US 6,981,518 B2
Latching micro-regulator
John Richard Gilbert, Brookline, Mass. (US); Bernard Bunner, Watertown, Mass. (US); Sebastian Böhm, Bloemendaal (Netherlands); and Manish Deshpande, Canton, Mass. (US)
Assigned to Cytonome, Inc., Watertown, Mass. (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/179,537.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/364803, filed on Mar. 15, 2002.
Prior Publication US 2003/0172975 A1, Sep. 18, 2003
Int. Cl. F16K 11/18 (2006.01); F16K 31/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 137—599.07 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flow regulating system, comprising:
a first flow channel for conveying liquids having a first flow resistance;
a first bi-stable latching valve in communication with the first flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the first flow channel, said first bi-stable valve comprising a valve seat defining a valve chamber in communication with the first flow channel and a first protrusion extending into the valve chamber to selectively block fluid flow through the chamber,
a piezoelectric actuator for selectively moving the valve seat between an open position in which the valve seat allows fluid flow through the valve chamber and a closed position wherein the first protrusion blocks first flow channel,
a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position;
a second flow channel for conveying liquids having a second flow resistance; and
a second bi-stable latching valve in communication with the second flow channel for selectively blocking liquid flow through the second flow channel, comprising a piezoelectric actuator for selectively opening and blocking the second flow channel, and a magnetic latch for locking the valve in a closed position.