A fluidic device is disclosed, comprising an enclosed passage that is adapted to convey a circulating fluid. The enclosed passage comprises a flow unit having a first electrode and a second electrode offset from the first electrode in a downstream direction of a flow of the circulating fluid. The first electrode is formed as a grid structure and arranged to allow the circulating fluid to flow through the first electrode. The fluidic device may be used for controlling or regulating the flow of the fluid circulating in the enclosed passage, and thereby act as a valve opening, reducing or even closing the passage.

A fluid actuator includes an actuating portion, a piezoelectric unit, a conduction unit, and a levelness regulating portion. The actuating portion includes a first actuating area, a second actuating area, and at least one connecting section between the two actuating areas. The piezoelectric unit includes a first signal area and a second signal area. The two signal areas are provided in the same plane and are isolated from each other by an isolating portion. The piezoelectric unit corresponds in position to the first actuating area of the actuating portion. The conduction unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first signal area of the piezoelectric unit is electrically connected to the first electrode, and the second signal area of the piezoelectric unit to the second electrode. The levelness regulating portion, the piezoelectric unit, and the conduction unit are located on the same side of the actuating portion.

The present invention relates to a pump, comprising a pump actuator (2) having at least one electroactive polymer, as well as at least one return element (8, 9) which returns a displacement element (5) of the pump after a pump stroke to a defined position. The invention further relates to a metering unit and to a medical apparatus comprising such a pump.

The present invention relates to a pump, comprising a pump actuator (2) having at least one electroactive polymer, as well as at least one return element (8, 9) which returns a displacement element (5) of the pump after a pump stroke to a defined position. The invention further relates to a metering unit and to a medical apparatus comprising such a pump.

A pump includes a housing, a piezoelectric device, a plurality of first holes, a plurality of second holes, and a plurality of first valves. The housing has a pump chamber defined by a first major plate, a second major plate, and a peripheral plate. The piezoelectric device is provided on the first major plate. The plurality of first holes each extend through the first major plate and are arranged annularly. The plurality of second holes each extend through the second major plate. The plurality of first valves are provided at the plurality of first holes, respectively. When the piezoelectric device is activated, the first major plate undergoes bending vibration with a node defined between a center and a peripheral edge of the first major plate. The plurality of first holes are provided between the node and the peripheral edge.

A pump includes a housing, a piezoelectric device, a plurality of first holes, a plurality of second holes, and a plurality of first valves. The housing has a pump chamber defined by a first major plate, a second major plate, and a peripheral plate. The piezoelectric device is provided on the first major plate. The plurality of first holes each extend through the first major plate and are arranged annularly. The plurality of second holes each extend through the second major plate. The plurality of first valves are provided at the plurality of first holes, respectively. When the piezoelectric device is activated, the first major plate undergoes bending vibration with a node defined between a center and a peripheral edge of the first major plate. The plurality of first holes are provided between the node and the peripheral edge.

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 cooling system and method for using the cooling system are described. The cooling system includes a plurality of individual piezoelectric cooling elements spatially arranged in an array extending in at least two dimensions, a communications interface and driving circuitry. The communications interface is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements such that selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements within the array can be activated based at least in part on heat energy generated in the vicinity of the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements. The driving circuitry is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements and is configured to drive the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements.

A cooling system and method for using the cooling system are described. The cooling system includes a plurality of individual piezoelectric cooling elements spatially arranged in an array extending in at least two dimensions, a communications interface and driving circuitry. The communications interface is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements such that selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements within the array can be activated based at least in part on heat energy generated in the vicinity of the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements. The driving circuitry is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements and is configured to drive the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements.

A thin gas transportation device is provided and includes a shell, a check valve and a gas pump. The shell includes a shell surface, an accommodation slot and an outlet slot. The accommodation slot is recessed from the shell surface and includes an accommodation bottom surface. The outlet slot is recessed from the accommodation bottom surface. The check valve is disposed within the accommodation slot and includes a barrier plate and a valve plate. The barrier plate is disposed on the accommodation bottom surface and covers the outlet slot. The barrier plate includes a first surface, a second surface, a protruding part and a plurality of perforations. The protruding part is protruding from the second surface and located at the outlet slot. The valve plate is coupled to the second surface, and the protruding part abuts against the valve part and seals the valve hole.