Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/692,750, filed on Aug. 24, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Liquid and gas delivery systems serve many roles in many different fields from medical treatment devices to air fresheners. Frequently, conventional delivery systems involve some variety of a pump. Many different types of pumps exist with different strengths and weaknesses. 
     For example, some pumps are orientation sensitive. These pumps must be aligned or situated within certain thresholds to function properly. Other pumps require large amounts of operating force to move small amounts of material. Some pumps are susceptible to debris and particulate matter within a fluid stream. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of a device are described. In one embodiment, the device is an orientation independent delivery device. The delivery device includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery-side flexible barrier is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery aperture allows a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber in response to compression of the delivery-side flexible barrier into the delivery chamber. Other embodiments of the device are also described. 
     Embodiments of a method are also described. In one embodiment, the method is a method for manufacturing a delivery device. The method includes forming a gas-side rigid portion, forming a gas-side flexible barrier, sealing the gas-side rigid portion to the gas-side flexible barrier to form a gas chamber, forming a delivery-side rigid portion, forming a delivery-side flexible barrier, sealing the delivery-side rigid portion to the delivery-side flexible barrier to form a delivery chamber, sealing the gas chamber to the delivery chamber with the gas-side flexible barrier oriented adjacent to the delivery-side flexible barrier. The method also includes disposing a gas cell in the gas-side rigid portion. The gas cell is in communication with the gas chamber. The method also includes, disposing a delivery aperture in the delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery aperture is in communication with the delivery chamber. Other embodiments of the method are also described. 
     Embodiments of a system are also described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a delivery system. The system includes a delivery pump, a dispersion structure, and a control module. The delivery pump operates independent of orientation. The delivery pump includes a gas chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery chamber. The gas chamber includes a gas-side flexible barrier and a gas-side rigid portion. The gas cell is disposed in communication with the gas chamber to increase pressure within the gas chamber and distend the gas-side flexible barrier away from the gas-side rigid portion by generating a gas within the gas chamber. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side flexible barrier and a delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber is sealed to the gas chamber with the delivery-side flexible barrier oriented directly adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is pressed into the delivery chamber to dispense a delivery material from the delivery chamber in response to distension of the gas-side flexible barrier away from the gas-side rigid portion. The dispersion structure receives the delivery material from the chamber delivery pump. The dispersion structure delivers the delivery material to a delivery site. The control module is coupled to the gas cell. The control module controls an operating parameter of the gas cell. Other embodiments of the system are also described. 
     Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded cut-away view of one embodiment of a delivery device. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a cut-away schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device of  FIG. 1  with the gas-side flexible barrier fully compressed. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a cut-away schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device  100  of  FIG. 1  with the delivery-side flexible barrier fully compressed. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device of  FIG. 1  with the flexible barriers and in neutral position. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a delivery system. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a method of manufacturing a chamber delivery system. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     While many embodiments are described herein, at least some of the described embodiments relate to a gas cell pump. Generally, the embodiments described below are drawn to delivery of a delivery material through mechanical pressure generated by a gas cell. Some embodiments may be useful to deliver medicines, scents, chemical agents, lubricants, saline, or other materials, chemicals, or chemical mixtures. In some embodiments, the pump may deliver the material to a local area. In other embodiments, the pump may deliver the material to a stream of material to yield a certain result at a near or relatively distant site. In another embodiment, the pump delivers the material at a sustained rate. For example, the pump may operate at a relatively slow rate of delivery or at a high rate. In other embodiments, the pump delivers the material at a variable rate. 
     In some embodiments, the pump can be loaded with a volatile and/or corrosive material for delivery. The pump can be built with materials that are specifically resistant to the particular chemical or agent that will be delivered by the pump. Additionally, some embodiments may incorporate materials that have a low permeability relative to the delivery agent. In this way, some embodiments may be specifically built to deliver a particular substance. Other embodiments may be built to handle a wide range of substances with varying corrosion and permeability characteristics. 
     In some embodiments, the components of the pump may be sealed together into a single unified piece. In other embodiments, some components may be joined in a manner that allows those components to be removed without damage to the pump or use of complex processes. For example, in some embodiments, the portion containing the delivery material may be removed to replace a spent portion with a new portion. In other embodiments, other portions may be removable. 
     In some embodiments, the pump is operable in any orientation. In other words, the pump is not sensitive to any particular orientation threshold. For example, the pump may be positioned to dispense a delivery material upwards, downwards, or at any angle in between. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exploded cut-away view of one embodiment of a delivery device  100 . The illustrated embodiment includes a gas-side rigid portion  102 , a gas-side flexible barrier  104 , a delivery-side rigid portion  106 , a delivery-side flexible barrier  108 , a gas cell  110 , and a delivery aperture  112 . In the depicted embodiment, the gas-side rigid portion  102  is a domed geometry with a flanged edge. The structure of the gas-side rigid portion  102  corresponds with the structure of the gas-side flexible barrier  104 . This allows the gas-side rigid portion  102  and the gas-side flexible barrier  104  to match up and form a seal. In other embodiments, the gas-side rigid portion  102  has a different geometry than illustrated. For example, the gas-side rigid portion  102  may have a deeper curvature, it may be cylindrical or spherical, it may have planar portions or be cuboidal, and it may have a concave geometry rather than the convex geometry shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the gas-side rigid portion  102  has a smooth surface. In other embodiments, the gas-side rigid portion  102  has a surface treatment. For example, the surface treatment may include polishing, texturing, added structural elements to increase rigidity or provide some other functionality. In the depicted embodiment, the gas-side rigid portion  102  is made of a relatively rigid material. For example, the gas-side rigid portion  102  may be made of hard plastic, metal, composite, or some other rigid material. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is coupled with the gas-side rigid portion  102 . In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion  102 . For example, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the gas-side rigid portion  102  may be joined by thermal sealing, mechanical sealing, chemical sealing or adhesion, vacuum sealing, or a combination of several forms of sealing or creating a seal. 
     In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is a flexible membrane that operates like a diaphragm. As the gas cell  110  generates gas, the gas-side flexible membrane  104  flexes to form a chamber between the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the gas-side rigid portion  102 . As the gas cell  110  continues to generate gas, the gas-side flexible barrier continues to flex to provide additional capacity within the chamber. In some embodiments, the material used for the gas-side flexible barrier  104  may be selected to have a high degree of resistance to reactivity with the gas generated by the gas cell  110 . Additionally, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  may be selected to provide a low degree of permeability relative to the gas generated by the gas cell  110 . In some embodiments, a material may be selected for both chemical reactivity and permeability. In other embodiments, additional qualities and characteristics may influence material selection for the gas-side flexible barrier  104 . Materials which might be used either alone or in combination include acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate copolymer, poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), also laminates such as biaxial aliphatic polyamides (also known as Nylon), aluminum foil, and low density polyethylene. 
     In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is flexible throughout its entirety. In other embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  includes some rigid or relatively less-flexible portions incorporated within the gas-side flexible barrier  104 . In some embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  has portions with varying degrees of flexibility. For example, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  may have a small rigid portion  111  that prevents the gas-side flexible barrier  104  from contacting the gas cell  110  when the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is fully collapsed against the gas-side rigid portion  102 . Other embodiments incorporate other structural elements within the gas-side flexible barrier  104  to provide other functionality. 
     In some embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion  106  is similar to the gas-side rigid portion  102 . In other embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion  106  is unique in form and functionality. For example, the delivery-side rigid portion  106  may be formed to improve the flow of delivery material to the delivery aperture  112  or may include a refill interface (not shown). Other functionality and structure may be included in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion  106  matches the form of the gas-side rigid portion  102  where they meet to facilitate sealing the delivery side ( 116  of  FIG. 3B ) and the gas side ( 114  of  FIG. 3B ) together. In other embodiments, the delivery-side rigid portion  106  varies in geometry from the gas-side rigid portion  102 . 
     The delivery-side flexible barrier  108  is coupled to the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . In some embodiments, the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  is formed of material with a high degree of chemical resistance relative to a delivery material. In other embodiments, the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  also has a low degree of permeability relative to the delivery material. In some embodiments, the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  has a high degree of permeability relative to the gas generated by the gas cell  110 . This would allow any stray gas from the gas cell  110  that has collected on the delivery side ( 116  of  FIG. 3B ) to escape through the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  without forming a bubble or otherwise affecting the delivery side ( 116  of  FIG. 3B ) of the device  100 . In some embodiments, similar gas venting functionality is incorporated into the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gas cell  110  is disposed in the structure of the gas-side rigid portion  102 . In some embodiments, the gas cell  110  is disposed in the structure of the gas-side rigid portion  102  by application of a glass bead, silicon bead, cyanoacrylate adhesive or other form of sealant or adhesive material or process. In some embodiments, the gas cell  110  may be located at a remote site and be connected by channels or tubes to direct the gas generated by the gas cell  110  through the gas-side rigid portion  102 . The gas cell  110  produces a gas and directs the gas into the area between the gas-side rigid portion  102  and the gas-side flexible barrier  104 . The buildup of the gas in this area forces the gas-side flexible barrier  104  to move away from the gas-side rigid portion  102 . This provides the driving forces for operation of the device. 
     In some embodiments, the gas cell  110  is an electrochemical cell. Gas cell technology is taught by Gordon in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,744,014 and 5,899,381 which are incorporated herein by reference 
     The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes the delivery aperture  112 . In some embodiments, the delivery aperture  112  is a separate structure disposed in the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . In other embodiments, the delivery aperture  112  is formed as part of the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . The delivery aperture  112  allows a delivery material to be released from the delivery side ( 116  of  FIG. 3B ) of the device. In some embodiments, the delivery aperture  112  includes a valve (not shown) to prevent release of the delivery material until a certain pressure threshold or other criteria are reached. In some embodiments, the delivery aperture  112  includes an attachment point to facilitate attachment of a dispersion structure (discussed further below) to disperse the delivery material released through the delivery aperture  112 . In some embodiments, the delivery aperture  112  is made of or includes an activator to cause a chemical reaction in the delivery material as it passes through the delivery aperture  112 . For example, the delivery aperture  112  may include a heater, a chemical activator, an electrically charged element, or other structure to interact with the delivery material as it passes through the delivery aperture  112 . In another embodiment, the delivery aperture  112  physically affects the delivery mode of the delivery material. For example, the delivery aperture  112  may atomize, collimate, stream, spread, accelerate, slow, vary, or modulate the delivery of the delivery material. 
     Although the delivery device  100  is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the delivery device  100  may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a cut-away schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device  100  of  FIG. 1  with the gas-side flexible barrier  104  fully compressed. The illustrated embodiment of the delivery device  100  includes the gas-side rigid portion  102 , the gas-side flexible barrier  104 , the delivery-side rigid portion  106 , the delivery-side flexible barrier  108 , the gas cell  110 , and the delivery aperture  112 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery side ( 116  of  FIG. 3B ) has been loaded with a delivery material so that the delivery-side flexible barrier is extended. This compresses the gas side ( 114  of  FIG. 3B ) so that the gas-side flexible barrier  104  conforms to the form of the gas-side rigid portion  102 . In the illustrate embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the gas cell  110  has not begun generating gas and the gas-side flexible barrier  104  is collapsed against the gas-side rigid portion  102 . Once the gas cell  110  begins generating gas, the area between the gas-side rigid portion  102  and the gas-side flexible barrier  104  will fill with the gas and the gas-side flexible barrier  104  with begin to compress the delivery-side flexible barrier  108 . This will result in increased pressure between the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  and the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a cut-away schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device  100  of  FIG. 1  with the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  fully compressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas cell  110  has generated enough gas to force the gas-side flexible barrier  104  away from the gas-side rigid portion  102  to compress the delivery-side flexible barrier  108 . This has expelled the delivery material through the delivery aperture  112  and collapsed the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  against the delivery-side rigid portion  106 . 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the delivery device  100  of  FIG. 1  with the flexible barriers  104  and  108  in neutral position. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  are in neutral position. This more readily depicts the gas chamber  114  or gas side  114  of the delivery device  100  as well as the delivery chamber  116  or delivery side  116  of the delivery device  100 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3B , the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  are separated by a small margin. In some embodiments, the relatively small space between the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  is filled with a buffer material to reduce friction and binding between the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108 . In other embodiments, the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  are in direct contact without separation. In some embodiments, one or both of the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108  include surface treatments to reduce friction and substantially prevent binding between the gas-side flexible barrier  104  and the delivery-side flexible barrier  108 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a delivery system  200 . The illustrated embodiment includes a delivery pump  100 , a control module  204 , leads  202 , delivery line  206 , and dispersion structure  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  100  includes a gas cell  110  and a delivery aperture  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pump  100  is in a vertical orientation. In other embodiments, the pump may be oriented horizontally, or at some other angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas cell  110  is connected by leads  202  to a control module  204 . In some embodiments, the control module  204  includes resistive elements to control the gas cell  110 . Other embodiments include other types of electrical or mechanical control systems. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery aperture  112  is connected to the delivery line  206 . In some embodiments, the delivery line  206  is a tube or channel. The delivery line  206  is connected to the dispersion structure  208  to communicate a delivery material from the delivery aperture  112  of the pump  100  to the dispersion structure  208 . In some embodiments, the delivery line  206  is omitted and the delivery aperture  112  is in direct communication with the dispersion structure  208 . In some embodiments, the dispersion structure  208  is a molecular dispersion media. For example, the dispersion structure  208  may include gauze, foam, sponge, or other breathable surface area. In another embodiment, the dispersion structure  208  is a spray nozzle. In other embodiments, the dispersion structure  208  is a tube, a needle, a heated element, or other known mechanical, thermal, chemical or other element for delivery of a material to a target location or environment. In another embodiment, the dispersion structure  208  is omitted and the delivery aperture  112  disperses the delivery material from the pump directly out from the delivery system  200 . In some embodiments, the pump  100  is implemented within the delivery system  200  to provide certain advantages over conventional technologies. For example, some embodiments of the delivery system  200  implement the pump  100  to eliminate orientation dependencies. For example, the delivery system  200  may be oriented in any direction without suffering leakage or failure in the pump  100 . Other embodiments of the delivery system  200  may implement the pump  100  to achieve other advantages. 
     Although the delivery system  200  is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the delivery system  200  may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a method  300  of manufacturing a chamber delivery system. At block  302 , a gas-side rigid portion is formed. At block  304 , a gas-side flexible barrier is formed. At block  306 , the gas-side rigid portion is sealed to the gas-side flexible barrier to form a gas chamber. At block  308 , a delivery-side rigid portion is formed. At block  310 , a delivery-side flexible barrier is formed. At block  312 , the delivery-side rigid portion is sealed to the delivery-side flexible barrier to form a delivery chamber. At block  314 , the gas chamber is sealed to the delivery chamber with the gas-side flexible barrier oriented adjacent to the delivery-side flexible barrier. At block  316 , a gas cell is disposed in the gas-side rigid portion. The gas cell is in communication with the gas chamber. At block  318 , a delivery aperture is disposed in the delivery-side rigid portion. The delivery aperture is in communication with the delivery chamber. 
     In the above description, specific details of various embodiments are provided. However, some embodiments may be practiced with less than all of these specific details. In other instances, certain methods, procedures, components, structures, and/or functions are described in no more detail than to enable the various embodiments of the invention, for the sake of brevity and clarity. 
     Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner. 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 
     Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of each method may be altered so that certain operations may be performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.

Technology Category: c