Abstract: An electronic device may include an electronic circuit, a heat sink thermally coupled to the electronic circuit, and spaced apart cooling fins extending from the heat sink. Each cooling fin includes a circuit board and a cooling device mounted thereon. The cooling device may have a conductive trace layer on the circuit board defining an electromagnet, a mounting member extending upwardly from the circuit board, a fan blade coupled to an upper end of the mounting member to be movable in a rocking motion about an axis defined by the mounting member, and a permanent magnet carried by the fan blade and responsive to the electromagnet.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a base member, a flat piezoelectric actuator, at least one expansion mechanism, and a blade member. The flat piezoelectric actuator is configured to be connected at one end to the base member. At least one expansion mechanism is configured to be connected to the other end of the piezoelectric actuator and pivot by the swinging of the piezoelectric actuator. The blade member is configured to be connected to the expansion mechanism and swing by the pivoting of the expansion mechanism. The blade member performs a fanning action by the swinging of the piezoelectric actuator and the pivoting of the expansion mechanism if AC power is applied to the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a primary preform for an optical fiber wherein conditions are created in the reaction zone such that one or more glass layer packages made up of at least two separate glass layers are deposited on the interior of the substrate tube. A method for manufacturing a final preform as well as primary preforms, final preforms and optical fibers obtained therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying device for conveying a fluid in a conveying direction having one or more drive bodies which can be driven in an oscillating manner by means of a drive system transversely to the conveying direction. An acceleration of the fluid is achieved by a corresponding movement in translation or by a partially pivoting movement of the drive bodies in the manner of the fin principle known from biology (e.g. aerodynamics and hydrodynamics).

Abstract: An impeller comprises an impeller body, a plurality of stems, a blade mounting member, and a plurality of blades. The stems radially extend with one end of each stem fixed to a portion of a circumferential wall of the impeller body in the vicinity of a suction port, and are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the circumferential wall. The stems assist the impeller to suck air Jn an axial direction through a suction port during rotation of the impeller. The blade mounting member is disposed concentrically with the circumferential wall of the impeller body. The other end of each stem is fixed to the blade mounting member. The blades are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and extend along an axial line toward a second wall portion, with one end of each blade fixed to the blade mounting member.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a heat pump system which comprises an enclosure and an electrostatic compressor. The enclosure is substantially filled with a first fluid and includes a plurality of compressor vanes, a heat exchanger, and a control module. The plurality of compressor vanes are responsive to electrical stimulus and are substantially separated from each other so that the first fluid extends to and at least partially occupies a space between adjoining pairs of the compressor vanes. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the first fluid in the space between the compressor vanes and to a second fluid substantially outside the enclosure. The control module is responsive to input information and includes an electrical circuit that provides the electrical stimulus to the compressor vanes. The compressor vanes respond to the electrical stimulus by compressing and releasing the first fluid between the adjoining pairs of compressor vanes.

Abstract: The present invention provides micro-fluidic systems, a method for the manufacturing of such a micro-fluidic system and a method for controlling or manipulating a fluid flow through micro-channels of a such a micro-fluidic system. Herefore, an inner side of a wall of a microchannel is provided with actuator elements which can change shape and orientation as a response to an external stimulus. Through this change of shape and orientation the flow of a fluid through a microchannel may be controlled and manipulated.

Abstract: Nanomechanical, nanoelectromechanical, and other molecular-scale pump assembly are described. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of nanofilaments, a surface proximate at least one of the nanofilaments, a fluid flow path, and an opening. Molecules of a fluid that flows from the opening through the cavity along the fluid flow path collide with the surface or one or more of the nanofilaments such that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path. A molecular-scale pump assembly includes a plate defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over each opening. In certain embodiment, molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the opening by asymmetric oscillation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blank (200) formed of resiliently flexible sheet material. The blank comprises a first portion (208) operative in a planar configuration and a second portion (204) having means (210, 218) for joining thereof upon configuring of the second portion to form a tubular structure (240). Also disclosed are a manually operable fan configurable from the blank, and a display article configurable form the blank.

