Electrode combinations for pumping fluids
AssigneeSarnoff Corporation
InventorsSterling Eduard McBride, Pamela Kay York
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a device that moves liquid comprising: a channel; and, an electrode-based pump comprising two or more electrodes which when powered form stronger or weaker electric field lines between the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are arrayed so that (a) the strongest electric field lines cross a cross-section of the channel or (b) the electrodes are concentrically arrayed around the channel such that the strongest electric field lines parallel the channel on more than one face of the channel.
Claims24
A device that moves liquid comprising, within a substrate comprising two or more joined plates:
- a channel of capillary dimensions comprising a straight segment formed through one or more of the plates;
- and
- an electrode-based pump comprising two electrodes contacting the channel segment within the interior of the substrate which, when powered, form stronger or weaker electric field lines between the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are arrayed so that (i) the strongest electric field lines cross a cross-section of the channel, or (ii) the electrodes are concentrically arrayed around the channel such that the strongest electric field lines parallel the channel on more than one face of the channel and are substantially parallel to the direction of liquid flow in the channel, wherein a first one of the electrodes (a) comprises a conductive material incorporated into a said plate or (b) a conductive material incorporated at the junction of two said plates, and wherein the pump is adapted to move liquid by applying voltages to the two electrodes.
A device that moves liquid comprising, in a substrate comprising two or more joined plates:
- a channel of capillary dimensions, comprising a straight segment formed through one or more of the plates, which straight segment has an outlet to a cavity within the substrate;
- a first electrode formed at the outlet;
- and
- electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second electrode in the channel segment, wherein the device is adapted to apply voltage to the electrodes, which voltage is effective to move the liquid through the channel.
A device that moves liquid comprising, in a substrate comprising two or more joined plates:
- a channel of capillary dimensions with an outlet, the outlet defined by an opening through a first said plate;
- a first electrode formed at the outlet and comprising a conductive material incorporated into the first plate;
- and
- electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second electrode in the channel, wherein voltage applied to the electrodes is effective to move the liquid through the channel.
A device that moves liquid comprising, in a substrate comprising two or more joined plates:
- a channel of capillary dimensions, comprising a straight segment formed through one or more of the plates, which straight segment in fluid communication with an outlet to a cavity within the substrate;
- a first ring electrode contacting the straight channel segment;
- and
- electrically coupled to, and located with 500 .mu.m of, the first electrode, a second electrode in the channel segment, wherein voltage applied to the electrodes is effective to move the liquid through the channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.