Abstract: A compressor suitable for use in a portable oxygen concentrator. In one exemplary embodiment, the compressor includes a crankshaft rotatable about a central axis and a plurality of diaphragm assemblies spaced apart around the central axis generally within a plane. The diaphragm assemblies include diaphragms movably mounted to respective housings to at least partially define chambers. A plurality of rods extend between respective diaphragms and the crankshaft. The rods are coupled to the crankshaft such that the rods are offset axially from one another along the central axis and are coupled to the diaphragms for cyclically increasing and decreasing pressure within the chambers as the crankshaft rotates about the central axis.

Abstract: A micropump includes: a tube unit which includes a tube having elasticity and a circular-arc-shaped part, a plurality of fingers extending in radial directions from the circular-arc center of the circular-arc shape of the tube, and a tube guide frame which holds the tube and the plural fingers; a control unit which includes a cam for sequentially pressing the plural fingers from the fluid flow-in side to the fluid flow-out side of the tube, a rotor for giving rotational force to the cam, and an oscillator having a piezoelectric element and a projection disposed at an end in the longitudinal direction to contact the rotor; a reservoir which communicates with a flow inlet portion of the tube; a control circuit unit which inputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric element; and a power source which supplies power to the control circuit unit, wherein the tube unit is attachable to and detachable from the control unit substantially in the horizontal direction with respect to the rotation flat plane of the cam, and

Abstract: A pump for generating fluid flow in an elastic tubular conduit. The pump comprises a plurality of electrically operated valves, each valve being positionable adjacent to the conduit. Each valve has a valve head configured to alternate from a first position in which the lumen of the conduit adjacent to the valve head is unobstructed and a second position in which the lumen of the conduit adjacent to the valve head is obstructed. The pump also comprises a driver configured to control the positions of the valve heads, so as to execute a predetermined temporo-spatial array of valve head positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a pump assembly comprising an actuator lever, an actuator for moving the actuator lever, a supporting structure, a pump comprising a pump member moveable by actuation of the actuator lever, a first pivoting joint formed between the actuator lever and the supporting structure, and a second pivoting joint formed between the actuator and the supporting structure. The actuator lever and the actuator are coupled to each other by a coupling joint arranged between the first and the second pivoting joint in such a way that rotation of the actuator in a first direction causes the actuator lever to rotate in an opposite second direction. By providing an actuator system comprising two actuator elements linked to each other by a coupling joint ensuring counter rotation of the two members, a system is provided which can be made less susceptible to the influence of acceleration.

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.

Abstract: A vacuum pump has inside the pumping chamber valves intended to control the operation by opening and closing during the suction and delivery cycle of the pump. The valves or parts connected thereto are formed at least in part by a ferromagnetic material. A magnetic inductor is applied outside a wall, formed by a non ferromagnetic material, of the pumping chamber of the pump, and inside the pumping chamber are installed conducting elements of ferromagnetic material, for conducting magnetic flow produced, by the inductor, up to polar points close to the positions taken in the conditions of inactivity by the valves, so as to magnetically attract the valves (10,20) in an inactivity position when the inductor is operated, and thus stop the pneumatic operation of the pump without stopping its motion which then becomes idle.

Abstract: A an infusion tube misfitting detection device for an infusion pump, which can be implemented at a low cost while maintaining safety. When a door unit is to be closed with respect to a pump body in a misloaded state of an infusion tube, a mislead detection inner door is pressed by the infusion tube to operate on a handle lock part provided to a handle. Accordingly, a claw portion of the handle lock part is pushed up, so that the door unit cannot be locked with the pump body 10 by inserting the claw portion into a rectangular through-hole 11c of a base plate. Therefore, the misloaded state can be identified.

Abstract: A pump member is cyclically moved to apply an air pressure to a liquid supply source to thereby supply liquid stored therein to a reservoir member. A driving source is driven in accordance with control information to move the pump member. A position sensor senses a position of the pump member. A first storage stores target information indicative of a target driving speed of the driving source. A first calculator obtains drive information indicative of an actual driving speed of the driving source based on the sensed position of the pump member. A second calculator obtains a difference between the target driving speed and the actual driving speed, and obtains correction information for reducing the difference. A corrector corrects the control information with the correction information.

Abstract: A pumping system and related methods involving an outer chamber and an inner chamber extending between two endplates, wherein the circumference of the inner chamber may be adjusted via a plurality of ribs and linear motors.

Abstract: A vibratory pumping machine including a pumping chamber disposed within a housing for the machine having an inlet tube that is insertable into a container having a liquid therein to withdraw the liquid from the container upon actuation of the pumping mechanism also located within the housing. The chamber includes an oscillating rod that engages a resilient outlet member to form a vacuum within the chamber which draws the liquid upwardly through the tube into the chamber for dispensing through the outlet member. A mechanism including the pumping chamber can be utilized to withdraw liquids from within container of various shapes and sizes, as well as to introduce other fluids, such as gases, into containers containing such liquids.

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.

Abstract: A micropump that includes: a tube frame including an elastic tube, and a tube guide groove for attachment of the tube in the form of an arc; a cam drive wheel whose rotation center is the same as an arc center of the tube guide groove, and moves in response to a motor that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions; a first cam that is axially fixed to a center axis of the cam drive wheel, and is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; a second cam that is pivotally supported by the center axis of the cam drive wheel to be able to rotate, and is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; and a plurality of fingers provided between the tube and the respective finger depression sections of the first and second cams radially from the rotation center.

Abstract: A pump having a disposable fluid contacting portion which defines a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid path there between is presented. The pump includes a drive portion configured to engage the disposable portion to cause fluid to be moved from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The disposable portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the drive portion. The disposable portion includes a driven membrane which forms a portion of the fluid path, and the drive portion includes a drive membrane. The two membranes are vacuum coupled to each other, whereby movement of the drive membrane causes the driven membrane to move, causing fluid to be pumped through the disposable portion. The pump has particular utility in the medical field for moving fluid from a source to a patient. The pump may include features such as an air-trap, bubble detection, fluid flow controls, and pressure detection.

Abstract: A micropump of peristaltic drive system of pressing a tube having elasticity to transport a fluid is disclosed. The micropump includes: a pump module including the tube, a cam that presses the tube, and a cam shaft on which the cam is pivotally mounted; a drive module including a drive force transmission mechanism that transmits a drive force from a motor to the cam shaft; a coupling member that detachably couples the pump module and the drive module; and a linkage mechanism provided between the motor and the cam shaft to link the drive force.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a vibrator device comprising a body, at least one accessory imbedded in said body, at least one accessory pump, and at least one tube located within the body and operatively connecting the at least one accessory to the at least one pump, wherein activation of at least one pump alters at least one aspect of at least one accessory. According to an alternative embodiment, said device may offer the same features in a sheath that fits over a conventional vibrator or a male phallus.

Abstract: A pump for metering a liquid is disclosed comprising a flexible tube connected to a container with a pressure relief valve located in the flexible tube. A housing defines an aperture for receiving the flexible tube with a compression surface located adjacent to the aperture. A reciprocating member has a sealing element and a pumping element. A drive moves the sealing element for pinching the flexible tube against the compression surface upstream from the pressure relief valve for trapping liquid between the sealing element and the pressure relief valve. The drive moves the pumping element for collapsing the flexible tube against the compression surface for pumping the trapped liquid to discharge a metered quantity of the liquid from the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A tube pump including a housing, a tube, a rotor, and a pressing member is disclosed. The tube has a section that is arranged in the housing in such a manner as to annularly extend along an inner circumferential surface. The rotor has a cam surface. The pressing member has a main body that selectively presses the tube toward the inner circumferential surface and a shaft that extends from the main body and contacts the cam surface. During rotation of the rotor, the pressing member moves, with the shaft contacting the cam surface, along the inner circumferential surface while pressing the tube. The shaft has a contact part that contacts the cam surface, and is formed in such a manner that the frictional coefficient of the shaft is lower than the frictional coefficient of the main body at least in the contact part.

Abstract: A pumping system 10 provides a physiological pulsatile flow and includes controller 121, a pump drive head 50 coupled to a motor 12 and a fluid housing 52 having at least one port 60. The port 60 includes a ball valve retainer region 69, a valve seat 73, and an occluder ball 71 disposed in the ball valve retainer region 69. During operation, the motor 12 forces the fluid in and out the fluid housing 52 and causes the occluder ball 71 to move from a first position whereby the fluid cannot pass through the port 60, to a second position whereby the fluid moves annular to and generally around the occluder ball 71. This movement creates a slight flow reversal that “breaks up” any blood clots that may form. The pumping system may be used as part of a cardiopulmonary bypass system, a ventricular assist device (VAD) and/or a heart pump.

Abstract: A fluid pump for pumping fluid. The fluid pump includes a driver having a substantially tubular shaped body defining a body axis and, a number of elements circumferentially spaced around the body. Each element is responsive to a signal to so as cause a corresponding portion of the body to expand or contract in a direction substantially parallel to the tube axis. The pump also includes an urging member positioned in a flow path. In use, the urging member is coupled to the driver such that selective expansion and/or contraction of the body causes the urging member to rotate, thereby urging fluid along the flow path.

Abstract: An oil-cooled screw compressor which can maintain the discharge temperature of discharge gas at an appropriate level is provided. The oil-cooled screw compressor comprises a compressor body, an oil separation/recovery unit disposed in a discharge path extending from a discharge port of the compressor body, and an oil feed path extending from the oil separation/recovery unit and communicating with the compressor body 12. The oil feed path is branched at an intermediate position thereof into a first feed path portion and a second feed path portion. An opening/closing valve is disposed in the first feed path portion, a pressure gauge is disposed in the discharge path, and a control unit is provided to control opening and closing of the opening/closing valve on the basis of a correlation between a discharge pressure detected by the pressure gauge and a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, a diaphragm pump is used as an ink supply pump.

Abstract: A solar energy operated air pump includes a rectangular box having a lower lid connected to the bottom, an upper lid openably covering the top thereof and a solar cell inlaid into the upper lid protected by a layer of transparent painting. Inside the box there are a battery chamber containing spare batteries, a motor having an axis connected to an eccentric cam which respectively pivoted to a pair of push rods. The push rods each has a push plate on free end respectively engaged with a pair of air extractors each of which has an air vessel symmetrically connected to the opposing side walls of the box and each of the air vessels has an air inlet and an air outlet, a three steps switch respectively connected to the motor, the solar cell and the battery chamber. When the motor is operated either by the solar cell or by the batteries, the air extractors pressed by the push plate begins to supply fresh air into the water in a pair through a pair of hoses.

Abstract: A pump according to the present invention has a circular diaphragm 4 placed at the bottom of a casing 2. At the bottom of the diaphragm 4, a piezoelectric element 6 is installed in contact with the diaphragm 4. A narrow space between the diaphragm 4 and the top wall of the casing 2 constitutes a pumping chamber 8. An inlet flow path 12 and an outlet flow path 14 are open to the pumping chamber 8, wherein a check valve 10 is installed in the inlet flow path 12. Immediately downstream of the pumping chamber, the outlet flow path 14 has a narrow segment 16. The narrow segment 16 of the outlet flow path has ½ the diameter and ¼ the cross sectional area of the outlet flow path 14. The outlet flow path 14 has a return inlet 22, which is connected to a return outlet 23 in the inlet flow path via an active valve 24. The active valve 24 is opened and closed freely by an actuator 26 made of shape-memory alloy.

Abstract: A pump (10) includes an impeller (12) positioned in a housing (11). A valve assembly (13) is positioned within a valve sleeve (25) which is carried by the impeller (12). The impeller (12) is carried by an armature (27), and a pocket (28) is formed between the impeller (12) and the armature (27) adjacent to the valve sleeve (25). One or more elastomeric members (29) are positioned in the pocket (28) to surround the impeller (12) at the area of the valve sleeve (25) to provide a retaining force on the valve sleeve (25).

Abstract: A tube pump (1A) of the present invention is provided with a main body (2) to which a tube (100) is attached, a rotor (5), an oscillator (6) located so as to touch an outer circumferential face of the rotor (5), and a plurality of rollers (10) mounted to the rotor (5) for pressurizing and thereby squeezing the tube (100). The oscillator (6) is essentially shaped like a rectangular plate, and is formed by laminating an electrode, a piezoelectric element, and a reinforcing plate. When an alternating current voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the oscillator (6) oscillates longitudinally in the direction of the length at minute amplitude as the piezoelectric element expands and contracts. The rotor (5) receives a frictional force and a pressing force from a convex portion (66) when the oscillator (6) expands, and the rotor (5) rotates as it repetitively receives the frictional force and the pressing force.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a magnetostrictive actuator. A single actuator drives multiple pumping chambers. The pump may include two pumping chambers driven in phase by the linear expansion of the actuator at both its ends. The pump may include a third pumping cavity, driven by the transverse expansion and contraction of the actuator, out of phase with either cavity driven by the lengthwise extension of the actuator. A pump assembly having multiple pumps each including a magnetostrictive element is also disclosed.

Abstract: It is sought to provide a small-size and highly safe bellows pump dealing with an explosive gas or the like as pump feed fluid, which can prevent hazards due to reaching of a drive motor or like drive part by the pump feed fluid caused to leak out when the bellows is broken. A flexible partition membrane is stretched between the movable end of the bellows and the pump housing to make the outside-bellows region to be a sealed chamber. The flexible partition membrane can follow the reciprocation of the bellows and does not interfere with the operation thereof. When the pump feed fluid leaks out from the pump chamber due to breakage of the bellows during operation thereof, it is retained in the sealed outside-bellows region, and does not reach the drive part including the drive motor. Also, the flexible partition membrane prevents dust intrusion to the bellows side, thus preventing such troubles as the breakage of the bellows otherwise stemming from the dust intrusion.

Abstract: A pump includes an outer body; and a wall within said outer body. The outer body and the wall define a pumping cavity and an excitation cavity within the outer body. An excitable medium is contained within the excitation cavity. An excitation source is coupled to said excitable medium. This excitation source is operable to excite the excitable medium and create a standing wave therein. The standing wave acts through the wall to pump said fluid through said pumping cavity. Advantageously, the excitable medium is isolated from the pumped fluid by the wall.

Abstract: A pump includes an outer body; and a wall within said outer body. The outer body and the wall define a pumping cavity and an excitation cavity within the outer body. An excitable medium is contained within the excitation cavity. An excitation source is coupled to said excitable medium. This excitation source is operable to excite the excitable medium and create a standing wave therein. The standing wave acts through the wall to pump said fluid through said pumping cavity. Advantageously, the excitable medium is isolated from the pumped fluid by the wall.

Abstract: A micromechanical pump has a membrane (2) positioned above a substrate (1). The substrate is provided with a cavity (8) which is formed in an endlessly continuous shape (e.g., circular) to provide a channel for a drive fluid. A cover (9) is positioned above the substrate with the membrane being between the substrate and cover. The cover is provided with an inlet (11) and outlet (10). Electrodes (3, 4) are provided around the floor of the cavity. The electrodes are selectively actuated so as to attract selected areas of the membrane resulting in a gap forming between the cover and the selected areas of the membrane. The areas of the membrane above the non-selected electrodes form a seal with the cover. By selectively actuating the electrodes a peristaltic pumping action results in a pumped fluid traveling from the inlet, through the gaps and out the outlet.

Abstract: A feed device (1) for washer fluid, wherein an electric motor (3) which is provided for driving a feed pump (4) has a housing (6) which is sealed in the upper region and an opening (11) which is arranged in the lower region level with the feed pump (4). Ventilation of the electric motor (3) takes place via this opening (11). In the event of a water level reaching the electric motor (3), for example if the motor vehicle passes through water, an air bubble is formed in the housing (6), the air bubble preventing water from penetrating into the electric motor (3).

Abstract: A linear pump for pumping a fluid includes a generally tubular shaped bladder 50 sealingly engaged on each end to an end cap 20, 25, forming an inner chamber 14, and including each of an inlet 70 and an outlet 75 inner chamber check valve to fluidly interconnect the inner chamber with the fluid. Each of a plurality of linear motors 40 each may be connected on one end to a respective support rib 30 and on an opposing end pivotally connected to one of the end caps. The support ribs are flexible and have a central portion of the rib engaged with a central portion of the bladder. The plurality of linear motors may be selectively actuated to cause the plurality of support ribs to alternately flex and/or straighten out such that the bladder is condensed or expanded respectively to effect a change in volume of the inner chamber, thereby drawing in or displacing fluid. Bladder extensions 160 may be used to slidably connect the bladder to a respective rib.

Abstract: In a tube pump, a rotor is fixed to a drive shaft so as to rotate therewith. A tube pressing member is swingable in an axial direction of the drive shaft. A swinging member swings the tube pressing member in accordance with the rotation of the rotor. An upper outer face of a tube is fixed to a lower portion of the tube pressing member. A lower outer face of the tube is fixed to a fixing member. The tube is forcibly pressed and expanded in accordance with the swing motion of the tube pressing member, while the pressed/expanded part is shifted in an extending direction.

Abstract: A pump includes an outer body; and a wall within said outer body. The outer body and the wall define a pumping cavity and an excitation cavity within the outer body. An excitable medium is contained within the excitation cavity. An excitation source is coupled to said excitable medium. This excitation source is operable to excite the excitable medium and create a standing wave therein. The standing wave acts through the wall to pump said fluid through said pumping cavity. Advantageously, the excitable medium is isolated from the pumped fluid by the wall.

Abstract: The pump of the present invention preferably includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port and a chamber located in fluid communication with the inlet port and the outlet port. A diaphragm is sealingly secured in the chamber and, together with the housing, define a fluid passageway from the inlet port to the outlet port. An electromagnetic assembly or other driving device is preferably secured to the housing and is positioned to move the diaphragm in order to pump fluid through the pump. In some preferred embodiments, the electromagnetic assembly includes a plunger positioned and adapted to move the diaphragm against the biasing force of a spring. Improved diaphragms and diaphragm features are also disclosed, including a two-part diaphragm structure, diaphragm sealing portions for sealing the fluid chamber from driving and biasing assemblies of the pump, and inherently biased diaphragms.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a diaphragm pump is in the form of a vehicle tire. The vehicular tire has a first mounting face, a second mounting face and a circumferential tread portion positioned between first mounting face and the second mounting face. A first sealing disk is secured to the first mounting face of the tire. A second sealing disk is secured to the second mounting face of the tire. An inlet valve positioned on either the first sealing disk or the second sealing disk. An outlet valve is positioned on either the first sealing disk or the second sealing disk.

Abstract: A casing body is formed with a vent hole. The casing body has an inner face formed with a plurality of grooves respectively communicated with the vent hole. A plurality of diaphragms are respectively inserted into the grooves to form a plurality of pump chambers. An actuator actuates the diaphragms to compress or decompress the pump chambers.

Abstract: A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operable to subject the vest to air pressure pulses which applies and releases pressure to the human body. The vest has a cover having a pocket accommodating the air core. The pulsator has diaphragms connected to a d.c. electric motor with a rotary to reciprocating motion transmitting mechanism operable to generate air pressure pulses which are transmitted to the air core which applies repetitive pressure pulses to the human body.

Abstract: A jet actuator positioned within a hollow space in an aerodynamic structure for controlling the flow over an aerodynamic surface thereof includes a movable member linearly displaced by a voice coil mechanism and a flexible diaphragm defining a compression chamber open to the exterior of the aerodynamic surface through an orifice. Reciprocal displacement of the movable member changes the shape of the flexible diaphragm to alternately expel fluid (e.g., air) from and pull fluid into the compression chamber through the orifice. The movable member includes a pair of pistons joined by a cross element, one of the pistons being attached to the flexible diaphragm. In one embodiment, the flexible diaphragm comprises a bladder sealed around the orifice. The movable member is desirably made of composite material to reduce its inertia, and at least the piston attached to the flexible diaphragm may be stiffened with a composite laminate structure.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump with three coaxial cylindrical components; a high-modulus rod contained within a piezoelectric tube, which in turn is contained within a cylindrical pressure casing, which may the casing of a hydraulic cylinder. The casing is filled with ERF. The piezoelectric tube has a plurality of electrode bands attached to its outer surface and is coated on its interior with an electrically conductive material. The electrodes are voltage-activated to cause certain portions of the tube to expand and others to contract, resulting in peristaltic action. The applied voltage also causes the ERF to form a gel state both inside and outside of the piezoelectric tube.

Abstract: The pump of the present invention preferably includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port and a chamber located in fluid communication with the inlet port and the outlet port. A diaphragm is sealingly secured in the chamber and, together with the housing, define a fluid passageway from the inlet port to the outlet port. An electromagnetic assembly or other driving device is preferably secured to the housing and is positioned to move the diaphragm in order to pump fluid through the pump. In some preferred embodiments, the electromagnetic assembly includes a plunger positioned and adapted to move the diaphragm against the biasing force of a spring. Improved diaphragms and diaphragm features are also disclosed, including a two-part diaphragm structure, diaphragm sealing portions for sealing the fluid chamber from driving and biasing assemblies of the pump, and inherently biased diaphragms.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an air pump structure having driving effect. The present invention is characterized in that a swing element of the air pump is connected to a driving shaft. One end of the driving shaft has a poked part protruding out of a shell body of the air pump. Except having air-supplying function, the air pump of the present invention can drive a color disk or other devices of a water lamp. Another motor is not required for driving the color disk to rotate, thereby saving the cost of another motor. Moreover, the structure of the whole water lamp can be much simplified, resulting in convenience in assembly and reduction in cost.

