Electromagnetic Patents (Class 417/50)
  • Patent number: 11875938
    Abstract: A system comprises a hollow body forming a closed loop channel; one or more electromagnetic coils on the hollow body; a free-moving magnetic object in the channel; and a control system configured to control the one or more electromagnetic coils to cause the free-moving magnetic object to rotate within the channel during an acceleration phase and to cause one or more magnetic collisions with at least one of the one or more electromagnetic coils during an energy transfer phase, the one or more magnetic collisions causing a directional movement of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Shuki Binyamin
  • Patent number: 11286918
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a path-type liquid medicine delivery electro-osmosis pump that can be applied to a wearable medicine device. An electro osmosis pump according to the present invention includes: a connector provided with a liquid medicine inlet and a liquid medicine outlet; a check valve assembly combined to one side of the connector; and a driver that is connected to the other side of the connector and moves the liquid medicine toward the liquid medicine outlet by applying pressure to the liquid medicine while being separated from the liquid medicine, which passes through the check valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: EOFLOW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Ha Kim, Jae Hong Kim, Jesse Jaejin Kim, Yongchul Song
  • Patent number: 11283342
    Abstract: An annular linear induction electromagnetic pump having axial guide vanes is provided. m axial guide vanes are uniformly arranged in a flow channel of the electromagnetic pump in a circumferential direction, and a magnitude of m is equal to a number of external stators. A length of each of the guide vanes is precisely determined by a parameter P, and the value of the parameter P is calculated together by the number of the external stators, a central radius of the flow channel, a magnetic Reynolds number, a wave number of a traveling magnetic field and the mean fluid velocity. The axial guide vanes can significantly mitigate the impact on the flow field stability caused by uneven circumferential disturbances of the magnetic field and flow field, thereby achieving a flow stabilization effect with less hydraulic losses and greatly improving the flow stability in operation under off-design conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ruijie Zhao, Xiaohui Dou, Qiang Pan, Desheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11223267
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technical field of fluid delivering. An electromagnetic pump is provided. The electromagnetic pump includes a drive mechanism and a magnetic assembly, where the magnetic assembly is configured to be driven by the drive mechanism to generate a varying magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Jinfeng Wang, Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 11118782
    Abstract: A device that emits colored flames is disclosed. The device may include one or more electromagnetic coils within a housing. A fuel source may provide fuel such as hydrogen to an igniter at the input to the electromagnetic coil. The fuel may be ignited and a current may flow through the coil that may create a magnetic field. The ignited fuel may ionize creating an electric current that may accelerate the combusting particles through the coil. The current may create a magnetic field that may force the ionized particles into cyclotron orbits. Coloring additive such as salts may be added to the combusting fuel to provide color to the resulting flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: WET
    Inventors: Mark Fuller, Garrett Young
  • Patent number: 10843257
    Abstract: A method (S) for manufacturing a part (1) out of a metal matrix composite material, including the following steps: opening (S1) a device (10) that includes a supporting portion (14) and a molding portion (14); placing (S2) a fibrous reinforcement into the device (10); sealably closing (S3) the device (10) by providing a space between the fibrous reinforcement (2) and the device portions; feeding (S4) the molten metal matrix (3) into the device (10) such as to fill the space between the fibrous reinforcement (2) and the device portions (13, 14); and applying (S5) a force onto the equipment (10) such as to impregnate the fibrous reinforcement (2) with the metal matrix (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS AND DEFENSE, SAFRAN
    Inventors: Muriel Sabah, Nicolas Maisonnave
  • Patent number: 10840793
    Abstract: Provided is an induced electromagnetic pump using a rotating magnetic field. The induced electromagnetic pump includes a flow channel pipe through which a conducting fluid passes, a fluid inlet formed at an outer surface of the flow channel pipe in one direction and through which the conducting fluid flows into the flow channel pipe, a fluid outlet formed at the outer surface at which fluid inlet is formed in the same direction thereas and through which the conducting fluid is discharged from the flow channel pipe, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils arranged at certain intervals on one surface of the flow channel pipe and connected to U-phase power, V-phase power, and W-phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hee Reyoung Kim, Jae Sik Kwak
  • Patent number: 10756611
    Abstract: A molten metal transfer pump in which a spiral flow channel is formed by a cylindrical body and a spiral body received in the cylindrical body while being fixed and which allows molten metal to swirl in the spiral flow channel by using Lorentz force generated by a current that flows in a longitudinal direction in molten metal in the cylindrical body and a lateral magnetic field that is generated by a permanent magnet provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Kenzo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10583408
