Collapsible Wall Pump Patents (Class 417/412)
  • Patent number: 11821412
    Abstract: This invention concerns a contractile device. The device includes a body, which has a wall including a tessellation of elements. The body is deformable through pressurisation of fluid within the body between a first, extended state and a second, contracted state in which the axial length of the body is reduced and the internal volume increased compared to the first, normal state. The tessellation of elements includes a series of protruding and intruding formations which are arranged such that the body remains substantially cylindrical through its deformation between its normal and deformed states. The protruding and intruding formations of the tessellation of elements may be in the form of protruding and intruding pyramids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ACTUATION LAB LTD
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Maher Dicker
  • Patent number: 11338288
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump and an analyzer for testing a biological sample, wherein the pump includes a pump head that is constructed as a screwless assembly, wherein the pump includes a bayonet and/or a beam coupling, and/or wherein rollers of the pump are configured to be pivoted about corresponding pivot axes that intersect with the roller axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETMEDICA GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Niemeyer, Hannah Schmolke, Guenter Bruckmann, Harald Pauls, Ursula Amberg, Guenter Scholz, Rene Wirt
  • Patent number: 11333143
    Abstract: An oscillating positive displacement pump with at least one mobile part arranged to be movable relative to a fixed part. The mobile part is driven and drives a displacement element of the positive displacement pump. An electrodynamic drive is provided as a drive, on which a plurality of coils and permanent magnets are provided that are arranged on the mobile part of the drive respectively, and at least one guide member is provided on the drive, which allows the mobile part to move only along a degree of translation freedom. The positive displacement pump is designed as a diaphragm pump, which is associated with a measurement and control unit with a data storage and data processor, which processes a position signal of the mobile part and the strength of the drive current as a measured and/or control variable. An arrangement of a plurality of such positive displacement pumps and a method of operating at least one such oscillating positive displacement pump are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KNF Flodos AG
    Inventor: Raphael Frey
  • Patent number: 11077265
    Abstract: A positive airway pressure apparatus is disclosed and includes a mask, a micro pump and a processor. The mask is fastened on a user's face and is spatially corresponding to an airway opening of the user, so as to form a closed space. The micro pump is assembled with the cover and is in fluid communication with the exterior of the mask. The processor transmits an actuation control signal to the micro pump so as to actuate the micro pump. Consequently, air is transported into the closed space from the exterior of the mask, and a positive pressure airflow is formed and flows into the airway of the user. A pressure sensor is disposed within the closed space to detect the pressure of the closed space, so that the processor can determine the respiratory state of the user and control the air pressure output of the micro pump correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: MICROJET TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-Jan Mou, Hsuan-Kai Chen, Wei-Ming Lee, Chi-Feng Huang, Yung-Lung Han
  • Patent number: 10844859
    Abstract: Sealing in rotary positive displacement machines based on trochoidal geometry that comprise a helical rotor that undergoes planetary motion within a helical stator is described. Seals can be mounted on the rotor, the stator, or both. The rotor can have a hypotrochoidal cross-section, with the corresponding stator cavity profile being the outer envelope of the rotor as it undergoes planetary motion, or the stator cavity can have an epitrochoidal cross-section with the corresponding rotor profile being the inner envelope of the trochoid as it undergoes planetary motion. In some embodiments, the geometry is offset in a manner that provides advantages with respect to sealing in the rotary machine. In multi-stage embodiments, the rotor-stator geometry remains substantially constant or varies along the axis of the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Rotoliptic Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Greg John Montie, Bryan Allen Callaway
  • Patent number: 10760699
    Abstract: A valve actuating device, in particular for an exhaust system, comprises a disk assembly, an actuating arm, and a valve actuator wherein the disk assembly is arranged between the actuating arm and the valve actuator. The disk assembly, at least in part, thermally decouples the actuating arm from the valve actuator and includes at least two identically constructed disks with axial protrusions, which in an axial direction are directly arranged one behind the other and contact each other at the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Boris Kienle, Otto Steinhauser, Gregoire Boulard
  • Patent number: 10532143
    Abstract: An installation member and a peristaltic pump are provided that allow work of attachment and work of detachment of a flexible tube to be peristaltic to and from a stator to be performed more easily and smoothly. An installation member that is to be detachably attached to a peristaltic pump including: a stator including an attachment recessed portion, in which a flexible tube to be peristaltic, is attached; a rotor that is rotatably driven in the attachment recessed portion; and a roller that causes the fluid to flow by imparting peristaltic motion to the flexible tube to be peristaltic attached to the attachment recessed portion in a longitudinal direction in association with rotation of the rotor while compressing the flexible tube to be peristaltic in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventor: Hiroaki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10400915
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of magnetically controlled valve and pump systems that can be used to control and facilitate fluid flow in fluidic devices. Various types of magnetically controlled valves and pumps are described as well as methods of magnetically-controlling such valves and pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pulak Nath, Jen-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 9822774
    Abstract: A micropump in the form of a stack comprising, in succession, a flexible diaphragm, a pumping chamber and a closing-off plate, said pumping chamber communicating with the outside, for example via the flexible diaphragm; said diaphragm being furthermore secured to an actuator arranged outside the micropump, characterized in that said diaphragm is secured to the actuator by way of at least one element in the form of a strip, which is rigid along its main axis and flexible in the direction perpendicular to its main axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEBIOTECH S.A.
