A micropump device is formed in a monolithic semiconductor body integrating a plurality of actuator elements arranged side-by-side. Each actuator element has a first chamber extending at a distance from a first face of the monolithic body; a membrane arranged between the first face and the first chamber; a piezoelectric element extending on the first face over the membrane; a second chamber, arranged between the first chamber and a second face of the monolithic body; a fluidic inlet path fluidically connecting the second chamber with the outside of the monolithic body; and a fluid outlet opening extending in a transverse direction in the monolithic body from the second face as far as the second chamber, through the first chamber. The monolithic formation of the actuator elements and the possibility of driving the actuator elements at different voltages enable precise adjustment of flows, from very low values to high values.

A pump assembly and a cooking appliance having a pump assembly are provided. The pump assembly may include a cavity that defines a cooking cavity; a water supplier installed outside of the cavity; a connection pipe connected to the water supplier; and a pump assembly disposed outside of the cavity and connected to the connection pipe. The pump assembly may includes at least one pump; and a support made of a flexible material and coupling the at least one pump to an upper surface of the cavity.

A pump assembly and a cooking appliance having a pump assembly are provided. The pump assembly may include a cavity that defines a cooking cavity; a water supplier installed outside of the cavity; a connection pipe connected to the water supplier; and a pump assembly disposed outside of the cavity and connected to the connection pipe. The pump assembly may includes at least one pump; and a support made of a flexible material and coupling the at least one pump to an upper surface of the cavity.

A multi-chamber wobble plate pump that includes a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of pump chambers. The pump further includes a plurality of inlet valves each located within one of the pump chambers to control fluid flow from the inlet port to the pump chambers. The pump also includes a plurality of outlet valves that control fluid flow from the pump chambers to the outlet port. A wobble plate is coupled to a diaphragm and a plurality of pistons. The diaphragm has at least one flex area with a leading edge and a trailing edge. The diaphragm has a plurality of diaphragm piston openings each with a diaphragm piston opening centerline. The wobble plate has a plurality of wobble plate piston openings, each wobble plate piston opening having a wobble plate piston open centerline that is offset from one of diaphragm piston opening centerlines.

Modular mechanically driven diaphragm pump features are presented herein. Such a diaphragm pump can include a motor, a drive mechanism, and a coupling mounted on a wheeled frame. A diaphragm pump can be mounted to the coupling by forming mechanical static and dynamic connections to brace a housing of the diaphragm pump relative to a drive rod which is moved by the drive mechanism to operate the pump. These mechanical static and dynamic connections can be broken to dismount the pump for replacement or servicing. In some cases, a gas charge can be introduced on the non-working fluid side of the diaphragm to boost performance and/or a dampener can be integrated into the housing of the diaphragm pump and mounted/dismounted with the diaphragm pump.

Modular mechanically driven diaphragm pump features are presented herein. Such a diaphragm pump can include a motor, a drive mechanism, and a coupling mounted on a wheeled frame. A diaphragm pump can be mounted to the coupling by forming mechanical static and dynamic connections to brace a housing of the diaphragm pump relative to a drive rod which is moved by the drive mechanism to operate the pump. These mechanical static and dynamic connections can be broken to dismount the pump for replacement or servicing. In some cases, a gas charge can be introduced on the non-working fluid side of the diaphragm to boost performance and/or a dampener can be integrated into the housing of the diaphragm pump and mounted/dismounted with the diaphragm pump.

A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a mirror image power profile for each actuation of the solenoid for retracting the armature. The mirror image power profile includes: an initial portion which decreases at a third overall rate, an intermediate portion which decreases at a second overall rate different than the third overall rate, and a final portion which increases at a first overall rate.

A pump arrangement for powering a pump in providing a controlled volume of water to a drip nozzle in a drip-feed humidifier. The pump arrangement includes: a pump having a solenoid; a processing unit; and a power supply electrically connected to the solenoid via a switch which is controlled by the processing unit. The power supply is structured to supply power to the solenoid via the switch. The processing unit is programmed to modulate the power provided to the solenoid via the switch such that the power is supplied to the solenoid according to a mirror image power profile for each actuation of the solenoid for retracting the armature. The mirror image power profile includes: an initial portion which decreases at a third overall rate, an intermediate portion which decreases at a second overall rate different than the third overall rate, and a final portion which increases at a first overall rate.

A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.

A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.