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods that reduce cavitation in interaction chambers are described herein. In an embodiment, an interaction chamber for a fluid processor or fluid homogenizer includes an inlet chamber having an inlet hole and a bottom end, an outlet chamber having an outlet hole and a top end, a microchannel placing the inlet hole in fluid communication with the outlet hole, wherein an entrance to the microchannel from the inlet chamber is offset a distance from the bottom end, and at least one of: (i) a tapered fillet located on a side wall of the microchannel at the microchannel entrance; (ii) a side wall of the microchannel converging inwardly from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber; (iii) a top wall and/or bottom wall of the microchannel angled from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber; and (iv) a top fillet that extends around a diameter of inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MICROFLUIDICS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomai Panagiotou, Yang Su
  • Patent number: 10354763
    Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
  • Patent number: 10319483
    Abstract: A sodium-cooled nuclear reactor includes at least one electromagnetic pump assembly and a backflow reduction pipe. The backflow reduction pipe may include an inlet, an outlet, at least one tubular section having a first length and a first diameter, and at least one fluid diode section between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Seth Ryan Paul Strege, Nicholas Francis O'Neill, Colin Christopher O'Connor, Chelsea Ann Curtin, Edwin Wu
  • Patent number: 10309386
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed towards a solid state pumping system that utilizes an electric field applied across a channel formed within the solid state pump to move electro-rheological (ER) fluid from an inlet fluidly coupled to a first end of the channel to an outlet fluidly coupled to a second end of the channel. The solid state pumping system may include first, second and third plate with the second plate disposed between the first and third plate. The second plate may include a channel having first and second circuits coupled to opposing sides of the channel. In an embodiment, in response to a voltage applied thereto, the first and second circuits can provide an electric field voltage across the channel such that in response to the electric field voltage the ER fluid moves from the first end to the second end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Utah State University
    Inventors: Youzhi Liang, Anette E. Hosoi, Matthew F. Demers, Karl D. Iagnemma, Jose R. Alvarado, Regan A. Zane, Michael Evzelman
  • Patent number: 9800098
    Abstract: A pumping set includes an electric drive motor, which exhibits a stator casing and at least one terminal box connected with the latter, wherein the interior of the terminal box exhibits at least one separating wall, which divides an interior space of the terminal box into at least one electronics area with electronic components and a connection area, wherein the connection area incorporates both electrical connections for at least one connection line along with contacts for establishing an electrical connection with electrical or electronic components arranged inside the stator casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Grundfos Holding a/s
    Inventors: Georg Blaser, Pino Broesamle
  • Patent number: 9240271
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first core spaced from a second core. The second core has a first section with a first winding, a second section with a second winding, and a third section between the first and second sections. At least one filler is included between the first core and the third section of the second core. The operational state of the apparatus changes based on the amount of magnetic flux through the filler. When the flux is at an unsaturated level, the first and second windings operate as decoupled inductors. When the flux is at a saturated level, the first and second windings operate as a coupled inductor. The amount of magnetic flux through the filler may be determined based on the size of the current through one or more of the windings and/or the magnetic permeability of the filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoguo Liang
  • Patent number: 8992183
    Abstract: Electro-osmosis is used to create droplets in order to easily, carefully, and quickly pick-and-place millions of objects (ranging in size from millimeters to nanometers) individually or in parallel. Droplets are formed within channels that are individually controlled in order to achieve a predetermined configuration of the selected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Cheryl Perich, Ashley Macner, Hod Lipson, Paul Steen, Robert MacCurdy
  • Publication number: 20150069680
    Abstract: A electromagnetic pump is configured that a housing includes therein an outer cylinder made of stainless steel, an inner cylinder made of stainless steel and arranged inside the outer cylinder, and an electromagnetic coil arranged around the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder is configured as a conical frustum having a large diameter in the inlet side and a small diameter in the outlet side. Similarly, the inner cylinder has a large diameter in the inlet side and a small diameter in the outlet side. A duct is formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The radial cross sectional area of the duct is large in the inlet side and small in the outlet side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicants: OSAKA UNIVERSITY, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Kuri, Izuru Matsushita, Hiroshi Horiike, Isao Murata, Eiji Hoashi, Sachiko Doi, Itsuro Kato
  • Publication number: 20140370511
