Compact hybrid actuator
First Claim
1. A fluid pump, comprising:
- at least one electrically-powered solid-state pump driver having a displacement element;
a variable-volume fluid chamber, the volume of which is modulated by the position of said element;
a first power controller operatively arranged to selectively supply an alternating current to said pump driver;
a driven valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, said driven valve being operatively arranged to control the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber, said driven valve having a body provided with a plurality of ports and having a member movable relative to said body to modulate the opening of said ports so as to form at least one three-way valve;
a valve driver operatively arranged to move said member relative to said body; and
a second power controller electrically coupled to said first power controller and operatively arranged to control the phase of said valve driver in synchronism with the phase of said pump driver;
whereby said driven valve will allow fluid to be discharged from said chamber to said outlet port when said chamber contracts and will permit fluid to be drawn into said chamber through said inlet port when said chamber expands.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact hybrid actuator has a fluid pump (20) arranged to supply fluid to an actuator (44). The pump has at least one electrically-powered solid-state pump driver (21) provided with a displacement element (22). The position of this displacement element modulates the volume of a fluid chamber (23). A driven valve (24) is operatively arranged to control the flows of fluid with respect to the pump chamber, and has one member (29) movable relative to a body (28) to modulate the opening of ports (25, 26) so as to form at least one three-way valve. A valve driver (31) is operatively arranged to operate the driven valve. Electrical power is provided to each valve and to the valve driver so as to operate these various elements in synchronism with one another. The improved pump driver and driven valve may be operated at frequencies in excess of 1 kHz.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A fluid pump, comprising:
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at least one electrically-powered solid-state pump driver having a displacement element;
a variable-volume fluid chamber, the volume of which is modulated by the position of said element;
a first power controller operatively arranged to selectively supply an alternating current to said pump driver;
a driven valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, said driven valve being operatively arranged to control the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber, said driven valve having a body provided with a plurality of ports and having a member movable relative to said body to modulate the opening of said ports so as to form at least one three-way valve;
a valve driver operatively arranged to move said member relative to said body; and
a second power controller electrically coupled to said first power controller and operatively arranged to control the phase of said valve driver in synchronism with the phase of said pump driver;
whereby said driven valve will allow fluid to be discharged from said chamber to said outlet port when said chamber contracts and will permit fluid to be drawn into said chamber through said inlet port when said chamber expands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fluid pump, comprising:
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an electrically-powered solid-state pump driver having a displacement element;
a variable-volume fluid chamber, the volume of which is modulated by the position of said element;
a first controller operatively arranged to selectively supply an alternating current to said pump driver; and
a plurality of passive double-vortex valves, each having an inlet port and an outlet port, said valves being arranged to control the flow of fluid with respect to said chamber such that said valves will allow fluid to be discharged from said chamber to said outlet port when said chamber contracts and will permit fluid to be drawn into said chamber through said inlet port when said chamber expands. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification