Magnetically driven pressure generator
Inventors
George, David • Willey, Kevin E. • Claude, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10760566-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A magnetically driven pressure generator including a housing, flexible member, first magnetic force generator, and second magnetic force generator. The magnetically driven pressure generator oscillates the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of a chamber, inversely increasing or decreasing the pressure of the chamber.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a magnetically driven pressure generator device that includes a housing having a depth disposed between an open end and a closed end. The housing contains an enclosed space partitioned by a partition wall into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a flexible member has a peripheral margin sealably engaged to an open end of the first fluid chamber and is configured to flex to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space.
A first magnetic force generator is disposed on the flexible member and a second magnetic force generator is disposed proximate the closed end of the housing or proximate the open end of the housing. The first magnetic force generator is responsive to the second magnetic force generator to flex the flexible member, and at least one of the first magnetic force generator or the second magnetic force generator comprises an electromagnetic force generator configured to flex the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space.
Fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber is provided through an aperture disposed in the partition wall, and a unidirectional valve disposed in the partition wall permits fluid flow through the aperture only from the second fluid chamber toward the first fluid chamber. A cover is sealably engaged to an open end of the second fluid chamber, and the flexing action changes chamber volume inversely to chamber pressure to produce pressure waves or fluid flow.
The disclosed configurations further include control and sensing concepts in which a controller, processor, and non-transitory computer readable media execute a computer program responsive to a pressure sensor signal. The program can determine divergence from a pre-selected pressure profile and adjust current magnitude and/or current direction using a polarity controller and current controller, optionally with feedback module operation.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines a magnetic/electromagnetic actuation mechanism coupled to a partitioned, sealed housing with a flexible, sealably engaged member that flexes chamber volume. It also includes one-way inter-chamber fluid communication through a partition aperture and unidirectional valve, and a sealed cover on the second chamber. The provided material also identifies dependent claim features relating to oscillation frequency, pressure release, ferromagnetic core configuration, fluid delivery pathways, and pressure-profile-based control.
Partitioned enclosed space with sealed flexible volume-changing member
A housing is partitioned into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a flexible member with a peripheral margin sealably engaged to an open end of the first fluid chamber flexes to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space.
Responsive magnetic and electromagnetic force generators for chamber volume flexing
A first magnetic force generator is disposed on the flexible member and a second magnetic force generator is disposed proximate the closed end of the housing or proximate the open end of the housing, where the first magnetic force generator is responsive to the second magnetic force generator to flex the flexible member; at least one of the magnetic force generators comprises an electromagnetic force generator configured to flex the flexible member to increase or decrease the volume of the enclosed space.
One-way inter-chamber fluid communication via partition aperture and unidirectional valve
An aperture in the partition wall permits fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, and a unidirectional valve disposed in the partition wall permits fluid flow through the aperture only from the second fluid chamber toward the first fluid chamber.
Sealed second chamber with cover
A cover is sealably engaged to an open end of the second fluid chamber.
Pressure-profile divergence compensation using pressure sensor signal
A computer program analyzes a pressure sensor signal to determine divergence from a pre-selected pressure profile and continuously or intermittently adjusts an amount of current or a direction of current flow to compensate.
The claim coverage centers on a partitioned, sealed housing with a flexible, margin-sealed member whose volume is increased or decreased by first and second magnetic force generators including an electromagnetic force generator. The device further defines one-way fluid communication between chambers via a partition aperture and unidirectional valve, a sealable cover on the second chamber, and controller compensation based on pressure sensor signal divergence from a pre-selected pressure profile.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
External ear canal pressure regulation device.
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