A valve system for driving fluid and a method for using the same are provided. The valve system includes a fluid unit far away from the rotation center, a fluid unit close to the rotation center, a fluid transferring unit and a gas path pipeline for communicating the fluid unit close to the rotation center with the fluid unit far away from the rotation center. A rotation radius of a fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is greater than that of a fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center. The fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is located at an end thereof away from the rotation center, and the fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center is located at an end thereof close to the rotation center.

A microfluidic valve includes a carrier layer and a flexible membrane layer arranged on a surface of the carrier layer. The surface of the carrier layer has a valve chamber in the form of a spherical cap and a membrane formed by the flexible membrane layer covers at least the valve chamber. A plurality of microfluidic channels opening into the valve chamber are formed in the surface of the carrier layer. Moreover, an inflow channel and an outflow channel are connected to one another by a microfluidic connection channel. The connection channel and the valve chamber are positioned relative to each other in such a way that in the closed state of the membrane, a fluid can flow from the inflow channel via the connection channel into the outflow channel to bridge the valve chamber, while the at least one supply channel is closed by the membrane.

A micro-pneumatic control unit comprising a plurality of control channels for generating the control pressures in a pneumatically actuated multi-channel coating head for coating components with a coating agent, a control channel being characterized by a valve element comprising a valve bore in a valve plate and a diaphragm layer which is below the valve plate and is configured as a diaphragm closing element in the region of the valve bore, the shape of which diaphragm closing element defined by recesses positioned laterally with respect to the valve bore, by a micro-actuator having a plunger that actuates the diaphragm closing element through the valve bore such that the valve element opens, by a second micro-pneumatic element connected in series with the valve element, the control pressure developing and a cavity located at the connection node thereof, which cavity is connected to at least one pneumatically operated coating agent ejector, and by a pneumatic pressurization of the micro-pneumatic control unit, which is directed such that, with respect to the valve element, there is a pressure gradient from the diaphragm closing element to the valve bore in the valve plate.

A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

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.

Disclosed is a bi-directional exhalation valve useful for many applications such as in CPAP devices. The exhalation valve includes a valve body having a center chamber, side chambers, and bidirectional ports coupled to the center chamber via passages and a mechanism that provides fluid ingress into the bi-directional valve in a first mode of operation or fluid egress from the bi-directional valve in a second mode of operation. Unidirectional ports are coupled to the plurality of bidirectional ports to provide providing fluid egress from the valve in the second mode of operation, and a unidirectional port provides fluid ingress into the bi-directional valve in the first mode of operation. A mechanism including a center paddle, side paddles, and a shaft are arranged in an elongated compartment of the valve body, such that the shaft is pivots and the central and side paddles open and close corresponding ones of the input and output ports.

A microfluidic valve can include a substrate having a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate. A sealing layer can be over the microfluidic channel. A flexible blister layer can be over the sealing layer. The flexible blister layer can include a blister formed as a distended portion with a blister volume between the flexible blister layer and the sealing layer. The microfluidic valve can be actuatable by puncturing the sealing layer by pressing on the blister. Actuating the microfluidic valve can either allow fluid to flow through the microfluidic channel or block fluid from flowing through the microfluidic channel.

A fluidic component intended to be associated with a heating module and in which there is formed a fluidic circuit including a fluidic channel intended for the circulation of a fluid, the fluidic channel including at least one passage for the fluid and a widened portion forming a location produced at the periphery of the passage, the component including a fluidic valve mechanism including at least an actuating element capable of expanding, trapped by at least one body made of a meltable compound in the location.

In an example implementation, a method of controlling a microfluidic valve includes activating a first inertial pump at a first frequency, and a second inertial pump at a second frequency to create a first fluid flow pattern within a microfluidic valve. The method also includes adjusting at least one of the first frequency and the second frequency to change the first fluid flow pattern to a second fluid flow pattern.

An apparatus for controlling flow of ER fluid. The apparatus has a first channel 10 for conveying carrier fluid 1 of a first dielectric constant and droplets 2 of a second dielectric constant in the carrier fluid. The apparatus further comprises a second channel 20 conveying the ER fluid and a first conductor 100 for conveying an electrical potential from the second channel to the first channel. A circuit 61 is provided for applying potential difference between the first and second channels. When a droplet is present in the first channel, the ER fluid is solidified in the second channel; when no droplet is present, the ER fluid flows as liquid in the second channel. Therefore the apparatus acts as an IF gate. Arrangements for other types of fluidic logic gate are also disclosed.