Dispensing system having a mechanical amplifier

An amplifier for amplifying movement of a mechanical apparatus, the amplifier comprising:

• a body having a primary surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary surface, the primary surface configured to contact a primary protrusion extending from the mechanical apparatus;
• and
• an interface on the body configured to operatively engage with a push rod,
• wherein the body is configured to transition to a deformed state in response to a force applied to the primary surface of the body such that the push rod is moved in a first direction,
• wherein the body is configured to transition to an undeformed state when the force is removed from the primary surface, such that the push rod is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction, and
• wherein the interface defines an opening extending through the body and configured to receive the push rod, the opening having a first size in an undeformed state when the force is not applied to the body and a second size, larger than the first size, in the deformed state.

A method of dispensing fluid using a dispensing system, the dispensing system including a piezoelectric stack having a distal end, an amplifier having a primary surface configured to contact the distal end and a secondary surface opposite the primary surface and defining an opening extending from the primary surface to the secondary surface, and a valve assembly including an outlet orifice and a valve element, the method comprising:

• applying a voltage to the piezoelectric stack to cause the piezoelectric stack to lengthen by a first distance;
• causing, in response to the lengthening of the piezoelectric stack by the first distance, the amplifier to transition to a deformed state and a portion thereof to move a second distance greater than the first distance;
• and
• causing, in response to movement of the portion of the amplifier by the second distance, the valve element to move in a first direction by the second distance to dispense an amount of fluid from the outlet orifice,
• wherein the amplifier is configured to transition to the deformed state in response to contact on the secondary surface and contact by the distal end of the piezoelectric stack, and based on the deforming of the amplifier, a first portion of the amplifier is configured to move in a direction toward the distal end and a second portion of the amplifier is configured to move in a direction away from the distal end such that the first portion is closer to the distal end than the second portion, and
• wherein the opening is configured to transition from a first size in an undeformed state to a second size, larger than the first size, in the deformed state.