A vibrational fluid mover includes a housing having at least one actuator element positioned thereon that vibrates responsive to a wave shape voltage applied thereto, such that a volume of a chamber in the housing increases and decreases to entrain and eject fluid into/out from the chamber. A control system is operably connected to the actuator element to cause the voltage to be provided thereto so as to actively control the movement of the actuator element. The control system is programmed to set a baseline value for an operational parameter of the vibrational fluid mover generated responsive to a target voltage and frequency being provided, monitor operation of the vibrational fluid mover during operation at the target voltage and frequency, identify a deviation of the operational parameter from the baseline value, and modify the voltage and frequency provided to the actuator element based on any deviation of the operational parameter.

A vibrational fluid mover includes a housing having at least one actuator element positioned thereon that vibrates responsive to a wave shape voltage applied thereto, such that a volume of a chamber in the housing increases and decreases to entrain and eject fluid into/out from the chamber. A control system is operably connected to the actuator element to cause the voltage to be provided thereto so as to actively control the movement of the actuator element. The control system is programmed to set a baseline value for an operational parameter of the vibrational fluid mover generated responsive to a target voltage and frequency being provided, monitor operation of the vibrational fluid mover during operation at the target voltage and frequency, identify a deviation of the operational parameter from the baseline value, and modify the voltage and frequency provided to the actuator element based on any deviation of the operational parameter.

A device for generating a fluid flow extending in a longitudinal direction includes: a frame, at least one flange arranged on a transverse face, at least one transversely extending membrane arranged opposite the at least one flange, the at least one membrane having a flange face opposite the at least one flange, and an outer face opposite the flange face, and at least one actuator configured to cause the at least one membrane to move in a reciprocating translational motion, wherein none of the walls are opposite the outer face of the at least one membrane.

A vibrational fluid mover assembly having an active damping mechanism is disclosed. The vibrational fluid mover assembly includes a vibrational fluid mover having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a spacer element having an orifice formed therein and being positioned between the first and second plates to maintain the first and second plates in a spaced apart relationship, and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof such that a fluid flow is generated and projected out from the orifice. The vibrational fluid mover assembly also includes an absorber system connected to the vibrational fluid mover and providing active damping to the vibrational fluid mover, with the absorber system having suspension tabs coupled to the vibrational fluid mover and spring components configured to mount the vibrational fluid mover in a suspended arrangement.

A vibrational fluid mover assembly having an active damping mechanism is disclosed. The vibrational fluid mover assembly includes a vibrational fluid mover having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a spacer element having an orifice formed therein and being positioned between the first and second plates to maintain the first and second plates in a spaced apart relationship, and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof such that a fluid flow is generated and projected out from the orifice. The vibrational fluid mover assembly also includes an absorber system connected to the vibrational fluid mover and providing active damping to the vibrational fluid mover, with the absorber system having suspension tabs coupled to the vibrational fluid mover and spring components configured to mount the vibrational fluid mover in a suspended arrangement.

Embodiments include a buoyant wave energy converter. In an embodiment, the wave energy converter comprises an upper chamber having a first fluid reservoir and a first gas pocket, and a lower chamber having a second fluid reservoir and a second gas pocket. In an embodiment, an injection tube is between and fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the injection tube is to impel a fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the first fluid reservoir when the upper chamber, the lower chamber and the injection tube oscillate about a waterline with the upper chamber adjacent to the waterline and the lower chamber submerged below the waterline and vertically beneath the upper chamber. An effluent tube is fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the effluent tube is to return the fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the injection tube.

Embodiments include a buoyant wave energy converter. In an embodiment, the wave energy converter comprises an upper chamber having a first fluid reservoir and a first gas pocket, and a lower chamber having a second fluid reservoir and a second gas pocket. In an embodiment, an injection tube is between and fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the injection tube is to impel a fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the first fluid reservoir when the upper chamber, the lower chamber and the injection tube oscillate about a waterline with the upper chamber adjacent to the waterline and the lower chamber submerged below the waterline and vertically beneath the upper chamber. An effluent tube is fluidly coupled to the upper chamber and the lower chamber, where the effluent tube is to return the fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the injection tube.

A disc pump includes a pump body having a cavity for containing a fluid. The disc pump also includes an actuator adapted to hold an electrostatic charge to cause an oscillatory motion at a drive frequency. The disc pump further includes a conductive plate positioned to face the actuator outside of the cavity and adapted to provide an electric field of reversible polarity, the conductive plate being electrically associated with the actuator to cause the actuator to oscillate at the drive frequency in response to reversing the polarity of the electric field. The disc pump further includes a valve disposed in at least one of a first aperture and a second aperture in the pump body. The oscillation of the actuator at the drive frequency causes fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.

A disc pump includes a pump body having a cavity for containing a fluid. The disc pump also includes an actuator adapted to hold an electrostatic charge to cause an oscillatory motion at a drive frequency. The disc pump further includes a conductive plate positioned to face the actuator outside of the cavity and adapted to provide an electric field of reversible polarity, the conductive plate being electrically associated with the actuator to cause the actuator to oscillate at the drive frequency in response to reversing the polarity of the electric field. The disc pump further includes a valve disposed in at least one of a first aperture and a second aperture in the pump body. The oscillation of the actuator at the drive frequency causes fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.

A disc pump system includes a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid. The cavity having a resonant cavity frequency is formed by an internal sidewall and substantially closed at both ends by a first end wall and a driven end wall. The disc pump system includes an actuator that is driven a frequency (f) that corresponds to the fundamental resonant frequency of the actuator. The internal sidewall is configured to expand and contract in response to changes in temperature, thereby causing the actuator and cavity to have approximately the same resonant frequencies over a range of operating temperatures.