Electro-active device using radial electric field piezo-diaphragm for control of fluid movement

An electro-active device for control of fluid movement, comprising:

• a composite ferroelectric material defining a first surface and a second surface opposing said first surface, wherein said first surface and said second surface lie in substantially parallel planes;
• a first electrode pattern coupled to a portion of said first surface to define a first side of a piezo-diaphragm;
• a second electrode pattern coupled to a portion of said second surface to define a second side of said piezo-diaphragm, wherein said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern are configured to introduce an electric field into said ferroelectric material when said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern have voltage applied thereto, said electric field originating at a region of said ferroelectric material between said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern, said electric field extending radially outward from said region of said ferroelectric material and substantially parallel to said first surface and said second surface, whereby said piezo-diaphragm correspondingly deflects symmetrically about said region in a direction substantially perpendicular to said electric field;
• a dielectric material encasing said piezo-diaphragm and extending radially outward from said piezo-diaphragm so as to define an annular region that circumferentially surrounds said piezo-diaphragm;
• and
• a housing connected to said annular region, said housing defining at least one fluid flow path therethrough, said piezo-diaphragm being disposed in said at least one fluid flow path.

An electro-active device for control of fluid movement, comprising:

• a piece of ferroelectric material defining a first surface and a second surface opposing said first surface, wherein said first surface and said second surface lie in substantially parallel planes;
• a first piece of a dielectric material larger than said piece of ferroelectric material;
• a second piece of a dielectric material larger than said piece of ferroelectric material;
• a first electrode pattern coupled to a portion of said first piece of dielectric material;
• a second electrode pattern coupled to a portion of said second piece of dielectric material;
• said first piece of dielectric material with said first electrode pattern coupled thereto and said second piece of dielectric material with said second electrode pattern coupled thereto sandwiching said piece of ferroelectric material, wherein said first electrode pattern is coupled to said first surface to define a first side of a piezo-diaphragm and said second electrode pattern is coupled to said second surface to define a second side of said piezo-diaphragm, wherein said first electrode pattern is aligned with said second electrode pattern to introduce an electric field into said piece of ferroelectric material when said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern have voltage applied thereto, said electric field originating at a region of said ferroelectric material between said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern, said electric field extending radially outward from said region of said ferroelectric material and substantially parallel to said first surface and said second surface, whereby said piezo-diaphragm correspondingly deflects symmetrically about said region in a direction substantially perpendicular to said electric field;
• said first piece of dielectric material being joined to said second piece of dielectric material beyond and all around the perimeter of said piezo-diaphragm to define an annular region of dielectric material that perimetrically borders said piezo-diaphragm;
• and
• a housing connected to said annular region, said housing defining at least one fluid flow path therethrough with said piezo-diaphragm disposed in said at least one fluid flow path.