Abstract: A traveling wave pump which employs one or more pairs of interfacing plates to transfer fluid (gas or liquid) from one or more inlets to one or more outlets. At least one of the plates in each pair of interfacing plates is driven so as to produce a flexure traveling wave therein. Actuators incorporating electroactive elements are used to drive the driven plates and create the flexure traveling wave. This wave causes chambers to form between the interfacing plates which move from one end of the driven plate to the other in the direction of the wave. Fluid is drawn into a forming chamber, and eventually the forming chamber closes trapping the fluid therein. The fluid is then transported through the pump by the now completely formed chamber as it propagates along the plate interface. If only one of the interfacing plates is driven, the other remains fixed in that no chambers are formed at its surface.

Abstract: A package (10, 110, 210, 310) comprises a planar heat exchanger (14, 114, 314) with an air inlet (16, 116, 316) and an air outlet (18, 118, 318) thermally coupled to an electronic module (12). A flexible diaphragm operated pump (20, 120, 220, 320) with one-way valves (132, 134; 232, 234; 332, 334) are disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. The diaphragm is oscillable to pump air through the heat exchanger from the inlet and out through the outlet. One or more piezo-electric transducers (138, 138; 232, 238; 338) are mounted on a diaphragm (136, 236, 336) and a power source and oscillator (140) are coupled to the transducer(s) to cause the diaphragm to rapidly flex and pump the air. The heat exchanger includes an internal structure (142, 342) defining a multitude of continuous air conducting passages.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fluid pump includes a stationary pump base and a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in parallel on the stationary pump base, each of the piezoelectric elements having, in a polarizing direction thereof or in a direction perpendicular to the polarizing direction, a first end fixed to the stationary pump base and a free, second end. The free, second ends of respective pairs of adjacent the piezoelectric elements are connected to each other, for respective units of the fluid pump. Between the pair of piezoelectric elements and between the stationary pump base and the connecting means, pressure chambers are defined. There are gaps are between walls of the piezoelectric elements and walls of piezoelectric elements of adjacent units.

Abstract: Micropumps fabricated by micromachining techniques and employing fixed or no-moving-parts valves. As one aspect of the invention, a laser-assisted chemical etching technique is employed for providing smooth-walled, curved configuration necessary to obtain the desired flow characteristics of the valves that are used in conjunction with the micropump.

Abstract: A mesopump having a plurality of elementary cells and a method of pumping fluids using the mesopump. The cells each have a body forming a cavity having upper and lower electrodes with curved surfaces facing the other electrode. Electrical connections selectively energize the electrodes. A bistable diaphragm is mounted with its major portion located in the cavity between the electrodes so that the diaphragm deflects toward the upper or lower surfaces to conform thereto. A lateral conduit is located at at least one end of the body for fluid communication with the cavity. The lateral conduits are operably connected to a portion of the diaphragm mounted in the body and are opened and closed by movement of the diaphragm. A vertical conduit on at least one curved surface controls flow of fluid by movement of the diaphragm into and out of contact with the vertical conduit.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including a pump housing, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the pump housing, valves for opening and closing the ports, two prestressed piezoelectric diaphragm members which are self-actuated, and a power source is provided. The diaphragm members include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. No exterior mechanical parts for driving the diaphragm members are necessary. A modification is disclosed in which a central computer independently controls the phase angle of oscillation of the two diaphragm members, providing precise flow rate control.

Abstract: A micropump including two glass sheets (2, 8) with a machined silicon board (6) sealingly inserted therebetween. An inlet valve (12), a pumping chamber (50) and an outlet valve (28) are arranged between an inlet (10) and an outlet (4). A pump diaphragm (56) forming one wall of the pumping chamber comprises a thickened central portion (58) interacting with the upper sheet (8) to form an abutment restricting the suction movement of the diaphragm (50), and lower abutment elements (60) restricting the movement of the diaphragm when the fluid is discharged. A piezoelectric pad (72) engages the diaphragm by means of an intermediate part (84) to perform the pumping movement between upper and lower limits precisely defined by the abutments. A precisely defined and constant flow rate is thus achieved regardless of changes in the performance of the piezoelectric pad.

