Electrorheological fluid plate valve

摘要

A fluid control valve of "Wheatstone Bridge" arrangement for use with electrorheological fluids comprises a plurality of channel plates and printed circuit board plates alternatingly stacked together. Electrodes are printed on the printed circuit board plates to form walls on sides of channels formed in the channel plates. Holes piercing the printed circuit board plates are so located as to permit the flow of fluid through the printed circuit board plates from channel plate to channel plate at specific locations thereby causing the flow of fluid through a "Wheatstone Bridge" arrangement. Electric activation of selected electrodes cause the flow of fluid in channels between the selected electrodes to become exceedingly viscous or "freeze" and thereby close selected portions of the "Wheatstone Bridge". In the most common arrangement closure of parallel valves cause flow through the cross arm of the "Wheatstone Bridge" and actuation of an hydraulic device connected into the cross arm. The printed circuit board plates can be manufactured with conventional automated printed circuit manufacturing technology and the channel plates may be punched or otherwise formed with automated technology. Such parameters as pressure drop and capacity can be adjusted by changing the fluid, the number of sets, size, spacing and shape of alternating channel plates and printed circuit board plates.