Abstract: A miniature diaphragm pump includes a motor unit, a compression portion, and an air collection portion. The output air is injected into the inner space of the pump through the air inlet formed at the motor unit, and the air exits from the pump through an air output port provided at the air collecting portion. A pair of air bags are provided at the compression portion which are compressed by the ends of a cross-bar in alternating fashion and a system of check valves is arranged in such a manner that to prohibit a back flow of air. A follower rod extending from the cross bar is inserted into an eccentric hole formed on a rotation member in the motor unit to make eccentric circular motion when the motor rotates in order to compress one of the air bags at a time in order to send air to the air output port of the air collection portion of the pump.

Abstract: The propulsion device (10) includes a housing (12) having an incoming end cap (14) and an outflowing end cap (16). A tubular bladder (20) within the housing is interconnected to each end cap, thereby varying the volume of both a chamber (22) within the bladder and a chamber (24) between the bladder and the housing during attractive or repulsive movement between end caps (14,16). Check valves control the flowthrough the end caps. The propulsion device is highly efficient and is able to move the vessel through water with little or no cavitation.

Abstract: A pump with positive displacement for pumping and entrainment of a fluid in piping (3), includes a cylinder (6) which contains deformable pumping bellows (12) which separate two pumping chambers, a driver (34, 29) which is associated with the pumping unit (12) and has an actuator unit (29) inside the cylinder (6) which is connected to the pumping unit (12), and coils (34) for transmission of drive energy to the actuator (29) from outside the cylinder (6), and a manifold (2) with vortex fluid diodes, which is designed to control the global direction of pumping and flow of the fluid in the piping (3).

Abstract: The invention concerns an artificial heart capable of being wholly implanted including in a single-piece module (2) two independent ventricular chambers (22G, 22D) each provided with two orifices (11G, 11D, 12G, 12D) equipped with a valve for respectively releasing and pumping blood. The volume of each chamber (22G, 22D) is variable by means of a mobile membrane (17, 18) constituting a wall of the chamber (22G, 22D) and hydraulically actuated by a fluid driven by an actuator comprising a motor and a volumetric pump. The ventricular chambers (22G, 22D) are arranged so as to form an upside-down V, between whose branches are arranged the actuators and the space (37) for the actuating fluid. The chambers (22G, 22D) include on the outside convex walls (7G, 7D) the releasing and pumping orifices (11G, 11D, 12G, 12D).

Abstract: A pump includes a pump chamber, a reciprocally, driven body that is moved to perform a pumping function by changing the capacity of the pump chamber, and a driving mechanism that reciprocally moves the driven body. The driving mechanism includes a rotating plate which is fixed to an output shaft of a motor and has an annular groove therein. A ball is sandwiched between an annular groove of a driving plate and the annular groove of the rotating plate. When the rotating plate begins rotating, the ball moves in the annular grooves and changes the inclined direction of the driving plate, thus, causing the driven body to reciprocate.

Abstract: A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operable to subject the vest to pulses of air which repetitively applies and releases pressure to the body. The vest has a cover having a pocket accommodating the air core. The pulsator has diaphragms connected to a d.c. electric motor with a rotary to reciprocating motion transmitting mechanism operable to generate air pulses in the air core.

Abstract: An actively controlled flexural plate wave device provides a micro-scale pump. A method of actively controlling a flexural plate wave device produces traveling waves in the device by coordinating the interaction of a magnetic field with actively controlled currents. An actively-controlled flexural plate wave device can be placed in a fluid channel and adapted for use as a micro-scale fluid pump to cool or drive micro-scale systems, for example, micro-chips, micro-electrical-mechanical devices, micro-fluid circuits, or micro-scale chemical analysis devices.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing cartridge pump suitable for dispensing reagent in an automatic system includes a compressible metering chamber suspended from a reservoir bag mounted within a rigid housing. Check valves between the reservoir and metering chamber and at a lower end of a metering chamber are formed of flexible membranes having apertures which close against conical projections on rigid disks. The reservoir and metering chamber pivot as a compression member squeezes the metering chamber against a back surface.