Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Fluid pressure – Flow-responsive type
Patent
1996-05-31
1998-03-10
Berhane, Adolf
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Fluid pressure
Flow-responsive type
137261, 137262, 137391, 204299R, 435 72, 422 50, G05D 701, B01D 1508, G01N 33543, G01N 33558
Patent
active
057264040
ABSTRACT:
This invention provides a valveless method and apparatus for high speed switching of liquid flow between intersecting microchannels. Liquid flow is controlled by manipulating external driving pressures. The switch comprises three intersecting microchannels, each having a liquid reservoir at its nonintersecting end for liquid inlet and outlet. It further includes applying a driving pressure to each reservoir switching the driving pressures. The microswitch of this invention operates to establish a liquid flow from a first channel to a second channel by applying a pressure differential between the first and second reservoirs, while simultaneously preventing flow into the third channel by applying a pressure to the third reservoir which equals the pressure at the junction of the three channels. By switching one or more driving pressures, the flow to the second channel can be stopped and the liquid flow redirected to the third channel. This invention further includes switches wherein more than three channels are included in the flow network, either intersecting in a single junction or in multiple junctions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4000754 (1977-01-01), Risk
patent: 4908112 (1990-03-01), Pace
patent: 5097863 (1992-03-01), McCann et al.
patent: 5587128 (1996-12-01), Wilding et al.
patent: 5589642 (1996-12-01), Agar et al.
patent: 5593838 (1997-01-01), Zanzucchi et al.
patent: 5595650 (1997-01-01), Manz
patent: 5599503 (1997-02-01), Manz et al.
patent: 5635358 (1997-06-01), Wilding et al.
patent: 5636513 (1997-06-01), Pahl
Brody, J.P and Yager, P., "Low Reynolds Number Micro-Fluidic Devices," Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, Hilton Head, SC (Jun. 1996) pp. 105-108.
Ramsey, J.M. et al., "Microfabricated chemical measurement systems," NATURE Medicine (Oct. 1995) 1(10):1093-1096.
Elwenspoek, M. et al., "Towards integrated microliquid handling systems," J. Micromech. Microeng. (1994) 4:227-243.
Shoji, S. and Esashi, M., "Microflow devices and systems," J. Micromech. Microeng. (1994) 4:157-171.
Verpoorte, E.M.J. et al., "Three-dimensional micro flow manifolds for miniaturized chemical analysis sytems," J. Micromech. Microeng. (1994) 4:246-256.
Vollmer, J. et al., "Bistable fluidic elements in LIGA technique for flow control in fluidic microactuators," Sensors and Actuators A (1994) 43:330-334.
Wilding, P. et al., "Manipulation and Flow of Biological Fluids in Straight Channels Micromachined in Silicon," Clin. Chem. (1994) 40(1):43-47.
Gravesen, P. et al., "Microfluidics--a review," J. Micromech. Microeng. (1993) 3:168-182.
Manz, A. et al., "Planar Chips Technology for Miniaturization of Separation systems: A Developing Perspective in Chemical Monitoring," Advances in Chromatography (1993) 33:1-66.
Moroney, R.M. et al., "Microtransport induced by ultrasonic Lamb waves," Appl. Phys. Lett (1991) 59(7):774-776.
Berhane Adolf
Patel Rajnikani B.
University of Washington
LandOfFree
Valveless liquid microswitch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Valveless liquid microswitch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Valveless liquid microswitch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-141558