Fluidic Energy Transfer Device with Floating Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current piezo pump technologies face challenges in scaling down for miniaturized applications due to limitations in power density and displacement, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, particularly in MESO-sized devices where high-performance pumps with higher power densities and specific flow rates are needed for applications like portable electronics and medical devices.

Innovation Solution

The development of a fluid energy-transfer device using new floating reaction-drive actuators that enable low-stroke high-force actuators for driving large diaphragm and piston strokes, allowing for increased energy transfer and efficiency in fluidic devices such as pumps, compressors, and synthetic jets by operating at or near system resonance frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If piezoceramic diaphragms are used for actuation, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but displacement is limited to less than 1% of the disk diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddisplacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the actuator (piezoceramic disk) from the diaphragm (flexible membrane), allowing each component to be optimized independently. The piezoceramic disk provides actuation while the flexible diaphragm provides the necessary displacement without being constrained by the brittle ceramic material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible diaphragm is introduced as an intermediary between the piezoceramic actuator and the fluid chamber. This diaphragm converts the small displacements of the piezoceramic disk into larger displacements of the fluid, effectively mediating between the actuator's limitations and the fluidic requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional magnetic actuators are scaled down for MESO/MEMS applications, then device size is reduced, but electro-mechanical efficiency drops significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidelectro-mechanical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional magnetic actuators with piezoceramic actuators that operate through electrostrictive effects rather than magnetic fields. This substitution enables miniaturization while maintaining efficiency, as piezoceramics can be directly actuated by electric fields without the scaling penalties that plague magnetic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the actuation mechanism from magnetic to piezoelectric/electrostrictive parameters, enabling the system to maintain high electro-mechanical efficiency at small scales. The piezoceramic material's inherent piezoelectric properties allow for direct conversion of electrical to mechanical energy with minimal loss, even at reduced sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If piezoceramic diaphragms are used to provide actuation, then cost is reduced, but power density is limited due to small displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidpower density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the actuator from the diaphragm, the system allows the piezoceramic component to remain cost-effective while the flexible diaphragm compensates for the limited displacement, thereby maintaining acceptable power density through the combined action of both components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes resonant vibration of the flexible diaphragm at the actuation frequency to amplify the effect of the piezoceramic disk's small displacements. By operating at resonance, the diaphragm vibrates with larger amplitude than the actuator displacement would suggest, thereby increasing power density without requiring a more expensive actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables high-performance fluidic devices with larger displacements and increased energy transfer, overcoming the limitations of traditional piezo pumps by achieving higher power densities and specific flow rates in compact, economically viable designs suitable for miniaturized applications.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

operating at or near system resonance frequencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS8272851B2Fluidic energy transfer devices

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 AAVID THERMALLOY LLC

AI summary

A fluid energy transfer device, including a chamber for receiving a fluid, at least a portion of the chamber comprising a movable portion relative to another portion of the chamber, the movable portion being adapted to change the volume of the chamber from a first volume to a second volume by movement of the movable portion. The device further includes an actuator attached to the movable portion, wherein the displacements of the movable portion can be larger than the displacement of the actuator.