Series Micropump with Phase-Offset Chambers for Bubble Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microsystem pumps are sensitive to gas bubbles, which can block channels and chambers due to their small dimensions, and require multiple chambers and high energy consumption to operate effectively, limiting their miniaturization and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with at least two pump chambers, each with independent volume changes, arranged in series with an ideal phase offset of 180° between consecutive chambers, using actuators and valves to manage fluid flow and minimize energy consumption, while being bubble-tolerant and suitable for microsystem technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If single-chamber pumps are used for miniaturization, then device size is reduced, but bubble tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) arranged in series, where each chamber can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows the pump to maintain a compact overall size while using multiple chambers to achieve bubble tolerance through phase-offset operation, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and bubble tolerance.
2Reliability
If multiple chambers are used to improve bubble tolerance, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump chambers are merged into a single integrated pump body with common inlet and outlet connections. The chambers share common fluid pathways and are controlled by a coordinated actuation system with phase offsets, reducing the overall device complexity compared to having separate single-chamber pumps connected in series, while maintaining bubble tolerance through the multi-chamber configuration.
3Productivity
If phase offset control is implemented for continuous flow, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chambers are actuated in a periodic sequence with phase offsets (e.g., 120 degrees for three chambers), creating continuous unidirectional flow. This periodic actuation pattern allows the pump to maintain continuous productivity while using simple on/off control of individual chamber actuators, minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous actuation of all chambers.
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 enables efficient, bubble-tolerant fluid conveyance with reduced energy consumption and miniaturization, suitable for applications in life sciences, medical technology, and harsh environments, ensuring reliable operation even with gas bubbles present in the fluid.
Implementation Method 1
N actuators for changing the respective chamber volumes, where N corresponds to the number of pump chambers... the changes in volume of the pump chambers are essentially periodic in each case with an essentially identical frequency f
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for supplying a fluid in a bubble-tolerant and effective fashion. The device comprises a number of N ≥ 2 pump chambers having N separate chamber volumes, each of which may be altered independently of the other(s). The volume changes of the pump chambers occur periodically with substantially the same frequency (f). The device further comprises N actuators for changing the respective chamber volumes and valves for establishing the pumping direction, and finally a common inlet and outlet. The pump chambers of the device are disposed in series one behind the other, and the forms of the periods of volume changes of all pump chambers are substantially identical. Moreover, an ideal phase offset PHI of approximately 180° exists between the volume change of the chamber volumes of two sequential pump chambers.