    Inventors: Niklaus Schneeberger, Eric Chappel
  • Patent number: 9816359
    Abstract: The invention relates to system and method for desanding an oil well that includes a fluidizing device (TORE), connected to a downhole pump that connects to a production tubing such that a supply duct is connected to the discharge of the pump and a discharge duct is connected to the suction of the pump. Embodiments include a pressure balance transition device between the TORE and the pump and/or a flow splitting device in the production tubing after the discharge of the pump. Other embodiments relate to a system and method for desanding an oil well in which a fluidizing unit is connected to a pump such that the supply duct is connected to an opening in the pump body or pump rotor and a discharge duct is connected to the suction of the pump. If connected to the rotor, the supply duct is integral to the pump rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark E. Wolf, Tariq Ahmed, Gareth David Thomas
  • Patent number: 9770721
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional PDMS cell sorter having multiple passages in a PDMS layer that follow the same path in a DEP separation region and that are in fluid communication with each other within that region. The passages may differ in width transverse to the flow direction within the passages. Flat plates may sandwich the PDMS layer; each plate may have a planar electrode used to generate a DEP field within a sample fluid flowed within the passages. The DEP field may concentrate target cells or particulates within one of the passages within the DEP separation region. The passages may diverge after the DEP-separation region, leaving one passage with a high concentration of target cells or particulates. Techniques for manufacturing such structures, as well as other micro-fluidic structures, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Pei-yu E. Chiou, Kuo-wei Huang, Yu-jui Fan, Yu-chun Kung
  • Patent number: 9759718
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic channel network sealed on one side by a membrane sheet, the sheet having PDMS defining at least the surface sealing the channel, the membrane sheet on its opposite side sealing one side of a pneumatic channel, the pneumatic channel arranged to enable pneumatic deflection of a deflectable portion of the membrane sheet into contact with an opposed surface to control flow in a channel of the network, the membrane sheet confining in a channel of the network at least one micro-particle, micro-length tube or glass nano reactor, functionalized with a capture agent, that has been inserted into that channel. A microfluidic device having a microfluidic channel containing at least two micro-particles, micro-length tubes or glass nano reactors, one functionalized with nucleic acid and another with antibody or antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CyVek, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Putnam, John H. Leamon, Jeffrey T. Branciforte, Charles O. Stanwood
  • Patent number: 9702356
    Abstract: A device for providing a liquid additive includes at least one first pump chamber (3) for conveying the liquid additive, and a rotary drive. The first pump chamber is arranged around a drive axis of the rotary drive. Inside the first pump chamber, at least one seal is formed, which can be displaced from the rotary drive around the drive axis. The device has at least one second pump chamber, which is arranged along the drive axis adjacent to the first pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 9675390
    Abstract: Implanted hydraulic devices can be repaired and/or stabilized using a method wherein a fluid comprising a curable or solidifying component is introduced into said device and cured or solidified in said device. Embodiments of this method, as well as compositions and kits are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 9518575
    Abstract: A vacuum pump for generating an underpressure has a pump chamber (14, 15) with an inlet (143) and an outlet (150), wherein the outlet (150) is equipped with a valve (3). According to the invention, the pump chamber (14, 15) is provided with a pressure sensor (23, 23?, 24). This vacuum pump has a relatively precise and inexpensive vacuum sensor. It is also advantageous that the sensor, being integrated in the pump chamber, is not susceptible to failure and takes up a small amount of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Armin Felber
  • Patent number: 9358562
    Abstract: A pump device is provided including: a unitary pump frame; an electromagnet arrangement that includes a winding wrapped around a portion of the unitary pump frame; a diaphragm assembly coupled to the unitary pump frame, which includes a movable diaphragm and a manifold; and a pump arm having a proximal end coupled to the unitary pump frame and a distal end supporting a permanent magnet to interact with the electromagnet arrangement to cause the pump arm to swing back and forth during operation to displace the diaphragm and discharge an air stream from the pump device. Related methods of manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Prolitec Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ansley, Nathan Sward, Howard Tanner
  • Patent number: 9097248
