Abstract: A drive circuit for a plurality of piezo-actuated hydraulic pumps for an aircraft, and a hydraulic pump system implementing the same. The drive circuit includes a voltage boost stage that receives a DC input supply voltage and delivers an increased DC output voltage to a high voltage, HV, link point; a plurality of inverter stages coupled in parallel at the HV link point that receive DC voltage from the HV link point and generate an oscillating output voltage for driving a respective piezo-actuated pump; and a control system that controls the output voltage and phase of the inverter stages to drive the plurality of piezo-actuated pumps out of phase. The control system measures the power consumption of each piezo-actuated pump and regulates the output voltage of at least one of the inverter stages to balance the power consumption of each piezo-actuated pump.

Abstract: A piezo-electric fluid pump is provided including a main housing; a fluid reservoir located within the main housing; a piston head moveably mounted within the main housing; a piezo-electric stack; a bias mechanism arranged to couple the piston head and piezo-electric stack and maintain the piezo-electric stack in compression; an outlet plate statically mounted within the main housing adjacent to the piston head, wherein the adjacent surfaces of the outlet plate and piston head define a pumping chamber; an inlet disc valve arranged to permit a one-way flow of fluid from the reservoir into the pumping chamber; and an outlet disc valve arranged to permit a one-way flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber. The combination of pre-loading of the piezo-electric stack in compression and use of inlet disc valve enables the piezo-electric pump to exhibit substantial improvement to the pressure and flow capability compared to other piezo-electric pumps.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a plurality of piezo-actuated hydraulic pumps for an aircraft, and a hydraulic pump system implementing the same. The drive circuit includes a voltage boost stage that receives a DC input supply voltage and delivers an increased DC output voltage to a high voltage, HV, link point; a plurality of inverter stages coupled in parallel at the HV link point that receive DC voltage from the HV link point and generate an oscillating output voltage for driving a respective piezo-actuated pump; and a control system that controls the output voltage and phase of the inverter stages to drive the plurality of piezo-actuated pumps out of phase. The control system measures the power consumption of each piezo-actuated pump and regulates the output voltage of at least one of the inverter stages to balance the power consumption of each piezo-actuated pump.

Abstract: A piezo-electric fluid pump is provided including a main housing; a fluid reservoir located within the main housing; a piston head moveably mounted within the main housing; a piezo-electric stack; a bias mechanism arranged to couple the piston head and piezo-electric stack and maintain the piezo-electric stack in compression; an outlet plate statically mounted within the main housing adjacent to the piston head, wherein the adjacent surfaces of the outlet plate and piston head define a pumping chamber; an inlet disc valve arranged to permit a one-way flow of fluid from the reservoir into the pumping chamber; and an outlet disc valve arranged to permit a one-way flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber. The combination of pre-loading of the piezo-electric stack in compression and use of inlet disc valve enables the piezo-electric pump to exhibit substantial improvement to the pressure and flow capability compared to other piezo-electric pumps.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system for an aircraft, including a braking actuator configured to apply a braking pressure to a brake stator, and a piezoelectric actuator connected in series with the braking actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is operable to modify the braking pressure applied to the brake stator to provide anti-skid protection.

Abstract: An aircraft braking system including a braking actuator; a primary hydraulic fluid supply circuit configured to supply pressurised hydraulic fluid to the braking actuator; and a secondary hydraulic fluid supply circuit including a piezoelectric pump configured to supply pressurised hydraulic fluid to the braking actuator.

Abstract: A host-client data sharing system manages diabetes care data. A host database, preferably web or internet based, is implemented for storing diabetes care data relating to multiple diabetics. A client or local database stores the diabetes care data relating to multiple diabetics on a personal appliance such as a PC, or a portable or handheld microprocessor-based computing device. The host database uses multiple servers for handling client interactions with the system.

Abstract: A magnetic button system useable with magnetic surfaces, methods of making such magnetic buttons using a continuous process, high-energy thin flexible magnetic materials, and kits, including packaging, relating to retail sale of such magnetic buttons.

Abstract: Flexible magnetic sheets made with high-energy strontium ferrite, such as to decrease thickness with maintaining a strong magnetic energy (over one Megagause-Oersted) as well as flexibility.

Abstract: A host-client data sharing system manages diabetes care data. A host database, preferably web or internet based, is implemented for storing diabetes care data relating to multiple diabetics. A client or local database stores the diabetes care data relating to multiple diabetics on a personal appliance such as a PC, or a portable or handheld microprocessor-based computing device. The host database uses multiple servers for handling client interactions with the system.