Patent ID: 8776515
Filing Date: 2014-07-15
Classification: F03G,F04B,F05C

Abstract:
1. A pumping assembly comprising: a first pump housing; a first movable element selectively movable within the first pump housing; a first actuator including a first active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to a first activation signal, the first active material being operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing; a second actuator including a second active material configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to a second activation signal, the second active material being operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing; wherein the first movable element is configured to divide the first pump housing into a first and a second chamber including a first and a second fluid, respectively; wherein the first actuator is positioned in the first chamber and configured to selectively pump the first fluid out of the first chamber in response to the first activation signal; wherein the second actuator is positioned in the second chamber and configured to selectively pump the second fluid out of the second chamber in response to the second activation signal; wherein the first actuator is configured to operate independently of the second actuator; wherein the first active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the first activation signal; a controller programmed to provide a pre-heating electrical signal; and wherein the pre-heating electrical signal is configured to resistively heat the shape memory alloy material without causing the crystallographic phase change, thereby selectively pre-heating the first fluid in the first chamber.