    Abstract: Pulsating flow generating apparatus that changes the volume of a fluid chamber and injects fluid from a fluid injection opening in a pulsed manner, includes: an inlet flow channel for supplying fluid from a fluid supplying unit to the fluid chamber; a volume changing unit that changes the volume of the fluid chamber; an outlet flow channel that delivers the fluid from the fluid chamber to the fluid injection opening; a discharge flow channel that discharges the fluid from the fluid chamber; and an opening and closing valve that opens and closes the discharge flow channel, wherein the synthetic inertance of the discharge flow channel is set smaller than the synthetic inertance of the outlet flow channel, an operation of the volume changing unit is started while closing the opening and closing valve, and the operation of the volume changing unit is stopped while opening the opening and closing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ono, Shigeo Sugimura, Hideki Kojima
  • Patent number: 9067051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for controlling a flow of a fluid through a fluid channel, having a tube (2) made of a flexible material, in which a section of a fluid channel is formed, a valve component (1) assigned to the tube (2), a cantilevered arm (8), which is designed to be reversibly displaceable on the valve component (1) against a restoring force supplied at least partially by the cantilevered arm (8) itself, a squeeze element (10), which is arranged on a distal end of the cantilevered arm (8) for support of the cantilevered arm (8) on the valve component (1) and is configured to control a flow of a fluid through the fluid channel by pressing against an outside surface of the tube (2), optionally up to the closing of the fluid channel, and an actuator (11) which is configured to displace the squeeze element (10) in various control directions against the restoring force on the cantilevered arm (8), so that the pressure of the squeeze element (10) on the outside surface of the tube (2) and th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Technische Universitat Berlin
    Inventors: Andreas Loth, Florian Buehs
  • Publication number: 20150147206
    Abstract: This invention relates to a valve for metering filled and/or pasty media. In accordance with an embodiment, the valve comprises a valve element having a metering opening and a valve gate movable in translation and having a flow opening. The valve gate is configured for carrying out an oscillating double-stroke movement in the course of which the flow opening of the valve gate is temporarily aligned with the metering opening of the valve element. The flow opening of the valve gate is aligned with the metering opening of the valve element in the course of the double-stroke movement of the valve gate a first time during the forward stroke and a second time during the backward stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Reuter
  • Patent number: 8858202
    Abstract: The rotary diaphragm pump has a flexible, resilient diaphragm band surrounding an elliptical frame within a case having four chambers surrounding an elliptical core. An articulating mechanism has a plurality of wheels traveling along the elliptical edges of the frame. The mechanism extends and retracts as the wheels move from maximum extension along the major axis of their elliptical tracks to minimum extension at the minor axis of their tracks. This mechanism drives a pair of actuator rollers along the inner surface of the diaphragm, periodically forcing the diaphragm into the surrounding chambers to produce the pumping action. Each chamber has an inlet port and an outlet port. The various ports may be interconnected to provide one or more multi-stage pumps in combination with one or more single-stage pumps, as desired. Two or more pumps may be joined in tandem to provide greater capacity from a single drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kuwait University
    Inventor: Osama M. Al-Hawaj
  • Publication number: 20140271273
    Abstract: A variety of systems, processes, and techniques may provide ocular aspiration. In certain implementations, a handheld ocular aspiration tool may include an electrical motor, a peristaltic pump assembly, a fluid input port, and a fluid output port. The peristaltic pump assembly may include a helically wound compressible conduit and a plurality of variable radius rollers. The rollers may be configured to increasingly occlude the conduit as the rollers are rotated in contact with the conduit, wherein two rollers substantially occlude the conduit at one time to pump fluid through the conduit. The fluid input port may be in fluid communication with an input end of the peristaltic pump assembly, and the fluid output port may be in fluid communication with an output end of the peristaltic pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Novartis AG
    Inventor: John Richard Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20140161628
    Abstract: A pump system containing no external parts or valves is provided. The pump system is characterized by a common type of actuating mechanism and incorporates reversibly expanding actuators, preferably electroactive actuators. Fluid is caused to move at a selected flow rate and direction by sequentially activating contiguous actuators located inside the pump. The pump may be used to pump a variety of fluids and may be used in various industrial, commercial, medical, aeronautical, or military applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medipacs, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Banister
  • Patent number: 8733597
    Abstract: The liquid dispenser comprises a ratchet assembly, a rotor assembly, a reservoir assembly, and a drive mechanism. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a reservoir tube; and the rotor assembly includes a drive gear and at least one compression element. The ratchet assembly includes a pawl configured to engage the drive gear when the drive mechanism is actuated. Optionally, the liquid dispenser includes a venting assembly and/or a dose control assembly. The venting assembly automatically vents the reservoir when the reservoir is mounted in the liquid dispenser. The dose control assembly allows the user to control the distance the drive mechanism may be actuated and thereby control the amount of liquid that is dispensed. The liquid dispenser of the invention provides accurate control over the amount of liquid that is dispensed as well as ease in replacing the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas Fitzpatrick, Bryan Scott Ritchie, Matthew Scott Kepner
  • Publication number: 20140079573
    Abstract: A pump for transferring liquids containing suspended solids comprises a bellows-type chamber retractable and extendable by a reciprocating drive means. The pump is fed by feed stock inflow controlled by a flexible tubular pinch-type valve, and propelled out of the chamber through a substantially identical pinch-type valve. Programmed control means is inadequate to properly regulate volume of flow, and independently interventional means are disclosed to correct aberrant pump cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kirby Norman Pabst
  • Publication number: 20130294953
    Abstract: A scent delivery device includes two substrate units and a drive voltage power supply unit. A gap is provided between the two substrate units. The substrate units are placed so that the principal surfaces of their respective substrates face the gap. Each of the substrate units includes a plurality of linear electrodes. The linear electrodes are formed and arranged in the width direction on the principal surface of each of the substrates, and are electrically connected every predetermined period in their arrangement order. The drive voltage power supply unit applies drive voltages having the same repeating pattern to each set of electrically connected linear electrodes, with a predetermined phase difference. This configuration causes the frequencies of drive voltages applied to the respective substrate units to differ from each other, thereby setting the blowing direction to an arbitrary direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Tomoshige Furuhi, Manabu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130287606
    Abstract: A micropump including a tube unit including an elastic tube disposed in an arc shape, a plurality of fingers disposed radially from the arc shape of the tube, and a guide frame, which holds the tube and the plurality of fingers. The micropump also includes a control unit including a cam that presses the plurality of fingers, a drive section that applies torque to the cam, a control circuit that carries out a drive control of the drive section, and a machine casing that holds the cam, drive section, and control circuit. The tube unit is mountable in and removable from the control unit in a direction approximately parallel to the plane of rotation of the cam, and is mounted inside a space provided in the machine casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Hajime MIYAZAKI, Kazuo KAWASUMI
  • Patent number: 8545195
    Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen generator including a pump for pumping a liquid from a reservoir to a reaction area, where the liquid reacts to produce hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell system including the hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack. The pump is a diaphragm pump with mechanically operated liquid inlet and outlet valves that are opened by cam-operated pushrods, and the pushrods are isolated from the liquid flowpath through the pump by diaphragms. All valves in the liquid flow path between the liquid reservoir and the reaction area are mechanically operated valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Russell H. Barton
  • Publication number: 20130236337
    Abstract: A magnetomotive device has an embedded electromagnetic coil formed of multiple printed conductor segments on multiple lamina of a multilayer PCB. A shaft extends through an opening in the PCB, and a permanent magnet with axially opposed poles is secured to the shaft. Energizing the embedded electromagnet generates a magnetic field that attracts or repels the permanent magnet, driving the shaft to do useful work. A pair of embedded PCB coils may be employed, the shaft extending through both coils with the permanent magnet disposed therebetween, and the coils energized so that one repels the permanent magnet while the other attracts it, and the shaft may be driven reversibly to do useful work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Gummin, Howard Cohen, William Donakowski
  • Patent number: 8491281
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a compressor includes a motor assembly configured to compress a gas within a compression volume, the motor assembly including: a stationary coil assembly; a moving assembly having at least one magnet, and a gap located between the stationary coil assembly and the moving assembly; wherein the moving assembly is configured to reciprocate axially with respect to the stationary coil assembly when electrical current is applied to the stationary coil assembly, and to change the width of the gap between the stationary coil assembly and the moving assembly so as to provide magnetic axial stiffness against motion of the moving assembly. One or more embodiments may be used in a cryocooler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert C Hon, Lowell A Bellis, Julian A Shrago, Carl S. Kirkconnell
  • Publication number: 20130177455
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump, and related system method are provided. The peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, and a spring-biased plunger. The first and second pinch-valve cams are coupled to the cam shaft. The first and second pinch-valve cam followers each engage the first and second pinch-valve cams, respectively. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam. The tube receiver is configured to receive a tube. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower such that the expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam follower towards the plunger and thereby disengages the spring-biased plunger from the tube. A spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: DEKA Productions Limited Partnership
    Inventor: DEKA Productions Limited Partnership
  • Patent number: 8480383
    Abstract: A solenoid pump is equipped with a housing formed therein with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows from an inlet port to an outlet port, and a movable member, which is displaced based on an excitation state of a solenoid section, for thereby opening and closing the fluid passage. The fluid passage includes an inlet side passage that communicates with the inlet port, an outlet side passage that communicates with the outlet port, and a pump chamber made up of a space in communication with the inlet side passage and the outlet side passage, and surrounded by the housing and an end portion of the movable member. Accompanying displacement thereof, the movable member opens and closes communication between the pump chamber and the outlet side passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130108477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tube pump comprising a tube and a pump element inserted in the tube, where the pump element comprises a rod element and a first and a second non-return valve member positioned a distance apart on the rod element. The valve members are oriented in the same direction relative to the rod element so as to allow for a fluid flow in the tube through the first valve member, along the rod element, and through the second valve member. The tube comprises an at least partly flexible tube portion between the valve members such that a repeated deformation of the flexible tube portion acts to alternately close and open the valve members thereby generating a fluid flow through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: VEINUX APS
    Inventors: Jan Erik Vest Hansen, Ole Molby, Jens Brusgaard Vestergaard
  • Publication number: 20130108475
    Abstract: An actuator-driven pump having a resilient chamber and a plurality of smart material actuators arranged such that activation of each smart material actuator will cause the smart material actuator to compress the resilient chamber is disclosed. A controller is connected to the smart material actuators for controlling the activation and deactivation of said smart material actuators in a pattern to urge a material through the resilient chamber. Methods of pumping material through activating actuators in an actuator driven pump in a predetermined pattern are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Viking AT, LLC
    Inventor: Viking AT, LLC
  • Patent number: 8366414
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump (1) having a diaphragm (11), a solenoid with a movable magnetic armature (8) as a drive element for the diaphragm (11), and a stop element (9) for adjusting the stroke for the drive element (8). The diaphragm pump includes at least one elastic damper (36) between the drive element (8) and the stop element (9), which elastic damper (36) has at least one compression chamber (26) which is surrounded and formed by at least one elastic boundary wall and by at least one rigid boundary wall of the drive element (8) and/or stop element (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: KNF Flodos AG
    Inventors: Stephan Kaufmann, Christian Kissling
  • Patent number: 8353682
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is described. The microfluidic device comprises at least one transport channel and at least one working chamber, wherein the at least one transport channel and the at least one working chamber are separated from each other by a common deformable wall. The at least one transport channel is for containing a transport fluid and the at least one working chamber is for containing a working fluid. The microfluidic device comprises at least one pair of electrodes for changing the pressure on the working fluid such that when the pressure on the working fluid is changed, the deformable wall deforms, resulting in a change of the cross-section of the at least one transport channel. The working chamber comprises a flexible wall different from the common deformable wall and at least one electrode of the at least one pair of electrodes is provided on the flexible wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Mihai Patrascu, Mercedes Crego Calama, Martijn Goedbloed, Koray Karakaya
  • Publication number: 20130004338
    Abstract: A micropump includes: a fluid suction tube for suctioning fluid; a pumping tube connected to the fluid suction tube and providing a suction force and a discharge force to surroundings while repeatedly being expanded and contracted by an external signal; a deform tube connected to the pumping tube and having an aperture that is deformed by the suction force and the discharge force of the pumping tube; and a fluid discharge tube connected to the deform tube and discharging fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Soo Jai Shin, Hyung Jin Sung
