MICROFLUIDIC PRESSURE AMPLIFIER CIRCUITS AND ELECTROSTATIC GATES FOR PNEUMATIC MICROSYSTEMS

An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing ch...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: TICE JOSHUA D, BASSETT THOMAS A, KENIS PAUL A, DESAI AMIT V, APBLETT CHRISTOPHER A
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing channel in fluid communication with the gate chamber portion where the first electrode is sandwiched between the pressure-balancing channel and the gate chamber portion. A pneumatic valve system is provided which includes an electrostatic gate and a fluidic channel fluidly separate from a fluidic control line. A pneumatic valve portion of the fluidic control line can be positioned relative to a portion of the fluidic channel such that expansion of the pneumatic valve portion restricts fluid flow through the fluidic channel. Methods of using an electrostatic actuator and a pneumatic valve system are also provided.