Patent ID: 6059546
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: F03G,F04B,F05C

Abstract:
A pump for impelling a fluid, the pump comprising:a first variable volume, the first variable volume having a first inlet for allowing the influx of the fluid into the first variable volume and a first outlet for allowing the efflux of fluid out of the first variable volume;a first membrane defining at least a portion of the first variable volume;a first contractile actuator, for displacing the first membrane from a first position to a second position to vary the first variable volume;a second contractile actuator, for restoring the first membrane from the second position to the first position to vary the first variable volume;a voltage source coupled to the first contractile actuator and the second contractile actuator, the voltage source for causing the alternating contraction of the first and second contractile actuators;a first check valve coupled to the first inlet for regulating the influx of the fluid into the first variable volume through the first inlet; anda second check valve coupled to the first outlet for regulating the efflux of the fluid out of the first variable volume through the first outlet;wherein at least one of the first and second contractile actuators is a linear actuator selected from the group consisting of a shape memory alloy actuator and a conducting polymer actuator.