Self priming micropump
AssigneeCornell Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsMichael Shuler, Aaron Sin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A micropump has two chambers separated by an actuator for causing fluid to flow in the chambers. Each chamber is equipped with a ball that acts as a valve for allowing flow in a desired direction. The balls are heavier than the fluid being pumped, and reside at an interface between the chambers and passages feeding fluid into the chambers and provide a tight seal between the chambers and passages feeding the chambers when fluid pressure forces the fluid back toward the feeding passages.
Claims31
A micropump comprising:
- a first chamber having a first fluid input;
- a first ball disposed proximate the first fluid input in the first chamber;
- a second chamfered chamber coupled to the first chamfered chamber having a second fluid input:
- a second ball disposed proximate the second fluid input in the second chamber;
- and
- an actuator positioned between the first and second chambers.
A micropump comprising:
- a first chamber having a first fluid input;
- a first ball disposed the first chamber;
- a second chamber having a second fluid input:
- a second ball disposed in the second chamber;
- a pumping passage coupled between the first and second chambers wherein the balls act as valves to promote one way flow of fluid.
A micropump for pumping fluid, the micropump comprising:
- a pair of sets of capillaries coupled in series about an actuator controlled pumping chamber, each set of capillaries comprising an upstream and a down stream capillary wherein the upstream capillary has a smaller diameter than the down stream capillary, and a ball disposed in the down stream capillary having a larger diameter than that upstream capillary, such that fluid flows from the upstream capillary to the downstream capillary in response to pumping by the actuator.
A method of forming a micropump for pumping fluid, the method comprising:
- creating an input;
- creating a first chamber having a diameter larger than a diameter of the input;
- positioning a ball in the first chamber to act as a valve between the input and the first chamber;
- creating a pumping passage coupled to the first chamber;
- creating a second chamber coupled to the pumping passage;
- creating a passage from the pumping passage to the second chamber, wherein the passage from the pumping passage to the second chamber has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the second chamber;
- and
- placing a ball in the second chamber to act as a valve between the passage from the pumping passage and the second chamber.
A micropump comprising:
- a substrate formed of plastic;
- a first chamber formed in the substrate having a first fluid input and output;
- a first ball disposed in the first chamber;
- a second chamber formed in the substrate and coupled to the first chamfered chamber having a second fluid input and output:
- a second ball disposed in the second chamber;
- and
- a pumping passage coupled between the first and second chambers wherein the balls act as valves to promote one way flow of fluid
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.