Force-equalization stationary-coil actuator for fluid movers

Abstract

A fluid mover includes a first dynamic armature attached to a flexible member and a second dynamic armature attached to a second flexible member. The fluid mover also includes a housing and first and second flexible members being attached to the housing so as to form a fluid chamber volume bounded by the housing and first and second flexible members. A stationary current carrying coil positioned between first and second armatures. The current carried by the coil generates a magnetic force acting on the armatures and wherein coil and armatures are positioned and configured so as to ensure that the instantaneous magnetic force experienced by the two armatures will always be identical regardless of the relative positions of the armatures and regardless of the time varying properties of the current.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid mover comprising:
 a first dynamic armature attached to a flexible member;   a second dynamic armature attached to a second flexible member;   a fluid mover housing;   first and second flexible members being attached to the housing so as to form a fluid chamber volume bounded by the housing and first and second flexible members;   a stationary current carrying coil positioned between first and second armatures;   wherein the current carried by the coil generates a magnetic force acting on the armatures and   wherein coil and armatures are positioned and configured so as to ensure that the instantaneous magnetic force experienced by the two armatures will always be identical regardless of the relative positions of the armatures and regardless of the time varying properties of the current.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid mover actuator of  claim 1  wherein:
 a cyclic current waveform having a frequency f is delivered to the coil so as to cause the first and second flexible members to oscillate in opposition to each other at frequency f, thereby imparting energy to the fluid within the fluid chamber. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fluid mover actuator of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid chamber comprises the fluid chamber of a liquid pump. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid mover actuator of  claim 2 , wherein said fluid chamber comprises the fluid chamber of a gas pump. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid mover actuator of  claim 2  wherein said fluid chamber comprises the fluid chamber of a synthetic jet. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid mover actuator of  claim 2 , wherein the frequency f is near or equal to the fluid mover's mechanical resonance frequency.