# US 8,740,045 B2 · Manufacturing method for microvalves > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,045 B2 - Document ID: US8740045B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/569,244 - Filed: 2012-08-08 - Published: 2013-08-15 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-10 - Assignees: Buerkert Werke GmbH - Applicants: Birgit Stadelbauer; Sven Scheufler - Inventors: Birgit Stadelbauer; Sven Scheufler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740045B2 ## CPC - B29C 69/001: {a shaping technique combined with cutting, e.g. in parts or slices combined with rearranging and joining the cut parts (for reinforced material B29C70/545; B29C49/4278, B29C51/268 take precedence)} - B23P 15/001: {valves or valve housings (welding B23K; valve housings per se F16K)} - F16K 99/0015: {Diaphragm or membrane valves} - F16K 99/0038: {using shape memory alloys} - F16K 99/0044: {using thermo-electric means} - F16K 2099/008: {Multi-layer fabrications} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract Microvalves are composed in a stacked design of a plurality of components comprising at least two housing parts, a membrane clamped between the two housing parts, and an actuator. A plurality of identical components are respectively arranged on a common, individual support plate and positioned next to each other in one plane. The manufacturing method for the microvalves comprises the steps of: providing the support plates with respectively identical components positioned in a grid pattern each having with the same grid dimension, inserting the support plates on top of one another in a retaining device, connecting at least some of the stacked components arranged on the support plates on an outer edge delimiting the components by a joining method, separating the microvalves by punching, and punching the membrane from a membrane support plate during connection of the components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for manufacturing of microvalves, each microvalve being composed in a stacked design of a plurality of components comprising at least two housing parts, a membrane clamped between the two housing parts, and an actuator, a plurality of identical components being respectively arranged on a common, individual support plate and positioned next to each other in one plane, the manufacturing method comprising the steps of: a) providing support plates with respectively identical components positioned in a grid pattern with each having the same grid dimension, b) inserting the support plates on top of one another in a retaining device, c) connecting at least some of the stacked components arranged on the support plates on an outer edge delimiting the components by a joining method forming the microvalves, d) separating the microvalves by punching, and e) punching the membrane from a membrane support plate during connection of the components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the components are connected to each other by ultrasonic welding. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein a first housing part has a cutting prolongation which points axially towards the membrane support plate and which punches the membrane from the membrane support plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein the first housing part is a guiding plate resting against the membrane and through which one of a portion of the actuator and a transmitting element cooperating with the actuator extends. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein, for the punching step, a second housing part adjoining the membrane support plate has a recess arranged on the outer edge delimiting the housing part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein, during the punching step, the cutting prolongation engages a shear groove when the components are connected. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The manufacturing method according to claim 5, wherein the cutting prolongation is configured as an energy direction disposer for an ultrasonic welding process. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein valve ducts are arranged in at least one housing part and project through the at least one housing part. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the support plates on which the housing parts are arranged are made of plastic material by one of hot stamping and injection molding. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the support plates are configured thinner in areas between the components compared with areas at the components. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured as one of a micro-coil, a piezo element, and a shape-memory alloy element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein the actuators are produced in a structured support plate by at least one of laser cutting, punching, and etching. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate step is provided in which a component group is punched out from a part of the stacked support plates before the stacked components are connected with each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The manufacturing method according to claim 13, wherein the punched component group comprises the actuator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two housing parts is configured as a cover.