Abstract: An integrated microfabricated instrument for manipulation, reaction and detection of microliter to picoliter samples. The instrument is suited for biochemical reactions, particularly DNA-based reactions such as the polymerase chain reaction, that require thermal cycling since the inherently small size of the instrument facilitates rapid cycle times. The integrated nature of the instrument provides accurate, contamination-free processing. The instrument may include reagent reservoirs, agitators and mixers, heaters, pumps, and optical or electromechanical sensors. Ultrasonic Lamb-wave devices may be used as sensors, pumps and agitators.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive pump is provided which makes use of a magnetostrictive element which, when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it, compresses a chamber containing a working fluid. A bellows located within the working fluid is repeatedly compressed by the compression of the chamber, and pumps a fluid to be pumped in and out of the bellows. Since the magnetostrictive element does not directly contact the bellows, the bellows life is greatly extended. Valves are provided to direct the fluid flow in a desired manner. The pump may be combined with other pumps in various series or parallel arrangements to create a pump system. The pump may be pre-biased to make its response more linear by either mechanical or magnetic biasing. A permanent magnet may be used to magnetically bias the pump and create an "at-rest" initial extension of the magnetostrictive element. Similarly, a spring may be used to mechanically load the magnetostrictive element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pump for inducing a displacement of a fluid from a first medium to a second medium, including a conduit coupled to the first and second media, a transducing material piston defining a pump chamber in the conduit and being transversely displaceable for increasing a volume of the chamber to extract the fluid from the first medium to the chamber and for decreasing the chamber volume to force the fluid from the chamber to the second medium, a first transducing material valve mounted in the conduit between the piston and the first medium and being transversely displaceable from a closed position to an open position to admit the fluid to the chamber, and control means for changing a first field applied to the piston to displace the piston for changing the chamber volume and for changing a second field applied to the first valve to change the position of the first valve.

Abstract: A pump utilizing a shape memory alloy member which is connected to electric terminals to be contracted by the supply of electric power for lowering a piston, the piston mounted to slidably move within a cylinder to thereby introduce a fluid into the cylinder is raised by a biasing force of a bias spring to externally discharge the fluid introduced in the cylinder. The pump has a simple structure which is light and easily repaired and maintained.

Abstract: A micropump is disclosed including an input port, an output port, a fluid channel space located therebetween, a first oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the input port, a second oscillating member for opening or closing between the fluid channel space and the output port, and at least one third oscillating member for reducing/enlarging the volume of the fluid channel space. The micropump is provided with pressure correcting means which applies a pressure, substantially equal to a fluid pressure at the input port, to a space located outside the fluid channel space and in which the first oscillating member oscillates.

Abstract: An ultrasonic pump having a first housing connected to a second housing to create a cavity therebetween. The first housing has a central stem that extends into the cavity with a passage for connecting the cavity with an outlet port. The second housing has an inlet port for communicating hydraulic fluid to the cavity. A plurality of piezoelectric disc are located on the stem by a first diaphragm to defined a actuation chamber within the cavity. The first diaphragm engages the first housing and stem to isolate the piezoelectric disc from hydraulic fluid supplied to the cavity and place a predetermined axial force on the piezoelectric disc. A second diaphragm located in the first and second housing has first and second surfaces which are substantially equal distances from the passage and the inlet port. Thereafter, air is bleed from the cavity to assure that only hydraulic fluid is present in the cavity.

Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to cause the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

Abstract: A device is proposed for applying material such as solder paste and glue in discrete points, particularly for applying solder paste on electronic circuit boards. The device comprises a pump house (202-205; 301, 307), a tube or a channel (206) by means of which material is fed to the pump house, a nozzle (111, 205) for feeding material from the pump house (202-205; 301, 307). Suitable upper and lower valve devices are arranged to block, at predetermined times, the feeding of material to and from the pump house (202-205; 301, 307). The lower valve device may possibly be replaced by a restriction device. As is conventional the pump house (202-205; 301, 307) comprises an outer pump cylinder (203; 307) and an inner piston (204; 301). The displacement of the piston (201; 301) is obtained by the fact that the piston is connected to a magnetostrictive rod (202; 308). This rod (202; 308) cooperates with a coil (208) arranged around the rod (202; 308).

Abstract: A plate-type diaphragm pump is composed of an inlet valve member containing two inlet plate structures, an outlet valve member containing two outlet plate structures, and a diaphragm member preferably containing one or two plates, the plate structures being plates or plate sections. A first inlet plate structure has a first inlet channel section and a first valve-seat, a second inlet plate structure has a second inlet channel section and an inlet flexible element, a first outlet plate structure has a first outlet channel section and a second valve-seat, and a second outlet plate structure has a second outlet channel section and an outlet flexible element. The inlet and outlet flexible elements, respectively disposed between the inlet channel sections and the outlet channel sections, have free ends disposed for movement onto and off of the respective first and second valve-seats to respectively prevent or permit fluid flow between the respective inlet and outlet channel sections.

Abstract: A pump comprising a chamber and a transducer. The chamber receives a medium to be pumped. The chamber has first and second ends and an inlet and an outlet. The transducer is disposed at the first end of the chamber and provides an energy wave within the medium which imparts momentum to it whereby it passes through the outlet by the momentum.

Abstract: A micro pump which employs magnetostrictive or electrostrictive elements as solid drive elements and is capable of self-priming even though its flow rate is increased. In the pump, disk-shaped valve elements respectively having tapered protrusions on one side are used as check valves to reduce weight and made to follow the motion of liquids so as to smoothly open and close. Retainers for regulating the gap h between the valve seats and the valve elements are respectively provided with tapered recesses for guiding the protrusions of the valve elements, whereby the valves are prevented from contacting the retainers, thus undergoing less friction therewith, to ensure smooth opening and closure of the valves. Moreover, ringlike or sheetlike elastic materials are provided on the bottoms of the recesses to improve responsivity in the direction in which the valves are closed.

Abstract: A movement actuator includes an elongate filament made of a flexible material, and a strip of shape memory alloy disposed on the surface of one side of the filament. The shape memory alloy is responsive to actuation signals, heat or electrical signals, for changing its shape and when its shape changes, it causes the filament to move, i.e., bend, to accommodate the change in shape of the alloy. Also included is a signal supply device for selectively applying heat signals or electrical current to the strip of shape memory alloy to cause the alloy to change its shape and cause the filament to bend. Other patterns for the shape memory alloy could be disposed on the filament to cause other kinds of movements. For example, a helical pattern of the shape memory alloy about the filament would cause the filament to twist when the helical pattern were caused to shorten or lengthen.

Abstract: The ultrasonic hydraulic booster pump (10, 150) comprises a backing plate housing (11) defining a cavity (14) closed at one end (13) by an end cap (18), the end cap (18) having an inlet port (20) and the backing plate housing (11) having an outlet port (16). A diaphragm (35). (30) having a plurality of openings (33) is mounted between the end cap (18) and a spacer member (35) located within the cavity. A plurality of annular shaped piezoelectric rings or discs (60) are located within a ring housing (40) disposed within the spacer member A plug member (50) with a through opening (52) extends through a central through opening (44) in the ring housing (40) and includes a valve seat (58) disposed closely adjacent a solid central portion (34) of the diaphragm (30) , and the end cap (18) includes a valve seat (22) disposed closely adjacent the opposite side of the diaphragm (30).

Abstract: This invention is for a single lamina biaxial transducer-made of an electrodeformable material. Several methods form making biaxial transducers are taught. The biaxial transducer has responsivity vectors which are directed along radial lines from the axis and change in in intensity with distance from the axis so that when an electric field is applied the transducer will biaxially deform. The biaxial lamina can be stacked with a common electrode between them. Biaxers can be used for reducing stress between layers in bodies. They are also useful in deforming bodies and for making pumps.

