Patent ID: 6074178
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
A peristaltic pump, comprising:a first deformable member having opposing first and second major faces;wherein said first deformable member comprises a first piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces;a second deformable member having opposing first and second major faces;wherein said second deformable member comprises a second piezoelectric layer having opposing first and second major faces;wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member partially surround a pump interior first portion;a flexible hose member;wherein a first portion of said flexible hose member is disposed in said pump interior first portion;and wherein said flexible hose member partially surrounds a variable volume pump chamber;and wherein said first major face of said first deformable member and said first major face of said second deformable member are in mechanical communication with said first portion of said flexible hose member;and energizing means in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer for electrically energizing said first piezoelectric layer and said second piezoelectric layer;wherein said energizing means comprises means for applying a first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said first piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said first piezoelectric layer;and wherein said energizing means further comprises means for applying said first alternating voltage difference between said first major face of said second piezoelectric layer and said second major face of said second piezoelectric layer.