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US 11,898,545 B2Granted
Venturi pump systems and methods to use same
AssigneeBrane Audio, LLC
InventorJoseph F. Pinkerton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Pumping systems that have pumping system units utilizing venturi pumps. Such pumping systems can be used in speakers, to propel drones, and other applications. Actuation of the venturi pumps can be by piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators, electrostatic actuators, and other similar actuators.
Claims28
A system, wherein the system comprises a venturi pump system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of venturi pumps, wherein, for each venturi pump in the plurality of venturi pumps
- (i) the venturi pump comprises a membrane and a venturi nozzle, and
- (ii) movement of the membrane is operable to flow fluid by the venturi pump in and out of the venturi nozzle;
- (b) one or more lever arms that are operable to move the membranes of the venturi pumps in the plurality pumps;
- and
- (c) one or more actuators that are operable to power the venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps by moving the one or more lever arms, wherein
- (i) each of the venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps further comprises
- (A) a first panel, wherein the first panel comprises the venturi nozzle,
- (B) a pumping chamber that is bounded in part by the membrane, and
- (C) an intake channel,
- (ii) when the membrane is moved in a first direction, fluid flows from the pumping chamber, the fluid combines with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and the combined fluid flows through the venturi nozzle and out the venturi pump, and
- (iii) when the membrane is moved in the second direction, fluid flows into the venturi pump through the venturi nozzle, the fluid combines with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and the combined fluid flows into the pumping chamber.
9 more elements
A method comprising utilizing a system having a venturi pump system, wherein
- (a) the venturi pump system comprises
- (i) a plurality of venturi pumps, wherein each of the venturi pumps comprises a membrane and a venturi nozzle,
- (ii) one or more lever arms, and
- (iii) one or more actuators;
- (b) utilizing the system comprises utilizing the one or more actuators to move the one or more lever arms, wherein the movement by the one or more lever arms moves the membranes of the venturi pumps to flow fluid in and out of the venturi nozzles, wherein
- (i) each of the venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps further comprise
- (A) a first panel, wherein the first panel comprises the venturi nozzle,
- (B) a pumping chamber that is bounded in part by the membrane, and
- (C) an intake channel,
- (ii) utilizing the system comprises utilizing the one or more actuators to move one or more of the lever arms to move the membrane of the venturi pump in a first direction to flow fluid from the pumping chamber, combines the fluid with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and flows the combined fluid through the venturi nozzle and out the venturi pump;
- and
- (iii) utilizing the system comprises utilizing the one or more actuators to move one or more of the lever arms to move the membrane of the venturi pump in a second direction to flow fluid into the venturi pump through the venturi nozzle, combine the fluid with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and flows the combined fluid into the pumping chamber.
9 more elements
A system comprising a venturi pump system, wherein the venturi pump system comprises:
- (a) a plurality of venturi pumps, wherein, for each of the venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps
- (i) the venturi pump comprises a membrane and a venturi nozzle, and
- (ii) movement of the membrane is operable to flow fluid by the venturi pump in and out of the venturi nozzle;
- (b) a piezoelectric actuator;
- and
- (c) a mechanical structure that connects the piezoelectric actuator to one or more venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps, wherein
- (i) each of the venturi pumps in the plurality of venturi pumps further comprise
- (A) a first panel, wherein the first panel comprises the venturi nozzle,
- (B) a pumping chamber that is bounded in part by the membrane, and
- (C) an intake channel,
- (ii) when the membrane is moved in a first direction, fluid flows from the pumping chamber, the fluid combines with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and the combined fluid flows through the venturi nozzle and out the venturi pump, and
- (iii) when the membrane is moved in the second direction, fluid flows into the venturi pump through the venturi nozzle, the fluid combines with fluid that flows from the intake channel, and the combined fluid flows into the pumping chamber.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.