Title: Actuator device utilizing a conductive polymer gel

Abstract

A valve actuator based on a conductive polymer gel is disclosed. A nonconductive housing is provided having two separate chambers separated by a porous frit. The conductive polymer is held in one chamber and an electrolyte solution, used as a source of charged ions, is held in the second chamber. The ends of the housing a sealed with a flexible elastomer. The polymer gel is further provide with electrodes with which to apply an electrical potential across the gel in order to initiate an oxidation reaction which in turn drives anions across the porous frit and into the polymer gel, swelling the volume of the gel and simultaneously contracting the volume of the electrolyte solution. Because the two end chambers are sealed the flexible elastomer expands or contracts with the chamber volume change. By manipulating the potential across the gel the motion of the elastomer can be controlled to act as a "gate" to open or close a fluid channel and thereby control flow through that channel.

Inventors:

Chinn, Douglas A.; Irvin, David J.

Issue Date:

2004-02-03

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1174705

Patent Number(s):

6685442

Application Number:

10/081,286

Assignee:

Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01L - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F04 - POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS F04B - POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS

Show more

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01L - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

B01L3/5027 - {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F04 - POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS F04B - POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS

F04B17/00 - Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
F04B19/24 - Pumping by heat expansion of pumped fluid
F04B43/043 - {Micropumps}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F15 - FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS F15C - FLUID-CIRCUIT ELEMENTS PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR COMPUTING OR CONTROL PURPOSES

F15C5/00 - Manufacture of fluid circuit elements

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F16 - ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS F16K - VALVES

F16K2099/0076 - {using electrical discharge machining [EDM], milling or drilling}
F16K2099/0078 - {using moulding or stamping}
F16K2099/0094 - {Micropumps}
F16K99/0001 - {Microvalves
F16K99/0007 - {of cantilever type}
F16K99/0015 - {Diaphragm or membrane valves}
F16K99/0025 - {Valves using microporous membranes}
F16K99/0042 - {Electric operating means therefor}
F16K99/0059 - {actuated by a pilot fluid}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N2035/00247 - {Microvalves}

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 42 ENGINEERING