Graphene-drum pump and engine systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to pump systems and engine systems having graphene drums. In embodiments of the invention, the graphene drum can be utilized in the main chambers and/or valves of the pumps and engines.

1 - 84 . (canceled) 
     
     
         85 . An audio speaker comprising an array of pumps, wherein the pumps in the array of pumps operate in a MHz range to produce an audio signal. 
     
     
         86 . The audio speaker of  claim 85 , wherein the pumps in the array of pumps comprise a membrane comprising one or more layers of an atomically thin material. 
     
     
         87 . The audio speaker of  claim 86 , wherein the membrane comprises an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         88 . The audio speaker of  claim 87 , wherein the membrane consists of graphene. 
     
     
         89 . The audio speaker of  claim 87 , wherein the membrane comprises graphene. 
     
     
         90 . The audio speaker of  claim 87 , wherein the membrane consists of carbon. 
     
     
         91 . The audio speaker of  claim 86 , wherein the membrane has a thickness less than 4 nm. 
     
     
         92 . The audio speaker of  claim 86 , wherein the membrane has a thickness between about 0.3 nm and 1 nm. 
     
     
         93 . The audio speaker of  claim 85 , wherein the audio signal is between 20 Hz and 20 kHz). 
     
     
         94 . An audio speaker comprising a graphene membrane, wherein the graphene membrane comprises one or more layers of graphene. 
     
     
         95 . The audio speaker of  claim 94  further comprising an electrically conductive trace spaced apart from and near the graphene membrane. 
     
     
         96 . The audio speaker of  claim 95 , wherein the graphene membrane is operable to be deflected relative to the electrically conductive trace due to a voltage between the graphene membrane and the electrically conductive trace. 
     
     
         97 . The audio speaker of  claim 96 , wherein a voltage source is operatively connected to one or both of the graphene membrane and the electrically conductive trace to provide or maintain a voltage between the graphene membrane and the electrically conductive trace that produces an electrostatic force that deflects the graphene membrane relative to the electrically conductive trace. 
     
     
         98 . The audio speaker of  claim 94 , wherein the audio speaker is operable for producing sound having a frequency between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. 
     
     
         99 . The audio speaker of  claim 94 , wherein the graphene membrane has a thickness less than 4 nm. 
     
     
         100 . The audio speaker of  claim 94 , wherein the graphene membrane has a thickness between about 0.3 nm and 1 nm.