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Durable high-precision magnetostrictive pump

  • US 5,641,270 A
  • Filed: 07/31/1995
  • Issued: 06/24/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fluid pump comprising:

  • a magnetostrictive element having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

    an electromagnetic field generator in proximity to the magnetostrictive element which generates and imposes a varying magnetic field upon the magnetostrictive element to vary a length of said magnetostrictive element between said first end and said second end in response to a drive signal;

    a fluid-tight chamber containing a working fluid and having a compliant surface located proximate to one end of said element, the compliant surface being deflected by a change in said length of the magnetostrictive element so as to change the pressure of the working fluid;

    a flexible bellows substantially encompassed by the chamber and substantially surrounded by the working fluid, the bellows defining a variable interior volume isolated from the working fluid, the volume varying in response to the urgings of one end of the element;

    a fluid supply conduit through which fluid is introduced from a fluid source to the interior volume of the bellows;

    a fluid outlet conduit through which fluid is transferred from the bellows to an output of the pump; and

    a valve for preventing fluid backflow from the bellows to the supply conduit.

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