Miniature pumps, actuators and related devices and methods for making and use

Abstract

A miniature diaphragm pump. The diaphragm is loaded with energy during the exhaust stroke and the loaded energy is released during the pump stroke, which improves the efficiency of the miniature pump. Energy is loaded via a permanent magnet fixed to the diaphragm. The pump includes a processor for dynamically controlling the position of the diaphragm and the performance of the pump.

1 . A miniature pump, comprising:
 a voice coil actuator [ 15 ] comprising a support member, an electromagnetic coil [ 3 ], and a pole magnet [ 7 ] wherein the electromagnetic coil is coupled to the support member;   a diaphragm [ 55 ] coupled to the support member, wherein motion of the support member drives motion in the diaphragm with respect to a chamber [ 54 ]; and   a permanent magnet [ 57 ] coupled to the diaphragm.   
     
     
         2 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  wherein the permanent magnet and the pole magnet are separated by a first distance, which increases to a second distance when the electromagnetic coil repels the pole magnet. 
     
     
         3 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  wherein the magnetic poles of each of the pole magnet and the permanent magnet are arranged such that the pole magnet and the permanent magnet are magnetically attracted to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  wherein the pole magnet and the permanent magnet are arranged with the electromagnetic coil in a space between them. 
     
     
         5 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  further comprising a processor [ 224 ] for dynamically controlling the position of the diaphragm. 
     
     
         6 . The miniature pump of  claim 5  wherein the processor dynamically controls the diaphragm in response to measured data. 
     
     
         7 . The miniature pump of  claim 5  further comprising a sensor [ 80 ,  1080 ] for measuring data. 
     
     
         8 . The miniature pump of  claim 6  wherein the data is pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The miniature pump of  claim 6  wherein the data is diaphragm position. 
     
     
         10 . The miniature pump of  claim 5  wherein the processor dynamically controls a direct current offset in an electrical signal. 
     
     
         11 . The miniature pump of  claim 5  wherein the processor dynamically controls a direct current gain in an electrical signal. 
     
     
         12 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  further comprising a processor [ 224 ] for initiating an autostart process. 
     
     
         13 . The miniature pump of  claim 12  further comprising a sensor [ 80 ,  1080 ] for measuring pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The miniature pump of  claim 13  wherein the processor initiates the autostart process in response to a pressure change measured by the sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The miniature pump of  claim 13  wherein the processor turns off the pump in response to a pressure change measured by the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  further comprising a blow-off valve [ 60 ,  1060 ]. 
     
     
         17 . The miniature pump of  claim 16  wherein the blow-off valve is opened in response to a measured change in temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  wherein the permanent magnet maintains a fixed distance from the electromagnetic coil during reciprocation of the diaphragm. 
     
     
         19 . The miniature pump of  claim 1  wherein the permanent magnet and the pole magnet are separated by a distance and that distance is adjustable via an adjusting member.