Magnetostriction air pump

Abstract

A magnetostriction based pump for cooling a power supply is provided. One exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes one of the components that is already present in the power supply. The expense of the cooling system is minimized, as it is limited to a diaphragm and any channel routing. The airflow can be targeted at multiple devices by adding additional cooling channels or channeling the flow of air over multiple components.

1 . A magnetostriction pump comprising:
 a structure of magnetostrictive material configured to form a passageway containing a coolant;   a magnetic field generator configured to create an alternating magnetic field in the structure of magnetostrictive material; and   wherein the coolant is forced through the passageway by expansion and compression of the structure of magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field generator operates.   
   
   
       2 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  further comprising a diaphragm disposed in the passageway. 
   
   
       3 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  further comprising a tube coupled to the passageway. 
   
   
       4 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  further comprising a valve coupled to the passageway. 
   
   
       5 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  further comprising a tube coupled to the passageway. 
   
   
       6 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  wherein the structure of magnetostrictive material further comprises:
 a circuit component having a magnetic flux conducting material; and   a magnetic shunt of magnetostrictive material configured to be attached to the magnetic flux conducting material of the circuit component so as to form the passageway.   
   
   
       7 . The magnetostriction pump of  claim 1  wherein the coolant is air. 
   
   
       8 . A method for pumping a fluid comprising:
 creating magnetic flux in a structure of magnetostrictive material, where the structure has a passageway;   disposing a coolant in the passageway; and   alternating the direction of the magnetic flux so as to cause the passageway to increase and decrease in volume due to magnetostrictive contraction and expansion, causing the coolant to flow in and out of the passageway.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising causing the coolant to flow in one direction through the passageway. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein disposing the coolant in the passageway comprises disposing an air-filled diaphragm in the passageway. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein disposing the coolant in the passageway comprises disposing an air-filled diaphragm having a one-way valve on one end in the passageway. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising directing the coolant onto an electrical component so as to provide cooling to the electrical component. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising directing the coolant through tubing onto an electrical component so as to provide cooling to the electrical component. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising directing the coolant through one or more channels onto an electrical component so as to provide cooling to the electrical component.