Piezoelectrically actuated piston pump
First Claim
1. A pump, comprising:
- a pump housing surrounding a pump housing interior;
a first deformable member, said first deformable member being disposed within said pump housing interior;
wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer, said first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces;
wherein said first deformable member further comprises a first pre-stress layer, said first pre-stress layer being bonded to a major face of said first piezoelectric layer;
wherein said first pre-stress layer normally applies a compressive force to said first piezoelectric layer;
a piston member, said piston member being disposed within said pump housing interior;
wherein said piston member is in mechanical communication with said first deformable member;
wherein said piston member partially encloses a variable volume pump chamber;
and wherein said pump housing partially encloses said variable volume pump chamber;
a first port in said pump housing communicating said variable volume pump chamber with the exterior of said pump housing;
a second port in said pump housing communicating said variable volume pump chamber with the exterior of said pump housing;
valving means in communication with said first port for temporarily opening and closing said first port;
and energizing means in communication with said first piezoelectric layer for electrically energizing said first piezoelectric layer;
wherein said energizing means comprises means for applying a first alternating voltage difference at a first frequency between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, a pre-stressed piezoelectric diaphragm member which is self-actuated, a piston member, and a power source is provided. The diaphragm member includes a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. The diaphragm member drives the piston member. No exterior mechanisms are necessary for driving the diaphragm member.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A pump, comprising:
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a pump housing surrounding a pump housing interior; a first deformable member, said first deformable member being disposed within said pump housing interior; wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer, said first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces; wherein said first deformable member further comprises a first pre-stress layer, said first pre-stress layer being bonded to a major face of said first piezoelectric layer; wherein said first pre-stress layer normally applies a compressive force to said first piezoelectric layer; a piston member, said piston member being disposed within said pump housing interior; wherein said piston member is in mechanical communication with said first deformable member; wherein said piston member partially encloses a variable volume pump chamber; and wherein said pump housing partially encloses said variable volume pump chamber; a first port in said pump housing communicating said variable volume pump chamber with the exterior of said pump housing; a second port in said pump housing communicating said variable volume pump chamber with the exterior of said pump housing; valving means in communication with said first port for temporarily opening and closing said first port; and energizing means in communication with said first piezoelectric layer for electrically energizing said first piezoelectric layer; wherein said energizing means comprises means for applying a first alternating voltage difference at a first frequency between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification