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US 12,714,979 B2Granted
Electromechanically driven oscillatory flow in fluidic systems
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsLeif-Thore Deck, Natalie Eyke, Travis Hart, Klavs F. Jensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluidic systems and methods in which oscillatory flow is employed are generally described. In some instances, one or more solenoids are used to drive the oscillation of a magnetically-susceptible body which creates oscillatory flow of a fluid in a fluidic channel in fluid communication with a channel containing the magnetically-susceptible body.
Claims20
A device, comprising:
- a first fluidic channel;
- a second fluidic channel;
- a fluidic loop between and fluidically connected to the first fluidic channel and the second fluidic channel;
- valving configured such that:
- when the valving is in a first position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first fluidic channel and a first connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the second fluidic channel and a third connection of the fluidic loop, and
- when the valving is in a second position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first connection of the fluidic loop and a second connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the third connection of the fluidic loop and a fourth connection of the fluidic loop;
- a magnetically-susceptible body within the fluidic loop;
- and
- at least one solenoid associated with the fluidic loop and configured such that, upon application of a voltage to the at least one solenoid, the at least one solenoid generates a magnetic field that causes movement of the magnetically-susceptible body along the fluidic loop,
- wherein the at least one solenoid is configured such that oscillatory flow of the magnetically-susceptible body is produced by applying a voltage to the at least one solenoid to transport the magnetically-susceptible body against the force of gravity and removing the applied voltage to allow the magnetically-susceptible body to move with the force of gravity.
7 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a first fluidic channel;
- a second fluidic channel;
- a fluidic loop between and fluidically connected to the first fluidic channel and the second fluidic channel;
- valving configured such that:
- when the valving is in a first position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first fluidic channel and a first connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the second fluidic channel and a third connection of the fluidic loop, and
- when the valving is in a second position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first connection of the fluidic loop and a second connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the third connection of the fluidic loop and a fourth connection of the fluidic loop;
- a magnetically-susceptible body within the fluidic loop;
- and
- at least one solenoid associated with the fluidic loop and configured such that, upon application of a voltage to the at least one solenoid, the at least one solenoid generates a magnetic field that causes movement of the magnetically-susceptible body along the fluidic loop,
- wherein the valving comprises a single valve.
7 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a first fluidic channel;
- a second fluidic channel;
- a fluidic loop between and fluidically connected to the first fluidic channel and the second fluidic channel;
- valving configured such that:
- when the valving is in a first position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first fluidic channel and a first connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the second fluidic channel and a third connection of the fluidic loop, and
- when the valving is in a second position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first connection of the fluidic loop and a second connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the third connection of the fluidic loop and a fourth connection of the fluidic loop;
- a magnetically-susceptible body within the fluidic loop;
- and
- at least one solenoid associated with the fluidic loop and configured such that, upon application of a voltage to the at least one solenoid, the at least one solenoid generates a magnetic field that causes movement of the magnetically-susceptible body along the fluidic loop,
- wherein the valving comprises at least two 3-way valves.
7 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a first fluidic channel;
- a second fluidic channel;
- a fluidic loop between and fluidically connected to the first fluidic channel and the second fluidic channel;
- valving configured such that:
- when the valving is in a first position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first fluidic channel and a first connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the second fluidic channel and a third connection of the fluidic loop, and
- when the valving is in a second position, the valving establishes fluid communication between the first connection of the fluidic loop and a second connection of the fluidic loop, and the valving establishes fluid communication between the third connection of the fluidic loop and a fourth connection of the fluidic loop;
- a magnetically-susceptible body within the fluidic loop;
- and
- at least one solenoid associated with the fluidic loop and configured such that, upon application of a voltage to the at least one solenoid, the at least one solenoid generates a magnetic field that causes movement of the magnetically-susceptible body along the fluidic loop,
- wherein the device further comprises a magnet adjacent to the fluidic loop, the magnet and the at least one solenoid configured such that oscillatory flow of the magnetically-susceptible body is produced by applying a first voltage to the at least one solenoid to transport the magnetically-susceptible body against the force of gravity and toward the magnet, and applying a second voltage to the at least one solenoid to transport the magnetically-susceptible body with the force of gravity and away from the magnet.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.