ADDRESSABLE VALVE ARRAYS FOR PROPORTIONAL PRESSURE OR FLOW CONTROL

摘要

A device for controlling the proportional pressure or flow of fluids over a range of source pressure. An addressable array is interposed between a source pressure and an exit pressure chamber. The array comprises a plurality of valves, the total open area of which define the opening between the source pressure and the exit pressure. Also provided is an actuator for separately actuating each valve of the array between an open and a closed condition, whereby the total number of open valves determines the flow between the source pressure and the exit pressure. The preferred valves are electrostatically actuated valves including upper and lower electrodes addressable by a conductor, and are fabricated monolithically on a single substrate. The array is formed so that actuation actuates a number of valves ranging from one valve to all the valves in the array. The device may be used to control flow between the source pressure and the exit pressure chamber. In another embodiment, the device further includes a proportional exit port in communication with the device for discharging a controlling pressure therefrom, the exit port being positioned to receive the proportion of fluid not discharged through the addressable array.