Fluidically coupling with elastic structure deformable by sealing element
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsArmin Steinke, Christian Daniel Ruf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluidic coupling is positioned between a first fluidic structure and a second fluidic structure. The first fluidic structure has a first channel configured for conducting fluid and opening at a first opening at a first surface of the first fluidic structure. The second fluidic structure has a second channel configured for conducting fluid and opening at a second opening at a second surface of the second fluidic structure. The fluidic coupling includes a sealing element and an elastic structure. The elastic structure may be elastically deformed by the sealing element, thus allowing a fluidic communication between the first channel and the second channel.
Claims19
A fluidic coupler, comprising:
- a first fluidic structure comprising a first surface, a first opening at the first surface, a first elastic structure in and/or below the first surface, and a first channel configured to conduct fluid and opening at the first opening,
- wherein the first elastic structure comprises a first membrane and a first void below the first membrane, and the first membrane comprises the first surface;
- a second fluidic structure comprising a second surface, a second opening at the second surface, and a second channel configured to conduct fluid and opening at the second opening;
- and
- a sealing element positioned between the first surface and the second surface,
- wherein the first fluidic structure, the second fluidic structure, and the sealing element are configured such that, when the first surface and the second surface are pressed against each other:
- the first elastic structure is elastically deformed by the sealing element;
- the first membrane is elastically deformed into the first void when the first elastic structure is elastically deformed by the sealing element;
- the first opening and the second opening are in fluidic communication with each other, thus allowing a fluidic communication between the first channel and the second channel;
- and
- the sealing element fluidically seals the fluidic communication between the first channel and the second channel.
A method for forming a fluidic coupler, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluidic structure comprising a first surface, a first opening at the first surface, a first elastic structure in and/or below the first surface, and a first channel configured to conduct fluid and opening at the first opening,
- wherein the first elastic structure comprises a first membrane and a first void below the first membrane, and the first membrane comprises the first surface;
- providing a second fluidic structure comprising a second surface, a second opening at the second surface, and a second channel configured to conduct fluid and opening at the second opening;
- positioning a sealing element between the first surface and the second surface;
- and
- pressing the first surface and the second surface against each other, such that:
- the sealing element elastically deforms the first elastic structure;
- the first membrane is elastically deformed into the first void when the first elastic structure is elastically deformed by the sealing element;
- the first opening and the second opening are in fluidic communication with each other, thus allowing a fluidic communication between the first channel and the second channel;
- and
- the sealing element fluidically seals the fluidic communication between the first channel and the second channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.