Magnetoactive Elastomer Peristaltic Pump for Fluid Pulsation Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Linear peristaltic pumps suffer from pulsating fluid flow due to pressure fluctuations, leading to excessive wear of flexible conduits, and existing solutions like increasing the number of fingers or adjusting finger speeds have limitations in reducing pulsation effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing magnetoactive elastomers and electromagnets to compress flexible conduits in a sequence of magnetic field-driven phases, reducing pulsation by coordinating the opening and closing of cavities to achieve a nearly pulse-free fluid flow, with a pump controller managing the magnetic fields to synchronize the phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the number of fingers is increased to reduce pulsation, then fluid flow stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical finger-based peristaltic pump with a magnetic field-driven system using magnetoactive elastomers. Electromagnets generate magnetic fields that directly actuate the elastomeric conduit to create peristaltic motion, eliminating the need for multiple mechanical fingers while achieving smoother fluid flow through coordinated magnetic actuation of multiple cavities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the wave-like motion of fingers is used to pump fluid, then pumping function is achieved, but excessive wear of flexible conduit occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidconduit wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between fingers and the flexible conduit with a magnetic field-driven actuation system. The magnetoactive elastomer responds to magnetic fields from electromagnets, creating peristaltic motion without rigid mechanical fingers contacting and damaging the conduit, thereby significantly reducing wear while maintaining pumping functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If traditional electromagnets are used to actuate magnetoactive elastomer, then actuation is achieved, but magnetic field inhomogeneity causes non-uniform deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoiddeformation uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using multiple electromagnets positioned at different locations along the magnetoactive elastomeric conduit, with each electromagnet generating a magnetic field that acts on a specific local segment. This distributed approach ensures uniform magnetic field distribution and consistent deformation across different cavities, enabling precise control of the peristaltic pumping action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback control where the system monitors the deformation and magnetic field distribution, adjusting the current to each electromagnet to compensate for variations and maintain uniform deformation of the magnetoactive elastomer across all cavities during the peristaltic pumping cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution effectively minimizes fluid pulsation, reducing wear on flexible conduits and maintaining a steady fluid flow by using magnetoactive elastomers and electromagnets to control the compression and expansion of cavities in a peristaltic pump.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetoactive flexible conduit is provided that includes a magnetoactive elastomer. The magnetoactive flexible conduit is operable to constrict in response to a magnetic field.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field actuation of magnetoactive elastomer: Magnetoelastic Effects

Implementation Method 2

A first electromagnet is operable to pump a fluid through a first cavity of the flexible conduit by repeatedly compressing the first cavity in a first sequence. A second electromagnet is operable to pump the fluid through a second cavity of the flexible conduit by repeatedly compressing the second cavity in a second sequence.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20240218866A1Macro-fluidic and micro-fluidic systems and methods using magnetoactive soft materials

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 Q BIOTECH CORP

AI summary

A linear peristaltic pump can include a first electromagnet operable to pump a fluid through a first cavity of a flexible conduit by repeatedly compressing the first cavity in a first sequence, a second electromagnet operable to pump the fluid through a second cavity of the flexible conduit by repeatedly compressing the second cavity in a second sequence, and a third electromagnet operable to pump the fluid through a third cavity of the flexible conduit by repeatedly compressing the third cavity in a third sequence. The electromagnets may compress the cavities by applying magnetic fields to a magnetoactive elastomer.