Molecular-scale beam pump assemblies and uses thereof
OwnerJoseph F. Pinkertoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims42
An apparatus comprising a nanomechanical pump assembly, wherein the nanomechanical pump assembly comprises
- (a) a body having a cavity, wherein the body comprises
- (i) a first opening to allow fluid to flow into the cavity, and
- (ii) a second opening to allow the fluid to flow out of the cavity,
- (b) a plurality of nanofilaments coupled to the body within the cavity, wherein the nanofilaments are operable to vibrate in response to thermal forces;
- (c) a surface proximate to the plurality of nanofilaments;
- (d) a fluid flow path through the body, wherein the fluid flow path allows the fluid to flow
- (i) through the cavity from the first opening to the second opening, and
- (ii) by the surface and at least one of the nanofilaments, wherein
- the surface and the plurality of nanofilaments are positioned within the cavity such that molecules of the fluid can collide with at least some of the surface and the plurality of nanofilaments so that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path due to thermal vibration of the plurality of nanofilaments.
A method of accelerating molecules in a fluid, comprising:
- (a) directing a flow of the fluid toward a nanofilament undergoing thermal vibration and a surface proximate the nanofilament;
- (b) allowing molecules in the fluid to collide with the nanofilament and the surface, such that the molecules are accelerated;
- and
- (c) directing a flow of the accelerated fluid molecules toward a target.
A nanomechanical pump comprising:
- (a) a body;
- (b) a plurality of nanofilaments comprising a free moving portion having a first side, wherein
- (i) the plurality of nanofilaments are coupled to the body, and
- (ii) the free moving portions of the plurality of nanofilaments are operable to exchange kinetic energy with a plurality of fluid molecules of a fluid by striking and accelerating the fluid molecules;
- and
- (c) a surface, wherein the first sides of the free moving portions of the nanofilaments in the plurality of nanofilaments are located proximate to the surface such that the free moving portions are operable to strike and accelerate a fraction of the fluid molecules against the surface before the accelerated fluid molecules can strike another fluid molecule.
An apparatus comprising
- (a) an assembly;
- (b) a plurality of nanofilaments coupled to the assembly, wherein the nanofilaments are operable to vibrate in response to thermal forces;
- and
- (c) a surface proximate to at least some of the plurality of the nanofilaments, wherein the surface and the plurality of nanofilaments are positioned such that molecules of a fluid can collide with at least some of the surface and the plurality of nanofilaments so that the assembly will be accelerated in a first direction due to thermal vibration of the plurality of nanofilaments.
An apparatus comprising a pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly comprises:
- (a) a plate having a first opening having an edge;
- and
- (b) a first plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over the first opening, wherein
- (i) the cantilevered molecular-scale beams of the first plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams each have a tip that is proximate the edge of the first opening, and
- (ii) the first plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams are operable to asymmetrically oscillate such that molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the first opening.
An apparatus comprising a pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly comprises
- (a) a first surface;
- (b) a second surface linearly spaced from the first surface;
- (c) an opening of the pump assembly;
- and
- (d) a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams having a first end and a second end, wherein
- (i) the cantilevered molecular-scale beams of the plurality of the cantilevered molecular-scale beams are coupled to the first surface at the first end, and
- (ii) the second ends of the cantilevered molecular-scale beams of the plurality of the cantilevered molecular-scale beams are free ends of the beams proximate the second surface, wherein
- (1) a first portion of the free ends are proximate an edge of the second surface, and
- (2) a second portion of the free ends are not proximate the edge of the second surface, and
- (iii) the plurality of the cantilevered molecular-scale beams are operable for accelerating molecules of a fluid through the opening by asymmetric oscillation of the plurality of the cantilevered molecular-scale beams.
A method of accelerating molecules in a fluid, comprising:
- (a) directing a flow of the fluid toward a plurality of asymmetrically oscillating molecular-scale beams;
- and
- (b) allowing molecules in the fluid to collide with the beams such that the molecules are accelerated away from the beams.
A nanomechanical pump comprising:
- (a) a body;
- (b) a plurality of cantilevered nanofilaments comprising a free moving portion, wherein
- (i) the plurality of cantilevered nanofilaments are coupled to the body, and
- (ii) the free moving portions of the plurality of cantilevered nanofilaments are operable to exchange kinetic energy with a plurality of fluid molecules of a fluid by striking fluid molecules in the plurality of fluid molecules;
- and
- (c) a surface, wherein
- (i) the surface is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of cantilevered nanofilaments,
- (ii) the surface is located a distance from the free moving portions of the cantilevered nanofilaments, and
- (iii) the surface has an edge near some of the free moving portions that is operable to restrict their motion through a non-contact force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.