A micromachined knife gate valve for high-flow pressure regulation applications

Cross-flow pressure regulating valve structures are attractive for high-flow pressure control applications due to the decreased actuation force required and the reduced device footprint area. A knife gate valve was fabricated, controlling a flow of 1.3 Nl/min at a supply pressure of 1.5 bar. The valve was microfabricated using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) and silicon fusion bonding. The use of micromachined knife gate valves in pressure control systems enhances performance and cost savings can be realized.