Abstract: A variable coolant pump for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine. The variable coolant pump includes a pump head having an inlet, an annular channel and an outlet; a pump housing rotatably supporting a pump shaft having an axial end; a pump blade wheel mounted on the axial end of the pump shaft and disposed in the pump head; and a plurality of adjustable guide blades arranged concentrically about the pump blade wheel between the annular channel and the pump blade wheel. Each adjustable guide blade has two longitudinal sides and outer edge and includes a first pivot, a second pivot and a third pivot. The first and second pivots extend at right angles to a respective one of the two longitudinal sides in a vicinity of the outer edge. The first and second pivots define an axis of rotation and rotatably support the respective guideblade in the pump head about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A swing type fan including a frame, a motor, at least one blade, at least one first magnetic element and at least one second magnetic element is provided. The motor is fixed to the frame and has a shaft passing through the frame. The blade is disposed between the shaft and the frame and has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side of the blade is connected to the frame. The first magnetic element is disposed on the blade and is located between the first side and the second side of the blade. The second magnetic element is connected to the shaft and is corresponding to the first magnetic element. The second side of the blade swings via a magnetic force between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element as the shaft drives the second magnetic element to rotate.

Abstract: A valve which has a structure with at least one opening and a member which has a fixed static charge and also has a first position exposing the opening and a second position sealing the opening. A method for making the valve includes providing a structure with at least one opening and providing a member having a fixed static charge where the member has a first position exposing the opening and a second position sealing the opening. An agitator includes a base with at least one trench, a structure with at least one opening, and a membrane with a fixed static charge. The structure is connected to the base over the trench with the opening in the structure extending through to the trench in the base. The membrane is connected to the base across at least a portion of the trench. A pump includes a base with at least one trench, a structure with at least two openings, a membrane with a fixed static charge, a first cantilever arm having a fixed static charge, and a second cantilever arm having a fixed static charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump which comprises a tube (4) through which a fluid is delivered, and a device (2) for producing transverse oscillations in the fluid. On the inlet side (5), the tube (4) has a first section (1) with an invariable delivery cross-section and on the outlet side (6) a second section (3) with a variable delivery cross-section. The inventive pump functions according to the following principle: the fluid, when induced to oscillate, performs transverse oscillations in the second section (3) with the variable delivery cross-section and can thereby expand or flow in said oscillating system, while in the first section (1) with the invariable delivery cross-section the fluid oscillates not at all or only to a much lesser extent depending on the compressibility of the medium.

Abstract: An arrangement for cooling an electronic assembly includes a circuit board, an enclosure member and at least one electromechanical actuator. The circuit board has a first surface, a second surface, and at least a first heat-generating element secured to the first surface. The circuit board further comprises at least one aperture extending between the first surface and the second surface. The enclosure member is secured to the circuit board so as to form a fluid tight barrier of a compartment defined at least in part by the enclosure member. The compartment includes a first subcompartment defined at least in part by the first surface and the enclosure member and a second subcompartment defined at least in part by the second surface and the enclosure member. The at least one electromechanical actuator is secured within the fluid type barrier and is operable to generate a flow movement in the direction of the at least one aperture when liquid is disposed in the fluid tight barrier.

Abstract: Piezoelectric fan assemblies are provided to provide a conduction path and forced convection for space-limited electronic devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The fan blade of a piezoelectric fan is thermally coupled to the heat source, such as, but not limited to, the fins of a heat sink, the condenser of the heat pipe, and to the thermal mass of a heat spreader or block. The high amplitude resonant vibration of the fan blade causes formation of a high velocity unidirectional flow stream. Maximum airflow occurs on axes of the piezoelectric fan's centerline, relative to both width and height dimensions. Air intake is above and below the swept out plane of the fan blade. The air flow provides forced convection for the fan blade and, secondarily, for the heat source.

Abstract: Control of fluid motion within microcavities is carried out using microstructures in the cavities having cantilever elements that are coupled to a substrate to receive vibrations therefrom. The cantilever elements can be excited into resonance at one or more resonant frequencies. By selection of the shape of the cantilever elements, their position in the microcavity, the spacing of the cantilever elements from the walls of the cavity, and the frequency at which the cantilever elements are excited, the direction of pumping of fluid through the cavity can be controlled, blocked or diverted.

Abstract: A fluid circulator made up of an admission orifice, a pump body and a delivery orifice, the pump body having two rigid walls defining therebetween a circulation space for fluid circulation from the admission to the delivery orifice. A deformable membrane is maintained under tension in the circulation space parallel to the circulation direction and has one edge located near the admission orifice for coupling to a motor generating a periodic excitation force, the circulation space having a cross section perpendicular to the circulation direction which has a size measured along the periodic force direction progressively decreasing from the admission to the delivery orifice.

Abstract: A pump (10) comprising an inlet (12), an outlet (14) and a pumping chamber (16) between the inlet (10) and the outlet (12). The pumping chamber (16) has first and second opposed interior pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) extending from the inlet (12) to the outlet (14) in a pumping direction (PD). The pump (10) also has a flexible diaphragm (22) between the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) which is adapted to substantially sealingly separate the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) from one another. The diaphragm (22) has first and second layers (24, 26) adjacent the first and second pumping chamber surfaces (18, 20) respectively. A means (38) is also provided which induces substantially sinusoidal motion in the diaphragm (22) in the pumping direction (PD) without inducing relative movement between the diaphragm (22) and the pumping chamber (16) in the pumping direction (PD).

Abstract: A MEMS pumping device driven by electrostatic forces comprises a substrate having at least one substrate electrode disposed thereon. Affixed to the substrate is a moveable membrane that generally overlies the at least one substrate electrode. The moveable membrane comprises at least one electrode element and a biasing element. The moveable membrane includes a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion extending from the fixed portion and being moveable with respect to the substrate electrode. A dielectric element is disposed between the at least one substrate electrode and the at least one electrode element of the moveable membrane to provide for electrical isolation. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the at least one substrate electrode and the at least one electrode element which displaces the moveable membrane relative to the substrate to thereby controllably distribute matter residing between the substrate and the distal portion of the moveable membrane.

Abstract: A fluid circulator made up of an admission orifice, a pump body and a delivery orifice, the pump body having two rigid walls defining therebetween a circulation space for fluid circulation from the admission to the delivery orifice. A deformable membrane is maintained under tension in the circulation space parallel to the circulation direction and has one edge located near the admission orifice for coupling to a motor generating a periodic excitation force, the circulation space having a cross section perpendicular to the circulation direction which has a size measured along the periodic force direction progressively decreasing from the admission to the delivery orifice.

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

Abstract: A vibrating membrane fluid circulator comprising an internal hydraulic circuit made up in succession of an admission orifice (1), a pump body (2), and a delivery orifice (3), the pump body (2) defining, in operation, a space (4, 18, 30) having rigid walls (5, 6) between which a deformable membrane (9) is placed having means for coupling its end (11) adjacent to the admission orifice to a motor member (39) generating a periodic excitation force substantially normally to the surface thereof, said membrane (9) being associated with means for creating tension parallel to the fluid circulation direction, said membrane constituting the medium for waves travelling from the end subjected to the excitation force towards its opposite end situated adjacent to the delivery orifice, said displacement being accompanied by forced damping due to the shape of the rigid walls so as to transfer energy from the membrane to the fluid giving rise to a pressure gradient and to fluid flow related to the dimensions of the pump body a

Abstract: An electric waving fan includes a single air moving fan vane element, a motor for generating power, a transmission apparatus for converting the power to motion, and a power output assembly for moving the single fan vane element simultaneously in two directions such that the fan vane element moves with a waving motion. The fan further includes a base and a wrist assembly that can be moved in two directions relative to the base which can be mounted on a wall, on the floor or desk, or hang from the ceiling.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fan comprises at least one piezoelectric element having a rectangular piezoelectric plate of large aspect ratio, made from a piezoelectric material, and conductive metal layers provided on both surfaces of the piezoelectric plate. At least one of the conductive metal layers has a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending parallel to the long side of the piezoelectric element and formed integrally with the conductive metal layers or as a separate member collectively. The reinforcing ribs increase the long side direction rigidity of the piezoelectric element. As a result, the long side direction or lateral mode resonance of the piezoelectric element can be suppressed, thus increasing the blow efficiency of the piezoelectric fan.

Abstract: A fluid forcing device comprising many rotatable slender elements that converts mechanical energy into fluid energy by mechanically arranging and maintaining, at all time, the rotatable slender elements in a predetermined wave form and by mechanically moving the wave form in a direction normal to the rotation of the elements by an improved drive comprising two fluted rollers. The new drive reduces the weight and complexity of the entire fluid forcing device and renders it more mechanically rigid and less vibration prone.

Abstract: A fluid forcing device comprising many rotatable slender elements that converts mechanical energy into fluid energy by mechanically arranging and maintaining, at all times, the rotatable slender elements in a pre-determined wave form and by mechanically moving the wave form in a direction normal to the rotation of the elements.

Abstract: A cooling fan for dissipating heat requiring relatively little electrical power to operate. The fan includes a fan blade, constructed from flexible metal or plastic, anchored at one end and having a permanent magnet mounted at the other end. An external drive mechanism, such as a position sensor or an oscillator, provides a drive pulse to the coil. The fan blade is placed in motion by energizing a coil which is disposed about a core constructed of magnetically permeable material and positioned adjacent the magnet. Upon energization of the coil, the magnet mounted on the blade reacts to the magnetic field generated by the coil, causing the blade to move away from the coil. When the magnet, due to the flexibility of the fan blade, moves back towards the coil, a voltage is induced in the coil by the magnet, thus causing current to flow through the coil to apply a kick or power pulse of magnetic energy to the magnet. This process continues as the blade moves from side to side.

