PUMPING ASSEMBLY USING ACTIVE MATERIALS

• US 20130098029A1
• Filed: 10/25/2011
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Pinto, Nicholas W. IV, Webb, Scott R., Alexander, Paul W., Cox, Thomas W., Gao, Xiujie
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/527
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/065 using a shape memory element
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/22 of reciprocating-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/14 Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/02 the means being mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: F05C 2251/08 Shape memory

Abstract

A pumping assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first movable element selectively movable within a first pump housing and an actuator including an active material. The active material is configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing. In one example, the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal.

Claims

1. A pumping assembly comprising:

a first pump housing;

a first movable element selectively movable within the first pump housing; and

a first actuator including an active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal, the active material being operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the shape memory alloy (SMA) material is an SMA wire having a length, the SMA wire being configured to contract in length in response to the activation signal.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a second pump housing operatively connected to the nozzle;

a second movable element selectively movable within the second pump housing; and

a second actuator including a second active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to a second activation signal, the second active material being operatively connected to the second movable element such that the change in attribute causes the second movable element to move within the second pump housing.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first and second movable elements are configured to move within the first and second pump housings, respectively, in a substantially successive sequence, thereby providing a continuous fluid flow.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing;

a compression spring positioned in the second chamber;

wherein the first actuator is positioned in the second chamber and configured to compress the compression spring in response to the activation signal, thereby selectively filling the first chamber with a fluid; and

wherein the compression spring is configured to apply a biasing force to selectively pump the fluid out of the first chamber.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing;

an extension spring positioned in the first chamber;

wherein the first actuator is positioned in the second chamber and configured to extend the extension spring in response to the activation signal, thereby selectively filling the first chamber with a fluid; and

wherein the extension spring is configured to apply a biasing force to selectively pump the fluid out of the first chamber.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing, the movable element separating the first and second chambers;

an inlet valve operatively connected to the first chamber, the inlet valve being configured to selectively permit a fluid from a fluid feed to fill the first chamber; and

an outlet valve operatively connected to the first chamber, the outlet valve being configured to selectively permit the fluid to be pumped out of the first chamber.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first chamber defined by the first pump housing and containing a fluid, the first actuator being positioned in the first chamber;

wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal;

a controller configured to provide a secondary electrical signal; and

wherein the secondary electrical signal is configured to resistively heat the shape memory alloy material without causing the crystallographic phase change, thereby selectively pre-heating the fluid in the first chamber.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing;

an extension spring positioned in the second chamber and configured to apply a biasing force to selectively fill the first chamber a fluid;

wherein the first actuator is positioned in the first chamber; and

wherein the first actuator is configured to extend the extension spring in response to the activation signal, thereby selectively pumping the fluid out of the first chamber.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a controller configured to provide a secondary electrical signal;

wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal; and

wherein the secondary electrical signal is configured to resistively heat the shape memory alloy material without causing the crystallographic phase change, thereby selectively pre-heating the fluid in the first chamber.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing;

a compression spring positioned in the first chamber and configured to apply a biasing force to selectively fill the first chamber with a fluid;

wherein the first actuator is positioned in the first chamber; and

wherein the first actuator is configured to compress the compression spring in response to the activation signal, thereby selectively pumping the fluid out of the first chamber.

13. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising:

a controller configured to provide a secondary electrical signal;

wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal; and

wherein the secondary electrical signal is configured to resistively heat the shape memory alloy material without causing the crystallographic phase change, thereby selectively pre-heating the fluid in the first chamber.

14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a ratchet operatively connected to the first pump housing and defining a first step;

a first chamber defined by the first pump housing; and

a retractable member operatively connected to the first pump housing and configured to selectively engage with the first step, thereby dispensing a predetermined first quantity of fluid from the first chamber.

15. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second step defined by the ratchet, the retractable member being configured to selectively engage with the second step in order to dispense a predetermined second quantity of fluid from the first chamber.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a second actuator including a second active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to a second activation signal, the second active material being operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing;

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing and including a first and a second fluid respectively;

wherein the first actuator is positioned in the first chamber and configured to selectively pumping the first fluid out of the first chamber in response to the first activation signal; and

wherein the second actuator is positioned in the second chamber and configured to selectively pumping the second fluid out of the second chamber in response to the second activation signal.

17. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second chambers defined by the first pump housing, the first movable element separating the first and second chambers;

first and second inlet valves operatively connected to the first and second chambers, respectively, the first and second inlet valves being configured to selectively permit a fluid from a fluid feed to fill the first and second chambers, respectively; and

first and second outlet valves operatively connected to the first and second chambers, respectively, the first and second outlet valves being configured to selectively permit the fluid to be pumped out of the first and second chambers, respectively.

18. A windshield washer assembly comprising:

a first pump housing;

a movable element selectively movable within the first pump housing; and

an actuator including an active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal, the active material being operatively connected to the movable element such that the change in attribute causes the movable element to move within the first pump housing;

wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal;

a first chamber defined by the first pump housing, the actuator being positioned in the first chamber;

a fluid reservoir operatively connected to the first chamber;

a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force to selectively fill the first chamber with a fluid from the fluid reservoir;

wherein the actuator is configured to compress or extend the biasing member in response to the activation signal, thereby selectively pumping the fluid out of the first chamber; and

a nozzle operatively connected to the first pump housing and configured to spray the pumped fluid in a vicinity of a vehicle windshield.

19. A vehicle comprising:

a first pump housing;

a movable element selectively movable within the first pump housing; and

an actuator including an active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal, the active material being operatively connected to the movable element such that the change in attribute causes the movable element to move within the first pump housing;

wherein the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal;

wherein the actuator is configured to selectively fill the first chamber with a fluid or selectively pump the fluid out of the first chamber; and

a nozzle operatively connected to the first pump housing and configured to spray the pumped fluid in a vicinity of a vehicle component.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the vehicle component is a headlamp.