  • Patent number: 8197234
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for a microfluidic pump of the type that causes periodic pinching and releasing against the walls of a fluidic channel, e.g., a tube. At least one permanent magnet is placed against the walls of the fluidic channel, and located in an area with magnetic fields, produced by coils that are radially symmetric to the channel. The permanent magnet is cause to press and release against the wall of the fluid channel to cause a fluid flow through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Derek Rinderknecht, Mladen Barbic
  • Patent number: 8186973
    Abstract: A tubular fluid pump is provided. The pump includes a chamber for receiving and discharging fluid, and a squeezing mechanism for pumping fluid through the chamber. The chamber has a first end with a first opening, a second end with a second opening, and a length of resilient tubular material extending between the first and second openings. One-way valves disposed at the openings cooperate to permit fluid to pass through the chamber in only one axial direction. The squeezing mechanism includes a substantially rigid base and a substantially rigid displaceable actuator. The tubular material is mounted on the base of the squeezing mechanism, and the actuator is aligned to alternately squeeze the tubular material against the base to pump fluid out of the chamber, and release the tubular material from the base to draw fluid into the chamber. A steam appliance incorporating a one-way tubular pump is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Maximilian Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Publication number: 20120082574
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump has a frequency converter circuit for driving the electromagnetic pump, wherein the frequency converter circuit comprises an oscillator circuit, a bistable circuit and a push-pull circuit. The oscillator circuit oscillates to transform DC into a single-phase oscillating signal. The bistable circuit splits the single-phase oscillating signal into a N-phase stimulus signal and a S-phase stimulus signal. The push-pull circuit amplifies and transports the N-phase stimulus signal and the S-phase stimulus signal to the electromagnetic pump to make the swing arms of the electromagnetic pump swinging effectively, wherein the swing speed, the swing frequency and the swing amplitude of the swing arms vary with the change of the oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Ming Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 8096786
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for the control of fluid flow in a micro-fluidic system, the system having: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel having disposed in a microchannel layer atop the substrate; a conformable layer disposed on the micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within the at least one micro-fluidic channel; at least one occluding member disposed within the conformable layer, and configured to be received by the receiving cavity so as to occlude the micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventor: Lamar E. Bullock
  • Patent number: 8092365
    Abstract: A multilayered impedance pump is formed by an inner tube and an outer tube which have different mechanical characteristics. The outer tube is relatively stiff, and can be used for a structural material. The inner tube is excitable, and a gel is placed between the inner and outer tube. The actuator actuates the gel to cause pressure waves along the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Derek Rinderknecht, Morteza Gharib, Laurence Loumes, Arian Soroush Forouhar, Anna Hickerson
  • Patent number: 8051905
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises: a cooling channel for receiving a cooling media, a substrate disposed near the cooling channel, and a fluidic jet disposed within the substrate and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channel is for thermal communication with a component to be cooled. The cooling channel has a height of less than or equal to about 3 mm and a width of less than or equal to 2 mm. The fluidic jet comprises a cavity defined by a well and a membrane. In one embodiment, a method of cooling an electrical component comprises: passing a cooling media through a cooling channel, drawing the cooling media into one or more of the fluidic jets, expelling the cooling media from the one or more fluidic jets into the cooling channel, and removing thermal energy from the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Stephen Adam Solovitz
  • Publication number: 20110189027
    Abstract: The invention provides a pump with a transducer comprising a laminate with a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second layers of an electrically conductive material so that it is deflectable in response to an electrical field applied between the layers, wherein the laminate is arranged to cause a pumping action upon deflection of the film. The invention further provides a control system for a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Morten Kjaer Hansen, Benjamin Thomsen, Michael Tryson, Mohamed Benslimane, Yousef Iskandarani, Christopher Mose
  • Patent number: 7800279
