PIEZOELECTRIC PUMP
First Claim
1. A pump body comprising at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve, a substantially rigid top portion, a substantially rigid bottom portion, and collapsible side portions, said pump body further comprising:
- a base on or in said bottom portion and defining a rotational axis extending from said bottom portion;
a rotor shaft disposed along said rotational axis within said enclosure, a first end of said rotor shaft mechanically and rotatably coupled to said base, and a second end of said rotor shaft providing a cam surface for engaging said top portion and operable to cause motion of said top portion response to rotation of said rotor shaft; and
at least one piezoelectric actuator engaging a surface of said rotor shaft, said piezoelectric actuator configured to cause said rotation of said rotor shaft.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pump body is provided including at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve, a substantially rigid top portion, a substantially rigid bottom portion, and collapsible side portions. The pump body also includes a base on or in the bottom portion and defining a rotational axis extending from the bottom portion. The pump body further includes a rotor shaft disposed along the rotational axis within the enclosure, a first end of the rotor shaft mechanically and rotatably coupled to the base, and a second end of the rotor shaft providing a cam surface for engaging the top portion and operable to cause motion of the top portion response to rotation of the rotor shaft. The pump body also includes at least one piezoelectric actuator engaging a surface of the rotor shaft, the piezoelectric actuator configured to cause the rotation of the rotor shaft.
89 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A pump body comprising at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve, a substantially rigid top portion, a substantially rigid bottom portion, and collapsible side portions, said pump body further comprising:
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a base on or in said bottom portion and defining a rotational axis extending from said bottom portion; a rotor shaft disposed along said rotational axis within said enclosure, a first end of said rotor shaft mechanically and rotatably coupled to said base, and a second end of said rotor shaft providing a cam surface for engaging said top portion and operable to cause motion of said top portion response to rotation of said rotor shaft; and at least one piezoelectric actuator engaging a surface of said rotor shaft, said piezoelectric actuator configured to cause said rotation of said rotor shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 31)
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19. A pump comprising at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve, a substantially rigid top portion, a substantially rigid bottom portion, and collapsible side portions, said pump further comprising:
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a base on or in said bottom portion and defining a rotational axis extending from said bottom portion; a rotor shaft disposed along said rotational axis within said enclosure, a first end of said rotor shaft mechanically and rotatably coupled to said base, and a second end of said rotor shaft providing a cam surface for engaging said top portion and operable to cause motion of said top portion response to rotation of said rotor shaft; an annular piezoelement polarized along its thickness and having opposing upper and lower surfaces and inner and outer rim surfaces, said annular piezoelement retained on said base about said rotational axis; one or more flexible pushers, each of said flexible pushers having a first end mechanically coupled to said annular piezoelement and a second end extending radially to contact said rotor shaft; and a power supply configured to excite a first-order radial vibration mode in said annular piezoelement, wherein responsive to said exciting of said first-order vibration mode in said annular piezoelement, said flexible pushers cause a rotation of said rotor shaft. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A reciprocating piezoelectric drive system comprising:
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a rotor shaft having an axis of rotation aligned with said shaft; a base configured for supporting said rotor shaft along said axis of rotation; at least one piezoelectric actuator configured to apply a rotational force on said rotor shaft transverse to said axis of rotation when said piezoelectric actuator is electrically excited; a cam surface defined on a portion of said rotor shaft; and a cam follower which engages said cam surface and configured so that a rotation of said rotor shaft causes a reciprocating linear motion of said cam follower. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification