in communication with the fluid channel. The sensor is disposed in the fluid channel for measuring fluid. The valves each of which is disposed in the corresponding branch channel, wherein the fluid is discharged out through the branch channels according to opened/closed states of the valves under control. The fluid system is capable of acquiring required flow rate, pressure and amount of the fluid to be transported.
GAS TRANSPORTATION DEVICE
A gas transportation device includes an inlet plate, a substrate, a resonance plate, an actuating plate, a piezoelectric component and an outlet plate stacked sequentially. The gas transportation device includes a valve disposed within at least one of the inlet of the inlet plate and the outlet of the outlet plate. A first chamber is formed between the resonance plate and the actuating plate, and a second chamber is formed between the actuating plate and the outlet plate. When the piezoelectric component drives the actuating plate, a pressure gradient is formed between the first and second chambers and the valve is opened. Accordingly, gas is inhaled into the convergence chamber via the inlet, transported into the first chamber through a central aperture of the resonance plate, transported into the second chamber through a vacant space of the actuating plate, and then discharged out from the outlet, so as to transport the gas.
ELECTROMECHANICAL POLYMER PUMPS
A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.
Pressure measurement device and braking system comprising such pressure measurement device
A pressure measurement device has: a first chamber coupled to at least one fluid utilization unit, a second chamber coupled to a vacuum source, a seat with a passage for the fluid between the first and the second chamber, a plug for allowing or blocking the fluid flow through the passage, a retaining member for retaining the plug against the seat, a pressure sensor, and a measurement cavity coupled to the first chamber. The retaining member has a channel arranged to couple the first chamber and the measurement cavity.
Electromechanical polymer pumps
A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.
FLUID CONTROL DEVICE
A fluid control device includes a fluid manifold, a valve stator, a valve rotor and dual driving units. The fluid manifold includes microchannels connected with a sample reaction unit and fluid input channels connected with fluid sources. When the valve rotor is rotated to different positions, the fluid input channel is connected with at least one microchannel via through holes of the valve stator and a groove of the valve rotor. The first driving unit drives a rotation of the valve rotor. The second driving unit drives a motion of the valve rotor or the valve stator to adjust a distance between the valve rotor and the valve stator, so that when the valve rotor is rotating, the valve rotor and the valve stator are separated by a gap, and after the valve rotor is rotated to a predetermined position, the valve rotor is tightly contacted the valve stator.
PIEZOELECTRIC NON-RETURN VALVE
An implantable fluid operated device includes a fluid control system to transfer fluid between a fluid reservoir and an inflatable member. The fluid control system includes at least one fluid control device including at least one pump and at least one valve, or at least one combination pump and valve device. The at least one fluid control device includes an auxiliary fluid control device that maintains a closed state of the valve in response to a fluctuation in pressure, or a pressure spike that would otherwise cause an unintentional opening of the fluid control device, and unintentional flow of fluid through the fluid control device.
PIEZOELECTRIC NON-RETURN VALVE SHUT-OFF
An implantable fluid operated device includes a fluid control system to transfer fluid between a fluid reservoir and an inflatable member. The fluid control system includes at least one fluid control device including at least one pump and at least one valve, or at least one combination pump and valve device. A seal is provided in the at least one fluid control device. In a first mode, the seal provides a seal between a fluid passageway and a fluid chamber of the fluid control device, to close the fluid control device. In a second mode, the seal is disengaged to open the fluid control device and allow fluid to flow between the fluid passageway and the fluid chamber. A seal retention device maintains a position of the seal when the fluid control device is open and fluid is flowing through the fluid control device.
PIEZOELECTRIC VALVE AND METHODS OF FORMATION
A piezoelectric valve may be formed using semiconductor processing techniques such that the piezoelectric valve is biased in a normally closed configuration. Actuation of the piezoelectric valve may be achieved through the use of a piezoelectric-based actuation layer of the piezoelectric valve. The piezoelectric valve may be implemented in various use cases, such as a dispensing valve for precise drug delivery, a relief valve to reduce the occlusion effect in speaker-based devices (e.g., in-ear headphones), a pressure control valve, and/or another type of valve that is configured for microfluidic control, among other examples. The normally closed configuration of the piezoelectric valve enables the piezoelectric valve to operate as a normally closed valve with reduced power consumption.
Variable damping system using a piezoelectric device
A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.