Fluid Flow Contour Control Using Flow Resistance
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsJoel P. Golden, Peter B. Howell, JR.
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Abstract
A micro-fluidic device and a method of use are disclosed. The device includes a micro-channel with an inlet port at a first end and an outlet port at a second end. A first fluid, such as air or liquid or both, is disposed in the micro-channel. A focusing structure extends into the micro-channel, whereby when a pulse of a second fluid is introduced to the channel, the pulse advances adjacent sides of the micro-channel at a faster rate than would occur without the focusing structure.
Claims24
A micro-fluidic device comprising:
- a micro-channel with an inlet port at a first end and an outlet port at a second end;
- a first fluid in the micro-channel;
- a focusing structure which extends into the micro-channel, whereby when a pulse of a second fluid is introduced to the channel, the pulse advances adjacent sides of the micro-channel at a faster rate than would occur without the focusing structure.
A method of sensing comprising:
- providing a micro-channel with an inlet port at a first end and an outlet port at a second end, a sensor array defining, at least in part, a floor or roof of the micro-channel, and a first fluid disposed in the micro-channel;
- introducing a pulse of a second fluid to the micro-channel through the inlet port;
- and
- restricting flow of the pulse along a longitudinal axis of the micro-channel, whereby edges of the sensor array are exposed to the pulse without a need for shaking of the micro-channel.
A micro-fluidic sensing device comprising:
- a micro-channel with an inlet port at a first end and an outlet port at a second end;
- a first fluid disposed in the micro-channel;
- the micro-channel including a floor and a roof, the roof being spaced from the floor;
- and
- a sensor array defining, at least in part, at least one of the floor and roof of the micro-channel;
- a focusing structure which extends from the other of the floor and roof into the micro-channel by a maximum distance which is less than a spacing between the roof and the floor, whereby a pulse of a second fluid flows between the focusing structure and the sensor array along a longitudinal axis of the micro-channel and at sides of the focusing structure to more closely approximate plug flow over the sensor array than would occur without the focusing structure.
A fluidic device comprising:
- a channel with an inlet port at a first end and an outlet port at a second end, the channel having a width and a maximum height perpendicular to the width, the maximum height being defined between a floor and a roof of the channel, a ratio of the width to the maximum height being at least 10:1;
- and
- a focusing structure which extends from at least one of the roof and the floor into the channel by a maximum distance which is less than the maximum height, the focusing structure having a height which is greater adjacent a longitudinal axis of the channel than adjacent sides of the channel for focusing a pulse of a fluid between the inlet and outlet ports whereby fluid flow adjacent to the sides of the channel is increased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.