Synthetic Jet Pump Actuator Eliminates Frictional Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positive-displacement pumps are complex, expensive, and inflexible, making them difficult to install and maintain, especially in retrofit applications due to their numerous frictional components such as pistons and interconnected parts.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic jet pump design utilizing a series arrangement of stacks with bimorph pairs and connector pairs, actuated by voltage signals to pump fluid without frictional components, allowing for flexible installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If positive-displacement pumps use traditional mechanical components (pistons, connecting rods, rotating cranks), then pumping action is generated, but device complexity increases and installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pumping components (pistons, connecting rods, rotating cranks) with a synthetic jet actuator that uses electrostatic or dielectric forces to generate pumping action. The actuator includes a movable electrode and a stationary electrode that create alternating electric fields to drive fluid flow without mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity and improving installation flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex interconnected mechanical components (connecting rods, rotating cranks, bearings, motors) from the pumping system, retaining only the essential fluid handling elements like inlet/outlet valves and the synthetic jet actuator chamber, significantly simplifying the overall device structure
2Reliability
If positive-displacement pumps include frictional parts (pistons, vanes), then pumping action is achieved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical friction-based pumping components with an electrostatic/dielectric synthetic jet actuator that generates pumping action through electric field manipulation. This eliminates piston-r缸, vane-housing, and other frictional interfaces, thereby improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The synthetic jet actuator operates without lubrication or mechanical wear components, using electric field-driven fluid motion that inherently reduces friction and wear, leading to lower maintenance needs and improved system reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If positive-displacement pumps use multiple interconnected components, then pumping function is achieved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex interconnected mechanical components (connecting rods, rotating cranks, bearings, motors) from the pumping system, retaining only the essential elements needed for fluid handling. This component reduction directly lowers manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining pumping functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the synthetic jet actuator chamber, which combines the pumping mechanism, fluid containment, and actuation in a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts and lowering installation complexity and cost
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 synthetic jet pump provides a cost-effective, flexible, and reliable pumping solution by eliminating frictional components, enabling efficient fluid handling and easy integration into various applications.
Implementation Method 1
A first stack of the plurality of first stacks includes a plurality of first connector pairs and a plurality of first bimorph pairs. The plurality of first connector pairs is coupled to a first support structure. The first connector pairs are disposed in a parallel arrangement relative to each other and the first bimorph pairs are disposed in a parallel arrangement relative to each other.
Implementation Method 2
actuating a first bimorph pair of a first stack by applying a first voltage signal such that the first bimorph pair expands for receiving the fluid. Further, the method includes step (iii) of actuating a mutually adjacent first bimorph pair of a first stack that is serially arranged with respect to the first stack of the step (ii), by applying a second voltage signal such that the mutually adjacent first bimorph pair contracts for discharging the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
A synthetic jet pump and a method of pumping fluid using such a synthetic jet pump are disclosed. The synthetic jet pump includes a plurality of first stacks disposed in a series arrangement relative to each other, and a plurality of first valves. A first stack of the plurality of first stacks includes a plurality of first connector pairs coupled to a first support structure and a plurality of first bimorph pairs. The first connector pairs and the first bimorph pairs are disposed in a parallel arrangement relative to each other respectively. A bimorph of one of the first bimorph pairs is coupled to a corresponding first connector pair. The plurality of first valves is disposed at an upstream end of the plurality of first stacks. A valve of the plurality of first valves is movably coupled to a corresponding connector of the plurality of the first connector pairs.