Sub-Pascal Flow Valve for Automatic Low-Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic systems operating at low pressures, such as those less than 1 pascal, face challenges in valve operation as the low pressure is insufficient to move internal plugs or disks, requiring manual control rather than automatic operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a body with an inner bore, a seat, and a disk that moves between the seat and restrainers, allowing fluid communication to be controlled by pressures as low as 0.05 pascals, enabling automatic operation at low pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a conventional valve with internal plug or disk is used, then the valve can control fluid flow at normal pressures, but the low pressure (less than 1 pascal) is insufficient to cause movement of the internal plug or disk, preventing automatic operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the valve components, specifically using a flexible membrane instead of a rigid disk and reducing the actuation pressure threshold through optimized geometry and material selection. The membrane's flexibility and the restrainer's positioning allow the valve to respond to pressures as low as 0.05 pascals, enabling automatic operation in low-pressure microfluidic systems.
2Stress or pressure
If the valve components are made smaller for microfluidic applications, then the valve can operate in low-pressure environments, but the structural integrity and sealing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the flow-controlling element, which provides both the necessary flexibility to respond to low pressures and sufficient structural integrity when properly designed. The membrane's elastic properties allow it to deform under minimal pressure while maintaining sealing capability, and the restrainer structure provides mechanical support to prevent failure in miniaturized configurations.
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 valve effectively permits or inhibits fluid communication at low pressures, addressing the operational limitations of existing valves in low-pressure systems by ensuring automatic operation and precise control.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a first direction causes the disk to move from a first position towards a second position to permit fluid communication between the first port and the second port and (ii) a second pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a second opposing direction causes the disk to move from the second position towards the first position to inhibit fluid communication
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a body including an inner bore extending between a first port and a second port, a seat, and one or more restrainers and a disk that is moveable between the seat and the one or more restrainers such that a first pressure that is less than 1 pascal and applied in a first direction causes the disk to move from a first position towards a second position to permit fluid communication between the first port and the second port. A metamaterial scaffold including a structure defining a lumen, at least a portion of an outer or non-lumen surface of the structure is coated with a plurality of biological cells, and wherein the structure is composed of a metamaterial.