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US 10,240,689 B2Granted
Diaphragm check valves and methods of manufacture thereof
AssigneeMiniPumps, LLC
InventorsYu-Chong Tai, Po-Ying Li, Fukang Jiang, Changlin Pang, Natasha Yvette Bouey, Man Ting Chou, Atoosa Lotfi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Microscale valves for use in, e.g., micropump devices, may be formed of a slitted diaphragm bonded o the interior of a valve tube. A bump in the diaphragm and/or a backward-leakage stopper may increase the breakdown pressure of the valve. A push-rod may be used to pre-load the valve membrane to thereby increase the cracking pressure.
Claims22
An in-line check valve comprising:
- a first tube defining a first lumen for flow of fluid therethrough;
- affixed to an interior surface of the first tube and spanning a cross-section thereof, an elastic diaphragm comprising a slit or opening therethrough;
- and
- a backward-leakage stopper (i) comprising a second lumen therethrough, (ii) extending beyond and surrounding an inlet end of the first tube, (iii) affixed to an exterior surface of the first tube, and (iv) abutting the diaphragm at a first side thereof;
- wherein the second lumen is centered at the slit or opening and the valve is configured to (i) open upon application of at least a cracking pressure on the first side of the diaphragm so as to permit fluid to pass through the slit or opening from the first side to a second side of the diaphragm, and (ii) prevent backflow of fluid from the second side to the first side until at least a breakdown pressure is reached on the second side.
2 more elements
An in-line check valve comprising:
- a first tube defining a first lumen for flow of fluid therethrough;
- affixed to an interior surface of the first tube and spanning a cross-section thereof, an elastic diaphragm comprising a slit or opening therethrough;
- and
- a backward-leakage stopper (i) having multiple lumina therethrough, (ii) extending beyond and surrounding an inlet end of the first tube, (iii) affixed to an exterior surface of the first tube, and (iv) abutting the diaphragm at a first side thereof;
- wherein the valve is configured to (i) open upon application of at least a cracking pressure on the first side of the diaphragm so as to permit fluid to pass through the slit or opening from the first side to a second side of the diaphragm, and (ii) prevent backflow of fluid from the second side to the first side until at least a breakdown pressure is reached on the second side.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.