Device for creating fluid flow

摘要

An apparatus and method are disclosed for inducing fluid flow. A fluid flow apparatus includes a directional membrane, a directional flow mechanism, and an oscillation module. The directional membrane allows a fluid to pass through the directional membrane in a first direction and resists fluid passing through the directional membrane in a second direction, the first direction substantially opposite the second direction. The directional flow mechanism allows a fluid to flow in a third direction and resists fluid flow in a fourth direction, the third direction substantially opposite the fourth direction. The oscillation module induces an oscillation in the directional membrane, wherein the oscillation of the directional membrane induces a flow of the fluid through the directional membrane in the first direction.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a directional membrane comprising a plurality of valves extending through the directional membrane, wherein the plurality of valves allows a fluid to pass through the directional membrane in a first direction and resists fluid passing through the directional membrane in a second direction, wherein the directional membrane comprises an attachment region coupled to a portion of a structure and a suspended region disposed over an opening in the structure, wherein the directional membrane is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and a polymeric material; a directional flow mechanism that allows a fluid to flow in a third direction and resists fluid flow in a fourth direction, wherein the directional flow mechanism comprises a portion of the structure, wherein a cavity is disposed within the structure, wherein the first direction and the fourth direction are directed away from an interior of the cavity and the second direction and the third direction are directed towards the interior of the cavity; and an oscillation module that induces an oscillation in the directional membrane, the oscillation module comprising
a magnetic material attached to the directional membrane, andan electromagnet coupled to a supporting arm and disposed in the cavity, wherein the electromagnet moves the magnetic material in the first direction and the second direction,wherein movement of the magnetic material in the second direction moves the entire suspended region of the directional membrane in the second direction and induces a flow of fluid in the first direction through the plurality of valves in the directional membrane while resisting a flow of fluid through the directional flow mechanism,wherein movement of the magnetic material in the first direction moves the entire suspended region of the directional membrane in the first direction and resists a flow of fluid through the plurality of valves in the directional membrane while inducing a flow of fluid in the third direction through the directional flow mechanism, andwherein the oscillation module induces an oscillation in the directional membrane by creating a changing magnetic field which selectively attracts and repels the magnetic material of the directional membrane.