A system and method for pumping fluid using a pump cassette is disclosed. The system includes a control assembly for operating the pump cassette. A force assembly having a movable member is capable of applying force to the pump cassette to press the pump cassette against the control assembly. The movable member may be an expandable member, such as a bladder.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve.

An all-polymer reciprocating pump (100) is contemplated. The pump body (160) receives a sliding insert (170) that may be locked in a down position to minimize the extension and profile of the actuator (120) while the pump (100) is not in use (e.g., for purposes of shipping in e-commerce). Projections (171) slide within guides (181) formed on an insert housing (180). Even in this down locked position, minimal compression is applied to the biasing members (130) so as to avoid fatigue, wear, and/or failure of the plastic components.

A tube retention device includes first and second wall surfaces having a first attachment point and a second attachment point, respectively. A first clamp component, having a first tube-engagement surface, is pivotably coupled to the first wall surface at the first attachment point, and configured to rotate about an axis at least approximately normal to the first wall surface. A second clamp component, having a second tube-engagement surface, is pivotably coupled to the second wall surface at the second attachment point, and configured to rotate about an axis at least approximately normal to the second wall surface. The clamp components may be configured to rotate, in opposite directions and in response to application of force by a tube piece upon the tube-engagement surfaces, from an open position to a closed position, where the tube piece is retained between the clamp components when the clamp components are in the closed position.

A fluid flow meter comprising a fluid pump to displace fluid with pumping strokes of one or more pumping stroke types wherein each of the one or more stroke types displaces a known volume of fluid, a sensor functionally associated with a fluid reservoir and adapted to generate a signal indicative of a fluid pumping condition within the fluid reservoir, which fluid reservoir is integral or functionally associated with the pump, and circuitry to trigger one or a sequence of strokes of the pump in response to a signal from the sensor.

A fluid control device includes a piezoelectric actuator and a deformable substrate. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a vibration plate. The piezoelectric element is attached on a first surface of the vibration plate and is subjected to deformation in response to an applied voltage. The vibration plate is subjected to a curvy vibration in response to the deformation of the piezoelectric element. A bulge is formed on a second surface of the vibration plate. The deformable substrate includes a flexible plate and a communication plate stacked on each other. A synchronously-deformed structure is defined by the flexible plate and the communication plate. The deformable substrate is bent in the direction away from the vibration plate. There is a specified depth maintained between the flexible plate and the bulge of the vibration plate. The flexible plate includes a movable part corresponding to the bulge of vibration plate.

A fluid control device includes a pump and an external structure. The pump includes an actuator, a top portion opposed to the actuator such that a gap is disposed therebetween in the thickness direction, and a side wall plate extending from the top portion in the thickness direction and supporting a vibration member. The actuator includes the plate-like vibration member and a piezoelectric element configured to cause the vibration member to vibrate in the thickness direction. The top portion includes a projection portion and a fixation portion projecting beyond the side wall plate in an outward direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The top portion is fixed to an external structure outside the projection portion.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve.

An active cooling system includes at least one cooling element that has a vent therein. The active cooling element is in communication with a fluid. The cooling element(s) are actuated to vibrate to drive the fluid toward a heat-generating structure and to alternately open and close at least one virtual valve corresponding to the vent. The virtual valve is open for a low flow resistance and closed for a high flow resistance. The vent remains physically open when the virtual valve is closed.

A fluid flow meter comprising a fluid pump to displace fluid with pumping strokes of one or more pumping stroke types wherein each of the one or more stroke types displaces a known volume of fluid, a sensor functionally associated with a fluid reservoir and adapted to generate a signal indicative of a fluid pumping condition within the fluid reservoir, which fluid reservoir is integral or functionally associated with the pump, and circuitry to trigger one or a sequence of strokes of the pump in response to a signal from the sensor.