Abstract: A fluid transferring apparatus achieves a two-dimensional flow of fluid with high efficiency and at low noise by imitating a Weis-Fogh mechanism with use of a simple mechanism. In the fluid transferring apparatus, a wing assembly X comprised of a predetermined number of plate-like wings is provided in a transverse direction of a flow passage. A wing assembly X is supported by a link of a crank mechanism which is constituted of a crank rotated by a motor, a slider slidable in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a flow in a flow passage and the link coupling the crank with the slider, so that rotational motion of the crank is transmitted to the slider as a reciprocal movement. While an angle of attack of each wing is changed by oscillating action of the link, each wing is moved in a transverse direction of the flow passage as the link is reciprocated, thereby achieving transfer of fluid.

Abstract: A vibrating diffusion type aromatic device is disclosed. The device includes a vibrating unit including a magnetic reed. An aromatic plaque having an aroma is mounted on the reed. A magnetic device including a coil for attracting the magnetic reed for spreading the aroma under vibration. A vibrating operation circuit is provided to drive the coil and vibrate the reed.

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 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 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: A piezoelectric fan includes a tuning-fork type vibrator having two sides. A first piezoelectric element is formed on each of the two sides of the vibrator. Further, an exciting electrode is formed on each of these first piezoelectric elements. Also, a feedback electrode is formed on one of the first piezoelectric elements an electrically insulated from the exciting electrode. Furthermore, a blade is attached to the tip of each of the two sides of the vibrator. Then, this piezoelectric fan is driven in a self-exciting fashion by feeding an output from the feedback electrode to the exciting electrode. Also, in this piezoelectric fan, a vibrational node is formed at nearly the middle point of the vibrator at free vibration.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for a backpack agricultural sprayer is mounted within a container of the sprayer and connected to the sprayer pump so that liquid from the container is forced under pressure into the pressure vessel for a spraying discharge therefrom. Leakage of liquid past the piston of the sprayer pump is contained by a leak proof diaphragm in a diaphragm chamber which is connected by a conduit to the interior of the sprayer container. The diaphragm is connected to the piston to be operated therewith thus providing two separate but simultaneously acting pumps. The first pump is the piston pump for pressurizing the liquid for spraying discharge. The second pump is the diaphragm which forces liquid back and forth between the container and the diaphragm chamber in a high velocity stream which agitates the contents as the stream is projected into the container interior.

Abstract: An acoustic pump including a resonant member having low internal damping and asymmetrically tapered to a thin edge; a piezoelectric driver mounted on the resonant member; and means for applying an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric driver in the resonant range of the resonant member for vibrating the resonant member and pumping fluid away from the thin edge.

Abstract: A pumping device comprising: a housing; piezoelectric element having one end mounted to the housing and one end free; a generally planar impeller blade connected to the free end of the piezoelectric element and having its distal end unconstrained by the housing; the blade having a high Q factor, a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and a low mass per unit area substantially less than that of the piezoelectric element; a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element for oscillating its free end perpendicular to its plane at or close to resonance and propagating a traveling wave along the blade to generate and shed vortices at the distal end of the blade.

Abstract: Fluid handling mechanism has a vane with parallel side edges coupled to a crank at one end and to an obliquely transverse guide track at the other end. The vane is closely runningly fitted, between parallel side walls and curved top and bottom walls, executing a longitudinally moving line contact with the curved walls in conjunction with irrotational, purely linear, fluid flow. This contact may range from zero to a substantial clearance. Flow is combined fluidynamic fan effect and positive displacement. The positive displacement portion is increased when two such mechanisms are assembled tandemly, in series, with the vanes piano-hinged together. The four walls form a duct, the ends of which may be ported or valved. The duct may also be closed at its ends to constitute a chamber, allowing the mechanism to serve as a closed cycle regenerative gas engine.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for displacing fluids in which a housing is provided which has an end wall and an opening opposite the end wall. A blade is positioned in the housing and rectilinear motion is imparted to the blade so that one end of the blade is moved while the other end dwells so that fluid is drawn in to one side of the blade and expelled by the reducing volume on the other side of the blade.

Abstract: A pump for conveying liquid, especially resonance pump, which comprises an alternating current operable oscillating armature which is supported by a leaf spring, and also comprises an elastically flexible thin-walled plate which is likewise supported by the leaf spring and extends into a pump passage through which liquid is conveyed within the pump. The pump furthermore includes electromagnets adapted when energized to cause the armature alternately to swing to one and the opposite side so that the leaf spring and the plate carry out synchronous movements in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pump. The plate has a considerably lower bending resistance than the leaf spring.