Piezoelectric pump

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for a piezoelectric pump wherein the piezoelectric elements is made from a fluid retention material that contains voids that are used to transport fluid from one element of the piezoelectric material to the next in a sequential fashion. The pump can include the use of a secondary fluid that is made to act upon the primary fluid through a piston or membrane.

1 . A piezoelectric pump for providing a new pumping capability for fluids, said pump comprising: 
 a) at least one piezoelectric element comprising a piezoelectric material comprising a fluid retention material having voids contained therein;    b) at least one fluid channel or allowing for the passage of fluid therethrough;    c) an electronic control comprising means for electrically activating the piezoelectric element; and    d) a housing for containing the assembled piezoelectric element and said fluid channel.    
   
   
       2 ) The piezoelectric pump in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one piezoelectric element further comprises: 
 a. electrodes attached on each of two sides of each of said at least one piezoelectric element; and    b. insulation material attached on an outside portion of said electrodes, said insulation positioned away from the piezoelectric element.    
   
   
       3 ) The piezoelectric pump in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein a) said electrodes are mounted on two opposing sides of the piezoelectric elements; and 
 b) insulating elements are mounted adjacent the electrodes to insulate each electrode from the adjacent said piezoelectric element and electrode pair.    
   
   
       4 ) The piezoelectric pump in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising an electronic control system attached to the electrodes.  
   
   
       5 ) The piezoelectric pump in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the electronic control system actuates piezoelectric elements in a sequential fashion.  
   
   
       6 ) A piezoelectric pump for moving fluid used to operate a piston or membrane, said piezoelectric pump comprising: 
 a) at least one piezoelectric element comprised of material having fluid retention properties, said material having voids therein;    b) at least one channel for the passage of fluid therethrough;    c) an electronic control means for electrically activating the piezoelectric element;    d) a housing for containing the assembled piezoelectric element and fluid channel; and    e) at least one piston or membrane upon which a first fluid from the piezoelectric element acts on said piston to move a second fluid.    
   
   
       7 ) A piezoelectric element, said piezoelectric element comprising: 
 a) a piezoelectric material comprising a fluid retention material having voids contained therein.    
   
   
       8 ) The piezoelectric element in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the element comprises a ring mounted around the piezoelectric material so as to constrict motion, thereby enhancing the dimensional movement of the piezoelectric element.  
   
   
       14 ) A method of pumping fluids from a first location to a second location, the method comprising: 
 applying a charge to at least one piezoelectric pump, said at least one piezoelectric pump comprising: 
 a) a plurality of piezoelectric elements comprising fluid retention properties and voids therein;  
 b) a sequence of fluid channels for the passage of fluid through said plurality of piezoelectric elements;  
 c) an electronic control means for electrically activating the plurality of said piezoelectric elements; and  
 d) a housing for containing the assembled plurality of piezoelectric elements and said sequence of fluid channels; wherein said voids of said plurality of piezoelectric elements contract and expand in a sequence to retain and discharge fluid therefrom so as to move the fluid through the sequence of said fluid channels.