| US 7,481,337 B2 | ||
| Apparatus for fluid storage and delivery at a substantially constant pressure | ||
| Rajesh Luharuka, Atlanta, Ga. (US); Chi-Fu Wu, Atlanta, Ga. (US); and Peter Hesketh, Atlanta, Ga. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, Ga. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 19, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/922,015. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/565310, filed on Apr. 26, 2004. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0238512 A1, Oct. 27, 2005 | ||
| Int. Cl. F04F 11/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 222—386 [222/55; 417/471; 417/472] | 18 Claims |
| 1. A microfluidic pump, comprising:
a fluid reservoir system that includes a fluid chamber for holding a volume of a fluid;
an outlet structure having an outlet port, wherein the fluid reservoir system is fluidically coupled to the outlet port;
a constant force system coupled to the fluid reservoir, wherein the constant force system is adapted to apply a force to the
fluid chamber, wherein the force causes the volume of the fluid to flow out of the fluid chamber and through the outlet port
at a substantially constant pressure;
wherein the constant force system includes a constant torque system rotationally coupled to the fluid reservoir system, wherein
the constant torque system applies a torque on the fluid chamber to cause the volume of the fluid to flow out of the fluid
chamber and through the outlet port at a substantially constant pressure; and
wherein the constant torque system further comprises:
an output drum connected to the fluid reservoir system; and
a constant torque device that applies a torque on the output drum, causing the volume of the fluid to flow out of the fluid
chamber and through the outlet port at a substantially constant pressure.
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