Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTIPLE CHANNEL MAGNETOSTRICTIVE MICROPUMP
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for pumping
fluids from
multiple inlet ports to multiple delivery outlet ports in low volumes, mixture
rates and flow rates acid
more specifically to methods and apparatuses for using a magnetostrictive
driven pump to control
the delivery of multiple fluids, such as medical, pharmaceutical and chemical
fluids from multiple
containers to multiple delivery points.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous fluid delivery applications found in such areas as medicine,
chemistry,
biochemistry, pharmaceutical research, electronics manufacturing and
laboratory testing require
micro scale fluid delivery control. Fluid delivery systems rely on a wide
variety of pumps to move
finite volumes of fluid from fluid containers to the delivery ports. Current
pump designs and
apparatus are based on plungers and diaphragms forcing fluid from precise
cavities upon application
of mechanical or electromechanical energy on such plungers or diaphragms. Such
apparatuses
perform ei~ciently in macro scale applications but tend to become less
efficient when miniaturized
to perform micro scale volumetric fluid delivery. Their design in micro scale
applications involve
moving parts and cantilevers leading to excessive wear due to friction,
mechanical fatigue and
premature lost of accuracy.
Other apparatuses include piezoelectric diaphragms, piezoelectric cantilevers
and
piezoelectric stacks used to force the fluid component out of preset cavities
upon mechanical
deflection or strain typical of piezoelectric elements. These apparatuses have
long been limited in
their applications due to the weak force and small displacement of the
piezoelectric strain under
voltage.
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1
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A number of micropumps exist for delivering small amounts of fluid to a
delivery point.
Some of the pump include a piezoelectric element which changes its dimension
when it is stressed
electrically by a voltage. U.S. patent No. 4,938,742 to xxxxx describes a
micropump with
piezoelectric valves. These valves contain a diaphragm covered by a single
layer of piezoelectric
material which limits the control and deflection of the valves.
U.S. Patent No. 5,611,676 to xxxxxxx describes the use of a cantilevered
piezoelectric
bimorph. A piezoelectric bimorph has two layer of a piezoelectric bimorph
separated by a shim. The
application of an electric field across the two layers of the bimorph causes
one layer to expand while
the other contracts. The net result is the curvature of the piezoelectric
bimorph.
Other typical micropumps of this type are shown for example in the following
Canada patents:
2,181,084Van Lintel
2,213,194Beckett
2,226,170Sohn, Zimet
2,354,076Jalink
2,356,342Zimlich, Bouton
et Peters
and United States of America. patents:
4,687,426Yoshimura
4,708,600Abujudom, II
et al.
4,938,742
4,939,405Okuyama, et
al.
5,405,050Walsh
5,611,676
5,743,960Tisone
6,071,087Jalink, Jr.,
et al.
Though such apparatus have achieved some efficient applications, there has
been a
continuing need for improvement.
The present invention describes a new and improved method and apparatus that
is simple in
design, eff cient and compact. The new and improved magnetostrictive micropump
provides
increased fluid pumping control, accuracy and delivery capabilities at low
energy consumption.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved magnetostrictive
micropump
is provided that pumps fluids from multiple containers to multiple delivery
points in small, accurate
amounts and at controlled flow rates and volumetric mixtures.
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According to one aspect of the present invention, a micropump for pumping
fluids from
containers to delivery points is disclosed that includes a micropu~np header,
a micropump body and
a micropump base. Passageways extend through the micropump header from the
containers inlet
ports to delivery points. The micropump body has rows of first, second, third
and fourth cavities
intersecting with passageways. The micropump body has rows of first, second,
third and fourth
cavities equal to number of passageways. A diaphragm seal separate the
micropump header from the
micropump body. The micropump base has rows of first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive
actuators secured to the micropump base and extending through the micropump
body. The
micropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities created by
small dimensional
gaps between micropump header, micropump body and micropump base
magnetostrictive actuators.
The micropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities
created between the
mieropump header and diaphragm seal through bias magnetic pull of
magnetostrictive actuators. An
electrical apparatus supplies voltage to the first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive actuators
of first row causing the magnetostrictive actuators to raise and lower the
diaphragm seal sequentially
at predetermined intervals, thereby forcing flow of the fluid through the
passageways of the first
row.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a micropump for pumping
fluids from
containers to delivery points is disclosed that includes a micropump header, a
micropump body and
a micropump base. Passageways extend through the microp~.imp header from the
containers inlet
ports to delivery points. The micropump body has rows of first, second, third
and fourth cavities
intersecting with passageways. The micropump body has rows of first, second,
third and fourth
cavities equal to number of passageways. A diaphragm seal separate the
micropump header from the
micropump body. The micropump base has rows of first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive
actuators secured to the micropump base and extending through the micropurnp
body. The
micropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities created by
small dimensional
gaps between micropump header, micropump body and micropump base
magnetostrictive actuators.
The micropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities
created between the
micropurnp header and diaphragm seal through bias magnetic pull of
magnetostrictive actuators. An
electrical apparatus supplies voltage to the first and second, third and
fourth magnetostrictive
actuators of second row causing the magnetostrictive actuators to raise and
lower the diaphragm seal
sequentially at predetermined intervals, thereby forcing flow of the fluid
through the passageways of
the second row.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a micropump for pumping
fluids from
containers to delivery points is disclosed that includes a micropump header, a
micropump body and
a micropump base. Passageways extend through the micropump header from the
containers inlet
ports to delivery points. The micropump body has rows of first, second, third
and fourth cavities
intersecting with passageways. The micropump body has rows of first, second,
third and fourth
cavities equal to number of passageways. A diaphragm seal separate the
micropump header from the
micropump body. The micropump base has rows of first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive
actuators secured to the micropump base and extending through the micropump
body. The
micropump body has rov,~s of first, second, third and fourth cavities created
by small dimensional
gaps between micropump header, micropump body and micropump base
magnetostrictive actuators.
The micropump body has rows of f rst, second, third and fourth cavities
created between the
micropump header and diaphragm seal through bias magnetic pull of
magnetostrictive actuators. An
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electrical apparatus supplies voltage to the first and second, third and
fourth magnetostrictive
actuators of third row causing the magnetostrictive actuators to raise and
lower the diaphragm seal
sequentially at predetermined intervals, thereby forcing flow o~f the fluid
through the passageways of
the third row.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a micropump for pumping
fluids from
containers to delivery points is disclosed that includes a micropump header, a
micropurnp body and
a micropump base. Passageways extend through the micropump header from the
containers inlet
ports to delivery points. The micropump body has rows of first, second, third
and fourth cavities
intersecting with passageways. The micropump body has rows of first, second,
third and fourth
cavities equal to number of passageways. A diaphragm seal separate the
micropump header from the
micropump body. The micropump base has rows of first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive
actuators secured to the micropump base and extending through the micropump
body. The
micropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities created by
small dimensional
gaps between micropump header, micropump body and micro:pump base
rnagnetostrictive actuators.
The mieropump body has rows of first, second, third and fourth cavities
created between the
micropump header and diaphragm seal through bias magnetic pull of
magnetostrictive actuators. An
electrical apparatus supplies voltage to the first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive actuators
of fourth row causing the magnetostrictive actuators to raise and lower the
diaphragm seal
sequentially at predetermined intervals, thereby forcing flow of the fluid
through the passageways of
the fourth row.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a micropump for pumping
fluids from
containers to delivery points is disclosed that includes micropump header,
mieropump body and
micropump base. Micropump header includes four container inlet ports, four
passage ways and four
delivery ports. Micropump body includes four rows of first, second, third and
fourth cavities.
Micropump base includes four rows of first, second, third and fourth
magnetostrictive actuators for
raising and lowering the diaphragm seal. An electrical apparatus supplies
voltage to the first, second,
third and fourth magnetostrictive actuator of each row sequentially at
predetermined frequencies
causing each row of magnetostrictive actuators to raise and lower the
diaphragm seal sequentially at
varying cycle rates, thereby forcing flow of the fluid through each
passageways at varying flow
rates.
The magnetostrictive actuators in the above-described micropump may be
Terfenol-D
actuators or Terfenol-D powder composite elements.
'The micropump header in the above-described micropump may include
interconnecting
passageways causing volumetric fluid mixtures to the delivery ;ports.
Tie electrical apparatus in the above-described micropump may supply voltage
to each
magnetostrictive actuators at varying frequencies to adjust flowrate as a
result of volumetric fluid
mixture delivery.
One advantage of the present invention is that the micropump delivers multiple
fluids at
highly accurate and controlled micro to nano scale flow rates which is
particularly advantageous far
pharmaceutical, medical, biotech and microelectronics research and production.
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Another advantage of the present invention is that the micropump delivers
multiple fluids,
each having independent, highly accurate and controlled micro and nano scale
flow rate.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the micropump delivers
multiple
volumetric fluid mixture from multiple fluid container inlets each having
independant, highly
accurate and controlled micro and nano scale flow rate.
In the drawings, which form part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple channel magnetostrictive
micropump.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the multiple channel magnetostrictive
micropump.
Figure 3 is a top view of the micropump body of figure 1 taken along line 3-3.
Figure 4 is a top view of the diaphragm seal.
Figure 5 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the micropump body of figure 1
taken along line 2-2.
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the micropurnp header of figure 1 taken along
line 1-1
Figure 7 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of micropump header.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, figure 1 is a
perspective and
cross-sectional view of a multiple channel magnetostrietive micropump 1 for
delivering highly
accurate amounts of fluids from container inlet ports 2,8,14,20 to delivery
points 7,13,19,25. The
micropump 1 includes a micropump header 26, a micropump body 28, a micropump
base 34 and a
diaphragm seal 33. In a preferred embodiment, the micropump header 26 is
preferably made of
machined stainless steel material, the micropump body 28 and micropump base 34
are preferably
made of moulded plastic such as glass fiber-reinforced nylon. 'The diaphragm
seal 33 may be made
of anti-contaminant and anti-microbial material.
With continuing reference to figure l, figure 2 is an exploded side view of
micropump 1.
Magnetostrictive actuators 70,71,72,73 slide into electromagnetic coils
120,121,122,123 and into
vertical electromagnetic shied 11 and into horizontal electromagnetic shields
and secured to
micropump base 34. The assembly of micropump base 34 into micropump body 28
creates a
dimensional gap into micropump body cylinders 86,87,88,89 referred to as
cavities 29,30,31,32.
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With continued reference to figure l, figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of
micropump 1 of
figure 1 taken along line 3-3. The micropump 1 has rows of cylinders
(86,87,88,89) (90,91,92,93)
required to receive rows of magnetostrictive actuators (70,'11,72,73)
(74,75,76,77) secured onto
micropump base 28.
With reference to figure 2, figure 4 is a diaphragm seal 33. Diaphragm seal 33
is secured
between micropump header 26 and micropump body 28. Surface 16 is a thin layer
of diaphragm seal
33 made of magnetized steel. Surface 17 is a thin uniform layer of anti-
contaminant and anti-
microbial coating achieved through vacuum deposition.
With continuing reference to Figure 1, figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of
micropump 1 of
figure 1 taken along line 2-2. Micropump body 28 includes printed circuit
board 22 enabling
electrical connections to electromagnetic coils 120 to 135. Figure 5 shows
electromagnetic coils
123, 127, I 31,13 5. Printed circuit board 22 includes conductors 9,10,11,12
extending on solder side
of printed circuit board from connector 15 to electromagnetic coils 120 to
135. Conductors
9,10,11,12 are connected to first lead of electromagnetic coils 120 to 13 5.
Printed circuit board 22
includes conductors 35,36,37,38 extending on component side of printed circuit
board from
connector 15 to electromagnetic coils 120 to 135. Conductors 35,36,37,38 are
connected to second
lead of electromagnetic coils 120 to 135. The method and apparatus for
supplying voltage to
electromagnetic coils as illustrated by figure 5 is particularly advantageous
for control purposes and
enables the sequential addressing and activation of electromal;netic coils in
rows and columns such
as a electromagnetic coils matrix. The method and apparatus for supplying
voltage to
electromagnetic coils 120 to 135 as illustrated by figure 5 is particularly
advantageous for
addressing each electromagnetic coil at different frequency cycles.
With continuing reference to Figure 1, figure 6 shows a bottom view of
micrapump header
26 of figure 1 taken along line 1-1. Inlets bores 51;52,53,54 are machined
into the micropump
header 26 and include microfluidic valves 59,60,61,62 which are mechanically
inserted into the
inlet bores 51,52,53,54. Passageways 55,56,57,58 are micromachined into the
bottom surface of the
micropump header 26 and extend to delivery bores 63,64,65,66. The passageways
55,56,57,58 and
all other micropump surfaces acting in direct contact with the fluids are
compatible with the fluids to
be pumped and delivered.
With continued reference to figure 6, the fluids are forced to flow across the
micropump
header 26 along four channels:
Inlet bore Valve Pas;>ageways Delivery bore
First channel51 60 55 59
Second channel52 61 56 60
Third channel53 62 57 61
Fourth channel54 63 58 62
With continuing reference to Figure l, figure 7 shows a bottom view of an
alternative
embodiment micropump header 26 of figure I taken along line 1-1. Inlets bores
51,52,53,54 are
machined into the micropump header 26 and include microfluidic valves
59,60,61,62 which are
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mechanically inserted into the inlet bores 51,52,53,54. Passageways
55,56,57,58 are micromachined
into the bottom surface of the micropump header 2~: Passageway 56 extend to
delivery bore 64.
Passageway 57 extend to delivery bore 65. Passageway SS extend beyond
corresponding cylinder 88
of micropump body 28 and interconnect with passage way 56. Passageway 58
extend beyond
corresponding cylinder 100 of micropump body 28 and interconnect with passage
way 57. The
micropump header embodiment illustrated by figure 7 allows for fluid mixtures.
The passageways
55,56,57,58 and all other micropump surfaces acting in direct contact with the
fluids are compatible
with the fluids to be pumped and delivered.