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermo-buckled micro actuation unit made of parylene, which is a polymer having high thermal expansion coefficient, for delivering liquid from a source liquid section to a target liquid section, including a substrate on which a thermo-buckled micro actuation unit is formed. The thermo-buckled micro actuation unit includes upper and lower films made of polymers of high thermal expansion coefficient, a metal resistor arranged between the two films, and a flow channel defined between the lower film and the substrate. When electrical power is supplied to the metal resistor, the metal resistor generates heat and the heat is conducted to the upper and lower films, of which the thicknesses are different, whereby a temperature difference is induced therebetween and causing deformation of thermo-buckling, as a result of which the liquid is pumped from the source liquid section, through the flow channel, toward the target liquid section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tamkang University
    Inventor: Lung-Jieh Yang
  • Publication number: 20100209267
    Abstract: Described herein is an infusion pump with an integrated permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is positioned to provide an attractive force that moves an armature to compress a fluid-filled infusion tube. An electromagnet can be activated to overcome the attractive force of the permanent magnet and move the armature away from the infusion tubing. The force required to overcome the permanent magnet is much less than the force required to compress the tubing. For this reason the infusion pump has very low power consumption since much of the pumping work is provided by the permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: David L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100209268
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low cost, disposable, infusion pump. The infusion pump can include an integrated occlusion detector that detects both upstream and downstream occlusions in an infusion tube. In addition, the infusion pump can easily monitor flow rates through the infusion tube, and be quickly set to infuse at a pre-determined rate. An armature within the infusion pump works in concert with a pair of tubing pinchers to precisely control the movement of fluid within the tubing. Sensors mounted within the device detect the position of the armature and can determine if an occlusion has occurred in the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: David L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20100202896
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump device having a motor part, a pump part, and a protector part. The protector part includes redundant shaft seal parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Hui Du, Arthur I. Watson, David Rowatt, Chad Bremner, Arunkumar Arumugam, David Garrett, Christopher Featherby, Ramez Guindi
  • Patent number: 7764499
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of confining a liquid metal alloy within a closed-loop system; distributing a first portion of the liquid metal alloy in a cavity within the closed-loop system; turning on an electromagnet to generate a magnetic field to permeate flexible sidewalls of the cavity; attracting the liquid metal alloy in the cavity towards the electromagnet to expand the flexible sidewalls; inducing a second portion of the liquid metal alloy to enter the cavity from an inlet end of a pipe within the closed-loop system; turning off the electromagnet; repelling the liquid metal alloy in the cavity away from the electromagnet to contract the flexible sidewalls; and inducing a third portion of the liquid metal alloy to exit the cavity to an outlet end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ioan Sauciuc, Ravi Mahajan
  • Patent number: 7748962
    Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus includes a body, which comprises a fluid handling structure, and a flexible membrane attached to the body and formed to interact with a fluid in the fluid handling structure, wherein the membrane comprises a first actuation component. A second actuation component is provided, wherein the first and the second actuation component are formed such that the same attract or repel each other in a first positional relationship, in order to actuate the flexible membrane. A driving means is provided to move the body relative to the second actuation component, in order to bring the first and the second actuation component into the first and out of the first positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg
    Inventors: Stefan Haeberle, Jens Ducrée, Roland Zengerle, Norbert Schmitt
  • Patent number: RE45376
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises: a cooling channel for receiving a cooling media, a substrate disposed near the cooling channel, and a fluidic jet disposed within the substrate and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channel is for thermal communication with a component to be cooled. The cooling channel has a height of less than or equal to about 3 mm and a width of less than or equal to 2 mm. The fluidic jet comprises a cavity defined by a well and a membrane. In one embodiment, a method of cooling an electrical component comprises: passing a cooling media through a cooling channel, drawing the cooling media into one or more of the fluidic jets, expelling the cooling media from the one or more fluidic jets into the cooling channel, and removing thermal energy from the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Stephen Adam Solovitz