Abstract: A pump having a stator that forms a cylindrical chamber defined by a wall d a plurality of independently energizable magnetic field generators. A compression roller comprising a magnetic material is disposed within the wall and is free to move with respect to the stator. A flexible diaphragm is intermediate the stator and the compression roller and disposed along the wall portion. The flexible diaphragm to be pumped has an input port and an outlet port for the fluid being pumped. An energizing control at any given instant energizes a plurality of adjacent ones of the magnetic field generators. The magnetic field generators are organized into overlapping sets that can be energized as sets in sequence thereby to produce a rotating, axially extending magnetic field within the wall. The compression roller follows the rotating field thereby to compress adjacent positions of the flexible diaphragm to pump fluid from the diaphragm through the inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: An ultrasonic oscillation is applied in the neighborhood of one end of a guide member for supporting and guiding a powder, so that a transverse proceeding wave is generated in the guide member. The powder moves from the other end of the guide member toward a position of the applied ultrasonic oscillation under the action of this proceeding wave.

Abstract: This invention relates to an injector in which fluid is injected into a reaction region 30 after pressurization and translation in traveling cells 20 between crests 46 of traveling waves of one or more waveplates 12 made of shear transducer material. Multiple phases of applied electrical stimulation cause electrical segments of the waveplate to form traveling waves by shearing in a predetermined sequence of amplitudes. Inlet wave amplitude taper 14 provides a prescribed state of inlet fluid acceleration. Outlet wave amplitude taper 18 predetermines the degree of mixing of two or more exiting fluids. Self filtering, valve action, high pressure, and high mass flow are provided with few and relatively benign modes of apparatus degradation due to friction. High system efficiency results from absence of rubbing and the recirculation of stored energy. The fluid delivery rate is smooth, continuous, and electrically variable. Balance of the mass flow rate of two or more fluids is electrically controlled.

Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A micropump for pumping liquid from an entry channel to an exit channel is disclosed. The micropump is formed in a semiconductor substrate sealed by two glass substrates. The micropump includes first and second chambers and flow channel means coupled between the two chambers. The micropump also includes a valve coupled between the entry channel and the first chamber. The valve includes a flexible valve membrane positioned closer to a second side of the semiconductor substrate than to its first side for causing the valve to be or not to be in contact with the second side of the semiconductor substrate for closing or opening the valve on the glass substrate. Additionally, the micropump includes a diaphragm forming part of a flexible wall of the second chamber and positioned closer to the second side of the semiconductor substrate than to its first side. The diaphragm is responsive to external pressure for causing liquid to be pumped from the entry channel to the exit channel.

Abstract: Pumping takes place within the micro-pump as a result of the deformation of a plate (12) using a piezo-electric pad (13). The deformation produces a variation in volume within a pumping chamber (15) defined inside a plate (11) which is made of a material which can be machined using photolithographic processes. The pump outlet (3) is blocked off, selectively, by a membraned check-valve (18) which is in direct communication with another check-valve (16) via the pumping chamber. The check-valve (16) selectively enables the pumping chamber to communicate with the pump inlet (2). The outlet valve membrane (18) has a layer of oxide (17) providing a pretension on closing. The check-valve thus has a regulatory effect on the pump operation, making the flow almost independent of the outlet (3) pressure. Application: injection of exact doses of medication.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric pump using a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric pump comprises an upper pump chamber main body having three pump chambers, a lower pump chamber main body having three pump chambers, and a piezoelectric actuator which has three actuator segments. The piezoelectric actuator is supported between the upper pump chamber main body and the lower pump chamber main body. The resultant piezoelectric pump has a simple and small structure and a high pump efficiency because both of the paired upper and lower pump chambers can be driven by an associated actuator segment.

