Fluid pumping system based on electrochemically-induced surface tension changes
US5472577A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S204/09
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pump for exerting a pumping force on a fluid in an attached conduit, the pump being actuated by a voltage from a power supply, the pump comprising a liquid metal pool, a containment vessel for confining the pool, an inner tubular member in hydraulic contact with the attached conduit and with an open end disposed in the pool to divide a free upper surface of the pool into an actuation surface and a working surface, an electrolyte in contact with the actuation surface, an electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and an electrode in contact with the pool, such that application of a voltage to the electrodes causes a surface tension change in the actuation surface and a resulting height change in the working surface, whereby a pumping action is transferred to the fluid in the attached conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.