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 . A membrane pump comprising:
 (a) a membrane comprising one or more layers of an atomically thin, electrically conductive material;   (b) a gate that is operable for moving the membrane from a first position to a second position.   
     
     
         86 . The membrane pump of  claim 85 , wherein the membrane consists of graphene. 
     
     
         87 . The membrane pump of  claim 85 , wherein the membrane comprises graphene. 
     
     
         88 . The membrane pump of  claim 85 , wherein the membrane consists of carbon. 
     
     
         89 . The membrane pump of  claim 85 , wherein the membrane has a thickness less than 4 nm. 
     
     
         90 . The membrane pump of  claim 85 , wherein the membrane has a thickness between about 0.3 nm and 1 nm. 
     
     
         91 . A membrane pump comprising:
 (a) a membrane, wherein the membrane is a continuous sheet of one or more layers of an atomically thin, electrically conductive material;   (b) a diaphragm element having a diaphragm that comprises a first portion of the membrane;   (c) a valve element having a valve that comprises a second portion of the membrane.   
     
     
         92 . The membrane pump of  claim 91 , wherein the atomically thin, electrically conductive material consists of graphene. 
     
     
         93 . The membrane pump of  claim 91 , wherein the atomically thin, electrically conductive material comprises graphene. 
     
     
         94 . The membrane pump of  claim 91 , wherein the atomically thin, electrically conductive material consists of carbon. 
     
     
         95 . The membrane pump of  claim 91  further comprising:
 (a) a first gate, wherein the diaphragm element comprises the first gate and the first gate is operable for moving the first portion of the membrane; and 
 (b) a second gate, wherein the valve element comprises the second gate and the second gate is operable for moving the second portion of the membrane. 
 
     
     
         96 . The membrane pump of  claim 91  further comprising a second valve element having a valve comprising a third portion of the membrane, wherein the diaphragm element is located between the first valve element and the second valve element. 
     
     
         97 . The membrane pump of  claim 96  further comprising a third gate, wherein, the second valve element comprises the third gate and the third gate is operable for moving the third portion of the membrane. 
     
     
         98 . A membrane pump comprising:
 (a) a membrane comprising one or more layers of an atomically thin material; and   (b) a gate, wherein the gate is operable for exerting an electrostatic force on the membrane.   
     
     
         99 . The membrane pump of  claim 98 , wherein the membrane comprises an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         100 . The membrane pump of  claim 98 , wherein the membrane comprises graphene. 
     
     
         101 . A membrane pump comprising:
 (a) a pump diaphragm;   (b) two valve diaphragms, wherein the pump diaphragm and the two valve diaphragms share a membrane that is electrically conductive, wherein the membrane comprises one or more layers of an atomically thin material.   
     
     
         102 . The membrane pump of  claim 99 , wherein the membrane comprises graphene. 
     
     
         103 . A valve comprising:
 (a) an membrane comprising one or more layers of an atomically thin material; and   (b) a gate, wherein
 (i) the gate is operable for exerting an electrostatic force on the membrane to move the membrane between a first position and a second position, 
 (ii) the valve is closed when the membrane is positioned in the first position, and 
 (iii) the valve is open when the membrane is positioned in the second position. 
   
     
     
         104 . The valve of  claim 103 , wherein the membrane comprises an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         105 . The valve of  claim 103 , wherein the membrane comprises graphene.