    Abstract: A chip device for manipulating an object component is described, in which multiple liquid substances such as reagents required for a series of manipulations on a sample are stably secured in separated states throughout the manipulations within the device. The chip device includes a manipulation chip, magnetic particles, and a magnetic field application means. The manipulation chip includes a substrate, a groove formed in the surface of the substrate, and a manipulation medium accommodated in the groove such that gel phases and aqueous liquid phases are alternately disposed in the longitudinal direction of the groove and are in contact with each other. The magnetic particles are for capturing and carrying the object component. The magnetic field application means is capable of moving the magnetic particles in the longitudinal direction of the groove in the substrate by the application of a magnetic field to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Isao Katasho, Tetsuo Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20140341753
    Abstract: A heating element and a system of heating elements are disclosed. The heating element includes a body that is permeable to a fuel species and that includes a dopant with an affinity for the fuel species. Reactions of the fuel species at the dopant generate heat. Magnetic and electric fields are utilized to move the fuel species through the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: BROWN CRAVENS TAYLOR
    Inventor: Curtis Del Brown
  • Patent number: 8848371
    Abstract: A cooling system has an inlet plenum and at least one cooling channel which communicates with the inlet plenum. The cooling channel passes adjacent to a component to be cooled from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet. A pair of electrodes are positioned adjacent the inlet to create an electric field tending to resist a bubble formed in an included dielectric liquid from moving in an upstream direction due to a dielectrophoretic force. Instead, a dielectrophoretic force urges the bubble in a downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Robert Pearson
  • Patent number: 8786140
    Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic energy conversion device with an electrically conductive working fluid flowing through a conduit in a magnetic field has permanent magnets aligned for maximum field density for inducing an electric current in the fluid and a multistage cooling system for cryogenically cooling the magnets whereby heat is removed from the device at successive cooling stages having respective different coolants, e.g., water, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium, to maintain the magnets at temperatures low enough to produce high tesla magnetic flux densities in the presence of a high temperature working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kay, Douglas B. Chrisey, Yoav Peles
  • Patent number: 8781056
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC.
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8764410
    Abstract: In a method for conveying at least one heat exchange medium which includes at least one first fluid having a first permittivity and at least one second fluid which does not mix with the first fluid and has a second permittivity that differs from the first permittivity, at least one dielectric boundary surface is formed between the first and the second fluid, which boundary surface is exposed to a progressively excited electric displacement field which exerts a displacement force on the at least one dielectric boundary surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Proepper
  • Patent number: 8757131
    Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention provides a fluid injector (10) which functions as a positive displacement pump and comprises: a housing (12) in which a piston chamber is formed; a piston (11) which reciprocates in the piston chamber to define therewith a variable volume fluid pumping chamber; a one-way inlet valve (32) which allows flow of fluid into the pumping chamber from a fluid inlet; and a one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which allows flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber to a fluid outlet (31). In operation of the injector the piston (11) cyclically moves to increase volume of the pumping chamber and draw fluid into the pumping chamber via the one-way inlet valve (32) and then the piston moves to decrease volume of the pumping chamber and expel fluid from the pumping chamber via the one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen, Steven Barraclough, Paul Bartholomew Ravenhill, Richard Matthew Hoolahan
  • Publication number: 20140092558
    Abstract: A cooling system has an inlet plenum and at least one cooling channel which communicates with the inlet plenum. The cooling channel passes adjacent to a component to be cooled from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet. A pair of electrodes are positioned adjacent the inlet to create an electric field tending to resist a bubble formed in an included dielectric liquid from moving in an upstream direction due to a dielectrophoretic force. Instead, a dielectrophoretic force urges the bubble in a downstream direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew Robert Pearson
  • Patent number: 8684701
    Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure associated with pumping drilling mud through riser casing in dual-gradient drilling operations. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20140079561
    Abstract: There is provided an energy-saving agitator that suppresses the amount of generated heat, is easy to use and carry out maintenance, has flexibility in an installation position, and can also adjust an agitating ability. The agitator includes a furnace body that includes a molten metal room storing a molten metal, and an agitating unit that agitates the molten metal stored in the furnace body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kenzo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8662860
