Disc pump with perimeter valve configuration

A method for providing a flow of a fluid, the method comprising:

• providing a disc pump having:
• a pump base having an elliptical sidewall closed at one end by a first end wall to form a cavity and an upper surface extending radially outwardly from the sidewall, the upper surface including a sealing surface and at least one indentation,
• at least one aperture extending through the pump base into the cavity,
• an actuator including a piezoelectric disc and an isolator extending radially outwardly between the piezoelectric disc and the sidewall, the isolator having at least one isolator valve aperture extending through the isolator and having an opening proximate the upper surface of the pump base and a peripheral portion of the cavity, and
• a valve flap disposed between the opening of the isolator valve aperture on one side and the upper surface of the pump base and the peripheral portion of the cavity on the other side, the valve flap having at least one valve flap aperture extending between the opening of the isolator valve aperture and the indentation;
• generating radial oscillations of the fluid pressure by energizing the piezoelectric disc to cause displacement oscillations of the actuator;
• if the radial oscillations of the fluid pressure generate a higher pressure in the cavity than an ambient pressure adjacent the isolator valve aperture, deforming the valve flap into the isolator valve aperture and away from the sealing surface to permit fluid to flow through the indentations, the valve flap apertures, and the isolator valve apertures;
• and
• if the radial oscillations of the fluid pressure do not generate a higher pressure in the cavity than the ambient pressure adjacent the isolator valve aperture, motivating the valve flap against the sealing surface to prevent fluid from flowing through the indentations, the valve flap apertures, and the isolator valve apertures.