Abstract: A piezoelectric diaphragm member (23) has an aperture (25). Preferably the piezoelectric diaphragm (23) is a multi-layer composite which includes a piezoelectric wafer layer. In some embodiments, the aperture (25) in the piezoelectric diaphragm accommodates a diaphragm accessory or fixture. The diaphragm accessory or fixture is preferably inserted through the plural layers of the multi-layer composite piezoelectric diaphragm member, and as such has an accessory or fixture body suitably sized for snug (e.g., fluid-tight) insertion or adhesion into the diaphragm aperture. Within its periphery the accessory or fixture body can include a feature such as a valve (e.g., ball valve, duckbill, flapper valve) or a projection (e.g., a stud or standoff, for example). The projection of the fixture or accessory can be configured, arranged, or adapted to engage or actuate further apparatus.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies comprise an actuator element and two piezoelectric assemblies, with the two piezoelectric assemblies being configured and arranged for controlling movement of the actuator element. In some example implementations, the first piezoelectric assembly and the second piezoelectric assembly are constructed and arranged so that a temperature dependency of the first piezoelectric assembly is cancelled by the temperature dependency of the second piezoelectric assembly. In a first example embodiment, a first piezoelectric assembly comprises a first or main piezoelectric diaphragm connected to the actuator element for displacing the actuator element in response to displacement of the first piezoelectric diaphragm. The first piezoelectric diaphragm is mounted to a movable carriage. A second piezoelectric diaphragm, which comprises the second piezoelectric assembly, is connected to the carriage for displacing the carriage in response to displacement of the second piezoelectric diaphragm.

Abstract: Thin chamber diaphragm-operated fluid handling devices, including thin chamber pumps and thin chamber valves, facilitate device compactness and, in some configurations, self-priming. Diaphragm actuators of the thin chamber devices either comprise or are driven by piezoelectric materials. The thinness of the chamber, in a direction parallel to diaphragm movement, is in some embodiments determined by the size of a perimeter seal member which sits on a floor of a device cavity, and upon which a perimeter (e.g. circumferential or peripheral portion) of the diaphragm actuator sits. The diaphragm actuator is typically retained in a device body between the floor seal member and another seal member between which the perimeter of the actuator is sandwiched. The devices have an input port and an output port.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing piezoelectric actuators (14) is disclosed along with a miniature diaphragm pump (10) using the actuators. The object was an actuator which could be used in miniature diaphragm pumps and other applications and which would be smaller in size and simpler to manufacture than prior art actuators, yet would provide forces and displacements an order of magnitude higher than any previously known devices of similar size. The pump (10) incorporates the new actuator along with a novel one-way valve (200) and a small driver circuit (18). The pump is of direct application in the liquid cooling systems of small computers, and in other fluid systems.

Abstract: A piezoelectric power generator (20, 120) comprises plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122); an actuator (24) positioned to impart an excitation to the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) in a predefined sequence; and, an electrical conduction system (30) connected to the plural piezoelectric devices for conducting an electrical charge created by the excitation. Preferably the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) are arranged in a predetermined relationship relative to the actuator (24) whereby only one of the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) is actuated at a time. For example, the plural piezoelectric devices (22, 122) can be arranged in an angular pattern (such as a circular pattern) relative to the actuator (24). Preferably, a rotational speed of the actuator (24) permits an excitation response for a given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) to essentially fully decay before the given plural piezoelectric device (22, 122) is again excited.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device (20) comprises a housing having a base assembly (23) and a cover (22). The base assembly (23) comprises a thermal transfer base (25) and a fluid-porous, thermally conductive mesh structure (26). The thermal transfer base (25) and the cover (22) cooperate to define a thermal transfer chamber (24). The thermally conductive mesh structure (26) is configured and positioned in the chamber (24) to provide a tortuous, thermal conduction path for fluid (e.g., a coolant) which turbulently travels from an inlet (40) of the chamber to one or more outlets (42) of the chamber (24). In some embodiments, the mesh structure comprises wires which are fused by diffusion bonding into a mesh, in other embodiments the mesh comprises a metallic wool. Within the chamber the mesh structure (26) can have various configurations for providing an exposure interface between fluid pumped through the chamber and the mesh.

Abstract: A heat sink (20) comprises a heat sink monolith (23) and a cover (22). The heat sink monolith (23) comprises a thermal transfer plate (25) and a wire mesh structure (26). The thermal transfer plate (25) of the monolith (23) and the cover (22) cooperate to define a heat transfer chamber (24). The wire mesh structure (26) of the monolith (23) is configured and positioned in the chamber (24) to provide a tortuous, heat conduction path for fluid (e.g., a coolant) which turbulently travels from an inlet (40) of the chamber to one or more outlets (42) of the chamber (24). The wire mesh structure comprises wires which are fused by diffusion bonding (rather than by soldering) into a mesh. The diffusion bonding of the wires provides the wire mesh structure with many and appropriately sized interstices, making it easier to push the fluid through the heat sink assembly and thereby significantly reducing the size and power of the pump which pushes the fluid.

Abstract: A drive circuit produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator. In some example embodiments, the drive circuit dynamically changes the drive signal (e.g., a shape of the waveform of the drive signal) during real time operation of the device. In the same or distinct other example embodiments, the drive circuit generates the drive signal in accordance with an analog input signal to the drive circuit. The analog input signal can be or bear, for example, an indication of resonance of the piezoelectric actuator; an indication of temperature; an indication of viscosity; and/or, an indication of one of a desired voltage and a desired frequency of the drive signal. The analog input signal can be obtained from a user input device. In the same or distinct other example embodiments, the drive circuit generates the drive signal in dependence upon an operational parameter of the device.

Abstract: A drive circuit (18) senses a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator (14) operating in a device (10) and adjusts a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter. The drive circuit comprises a controller (100) which controls a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (14); a feedback monitor (122) which obtains a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator works; and, a processor (116) which uses the feedback signal to determine the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator. In one example mode, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is the capacitance or dielectric constant of the piezoelectric actuator. In other example modes, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is impedance or resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator.