Fluidic Control System and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

A fluidic control system includes featured layers. The featured layers include two or more features which collectively form at least one functional component.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A fluidic control system a plurality of layers stacked on each other and joined together, a flow inlet and a flow outlet, wherein the plurality of layers comprises
 a top layer,   a bottom layer, and   a heating layer and an actuation layer disposed between the top and bottom layers, wherein the actuation layer comprises a heat sensitive shape-memory alloy and the heating layer conducts heat to the actuation layer to move the actuation layer between an open configuration where a fluid can flow through the fluidic control system and a closed configuration where a fluid cannot flow through the fluidic control system.   
     
     
         55 . The fluidic control system of  claim 54 , wherein the heating layer comprises a resistive circuit layer that is heated by electrical current. 
     
     
         56 . The fluidic control system of  claim 55 , wherein the heating layer comprises a printed resistive circuit layer. 
     
     
         57 . The fluidic control system of  claim 54 , wherein the flow inlet and the flow outlet are formed on the bottom layer. 
     
     
         58 . The fluidic control system of  claim 54 , wherein a valve seat is formed on the bottom layer and wherein said valve seat forms a seal with the actuation layer to move the fluidic control system to the closed configuration.