Abstract: An electric pump comprises a housing (22) that encloses a stack of waveplates (18) in which electrically created traveling waves forcefully move fluid (20) from an inlet duct (24) to an outlet duct (26). Each waveplate is made of shear type transducer material that is segmented by film electrodes, the electrode planes lying perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. Electrode sets are stimulated by a multiphase electrical power source. The pressure at wave crest contacts is electrically controlled to hermetically trap fluid portions between waves, thereby achieving high throughput against high pressure differential. Rubbing is essentially absent throughout the pump, life shortening mechanisms being few and benign. High electromechanical efficiency obtains when waveplates are stimulated by electrically resonant frequencies. Pump variants include variable wavelength, variable wave amplitude, and tapered waveplates for improved effectiveness with compressible fluids.

Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A micropump particularly suited for use in the fields of medicine and analysis includes a thin membrane plate sandwiched between a surface plate and a glass-made substrate. The intermediate membrane has an inlet valve and an outlet valve and the glass substrate has an inlet port and an outlet port, respectively connected to the corresponding valves. Between the valves formed in the thin membrane plate by means of etching, there is a diaphragm on which there is a piezoelectric element for detecting behavior of the diaphragm. Another micropump has an upper thin membrane plate member and a lower member. The upper member has the inlet valve and the lower member has the outlet valve. An intermediate glass substrate is inserted between the upper and the lower thin membrane plate member.

Abstract: A system for pumping of fluids, particularly biological fluids such as blood, including a tubular length of magnetostrictive material. One-way valves are positioned generally in opposite ends of the tubular material. Fluid flow conduits are connected to the opposite ends of the tubular material. A magnetic field is imposed, generally by an electric coil, in a pulsed fashion to the tubular material to cause alternatingly magnetostriction and relaxation of the tubular material. This causes a reciprocating variation in the distance between the one-way valves which oppositely are opened and closed to produce a pumping action through the tubular material.

Abstract: A pump apparatus comprising an enclosure for holding a volume of fluid; an intake one-way valve for enabling intake of fluid into the enclosure; a discharge one-way valve for enabling discharge of fluid from the enclosure; a diaphragm for cyclically deflectably increasing and decreasing the volume of the enclosure whereby fluid is oscillatingly drawn into the enclosure and discharged therefrom; a heating assembly for selectively oscillatingly applying heat to the diaphragm and terminating application of heat thereto for selectively oscillatingly deflecting the diaphragm.

Abstract: A micro machined micro pump capable of flow rates on the level of microliters per minute formed by micro machining of a semiconductor material such as silicon with a set of channels or passages and having a semiconductor membrane interacting with the pattern of channels and passages and under selective control of activating means to induce traveling wave type motion of said membrane that creates pump action between inlet and outlet ones of the passages. To induce the pump action motion of the membrane electrical conductors can be applied to the membrane in a pattern which, when selectively activated interact with an electric or magnetic field to produce such motion. Alternatively piezolelectric or other electrostrictive mechanisms may be employed to induce the appropriate membrane motion.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a picoliter fluid pumping device in combination with an electrophoresis unit. The picoliter fluid pumping device includes an actuating unit, for selectively generating pump actuating signals, and a pump unit. The pump unit includes a deforming means, a deformable fluid chamber having a deformable chamber segment, a nozzle port, and an inlet port coupled to a fluid source to provide a fluid to the deformable fluid chamber. The deforming means, coupled to the actuating unit, deforms the deformable chamber segment in response to a pump actuating signal to cause a picoliter quantity of the fluid to be emitted from the nozzle port. The picoliter fluid pumping device has in combination an electrophoresis unit having at least one electrophoresis electrode coupled to the deformable fluid chamber and spatially located near the nozzle port and at least one electrophoresis port coupled to the deformable fluid chamber and spatially located near the nozzle port.

Abstract: A micropump comprising a pumping chamber, an inlet channel communicating with the pumping chamber by an inlet valve and an outlet channel communicating with the pumping chamber via an outlet valve, these elements being manufactured by etching a silicon wafer is then sealed to glass wafers, the micropump also comprising a piezoelectric wafer to vary the volume of the pumping chamber by bending a wall forming part of the wall of this pumping chamber. In accordance with the invention the pumping chamber has a stop which determines the amplitude of movement of the flexible wall. The variation in the volume of the chamber caused by the displacement of the flexible wall is precisely defined, thus making it possible to maintain the output of the micropump constant during normal operating conditions.