    Abstract: A microfluidic driving system includes a first planar electrode, a second planar electrode, a third planar electrode, a fourth planar electrode, a power supply unit and a detection module. The second, third and fourth planar electrodes are disposed parallel to the first planar electrode and face-to-face with the first planar electrode to form an accommodation space for accommodating a fluid. An AC power is provided by the power supply unit and an AC electrical field is applied by alternately connecting the third planar electrode and the fourth planar electrode with the first planar electrode for driving the first fluid and the second fluid to flow; and then AC electrical field is also applied by connecting the second planar electrode to the first planar electrode to mix the first fluid and the second fluid. Finally, a detection is performed upon a mixture of the fluids through the detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Wen-Hsin Hsieh, Jhih-Lin Chen, Wei-Hung Shih
  • Publication number: 20140023520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled, magnetohydrodynamically-driven, fluidic networks containing a plurality of individually controlled branches. The branches consist of conduits equipped with pairs of electrodes that are controlled by electrode controllers. In operation, the network is placed within a magnetic field and potentials or currents are applied across electrode pairs within the various branches of the network in specifically determined magnitudes and polarities for specifically determined time intervals in accordance with an activation sequence that may be determined by an algorithm. Placed within a temperature gradient, at least a part of the network can act as a thermal cycler for use in biological interactions that employ temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Haim H. Bau
  • Patent number: 8632318
    Abstract: A section of riser casing urges drilling mud through the riser, either upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure or downward toward the wellbore. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20140003964
    Abstract: In various electrohydrodynamic (EHD) fluid mover designs disclosed herein, corona current densities may be locally reduced, and in some cases, corona discharges may be locally suppressed in selected portions of an emitter-to-collector electrode gap. In some cases, localized current density reduction or corona suppression near sidewall surfaces can provide desirable localized reductions in ion impingement on the adjacent sidewalls and can provide associated reductions in susceptibility to contaminant related spark or shunting current paths. In some cases, localized current density reduction or corona suppression similarly mitigates susceptibility to contaminant related spark or shunting current paths at sides of a movable electrode conditioning carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: TESSERA, INC.
    Inventor: TESSERA, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130343913
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a chamber. The chamber includes an inlet via which process fluid enters the chamber and an outlet via which the process fluid exits the chamber. A diaphragm is fixed in position in the chamber at a periphery of the diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a magnetic fluid therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Eng. & Mtfg. North America
    Inventors: Shailesh N. JOSHI, Jaewook LEE, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 8562305
    Abstract: Provided are magnetohydrodynamic stirrers comprising a conduit or cavity having at least two electrodes disposed in such an orientation that, upon the application of a potential or current across the electrode pair within a magnetic field, secondary flows such as chaotic advection is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventor: Haim H. Bau
  • Patent number: 8541910
    Abstract: A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) microgenerator cell and array is disclosed. The MEMS microgenerator cell of the present invention is effective in the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy. In accordance with the present invention, an explosive material is loaded into a chamber. A diaphragm seals the chamber, containing a plasma material. The explosive material is subsequently heated to its ignition temperature thereby raising the pressure in the chamber until the diaphragm ruptures. The rupture of the diaphragm results in the flow of plasma out of the chamber. Upon exiting the chamber, the plasma is forced to flow between two parallel rectangular electrodes. A magnetic field is applied in a direction orthogonal to both the plasma flow and the electrodes, thereby generating an electromagnetic field sufficient to a power source for MEMS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Shekhar Bhansali, Rajsekhar Popuri
  • Patent number: 8512005
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ion pump system etc. having a high air-exhausting capacity and vacuum-maintaining capacity and capable of adjusting drive modes suitable for the uses thereof. The subject problem is solved by an ion pump system (7) comprising a casing (1), a first electrode group (2a,2b) provided in the casing (1), a second electrode group (3a,3b) provided on the outer periphery of the first electrode group (2a,2b), and outer magnets (4) for providing a magnetic field in the casing, wherein the first electrode group (2a,2b) and the second electrode group (3a,3b) are constituted as a plurality of layers alternately disposed around the center axis (11) of the casing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: National Institute Of Information And Communications Technology
    Inventor: Shukichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8485791
    Abstract: A heating element can comprise a ceramic material doped with various elements. The heating element can be heated by forcing a fuel to flow through the ceramic material, where the fuel interacts with the dopants. The interaction can produce energy in the form of heat. Inventive aspects of the present material include apparatus and methods for modulation of the heat energy, physical features providing for an increase in the rate of heat release, optimization of materials and material morphology for quantity and efficiency of heat release and provision for fueling and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Brown-Cravens-Taylor
    Inventor: Dennis Cravens
  • Patent number: 8480377
    Abstract: An integrated electro-magnetohydrodynamic pump may include a flow channel adapted to contain a fluid to be pumped and a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of electrodes applies a voltage potential on the plurality of electrodes. A plurality of magnets are also positioned adjacent the flow channel. A voltage controller operatively associated with the plurality of magnets changes magnetic fields produced by the plurality of magnets with respect to the flow channel. The voltage controller and the magnet controller are operable to pump fluid contained in the flow channel by an electro-osmotic flow process and by a magnetohydrodynamic flow process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, acting for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University
    Inventors: Constantin Ciocanel, Nazmul Islam
  • Patent number: 8393356
    Abstract: A device for controlling fluid motion in a micro/nanofluidic structure of channels by means of surface acoustic waves is described. The device comprises a structured volume of material bearing a predetermined configuration of micro/nanofluidic channels for holding and transferring amounts of fluids adapted to define at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and presenting a hydrophobic behaviour for the fluids to be handled and a substrate made of material with piezoelectric properties coupled to the micro/nanofluidic channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    Inventors: Fabio Beltram, Roberto Cingolani, Marco Cecchini, Salvatore Girardo, Dario Pisignano
  • Patent number: 8348626
    Abstract: Efficient micro-pumping of gas/liquids is provided. In one embodiment a pipeline of insulative material can be asymmetrically coated with electrodes. The asymmetric coating can affect the flow passage to create straight and swirl pumping effects. The electrodes can include electrode pairs arranged at intervals along the pipeline, each electrode pair being capable of inducing an electrohydrodynamic body force. The electrode pairs can be formed at the same surface, such as along the inner perimeter of the pipeline, and can be powered by steady, pulsed direct, or alternating current. Alternatively, the electrode pairs can be separated by the insulative material of the pipeline, and can be powered with direct or alternating current operating at radio frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Subrata Roy
  • Publication number: 20120244014
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump including a piston that reciprocates inside a cylinder; an electromagnetic portion and a biasing member that respectively forwardly and backwardly move the piston; a support for the biasing member that defines a chamber with the cylinder and the piston; a valve incorporated into the support member that allows fluid to move from an intake port to the chamber and prohibits reverse flow; and a valve that allows the fluid to move from the chamber to a discharge port and prohibits reverse flow. The support member includes a bottomed hollow portion accommodating at least a portion of the intake on-off valve, and a hole providing communication between a bottom portion of the hollow portion on the chamber side and the chamber. The support member includes a portion that supports the biasing member, and a portion that communicates with the hole and projects from the support toward the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya NAKAI, Kazuhiko KATO
  • Publication number: 20120244013
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump includes a cylinder with a stepped inner diameter with first and second inner diameters. A piston inside the cylinder, with a stepped outer diameter including first and second outer diameters slidable on the respective inner diameters, defines first and second fluid chambers. Reciprocal movement of the piston produces a greater change in volume in the first chamber than the second chamber. An electromagnetic portion moves the piston to decrease the volume of the first chamber and increase the volume of the second chamber. A biasing member moves the piston to increase the volume of the first chamber and decrease the volume of the second chamber. A first valve allows fluid to flow to the first chamber and prohibits reverse flow. A second valve embedded in the piston allows fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber and prohibits reverse flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya NAKAI, Kazuhiko KATO
  • Patent number: 8272844
    Abstract: A liquid driver system having a flow channel for delivering a liquid, includes a conductor member placed in the flow channel, electrodes for applying an electric field to the conductor member and delivering the liquid by application of a driving force to the liquid by electroosmotic flow produced around the conductor member by the electric field, and a first flow limiter at a position displaced from the conductor member to limit a liquid flow in a reverse direction of liquid flowing in forward and reverse directions relative to the conductor member, wherein a maximum length of the flow limiter is smaller than a length of the conductor member in the forward flow direction, and the flow limiter is placed relative to the conductor member, having a thickness (2c), such that a gap (?) between the conductor member and the flow limiter satisfies the relation of ?<c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sugioka
  • Patent number: 8267669
    Abstract: A magnetic induction pump for pumping molten metal. The pump includes a motor and a shaft operatively connected to the motor. The pump further includes at least one bipolar permanent magnet operatively connected to the shaft and a conduit for the passage of molten metal. The motor rotates the shaft and magnet about the conduit inducing eddy currents in the molten metal in the conduit which react with the moving magnetic field to produce force to pump the metal through the conduit with the metal coming into contact with only an interior surface of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation
    Inventor: Valery G. Kagan
  • Patent number: 8197222
    Abstract: A highly efficient getter pump with low maintenance requirements is applied to a vacuum coating installation, allowing a substrate to be coated to remain uncontaminated by a dusting of getter material. The getter pump comprises a pump housing with an exposure opening. The housing has a getter body, of getter material that essentially closes the exposure opening and can move in relation to the exposure opening. An inner sub-section of the surface of the getter body points towards the interior of the pump housing and an outer sub-section points towards the exterior of the pump housing through the exposure opening. The positions of the inner and outer sub-sections are interchangeable by movement of the getter body. The getter pump is equipped with a device for removing getter material from the inner sub-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Von Ardenne Anlagentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Milde, Hans-Christian Hecht, Joern Brueckner
  • Patent number: 8158055
    Abstract: An agitator for agitating a melt includes a heat-resistive container having a blast opening through which cooling air is blown and an exhaust opening for exhausting air having been subjected to heat exchange, and a rotating magnet assembly composed of a permanent magnet housed in the heat-resistive container in a rotatable manner, magnetic lines of force emitted from the permanent magnet penetrating through the heat-resistive container to exit outside, and then penetrating the heat-resistive container again to return to the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Kenzo Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120070314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positive displacement pump, constructed in microsystem technology, which is preferably used as a vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer Technology Services GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Mueller, Régulo Miguel Ramirez Wong
  • Publication number: 20110300002
    Abstract: A heating element can comprise a ceramic material doped with various elements. The heating element can be heated by forcing a fuel to flow through the ceramic material, where the fuel interacts with the dopants. The interaction can produce energy in the form of heat. Inventive aspects of the present material include apparatus and methods for modulation of the heat energy, physical features providing for an increase in the rate of heat release, optimization of materials and material morphology for quantity and efficiency of heat release and provision for fueling and maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BROWN-CRAVENS-TAYLOR
    Inventor: Dennis Cravens
  • Patent number: 8057191
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the elimination of changes of the chemical composition of a pumped liquid caused by introduction of strange components or by modification of original components. Another object of the invention is to provide the possibility of use of electrodes of the first order in order to increase productivity and decrease size and cost of the micropump. For this purpose, the electrokinetic micropump comprises a multichannel structure 810 made of non-conducting material, for example, a piece of a polycapillary column. The inlet and outlet end of this structure are adjacent to electrode sections 803, 804 having openings 821, 822 for inlet and outlet of the pumped liquid. These sections are divided by ion-exchange membranes 811, 812 into chambers 813, 814 for flow of the pumped liquid, communicating with the ends 841, 842 of the multichannel structure, and chambers 815, 816 filled with an auxiliary medium for transfer of electric charges. In the latter electrodes 817, 818 are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Obshschestvo S Orgranichennoj Otvetstvennostyu “Institu Rentgenovskoj Optiki”
    Inventors: Ruslan Khazhsetovich Khamizov, Muradin Abubekirovich Kumakhov, Natalia Sergeevna Bastrykina, Svetlana Vassilievna Nikitina, Alexandr Alexandrovich Voronov, Ruslan Khazhsetovich Khamizov, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20110253542
    Abstract: An electromagnetic device for accelerating electrically neutral molecules of a substance is characterized by the fact of comprising: a Treating Tube (14) in non-conducting material, into which the substance to treat is introduced; static electromagnetic circuits that surround the above Treating Tube exerting on the substance to treat electromagnetic actions which push it axially, with utilization of the dipolar electric moment of the molecules. The treating method of the molecules accelerates these molecules utilizing their weak dipolar electric moment, subjecting them to a combination of a magnetic field and an electric one or, in alternative, of a magnetic field and one at Hertz waves, alternating and isofrequential, utilizing the Lorentz force of electrology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: ACHILLE ZANZUCCHI EDITORE DI ACHILLE ZANZUCCHI
    Inventor: Achille Zanzucchi
  • Patent number: 7987771
    Abstract: A pump unit includes a reservoir for containing a liquid, a duct system for conveying the liquid, and a pumping section for subjecting the liquid to a pumping force. The initial filling of at least a portion of a duct for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the pumping section is brought about under the influence of another force other than the pumping force, for example, under the influence of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Cornelis Duineveld, Fred Fraij, Marinus Christiaan Hansen, Joeke Noordhuis
  • Publication number: 20110150667
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a pump is provided that includes a microfluidic channel and a plurality of electrodes for electrostatically translating a target fluid along the channel from an inlet to an outlet. In other embodiments, a valve includes a microfluidic channel, a reservoir in fluidic communication with the channel, and an electrode for electrostatically drawing a fluid from the reservoir into the channel so as to block the flow of other fluids through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan J. Bernstein