Fluid pump having material displaceable responsive to electrical energy

Abstract

A fluid pump apparatus includes a conduit, a material supported on and surrounded by the conduit, and an electrical energy source coupled to the material and configured to apply electrical energy to the material. The material is physically displaced relative to the conduit in response to the electrical energy. The conduit is configured to receive therein a fluid that is physically displaced relative to the conduit in response to the physical displacement of the material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid pump apparatus, comprising:
 a conduit;   a material supported on and surrounded by said conduit; and   an electrical energy source coupled to said material and configured to apply electrical energy to said material, wherein said material is physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to said electrical energy;   wherein said conduit is configured to receive therein a fluid that is physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to the physical displacement of said material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy produces a traveling wave in said material, and said fluid flows in a direction of travel of the traveling wave. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said conduit has a curved configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said curved configuration is approximately planar. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said curved configuration is non-planar. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said non-planar curved configuration is a spiral configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid is a coolant. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said fluid is air. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said material is a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said material is an electro-active polymer material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid includes a medication. 
     
     
         12 . An electrical apparatus, comprising:
 electrical circuitry that performs a desired function; and   a pump arranged to propel a fluid to a location proximate said electrical circuitry, wherein said fluid effects transfer of heat away from said location, said pump including a conduit, a material supported on and surrounded by said conduit, and an electrical energy source coupled to said material and configured to apply electrical energy to said material, wherein said material is physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to said electrical energy, wherein said conduit is configured to receive said fluid therein, and wherein said fluid is physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to the physical displacement of said material.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical energy produces a traveling wave in said material, and said fluid flows in a direction of travel of the traveling wave. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said fluid is air, and wherein the air effects said transfer of heat by convection. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , including a heat sink thermally coupled to said electrical circuitry and disposed at said location proximate said electrical circuitry, wherein said pump is configured to propel the air across said heat sink. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said material is a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said material is an electro-active polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid system, comprising:
 a fluid source;   a destination that requires pressurized fluid; and   a pump arranged in fluid communication with said destination and said fluid source, said pump configured to provide pressurized fluid to said destination, said pump including a conduit, a material supported on and surrounded by said conduit, and an electrical energy source coupled to said material and configured to apply electrical energy to said material, wherein said material is physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to said electrical energy, and wherein fluid from said fluid source is received within said conduit and physically displaced relative to said conduit in response to the physical displacement of said material.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said fluid source is a fluid reservoir. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said destination includes a mechanical assembly that requires pressurized fluid for mechanical operation.