Piezoelectrically actuated peristaltic pump
First Claim
1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
- a first deformable member having opposing first and second major faces;
wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces;
a second deformable member having opposing first and second major faces;
wherein said second deformable member comprises a second piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces;
wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member partially surround a pump interior first portion;
a flexible hose member;
wherein a first portion of said flexible hose member is disposed in said pump interior first portion;
and wherein said flexible hose member partially surrounds a variable volume pump chamber;
and wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member are in mechanical communication with said first portion of said flexible hose member;
and energizing means in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer for electrically energizing said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer;
wherein said energizing means comprises means for applying a first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer;
and wherein said energizing means further comprises means for applying said first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said second piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said second piezoelectric layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A peristaltic piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including two or more pairs of piezoelectric deformable members that are self-actuated, a flexible hose member, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the flexible hose member, valves for opening and closing the ports, and a power supply is provided. The diaphragm members may include 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. Each pair of piezoelectric diaphragm members is actuated out of phase with the other(s) so as to allow fluid to be pumped through the flexible hose member peristaltically.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
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a first deformable member having opposing first and second major faces; wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces; a second deformable member having opposing first and second major faces; wherein said second deformable member comprises a second piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces; wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member partially surround a pump interior first portion; a flexible hose member; wherein a first portion of said flexible hose member is disposed in said pump interior first portion; and wherein said flexible hose member partially surrounds a variable volume pump chamber; and wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member are in mechanical communication with said first portion of said flexible hose member; and energizing means in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer for electrically energizing said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer; wherein said energizing means comprises means for applying a first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer; and wherein said energizing means further comprises means for applying said first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said second piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said second piezoelectric layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A peristaltic pump, comprising:
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a first deformable member having opposing first and second major faces; wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces; a rigid support member; wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first portion of said rigid support member partially surround a pump interior first portion; a flexible hose member; wherein a first portion of said flexible hose member is disposed in said pump interior first portion; and wherein said flexible hose member partially surrounds a variable volume pump chamber; and wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first portion of said rigid support member are in mechanical communication with said first portion of said flexible hose member; and energizing means in electrical 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 between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification