A micro fluid actuator includes an orifice layer, a flow channel layer, a substrate, a chamber layer, a vibration layer, a lower electrode layer, a piezoelectric actuation layer and an upper electrode layer, which are stacked sequentially. An outflow aperture, a plurality of first inflow apertures and a second inflow aperture are formed in the substrate by an etching process. A storage chamber is formed in the chamber layer by the etching process. An outflow opening and an inflow opening are formed in the orifice layer by the etching process. An outflow channel, an inflow channel and a plurality of columnar structures are formed in the flow channel layer by a lithography process. By providing driving power which have different phases to the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer, the vibration layer is driven to displace in a reciprocating manner, so as to achieve fluid transportation.

A micro channel structure includes a substrate, a supporting layer, a valve layer, a second insulation layer, a vibration layer and a bonding-pad layer. A flow channel is formed on the substrate. A conductive part and a movable part are formed on the supporting layer and the valve layer, respectively. A first chamber is formed at the interior of a base part and communicates to the hollow aperture. A supporting part is formed on the second insulation layer. A second chamber is formed at the interior of the supporting layer and communicates to the first chamber through the hollow aperture. A suspension part is formed on the vibration layer. By providing driving power sources having different phases to the bonding-pad layer, the suspension part moves upwardly and downwardly, and a relative displacement is generated between the movable part and the conductive part, to achieve fluid transportation.

A manufacturing method of micro channel structure is disclosed and includes steps of: providing a substrate; depositing and etching to form a first insulation layer; depositing and etching to form a supporting layer; depositing and etching to form a valve layer; depositing and etching to form a second insulation layer; depositing and etching to form a vibration layer, a lower electrode layer and a piezoelectric actuating layer; providing a photoresist layer and depositing and etching to form a plurality of bonding pads; depositing and etching to from a mask layer; etching to form a first chamber; and etching to form a second chamber.

A piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, a piezoelectric ceramic plate, an outer frame and a bracket. The suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration from a middle portion to a periphery portion. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on the suspension plate. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. The bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate, and includes an intermediate part formed in a vacant space between the suspension plate and the outer frame and in parallel with the outer frame and the suspension plate, a first connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the suspension plate, and a second connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the outer frame.

Microvalve assemblies are disclosed that in some examples include a body including first and second ports and a body plate. The microvalve assemblies further include an actuator assembly including one or more exterior plates coupled to a stack. One of the one or more exterior plates contacts the body plate to form a seat and thereby restrict fluid flow from the first port to the second port, when the stack is not energized. Additionally, the actuator assembly is configured to, when the stack is energized, periodically generate a gap between the one of the one or more exterior plates and the body plate via near-field-acoustic-levitation (NFAL) to allow fluid flow through the first and second ports. Advantageously, the microvalves of this technology are relatively small and consume minimal power, thereby overcoming size and power limitations of existing valves, including pneumatic valve technologies.

A miniature fluid control device includes a piezoelectric actuator and a housing. The piezoelectric actuator comprises a suspension plate, an outer frame, at least one bracket and a piezoelectric ceramic plate. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on a first surface of the suspension plate and has a length not larger than that of the suspension plate. The housing includes a gas collecting plate and a base. The gas collecting plate is a frame body with a sidewall and comprises a plurality of perforations. The base seals a bottom of the piezoelectric actuator and has a central aperture corresponding to the middle portion of the suspension plate. When the voltage is applied to the piezoelectric actuator, the suspension plate is permitted to undergo the curvy vibration, the fluid is transferred from the central aperture of the base to the gas-collecting chamber, and exited from the perforations.

A three-way (3-way) Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based micro-valve device and method of fabrication for the implementation of a three-way MEMS-based micro-valve are disclosed. The micro-valve device has a wide range of applications, including medical, industrial control, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and products, as well as any application(s) requiring the use of three-way micro-valves for the control of fluids. The discloses three-way micro-valve device and method of fabrication that can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications and fluid types, and can also use a number of different actuation methods, including actuation methods that have very small actuation pressures and energy densities even at higher fluidic pressures. This is enabled by a novel pressure-balancing scheme, wherein the fluid pressure balances the actuator mechanism so that only a small amount of actuation pressure (or force) is needed to switch the state of the actuator and device from open to closed, or closed to open.

A device with a membrane comprising a support, a membrane made of a polymer material suspended on said support and at least one actuating module arranged opposite a face of the membrane and separate from said membrane, said actuating module comprising at least one actuator comprising at least one piezoelectric material and a beam connected to the support and separate from the membrane, the piezoelectric material being connected to the beam, such that, when a difference in electric potential is applied to the piezoelectric material, a bimetal effect appears between the piezoelectric material and the beam deforming the beam in the direction of the membrane, causing the deformation of the membrane, said device also comprising at least one electrostatic actuator configured for compressing at least one part of the membrane on the at least one part of the actuating module.

A piezoelectric actuator includes a suspension plate, a piezoelectric ceramic plate, an outer frame and a bracket. The suspension plate is permitted to undergo a curvy vibration from a middle portion to a periphery portion. The piezoelectric ceramic plate is attached on the suspension plate. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric ceramic plate, the suspension plate is driven to undergo the curvy vibration. The outer frame is arranged around the suspension plate. The bracket is connected between the suspension plate and the outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate, and includes an intermediate part formed in a vacant space between the suspension plate and the outer frame and in parallel with the outer frame and the suspension plate, a first connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the suspension plate, and a second connecting part arranged between the intermediate part and the outer frame.

A fluidic switch (or fluidic device) is provided. The fluidic switch includes: (i) a housing defining a cavity with a first opening and a second opening, the second opening being larger than the first opening, the cavity containing an elastic substance, (ii) a channel to transport a fluid from a source, across the first opening, to a drain, where the first opening opens into the channel, and (iii) an actuator to apply a force through the second opening to the elastic substance in the cavity when actuated, the force to displace a portion of the elastic substance into the channel to impede transport of the fluid through the channel.