Abstract: The compressor cascade comprises a plurality of tandem-connected membrane pumps, each of the pumps having a plurality of stroke chambers whose volumes decrease in the direction of the fluid flow through the pumps. Each chamber has several parallel-connected input/output channels for interconnecting the individual membrane pumps and a check valve in each input/output channel for forcing the fluid in a specified direction. By electrostatic attraction forces, the membranes in the pumps are energized synchronously to resonance oscillations of the same frequency and deflection, building up the necessary operating pressure as the fluid is moved from the stroke chamber of one membrane pump into the smaller volume stroke chamber of the next succeeding membrane pump. The movement of the fluid through the membrane pumps of the compressor cascade leads to its compression, and the pressure at the end of the cascade is related to the reduction in volume of each succeeding stroke chamber.

Abstract: A compressor for compression-evaporation cooling systems, which requires no moving parts. A gaseous refrigerant inside a chamber is acoustically compressed and conveyed by means of a standing acoustic wave which is set up in the gaseous refrigerant. This standing acoustic wave can be driven either by a transducer, or by direct exposure of the gas to microwave and infrared sources, including solar energy. Input and output ports arranged along the chamber provide for the intake and discharge of the gaseous refrigerant. These ports can be provided with optional valve arrangements, so as to increase the compressor's pressure differential. The performance of the compressor in either of its transducer or electromagnetically driven configurations, can be optimized by a controlling circuit. This controlling circuit holds the wavelength of the standing acoustical wave constant, by changing the driving frequency in response to varying operating conditions.

Abstract: In an electric device having a package included an electric circuit element therein, a cooling fan is fixed on the package directly. The fan is formed of piezoelectric elements and a flexible cooling fin. The fan generates the cooling air flow due to vibration of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A piezoelectric diaphragm pump assembly is disclosed, wherein there is disposed a housing having an inlet port provided with a feed check valve, and an outlet port provided with a discharge check valve, wherein a casing is disposed for accomodating an amplification mechanism, said casing having an L-shape stationary member, to which a plate spring is fixed, a front end portion of the plate spring being fixed with a lever member of the amplification mechanism, which is engaged with an upper portion of a longitudinally effective type piezoelectric actuator, and wherein a diaphragm body coated with a film is disposed, characterized in that a front end portion of the lever member is fixed with a supporting member which is, in turn, fixed with a U-shape supporting member for supporting the diaphragm body, and that the supporting member is connected via a spring to the L-shape stationary member.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in an implantable drug delivery system for ambulatory patients comprises a pump in a drug reservoir and a piezoelectric disc element bonded to a diaphragm member forming one wall of a pump chamber and a battery and electrical circuits for cyclically applying electrical voltage to the piezoelectric member for inducing pumping movement in the diaphragm member to pump drugs from a reservoir via a valve and to a delivery catheter via another valve. A gas spring is provided to move the pump to maintain adequate pressure in the drug reservoir.

Abstract: In subsea production of oil and gas, a pressurized fluid is needed for operation of valves for the production system. To be able to supply a hydraulic actuator with pressure medium for valve operation without arranging any pressurization from a platform-based pump, a liquid pump has been produced which is driven by rods of a giant magnetostriction material and which may be connected to operating devices and valves at the bottom of the sea. The liquid pump has a high efficiency and has few movable parts. By utilizing the giant magnetostrictive in two alternately operating rods (11) which are arranged in pairs and are surrounded by coils (15) supplied with current, the first rod imparting a movement when magnetic energy is transformed into mechanical energy in the form of a deformation and the second rod dynamically prestressing the first rod together with a load, a piston (12) in a cylinder space (17) of a pump housing (16) may be caused to oscillate for transporting liquid.

