Microvalve and microthruster for satellites and methods of making and using the same

摘要

A microvalve and microthruster are provided. Both include a housing with an interior in which an armature can travel and abut a valve seat to provide an electromagnetic valve. The armature acts as a valve body that is maintained in a or normally closed position by a permanent magnet, and is opened by interaction with a selectively activatable electromagnet. A microthruster is provided by fashioning the valve discharge as a nozzle, preferably of a material that is permanently and selectively magnetizable, so that the nozzle functions as the permanent magnet and which magnetism can be adjusted to assure proper opening and closing of the valve portion. The valve body is guided without any sliding fit mechanism and is suitable for controlling gas or liquid fluid flows.