Fenestrated Microvalve Membrane for Low-Energy Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microvalves are inefficient, energy-intensive, and noisy, particularly in applications requiring precise control of fluid flow and pressure, such as in medical and automotive systems.
Innovation Solution
A microvalve design featuring a buckling membrane with through-holes and a piezoelectric drive element, allowing for pressure compensation and efficient fluid control, with a geometry that enables proportional operation and noiseless performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional microvalve design without through-holes in the membrane is used, then the valve can provide complete sealing when closed, but the actuator operates against full pressure differential requiring higher actuation energy
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with through-holes (fenestrations) that allow pressure equalization between chambers while maintaining sealing capability. The porous structure enables partial pressure compensation without compromising the valve's ability to seal when closed, thus reducing actuation energy while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is segmented into multiple regions including fenestrated portions and sealing portions. This segmentation allows different functional zones: the fenestrated areas provide pressure equalization pathways while the sealing portions maintain contact with valve seats to ensure complete closure when actuated.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a microvalve with through-holes in the membrane is used, then actuation energy is reduced and pressure compensation is achieved, but the sealing requirement becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed as a flexible thin film with integrated fenestrations that can deflect to seal against valve seats. The flexible nature allows the membrane to maintain sealing contact despite the presence of through-holes, simplifying the overall structure compared to using separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and pressure equalization function are merged into a single membrane structure. The fenestrated membrane simultaneously provides pressure compensation pathways and sealing capability, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the inlet and outlet are arranged on opposite sides of the membrane, then fluid flow control along a linear pathway is improved, but the valve requires larger deflection distance to close
Solution Approach 1:
The valve utilizes the third dimension (membrane deflection) to achieve flow control. By arranging inlet and outlet on opposite sides and using membrane deflection to seal, the design creates a compact linear flow pathway while maintaining efficient control through vertical membrane movement rather than lateral displacement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing microvalve designs are used in applications requiring high number of valves (e.g., 96-well plates), then complete fluid control is achieved, but the system becomes energy-intensive and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The fenestrated membrane design enables self-pressure-equalization that reduces the energy required for actuation. This energy-efficient mechanism allows the microvalve to be deployed in large arrays (e.g., 96-well plate applications) without proportionally increasing system energy consumption, as each valve operates independently with minimal energy input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microvalve achieves efficient, energy-saving, and noiseless fluid control, capable of operating under high pressures with reduced actuation energy, and supports precise fluid management in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator comprises a piezoelectric drive element, which may be ring-shaped
Implementation Method 2
pressure is partially compensated on both sides of the actuator. Therefore, the actuator can operate against higher ranges of pressure, or smaller actuation energies are required to close against a certain pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A microvalve includes a base body, a deflectable membrane, and an actuating element supported by the base body and contacting the deflectable membrane. The base body has a cavity, at least one first opening, and at least one second opening. Each of the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening extend into the cavity. The deflectable membrane separates the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The deflectable membrane has at least one through-hole extending between the first chamber and the second chamber. The actuating element is operable to deflect the membrane to move between at least two positions.