Experimental apparatus for ferrofluid pumps with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization.

Abstract

This invention discloses an experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization. It includes a pump chamber assembly, a pump chamber support mechanism, a fixed magnet, and a rotating magnet. The pump chamber assembly includes an upper cover plate, a sealing gasket for the upper cover plate, a shaped pump chamber structure, a sealing gasket for the lower cover plate, and a lower cover plate. The pump chamber contains an internal circular structure, forming an annular microchannel between the internal circular structure and the shaped pump chamber structure. Upper and lower sealing gaskets are respectively located above and below the internal circular structure. A fixed ferrofluid and a piston-type ferrofluid are disposed within the annular microchannel. A fixed magnet is located on the upper side of the upper cover plate, and a rotating magnet is located on the lower side of the lower cover plate. This invention allows for experiments under various conditions using a single apparatus, avoiding systematic errors caused by changing experimental equipment and preventing material waste due to unnecessary processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ferrofluid-driven pump technology, and specifically to an experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump that is repeatable, has variable structural parameters, and is visualized. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of life sciences, biomedicine, aerospace and other disciplines, their connection with microfluidic systems is becoming increasingly close. For example, microfluidic chemical analysis systems, artificial blood pumps for the treatment of myocardial infarction, micro-drug injection systems and micro-fuel supply for spacecraft all require microfluidic technology to develop towards high precision, high pumping stability and high integration.

[0003] Micropumps are the actuators of microfluidic systems, playing a crucial role in the precise delivery and rapid control of minute amounts of fluid, and are often referred to as the "heart" of microfluidic systems. Currently, micropumps are driven primarily by mechanical methods such as piezoelectric, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and pneumatic actuation, as well as non-mechanical methods such as electroosmosis, thermal bubble actuation, and magnetohydrodynamics. Among these mechanical and non-mechanical micropump drive methods, magnetohydrodynamics offers advantages such as simple structure, high pumping reliability, and high integration potential, and has gradually become the mainstream direction for micropump development.

[0004] Since CW Miller proposed the concept of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive in 1973, researchers from various countries have made nearly fifty years of efforts and have basically mastered the principle of MHD drive. Relying on modern processing technology, they have designed and developed various types of MHD-driven pumps. Based on experiments, they have further studied the flow mechanism and drive mechanism of ferrohydrodynamic pumps, aiming to establish a complete theoretical system of ferrohydrodynamic drive dynamics. However, the following problems exist in the current experimental devices:

[0005] (1) Most of the experimental devices for ferrofluid micropumps are bonded, which makes it impossible to change parameters and reuse them. Multi-condition experiments can only be carried out by relying on multiple sets of experimental devices, which results in a waste of resources. Furthermore, due to the small scale, it is difficult to maintain consistent precision during multiple processing.

[0006] (2) In the visualization experiment of ferrofluid micropump, the fusion and separation process of ferrofluid has always been difficult to distinguish with obvious visual effects, and its flow trajectory is even more difficult to capture. Revealing the flow phenomenon and mechanism of the fusion and separation process is a technical challenge in the visualization experimental device.

[0007] (3) The change of the running trajectory of the rotating magnet in the ferrofluid micropump can only be achieved by changing the drive shaft. Different specifications of rotating magnets require different sizes of drive shafts. In order to achieve the change of magnetic field strength and spatial distribution in the experiment, the drive shaft needs to be changed, and the experimental process is complicated.

[0008] (4) After working for a long time, the wall of the ferrofluid pump will be stained by the magnetic fluid, making it difficult to observe the internal structure, determine whether the magnetic fluid has maintained its complete form, and predict whether the magnetic fluid needs to be replenished.

[0009] Current experimental setups for ferrofluidic micropumps cannot meet the requirements of multiple operating parameters and clear flow visualization, which increases the cost of experimental research, wastes sample materials, and hinders further elucidation of the driving mechanism of ferrofluidic micropumps. Therefore, it is essential to design an experimental setup for ferrofluidic pumps that is repeatable, has variable structural parameters, and provides visualization. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide an experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump that is repeatable, has variable structural parameters, and is visualized.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0012] An experimental apparatus for a ferrofluidic pump, characterized by repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization, comprises a pump chamber assembly, a pump chamber support mechanism, a fixed magnet, and a rotating magnet, wherein:

[0013] The pump chamber assembly includes a pump chamber upper cover plate, a pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket, a pump chamber irregular structure, a pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket, and a pump chamber lower cover plate, which are stacked and detachably fixed together from top to bottom; the pump chamber irregular structure has a hollow pump chamber that runs through the top and bottom, as well as a pump inlet flow channel and a pump outlet flow channel that communicate with the pump chamber.

[0014] The sealing gaskets of the upper and lower cover plates of the pump chamber are shaped to match the irregular structure of the pump chamber, and are used to achieve sealing between the upper cover plate and the irregular structure of the pump chamber, and between the lower cover plate and the irregular structure of the pump chamber.

[0015] The upper and lower cover plates of the pump chamber seal the upper and lower ends of the pump chamber. The upper cover plate of the pump chamber is provided with a flow channel inlet corresponding to and connected to the pump inlet flow channel, and a flow channel outlet corresponding to and connected to the pump outlet flow channel.

[0016] The pump chamber is equipped with an internal circular structure, which forms a ring-shaped microchannel with the irregular structure of the pump chamber. The internal circular structure is equipped with an upper sealing gasket and a lower sealing gasket with the same shape as it, so as to achieve the sealing between the internal circular structure and the upper cover plate of the pump chamber, and between the internal circular structure and the lower cover plate of the pump chamber.

[0017] The upper sealing gasket, the lower sealing gasket of the internal circular structure of the pump cavity, and the inner circular structure of the pump cavity are detachably fixed between the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate of the pump cavity.

[0018] Pump chamber support mechanisms are provided around the pump chamber components to support them.

[0019] The annular microchannel contains a fixed ferrofluid and a piston ferrofluid; a fixed magnet is provided on the upper side of the pump chamber cover plate at the position corresponding to the fixed ferrofluid; a rotating magnet is provided on the lower side of the pump chamber cover plate. Under the action of the rotating unit, the rotating magnet has a rotating track that cooperates with the annular microchannel, which is used to drive the ferrofluid piston to move in the annular microchannel.

[0020] Preferably, the irregular structure of the pump cavity has multiple third fixing holes arranged circumferentially on the outer side of the pump cavity. The upper cover plate of the pump cavity, the sealing gasket of the upper cover plate of the pump cavity, the sealing gasket of the lower cover plate of the pump cavity, and the lower cover plate of the pump cavity are respectively provided with first fixing holes, second fixing holes, fourth fixing holes, and fifth fixing holes. Screws pass through the corresponding first fixing holes, second fixing holes, third fixing holes, fourth fixing holes, and fifth fixing holes and are fixed by nuts.

[0021] Preferably, the inner circular structure of the pump cavity is provided with a third connecting hole, and the upper cover plate of the pump cavity, the upper sealing gasket of the inner circular structure of the pump cavity, the lower sealing gasket of the inner circular structure of the pump cavity, and the lower cover plate of the pump cavity are respectively provided with a first connecting hole, a second connecting hole, a fourth connecting hole, and a fifth connecting hole. Screws pass through the corresponding first connecting hole, second connecting hole, third connecting hole, fourth connecting hole, and fifth connecting hole and are fixed by nuts.

[0022] Preferably, the pump chamber support mechanism is distributed at the four corners of the pump chamber component. The pump chamber support mechanism includes an upper clamping plate and a lower clamping plate distributed on the upper and lower sides of the pump chamber component. The upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are respectively provided with a first locking hole and a second locking hole. The corresponding first locking hole and the second locking hole are fixed to the pump chamber component by screws passing through the upper and lower sides and matching nuts.

[0023] It also includes a bracket, with a first support hole and a second support hole distributed at corresponding positions on the upper and lower clamping plates. The upper end of the bracket is provided with an external thread and is threadedly connected to the corresponding first and second support holes.

[0024] Preferably, the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are respectively provided with corner slots; the corners of the pump cavity assembly are located at the corner slots of the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate, and the upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are provided with a first mounting hole and a seventh mounting hole at the corner slots; the pump cavity upper cover plate, the pump cavity upper cover plate sealing gasket, the pump cavity irregular structure, the pump cavity lower cover plate sealing gasket, and the pump cavity lower cover plate are respectively provided with a second mounting hole, a third mounting hole, a fourth mounting hole, a fifth mounting hole, and a sixth mounting hole at corresponding positions at the four corners;

[0025] Screws pass through the corresponding first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh mounting holes and are secured with nuts.

[0026] Preferably, the pump chamber upper cover plate, the pump chamber irregular structure, the pump chamber internal circular structure, and the pump chamber lower cover plate are made of transparent plates.

[0027] Preferably, the rotating unit includes a rotating disk, which is connected to a motor drive; the rotating disk is provided with multiple rotating tracks, and different rotating tracks have different rotating radii;

[0028] Each rotating track has multiple positioning holes arranged on it, which are used to place rotating magnets; the positioning holes on the same rotating track have the same diameter; the positioning holes on different rotating tracks may have the same or different diameters.

[0029] Preferably, the gap between the rotating magnet and the lower cover plate of the pump chamber is less than 1 mm.

[0030] Preferably, the stationary ferrofluid and the piston ferrofluid have different colors.

[0031] Preferably, it also includes a detection mechanism, which includes an ammeter, a slot on the upper cover of the pump chamber corresponding to the fixed magnet and filled with an upper conductive iron sheet, the upper conductive iron sheet being connected to an upper wire; a slot on the lower cover of the pump chamber corresponding to the fixed magnet and filled with a lower conductive iron sheet, the lower conductive iron sheet being connected to a lower wire; the upper wire and the lower wire are connected to the ammeter.

[0032] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0033] 1. The present invention constructs the pump cavity structure by molding and replaces the traditional thermal bonding with a detachable combined sealing method, achieving the effects of being detachable, easy to modify and reusable. One set of devices can be used to conduct experiments under various working conditions, ensuring that the geometric structure of different experimental conditions is completely consistent, avoiding systematic errors caused by changing experimental equipment, and avoiding material waste caused by unnecessary processing.

[0034] When the structural dimensions need to be changed under different experimental conditions, this invention only requires replacing the internal circular structure of the pump cavity with one of different diameters to alter the width of the pump cavity flow channel. When both the internal circular structure and the irregularly shaped pump cavity structure are replaced simultaneously, the height of the pump cavity flow channel can be changed. Furthermore, the main structure does not require reprocessing; it can be disassembled and reassembled to replace the new structure, thus avoiding experimental system errors and processing waste.

[0035] 2. By replacing the internal circular structure and rotating magnet of the pump chamber, this invention enables the same system to perform measurements under various complex working conditions, reducing waste caused by excessive processing.

[0036] 3. This invention applies different colored magnetic fluids to fixed and rotating ferromagnetic fluids, and distinguishes the magnetic fluid movement patterns during the fusion and separation process of the two ferromagnetic fluids by color.

[0037] 4. Compared with the general structure, the experimental device of the present invention adds a conductive structure to the pump cavity wall. Utilizing the principle of electromagnetic induction, the volume and motion state of the internal magnetic fluid can be monitored. In experimental research, it can provide researchers with the internal physical parameters of the micropump. In actual products, it can predict the lifespan of the micropump, determine the maintenance time, prevent pumping instability caused by insufficient magnetic fluid, and avoid a series of unpredictable problems caused by pumping instability. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pump chamber cover plate in this invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing gasket on the upper cover plate of the pump chamber in this invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the irregular structure of the pump cavity in this invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing gasket of the lower cover plate of the pump chamber in this invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the lower cover plate of the pump chamber in this invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing gasket on the circular structure inside the pump cavity in this invention;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal circular structure of the pump cavity in this invention;

[0045] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing gasket under the circular structure inside the pump cavity in this invention;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper and lower clamping plates in this invention;

[0047] Figure 10 This is an assembly process diagram of the pump chamber component mechanism and the pump chamber support mechanism of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 11 This is an assembly diagram of the pump chamber component mechanism and the pump chamber support mechanism of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating unit in this invention;

[0050] Figure 13This is a planar schematic diagram of the rotating disk in this invention;

[0051] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0052] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 14 As shown, this embodiment discloses an experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization, including a pump chamber assembly mechanism, a pump chamber support mechanism, a fixed magnet, a rotating magnet, and a detection mechanism.

[0055] The specific composition and connections of the above-mentioned institutions are as follows.

[0056] The pump chamber assembly includes a pump chamber upper cover plate 101, a pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket 102, a pump chamber irregular structure 103, a pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket 104, and a pump chamber lower cover plate 105, which are stacked sequentially from top to bottom and can be detachably fixed together. The pump chamber irregular structure 103 has a hollow pump chamber that runs through it from top to bottom, as well as a pump inlet flow channel and a pump outlet flow channel that communicate with the pump chamber.

[0057] The upper cover gasket 102 and the lower cover gasket 104 of the pump chamber are made of rubber and have the same shape as the irregular structure 103 of the pump chamber. They are used to achieve sealing between the upper cover 101 and the irregular structure 103 of the pump chamber, and between the lower cover 105 and the irregular structure 103 of the pump chamber.

[0058] The upper cover plate 101 and the lower cover plate 105 of the pump chamber close the upper and lower ends of the pump chamber. The upper cover plate 101 of the pump chamber is provided with a flow channel inlet hole 109 corresponding to and connected to the pump inlet flow channel, and a flow channel outlet hole 110 corresponding to and connected to the pump outlet flow channel.

[0059] The pump chamber is equipped with an internal circular structure 107, which forms an annular microchannel with the irregular structure 103. The pump inlet and outlet channels are connected to the annular microchannel. An upper sealing gasket 106 and a lower sealing gasket 108, with the same shape as the internal circular structure 107, are respectively provided above and below the internal circular structure 107 to achieve sealing between the internal circular structure 107 and the upper cover plate 101, and between the internal circular structure 103 and the lower cover plate 105.

[0060] The upper sealing gasket 106, the inner circular structure 107, and the lower sealing gasket 108 of the inner circular structure of the pump cavity are detachably fixed between the upper cover plate 107 and the lower cover plate 108 of the pump cavity.

[0061] After assembly, the pump chamber components are secured by multiple sets of screws and nuts passing through in the vertical direction, thereby achieving a clamping seal. Specifically:

[0062] Multiple third fixing holes 117 are arranged circumferentially on the outer side of the pump cavity irregular structure 103. The pump cavity upper cover plate 101, pump cavity upper cover plate sealing gasket 102, pump cavity lower cover plate sealing gasket 104 and pump cavity lower cover plate 105 are respectively provided with first fixing holes 113, second fixing holes 115, fourth fixing holes 119 and fifth fixing holes 121. Screws pass through the corresponding first fixing holes 113, second fixing holes 115, third fixing holes 117, fourth fixing holes 119 and fifth fixing holes 121 and are fixed by nuts.

[0063] A third connecting hole 124 is provided at the center of the internal circular structure 103 of the pump chamber. A first connecting hole, a second connecting hole 123, a fourth connecting hole 125, and a fifth connecting hole are respectively provided at the corresponding positions of the upper cover plate 101 of the pump chamber, the upper sealing gasket 106 of the internal circular structure of the pump chamber, the lower sealing gasket 108 of the internal circular structure of the pump chamber, and the lower cover plate 105 of the pump chamber. Screws pass through the corresponding first connecting hole, second connecting hole 123, third connecting hole 124, fourth connecting hole 125, and fifth connecting hole and are fixed by nuts.

[0064] Pump chamber support mechanisms are provided at the four corners of the pump chamber assembly to support and fix the pump chamber assembly. The secondary fixation can enhance the sealing effect of the pump chamber assembly and achieve secondary sealing.

[0065] The pump chamber support mechanism includes an upper clamping plate 201 and a lower clamping plate 205 distributed on the upper and lower sides of the pump chamber component. The upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205 are respectively provided with a first locking hole 203 and a second locking hole 207. The corresponding first locking hole 203 and the second locking hole 207 are fixed by screws 301 passing through the upper and lower sides and matching nuts 303, so that the upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205 are clamped and fixed on the pump chamber component, thereby achieving secondary fixation.

[0066] The upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205 are provided with a first support hole 204 and a second support hole 208 at corresponding positions. The first support hole 204 and the second support hole 208 are provided with internal threads. The upper end of the bracket 304 is provided with an external thread and is threadedly connected to the corresponding first support hole 204 and the second support hole 208.

[0067] The upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205 are respectively provided with corner slots; the corners of the pump chamber assembly are located at the corner slots of the upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205, and the upper clamping plate 201 and the lower clamping plate 205 are provided with a first mounting hole 202 and a seventh mounting hole 206 at the corner slots; the pump chamber upper cover plate 101, the pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket 102, the pump chamber irregular structure 103, the pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket 104 and the pump chamber lower cover plate 105 are respectively provided with a second mounting hole 111, a third mounting hole 114, a fourth mounting hole 116, a fifth mounting hole 118 and a sixth mounting hole 120 at the corresponding positions of the four corners.

[0068] Screws pass through the corresponding first mounting hole 202, second mounting hole 111, third mounting hole 114, fourth mounting hole 116, fifth mounting hole 118, sixth mounting hole 120 and seventh mounting hole 206 and are fixed by nuts.

[0069] The annular microchannel contains a stationary ferromagnetic fluid 204 and a piston-type ferromagnetic fluid 203. The stationary ferromagnetic fluid 204, used to impede fluid flow, is a colored ferromagnetic fluid. The piston-type ferromagnetic fluid 203, used for driving the flow, is a black ferromagnetic fluid.

[0070] A fixing magnet 502 is provided on the upper side of the pump chamber cover plate 101 at the position corresponding to the fixing ferromagnetic fluid 204. The fixing magnet 502 is glued to the corresponding position of the pump chamber cover plate 101.

[0071] A rotating magnet 501 is provided on the lower side of the pump chamber lower cover plate 105. Under the action of the rotating unit, the rotating magnet 501 has a rotating track that cooperates with the annular microchannel, which is used to drive the ferrofluid piston 203 to move in the annular microchannel. The gap between the rotating magnet 501 and the pump chamber lower cover plate 101 is less than 1mm.

[0072] In this embodiment, the rotating unit includes a rotating disk 402, which is connected to a motor 401 via a transmission connection. The motor 401 serves as the prime mover in the system, driving the rotating disk 402 to move, which in turn drives the rotating magnet 501. The rotating disk 402 has a central hole with a diameter of Q1, through which it is mounted on the motor shaft. The central hole can also be a D-type interface.

[0073] The rotating disk 402 is designed with 9 positioning holes for placing the rotating magnet 501. The positioning holes have three different diameters: D1, D2, and D3. There are three positioning holes of each diameter, which are arranged on tracks with different rotation radii: R1, R2, and R3.

[0074] In this embodiment, the detection mechanism includes an ammeter 507, an upper conductive iron plate 112, and a lower conductive iron plate 122. A groove is cut into the lower part of the pump chamber upper cover plate 101, where the fixed magnet 502 is placed, according to the flow channel shape, and the original position is filled with the conductive iron plate 112. The upper conductive iron plate 112 is connected to an upper wire 505. A groove is cut into the upper part of the pump chamber lower cover plate 105, corresponding to the fixed magnet 502, according to the flow channel shape, and the lower conductive iron plate 122 is placed there. The lower conductive iron plate 122 is connected to a lower wire 506. The upper wire 505 and the lower wire 506 are connected to the ammeter for monitoring the current.

[0075] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0076] The plexiglass plate is cut to complete the processing of the pump chamber cover plate 101. Holes are drilled at specific locations on the pump chamber cover plate 101, including: a flow channel inlet hole 109 for constructing the micropump inlet flow channel, a flow channel outlet hole 110 for constructing the micropump outlet flow channel, a second mounting hole 111 for supporting and secondary fixing the micropump system, a first fixing hole 113, and a first connecting hole at the center. The area directly below the pump chamber cover plate 101 where the fixed permanent magnet is placed is grooved according to the flow channel shape, and the original position is filled with a conductive iron sheet 112.

[0077] The thin rubber sheet is cut to complete the processing of the pump chamber upper cover sealing gasket 102, and the third mounting hole 114 and the second fixing hole 115 for the micro pump system support and secondary fixation are drilled on the pump chamber upper cover sealing gasket 102.

[0078] A fourth mounting hole 116 and a third fixing hole 117 are drilled on the irregular pump cavity structure 103 for supporting and fixing the micro pump system.

[0079] The thin rubber sheet is cut to complete the processing of the pump chamber lower cover sealing gasket 104, and the fifth mounting hole 118 and the fourth fixing hole 119 for micro pump system support and secondary fixation are drilled on the pump chamber lower cover sealing gasket 104.

[0080] The plexiglass plate is cut to complete the processing of the pump chamber lower cover plate 105. A sixth mounting hole 120 for supporting and secondary fixing of the micropump system, a fifth fixing hole 121, and a first connecting hole at the center position are drilled at specific positions on the pump chamber lower cover plate 105. A groove is made at specific positions and filled with conductive iron sheet 122.

[0081] The thin rubber sheet is cut to complete the processing of the upper sealing gasket 106 and the lower sealing gasket 108 of the inner circular structure of the pump cavity, and the second connecting hole 123 and the fourth connecting hole 125 are drilled at the center position respectively.

[0082] Cut the plexiglass plate to complete the processing of the internal circular structure 107 of the pump cavity, and drill the third connecting hole 124 at the center position.

[0083] The pump chamber upper cover plate 101, pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket 102, pump chamber irregular structure 103, pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket 104, pump chamber internal circular structure upper sealing gasket 106, pump chamber internal circular structure 107, pump chamber internal circular structure lower sealing gasket 108, and pump chamber lower cover plate 105 are stacked sequentially and pre-tightened and sealed with screws and nuts. When it is necessary to change the structural dimensions, only the pump chamber internal circular structure 107 of different diameters needs to be replaced to change the pump chamber flow channel width. When both the pump chamber internal circular structure 107 and the pump chamber irregular structure 103 are replaced simultaneously, the pump chamber flow channel height can be changed. Furthermore, the main structure does not require reprocessing; it only requires disassembly and reassembly followed by replacement with the new structure. This avoids experimental system errors and processing waste.

[0084] After assembling the pump chamber as a whole, the upper clamping plate 201 and lower clamping plate 205, along with screws 302 and nuts 303, are used to fix the pump chamber structure a second time. Threads are tapped in the first support hole 204 and the second support hole 208 of the upper clamping plate 201 and lower clamping plate 205. The upper part of the bracket 301 is also tapped. The bracket 301 is screwed into the clamping plate bracket mounting hole 208 to achieve support, and the height of the pump chamber components can be adjusted by rotating the bracket 301.

[0085] The rotating disk 402 has positioning holes of three different diameters: D1, D2, and D3. Three positioning holes of each diameter are provided, arranged on tracks with different rotation radii R1, R2, and R3. By replacing rotating magnets 501 of the same diameter but different intensities, the influence of different magnetic field intensities on the performance of the magnetohydrodynamic pump can be studied. Similarly, by replacing rotating magnets 501 of different diameters, the influence of magnet diameter on the performance of the magnetohydrodynamic pump can be studied. Furthermore, by placing rotating magnets 501 on tracks with different rotation radii, the influence of magnet rotation radius on the performance of the magnetohydrodynamic pump can be studied. The same rotating disk 402 can be used to conduct experimental studies on the motion laws of multiple rotating magnets.

[0086] Motor 401, in conjunction with rotating disk 402 and rotating magnet 501, drives the black piston ferrofluid 503. When it moves to the stationary ferrofluid 504, the different colors of the ferrofluids make it easy to distinguish the movement of the rotating and stationary ferrofluids 503 and 504 during the fusion and separation processes. Furthermore, when the rotating ferrofluid 503 reaches the stationary ferrofluid 504, a uniform magnetic field is formed between the rotating magnet 501 and the stationary magnet 502 at that position. The ferrofluid, acting as a conductor within the gap, cuts magnetic field lines, generating an induced current. This current is transmitted to ammeter 507 through upper conductor 505 and lower conductor 506. The rate of change in the ammeter pointer reflects the speed at which the ferrofluid passes through the magnetic field lines, thus monitoring the ferrofluid's driving speed. Additionally, the length of the ferrofluid can be calculated based on the time it takes for the ammeter to return to zero. The change in the ammeter pointer 507 characterizes the amount of ferrofluid, achieving the purpose of monitoring the internal system of the ferrofluid pump.

[0087] This invention features repeatability, variable structural parameters, visualization, and automatic detection. It enables the detachable and easily modified experimental device for ferrofluid micropumps, allowing for experiments under various working conditions using a single device. This avoids systematic errors caused by changing experimental equipment and also prevents material waste due to unnecessary processing.

[0088] This invention utilizes electromagnetic principles to monitor the health status of a ferrofluid micropump system. Changes in the ammeter pointer quickly reflect the movement speed and volume of the magnetic fluid, allowing for early prediction of the pump's lifespan. The entire experimental setup enhances the convenience and systematic nature of mechanistic research on ferrofluid pump systems, providing an experimental foundation for the research and development of ferrofluid pumps.

[0089] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate and not limit the technical solutions of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any modifications or partial substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0090] If the terms "first" or "second" are used in this document to define components, those skilled in the art should know that the use of "first" or "second" is merely for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning.

[0091] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0092] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. An experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization, characterized in that: It includes a pump chamber assembly, a pump chamber support mechanism, a fixed magnet, and a rotating magnet, wherein: The pump chamber assembly includes a pump chamber upper cover plate, a pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket, a pump chamber irregular structure, a pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket, and a pump chamber lower cover plate, which are stacked and detachably fixed together from top to bottom; the pump chamber irregular structure has a hollow pump chamber that runs through the top and bottom, as well as a pump inlet flow channel and a pump outlet flow channel that communicate with the pump chamber. The sealing gaskets of the upper and lower cover plates of the pump chamber are shaped to match the irregular structure of the pump chamber, and are used to achieve sealing between the upper cover plate and the irregular structure of the pump chamber, and between the lower cover plate and the irregular structure of the pump chamber. The upper and lower cover plates of the pump chamber seal the upper and lower ends of the pump chamber. The upper cover plate of the pump chamber is provided with a flow channel inlet corresponding to and connected to the pump inlet flow channel, and a flow channel outlet corresponding to and connected to the pump outlet flow channel. The pump chamber is equipped with an internal circular structure, which forms a ring-shaped microchannel with the irregular structure of the pump chamber. The internal circular structure is equipped with an upper sealing gasket and a lower sealing gasket with the same shape as it, so as to achieve the sealing between the internal circular structure and the upper cover plate of the pump chamber, and between the internal circular structure and the lower cover plate of the pump chamber. The upper sealing gasket, the lower sealing gasket of the internal circular structure of the pump cavity, and the inner circular structure of the pump cavity are detachably fixed between the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate of the pump cavity. Pump chamber support mechanisms are provided around the pump chamber components to support them. The annular microchannel contains a fixed ferrofluid and a piston ferrofluid; a fixed magnet is provided on the upper side of the pump chamber cover plate at the position corresponding to the fixed ferrofluid; a rotating magnet is provided on the lower side of the pump chamber cover plate. Under the action of the rotating unit, the rotating magnet has a rotating track that cooperates with the annular microchannel, which is used to drive the ferrofluid piston to move in the annular microchannel.

2. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The irregular structure of the pump cavity has multiple third fixing holes arranged circumferentially on the outer side of the pump cavity. The upper cover plate of the pump cavity, the sealing gasket of the upper cover plate of the pump cavity, the sealing gasket of the lower cover plate of the pump cavity, and the lower cover plate of the pump cavity are respectively provided with first fixing holes, second fixing holes, fourth fixing holes, and fifth fixing holes. Screws pass through the corresponding first fixing holes, second fixing holes, third fixing holes, fourth fixing holes, and fifth fixing holes and are fixed by nuts.

3. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The pump chamber has a third connecting hole on its internal circular structure. The pump chamber upper cover plate, the upper sealing gasket of the pump chamber internal circular structure, the lower sealing gasket of the pump chamber internal circular structure, and the pump chamber lower cover plate are respectively provided with a first connecting hole, a second connecting hole, a fourth connecting hole, and a fifth connecting hole. Screws pass through the corresponding first connecting hole, second connecting hole, third connecting hole, fourth connecting hole, and fifth connecting hole and are fixed by nuts.

4. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pump chamber support mechanism is distributed at the four corners of the pump chamber component. The pump chamber support mechanism includes an upper clamping plate and a lower clamping plate distributed on the upper and lower sides of the pump chamber component. The upper clamping plate and the lower clamping plate are respectively provided with a first locking hole and a second locking hole. The corresponding first locking hole and second locking hole are fixed to the pump chamber component by screws passing through the upper and lower sides and matching nuts. It also includes a bracket, with a first support hole and a second support hole distributed at corresponding positions on the upper and lower clamping plates. The upper end of the bracket is provided with an external thread and is threadedly connected to the corresponding first and second support holes.

5. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper and lower clamping plates are respectively provided with corner slots; the corners of the pump chamber assembly are located at the corner slots of the upper and lower clamping plates, and the upper and lower clamping plates are provided with a first mounting hole and a seventh mounting hole at the corner slots; the pump chamber upper cover plate, the pump chamber upper cover plate sealing gasket, the pump chamber irregular structure, the pump chamber lower cover plate sealing gasket, and the pump chamber lower cover plate are respectively provided with a second mounting hole, a third mounting hole, a fourth mounting hole, a fifth mounting hole, and a sixth mounting hole at corresponding positions at the four corners; Screws pass through the corresponding first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh mounting holes and are secured with nuts.

6. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pump chamber upper cover, the pump chamber irregular structure, the pump chamber internal circular structure, and the pump chamber lower cover are made of transparent plates.

7. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating unit includes a rotating disk, which is connected to a motor drive; the rotating disk is provided with multiple rotating tracks, and different rotating tracks have different rotating radii. Each rotating track has multiple positioning holes arranged on it, which are used to place rotating magnets; the positioning holes on the same rotating track have the same diameter; the positioning holes on different rotating tracks may have the same or different diameters.

8. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The gap between the rotating magnet and the lower cover plate of the pump chamber is less than 1 mm.

9. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stationary ferrofluid and the piston ferrofluid have different colors.

10. The experimental apparatus for a ferrofluid pump with repeatability, variable structural parameters, and visualization according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a testing mechanism, which includes an ammeter. A slot is cut into the upper cover plate of the pump chamber at the position corresponding to the fixed magnet and filled with an upper conductive iron sheet, which is connected to an upper wire. A slot is cut into the lower cover plate of the pump chamber at the position corresponding to the fixed magnet and filled with a lower conductive iron sheet, which is connected to a lower wire. The upper and lower wires are connected to the ammeter.

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