Abstract: A fluid heat exchanger for cooling an electronic component including a housing having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet. Piezoelectric means are connected to a plurality of flexible blades for pumping fluid from the inlet to the outlet. A heat conductive structure is connected to the housing base for conducting heat to the fluid. The heat conductive structure may include the flexible blades and/or fixed metal fins.

Abstract: A transporter includes at least one elongated transporting element (1) which is made of a material capable of changing its volume in response to the application of voltage or magnetic fields thereacross. The transporting element, optionally together with a further transporting element or some other part of the transporter, defines an elongated transporting channel (7). Means are provided for generating fields in predetermined regions along the transporting element (1) and in a given order of sequence, such as to impart substantially peristaltic motion to the element. These means include at least three mutually adjacent conductors (3, 4, 5) which extend substantially helically in relation to the transporting element (1) and to which different phases of a multi-phase alternating voltage or alternating current source are applied.

Abstract: In order to significantly intensify the pump action in a piezoelectric pump without long-term, negative consequences, and in order to be able to employ a great variety of fluids, the pump of the invention is formed of piezoceramic parts arranged essentially parallel to and at a distance from one another. They are provided with electrical contacts at both sides, and are covered at both sides with closure means. The cavity between the piezoceramic parts and the closure means forms the pump channel. The electrical contacts lie essentially perpendicular relative to the closure means. The polarization direction in the piezoceramic parts lies parallel to the electrical field strength. A multi-channel pump, particularly for an ink-jet matrix printer means, can be manufactured in an especially simple way by use of known semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A duct for use with an oscillating fan blade has a preferred height which is a function of the blade height and a preferred width which is related to the maximum excursion of the blade leading edge. The duct is positioned at a preferred gap distance which is related to a maximum blade excursion distance and the velocity of the blade. A duct for a twin blade fan and a single blade fan is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a small amount of fluid has at least one series of vibration pump units each having a fluid transfer pipe designed to perform a respirating action by the operation of a vibrator which vibrates in response to application of a high-frequency voltage. The fluid transfer pipes are connected in series via fluid diodes which serve to enable the fluid to flow only in one direction, while resisting reversing of the fluid, so that the fluid is transferred in one direction through the successive fluid transfer pipes. In order to minimize the pulsation of the fluid pressure at the downstream end of the apparatus, the vibrators of the pump unit are excited with predetermined phase differentials. Additional fluid diode is connected to the outlet end of the most downstream pump unit.

Abstract: Impulse ink jets utilizing elongated transducers which expand and contract along the axis of elongation are formed by plates lying in planes parallel with the axis of elongation. The plates containing the chamber also include a drive portion for coupling the transducer to the chamber where the drive portion is supported by struts which extend to a support means also formed by the plates.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injection device for pumping fuel to an internal-combustion engine by using the expansion-contraction characteristics of a piezoelectric device. The electronic fuel injection device has a pump member integrally formed and having a number of pistons corresponding to the number of cylinders of the associated internal-combustion engine, and a single actuator for driving the pump member. Accordingly, the same pressure is generated in all of the pump chambers when the pump member is driven by the actuator for each fuel injection cycle. Each pump chamber is connected to a fuel feed passage connected to a fuel tank and to a fuel injection passage connected to a fuel injection nozzle, and is filled with the fuel. The pump chambers are pressurized uniformly to distribute the fuel uniformly to the cylinders regardless of the passage characteristics of the fuel injection passages.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump having a cylinder closed at one end with an elongated piston arranged within the cylinder from the other end. The piston is constructed of a positive magnetostrictive material which increases in length in the presence of a magnetic field of appropriate intensity. It is wound along its length with a coil of wire capable of producing an electro-magnetic field upon energization. The piston is fastened at the open end of the cylinder to define a cylinder cavity between the cylinder closed end and the piston. A pair of passages including valves, for use as an intake and an exhaust passage, communicate with this cavity. The valve members in each cavity comprise a magnetically polarized member, each of opposed polarity as related to the other, such that upon energization of the pump with one polarity of pulses, the valves will assume a particular function, and with a reversed polarity of operating pulses, a reverse function.