Electrochemical actuator and method of making same

A micro-miniaturized electrochemical actuator valve mechanism, comprising:

• a housing defining an interior chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion;
• semi-solid electrolyte means hermetically sealed within said upper portion of said interior chamber for facilitating the conduction of current;
• electrode means extending through said housing and at least partially into said interior chamber for contacting in electrical communication said electrolyte means;
• digital semiconductor means for controlling the timing, duration, frequency and amount of current flowing to said electrode means;
• inlet means defining a valve seat, disposed on said lower portion of said interior chamber for permitting fluid communication between said lower portion of said interior chamber and the outside environment;
• outlet means disposed on said lower portion of said interior chamber for permitting fluid communication between said lower portion of said interior chamber and the outside environment;
• and
• moveable means disposed within said interior chamber for facilitating actuation, whereby when current is passed between said electrode means, as directed by said controlling means, a gas is liberated from said electrolyte means increasing the pressure applied to said moveable means by said electrolyte means, and causing said moveable means to move toward said valve seat until said moveable means contacts said valve seat thereby closing off the valve.

A micro-miniaturized electrochemical actuator push/pull mechanism, comprising:

• a frame defining two or more interior chambers;
• semisolid electrolyte means hermetically sealed within said interior chamber for facilitating the conduction of current;
• electrode means extending through said frame and at least partially into said interior chamber for contacting in electrical communication said electrolyte means;
• digital semiconductor means for controlling the timing, duration, frequency and amount of current flowing to said electrode means;
• and
• at least two moveable means disposed within said interior chambers for facilitating actuation, whereby when current is passed between said electrode means, as directed by said controlling means, a gas is liberated from said electrolyte means increasing the pressure applied to said moveable means by said electrolyte means, and causing said moveable means to simultaneously move toward or away from each other.

A micro-miniaturized electrochemical actuator isolated from thermally hostile environments, comprising:

• a housing defining an interior chamber;
• semi-solid electrolyte means hermetically sealed within said interior chamber for facilitating the conduction of current;
• electrode means extending through said housing and at least partially into said interior chamber for contacting in electrical communication said electrolyte means;
• digital semiconductor means for controlling the timing, duration, frequency and amount of current flowing to said electrode means;
• moveable means disposed at least partially within said interior chamber for facilitating actuation, whereby when current is passed between said electrode means, as directed by said controlling means, a gas is liberated from said electrolyte means increasing the pressure applied to said moveable means by said electrolyte means, and causing said moveable means to move;
• and
• means for transmitting the force of said moveable means when in motion to a remote location for actuation within a thermally hostile environment.