Theoretical analysis and experimental investigation of valveless piezoelectric pump with unsymmetrical ridges

Abstract

A novel valveless piezoelectric pump with unsymmetrical ridges is presented at first. It ingeniously utilizes the inner space of its chamber by developing its chamber bottom into unsymmetrical ridges along the direction of the inlet and outlet of the pump. Hence, a series of cuneiform channels are asymmetrically and alternately formed between the unsymmetrical ridges and the piezoelectric vibrator, which enables the pump to form a one-way flow instead of the function of the traditional diffuse or nozzle elements fitted outside the chamber. Then, by analyzing the vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator, the vibration deformation function and the equation of volume change are established. Meanwhile, the theoretical equation of the pump flow rate is established. Finally, a real valveless piezoelectric pump with unsymmetrical ridges is manufactured, and the flow rate of the pump is measured through experiments. It is proved that the theory is rational and correct by comparing the experimental flow rate and the theoretical flow rate. In addition, for calculating the theoretical flow rate, the positive and converse flow resistance coefficients of unsymmetrical ridges are measured through experiments, when one slope angle of the unsymmetrical ridges is 90º and another is changing from 20º to 60º, respectively.