US3657930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric crystal operated pump to supply fluid pressure to hydrostatically support inner bearings of a gyroscope
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-24
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1989-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric crystal operated pump including a bimorph (bender type) piezoelectric crystal diaphragm, volumetrically expanding piezoelectric crystal stack, or such a crystal stack operated diaphragm pump arranged to flex in a pump cavity to supply a fluid pressure medium to hydrostatically supported inner bearings of gyroscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar D Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; G01C19/20; F; F04; F04B; F04B11/00; F04B11/0008; F04B11/0033; F04B11/0091; F04B43/00; F04B43/02; F04B43/025; F04B43/04; F04B43/043; F04B43/046; F04B53/00; F04B53/10; F04B53/1077; H; H02; H02K; H02K5/00; H02K5/04; H02K5/16; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/20; H10N30/204; H10N30/2047; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
655 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic motor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the improvement in which said housing means includes a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member includes fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means includes a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the end member includes a pair of chambers in the end member at opposite sides of the piezoelectric element, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting an input flow of a fluid medium from the hydrostatic bearing means into one of said pair of chambers in the end member while preventing a reverse output flow of fluid medium to the hydrostatic bearing means from the one chamber, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting an output flow of the fluid medium from the other of said pair of chambers to the hydrostatic bearing means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the hydrostatic bearing means into the other chamber, the inlet and outlet control orifice means including separate inlet and outlet fluid flow restrictive orifices for each of the chambers of said pair of chambers, said inlet and outlet fluid flow restrictive orifices being selectively operable by the pressure of the fluid medium in the corresponding chamber of said pair of chambers for connecting the fluid medium in said chambers alternately through the fluid inlet and outlet flow restrictive orifices to and from the pair of chambers in the said member dependent upon the sense in which the opposing forces act to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element for effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure alternately applied to the fluid medium in said pair of chambers; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a first sense to decrease an effective volume of one of said pair of chambers in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the one chamber out through the fluid outlet flow restrictive orifices of said one chamber and to the hydrostatic bearing means from the last mentioned chamber in the end member; said other portion of the piezoelectric element being movably actuated in said first sense so as to simultaneously increase an effective volume of the other chamber in the end member so as to draw a fluid medium through the fluid inlet flow restrictive orifices of said other chamber and from the hydrostatic bearing means into said other chamber in the end member; the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in an opposite second sense so as to increase the effective volume in the one chamber and decrease the effEctive volume in the other chamber to simultaneously draw a fluid medium into the one chamber and force a fluid medium out of said outer chamber and through the respective fluid inlet and outlet flow restrictive orifices of said chambers, and said other portion of the piezoelectric element being movably actuated in said first and second senses to effect an alternate simultaneous push-pull pumping action on the fluid medium in said respective chambers relative to the hydrostatic bearing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
655 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic motor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the improvement in which said housing means includes a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member includes fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means includes a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the end member includes a pair of chambers in the end member at opposite sides of the piezoelectric element, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting an input flow of a fluid medium from the hydrostatic bearing means into one of said pair of chambers in the end member while preventing a reverse output flow of fluid medium to the hydrostatic bearing means from the one chamber, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting an output flow of the fluid medium from the other of said pair of chambers to the hydrostatic bearing means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the hydrostatic bearing means into the other chamber, the inlet and outlet control orifice means including separate inlet and outlet fluid flow restrictive orifices for each of the chambers of said pair of chambers, said inlet and outlet fluid flow restrictive orifices being selectively operable by the pressure of the fluid medium in the corresponding chamber of said pair of chambers for connecting the fluid medium in said chambers alternately through the fluid inlet and outlet flow restrictive orifices to and from the pair of chambers in the said member dependent upon the sense in which the opposing forces act to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element for effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure alternately applied to the fluid medium in said pair of chambers; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a first sense to decrease an effective volume of one of said pair of chambers in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the one chamber out through the fluid outlet flow restrictive orifices of said one chamber and to the hydrostatic bearing means from the last mentioned chamber in the end member; said other portion of the piezoelectric element being movably actuated in said first sense so as to simultaneously increase an effective volume of the other chamber in the end member so as to draw a fluid medium through the fluid inlet flow restrictive orifices of said other chamber and from the hydrostatic bearing means into said other chamber in the end member; the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in an opposite second sense so as to increase the effective volume in the one chamber and decrease the effEctive volume in the other chamber to simultaneously draw a fluid medium into the one chamber and force a fluid medium out of said outer chamber and through the respective fluid inlet and outlet flow restrictive orifices of said chambers, and said other portion of the piezoelectric element being movably actuated in said first and second senses to effect an alternate simultaneous push-pull pumping action on the fluid medium in said respective chambers relative to the hydrostatic bearing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination defined by claim 1 in which each of the fluid inlet and outlet flow restrictive orifices includes series connected stationary restrictive orifices providing greater resistance to fluid flow in one direction than in another direction so as to partially rectify the simultaneous oscillating fluid flow to and from the respective chambers in the end member relative to the hydrostatic bearing means, resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs, and fluid conduct means opening said reservoirs into the hydrostatic bearing means and to the respective inlet and outlet fluid flow restrictive orifices of the chamber means so as to prevent cavitation under high operating frequencies of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
413 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member including a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means including a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the end member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, the inlet and outlet control orifice means effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure applied to the fluid medium in the chamber means; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the end member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the end member; the improvement comprising resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs, and fluid conduit means opening said reservoirs into the hydrostatic bearing means and to the respective fluid inlet and outlet fluid flow control orifice means to the chamber means so as to prevent cavitation under high operating frequencies of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
413 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member including a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means including a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the end member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, the inlet and outlet control orifice means effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure applied to the fluid medium in the chamber means; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the end member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the end member; the improvement comprising resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs, and fluid conduit means opening said reservoirs into the hydrostatic bearing means and to the respective fluid inlet and outlet fluid flow control orifice means to the chamber means so as to prevent cavitation under high operating frequencies of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
439 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; Hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member including a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means including a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the end member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, the inlet and outlet control orifice means effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure applied to the fluid medium in the chamber means; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the end member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the end member; the improvement in which the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means includes a pair of plates slidably mounted relative one to the other, each of the plates having two sets of serially arranged teeth provided in adjacent surfaces of the plates, one set of the serially arranged teeth defining inlet control orifices opening into the chamber means, and another set of the serially arranged teeth defining outlet control orifices opening from the chamber means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
439 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; Hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member including a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means including a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, and another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the end member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, the inlet and outlet control orifice means effectively circulating fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means under pressure applied to the fluid medium in the chamber means; energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the end member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the end member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the end member; the improvement in which the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means includes a pair of plates slidably mounted relative one to the other, each of the plates having two sets of serially arranged teeth provided in adjacent surfaces of the plates, one set of the serially arranged teeth defining inlet control orifices opening into the chamber means, and another set of the serially arranged teeth defining outlet control orifices opening from the chamber means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination defined by claim 4 including operator-operative means to adjustably position one of the slidably mounted plates relative to the other plate so as to vary the control orifices defined by the serially arranged teeth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
The combination defined by claim 4 in which each of the serially arranged teeth define pockets, the pockets defined by the serially arranged teeth of the one set being so arranged as to permit fluid flow into the chamber means through the inlet control orifices defined by the one set of serially arranged teeth while the pockets defined by the one set of teeth provide a turbulent effect in a reverse flow of fluid causing a restriction of the fluid flow in such reverse direction, the pockets defined by the serially arranged teeth of the other set being so arranged as to permit fluid flow from the chamber means through the outlet orifices defined by the other set of serially arranged teeth while the pockets defined by the other set of teeth provide a turbulent effect in a reverse flow of fluid causing a restriction in the fluid flow in such reverse direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined by claim 6 including and operator-operative means to adjustably position one of the slidably mounted plates relative to the other plate so as to vary the control orifices defined by the serially arranged teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
445 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the improvement in which said housing means includes a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member includes a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means includes multiple sets of piezoelectric elements, each of said sets of piezoelectric elements including a pair of piezoelectric elements, each of the piezoelectric elements having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, another portion of each of the piezoelectric elements being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the end member including chambers at opposite sides of each of the piezoelectric elements, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow from the hydrostatic bearing means of a fluid medium alternately into each of said chambers in the end member at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from said chambers, and other undirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow into said hydrostatic bearing means of a fluid medium alternately out of each of said chambers at the opposite sides of said piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into said chambers, the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means being selectively operable by an applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers for effecting a flow of fluid medium alternatively through the fluid inlet control orifice means to said chambers from the hydrostatic bearing means and through the outlet control orifice means from the chambers to said hydrostatic bearing means depending upon the applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers, energizing voltage means periodically causing each of the piezoelectric elements of each set to be actuated in opposite senses to prevent adverse vibration while acting to increase and decrease the volume of the respective chambers at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements, the actuation of the multiple piezoelectric elements thereby increasing and decreasing the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers in a push-pull pumping action for effectively circulating the fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means and through the fluid inlet and outlet control orifice means under the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers by the actuation of the piezoelectric elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
445 words
In a gyroscope of a type including housing means; fluid supply means within said housing means; a gimbal element carrying a gyroscopic rotor rotatable about a first axis; hydrostatic bearing means operable by said fluid supply means to support said gimbal element within said housing for pivotal movement about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the improvement in which said housing means includes a member mounted at one end of the housing means, the end member includes a fluid pressure chamber means therein, the fluid supply means includes multiple sets of piezoelectric elements, each of said sets of piezoelectric elements including a pair of piezoelectric elements, each of the piezoelectric elements having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the end member, another portion of each of the piezoelectric elements being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the end member including chambers at opposite sides of each of the piezoelectric elements, said end member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow from the hydrostatic bearing means of a fluid medium alternately into each of said chambers in the end member at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from said chambers, and other undirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow into said hydrostatic bearing means of a fluid medium alternately out of each of said chambers at the opposite sides of said piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into said chambers, the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means being selectively operable by an applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers for effecting a flow of fluid medium alternatively through the fluid inlet control orifice means to said chambers from the hydrostatic bearing means and through the outlet control orifice means from the chambers to said hydrostatic bearing means depending upon the applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers, energizing voltage means periodically causing each of the piezoelectric elements of each set to be actuated in opposite senses to prevent adverse vibration while acting to increase and decrease the volume of the respective chambers at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements, the actuation of the multiple piezoelectric elements thereby increasing and decreasing the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers in a push-pull pumping action for effectively circulating the fluid medium in the hydrostatic bearing means and through the fluid inlet and outlet control orifice means under the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers by the actuation of the piezoelectric elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination defined by claim 8 in which the fluid inlet and outlet orifice control means includes series connected stationary restrictive orifices providing greater resistance to fluid flow in one direction than in another direction so as to partially rectify the oscillating fluid flow to and from the chamber means in the end member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination defined by claim 8 in which each of the piezoelectric elements includes a piezoelectric diaphragm having a laminate of piezoelectric crystals at opposite sides thereof so arranged that upon an alternating current voltage being applied to surfaces of the crystals by the energizing voltage means there is effected an alternate expansion and contraction of said laminate causing a bending of the diaphragm to effect a push-pull pumping action on the fluid medium in the chamber means, the fluid inlet and outlet orifice control means includes series connected stationary restrictive orifices providing greater resistance to fluid flow in one direction than in another direction so as to partially rectify the oscillating fluid flow to and from the chamber means in the end member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
359 words
In a pump of a type including a housing member, a fluid pressure chamber Means in said housing member, a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the housing member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the housing member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the housing member; the improvement comprising resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs, fluid conduit means opening the resilient intake fluid reservoir into the inlet fluid flow control orifice means to the chamber means, other fluid conduit means opening the outlet fluid flow control orifice means from said chamber means to the resilient outlet fluid reservoir, and said resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs being responsive to oscillating fluid pressures applied at said intake and outlet conduit means so as to prevent cavitation under high operating frequencies of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
359 words
In a pump of a type including a housing member, a fluid pressure chamber Means in said housing member, a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the housing member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the housing member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the housing member; the improvement comprising resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs, fluid conduit means opening the resilient intake fluid reservoir into the inlet fluid flow control orifice means to the chamber means, other fluid conduit means opening the outlet fluid flow control orifice means from said chamber means to the resilient outlet fluid reservoir, and said resilient intake and outlet fluid reservoirs being responsive to oscillating fluid pressures applied at said intake and outlet conduit means so as to prevent cavitation under high operating frequencies of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
348 words
In a pump of a type including a housing member, a fluid pressure chamber means in said housing member, a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the housing member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the housing member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the housing member; the improvement in which the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means includes a pair of plates slidably mounted relative one to the other, Each of the plates having two sets of serially arranged teeth provided in adjacent surfaces of the plates, one set of the serially arranged teeth defining inlet control orifices opening into the chamber means, and another set of the serially arranged teeth defining outlet control orifices opening from the chamber means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
348 words
In a pump of a type including a housing member, a fluid pressure chamber means in said housing member, a piezoelectric element having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of the piezoelectric element being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium into the chamber means in the housing member while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from the chamber means, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of the fluid medium out of the chamber means while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into the chamber means, energizing voltage means for periodically causing the piezoelectric element to bias said other portion thereof in a sense in opposition to an opposing biasing force acting on the piezoelectric element in another sense; one of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in a sense to decrease an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to force fluid medium in the chamber means out through the fluid outlet orifice control means from the chamber means in the housing member; and the other of said biasing forces to movably actuate said other portion of the piezoelectric element in another sense so as to increase an effective volume of the chamber means in the housing member so as to draw the fluid medium through the fluid inlet orifice control means into the chamber means in the housing member; the improvement in which the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means includes a pair of plates slidably mounted relative one to the other, Each of the plates having two sets of serially arranged teeth provided in adjacent surfaces of the plates, one set of the serially arranged teeth defining inlet control orifices opening into the chamber means, and another set of the serially arranged teeth defining outlet control orifices opening from the chamber means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination defined by claim 12 including operator-operative means to adjustably position one of the slidably mounted plates relative to the other plate so as to vary the control orifices defined by the serially arranged teeth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
153 words
The combination defined by claim 12 in which each of the serially arranged teeth define pockets, the pockets defined by the serially arranged teeth of the one set being so arranged as to permit fluid flow into the chamber means through the inlet control orifices defined by the one set of serially arranged teeth while the pockets defined by the one set of teeth provide a turbulent effect in a reverse flow of fluid causing a restriction of the fluid flow in such reverse direction, the pockets defined by the serially arranged teeth of the other set being so arranged as to permit fluid flow from the chamber means through the outlet orifices defined by the other set of serially arranged teeth while the pockets defined by the other set of teeth provide a turbulent effect in a reverse flow of fluid causing a restriction in the fluid flow in such reverse direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination defined by claim 14 including operator-operative means to adjustably position one of the slidably mounted plates relative to the other plate so as to vary the control orifices defined by the serially arranged teeth.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
355 words
A pump comprising a housing member a fluid pressure chamber means within said housing member, multiple sets of piezoelectric elements, each of said sets of piezoelectric elements including a pair of piezoelectric elements, each of the piezoelectric elements having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of each of the piezoelectric elements being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the housing member including chambers at opposite sides of each of the piezoelectric elements, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow from a fluid supply means of a fluid medium alternately into each of said chambers in the end member at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from said chambers, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium alternately out of each of said chambers at the opposite sides of said piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into said chambers, the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means being selectively operable by an applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers for effecting a flow of fluid medium alternately through the fluid inlet control orifice means to said chambers from the fluid supply means and through the outlet control orifice means from said chambers depending upon the applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers, energizing voltage means periodically causing each of the piezoelectric elements of each set to be actuated in opposite senses to prevent adverse vibration while acting to increase and decrease the volume of the respective chambers at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements, the actuation of the multiple piezoelectric elements thereby increasing and decreasing the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers in a push-pull pumping action for effectively directing flow of fluid medium through the fluid inlet and outlet control orifice means under the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers by the actuation of the piezoelectric elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
355 words
A pump comprising a housing member a fluid pressure chamber means within said housing member, multiple sets of piezoelectric elements, each of said sets of piezoelectric elements including a pair of piezoelectric elements, each of the piezoelectric elements having a portion thereof fixedly mounted in the housing member, another portion of each of the piezoelectric elements being arranged to be movably actuated in relation to a fluid medium in the chamber means, the chamber means of the housing member including chambers at opposite sides of each of the piezoelectric elements, said housing member including unidirectional fluid flow inlet control orifice means for permitting flow from a fluid supply means of a fluid medium alternately into each of said chambers in the end member at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium from said chambers, and other unidirectional fluid flow outlet control orifice means for permitting flow of a fluid medium alternately out of each of said chambers at the opposite sides of said piezoelectric elements while preventing a reverse flow of fluid medium into said chambers, the fluid flow inlet and outlet control orifice means being selectively operable by an applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers for effecting a flow of fluid medium alternately through the fluid inlet control orifice means to said chambers from the fluid supply means and through the outlet control orifice means from said chambers depending upon the applied pressure of the fluid medium in said chambers, energizing voltage means periodically causing each of the piezoelectric elements of each set to be actuated in opposite senses to prevent adverse vibration while acting to increase and decrease the volume of the respective chambers at the opposite sides of the piezoelectric elements, the actuation of the multiple piezoelectric elements thereby increasing and decreasing the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers in a push-pull pumping action for effectively directing flow of fluid medium through the fluid inlet and outlet control orifice means under the pressures applied to the fluid medium in said chambers by the actuation of the piezoelectric elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination defined by claim 16 in which the fluid inlet and outlet orifice control means includes series connected stationary restrictive orifices providing greater resistance to fluid flow in one direction than in another direction so as to partially rectify the oscillating fluid flow to and from the chamber means in the housing member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination defined by claim 16 in which each of the piezoelectric elements includes a piezoelectric diaphragm having a laminate of piezoelectric crystals at opposite sides thereof so arranged that upon an alternating current voltage being applied to surfaces of the crystals by the energizing voltage means there is effected an alternate expansion and contraction of said laminate causing a bending of the diaphragm to effect a push-pull pumping action on the fluid medium in the chamber means, the fluid inlet and outlet orifice control means includes series connected stationary restrictive orifices providing greater resistance to fluid flow in one direction than in another direction so as to partially rectify the oscillating fluid flow to and from the chamber means in the housing member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |