A new type of capsule micropump using ICPF actuator

In this paper, we propose a new type of capsule micropump using an ICPF (ionic conducting polymer film) actuator as the servo actuator. This micropump consists of two active one-way valves which make use of the same ICPF actuator, and a tank. The overall size of this micropump prototype is 13 mm in diameter and 23 mm in length. The actuating mechanism is as follows. (1) The ICPF actuator as the diaphragm is bent into anode side by application of electricity. Then the volume of the pump chamber increases, resulting in the inflow of liquid from the tank to the chamber. (2) By changing the current direction, the volume of the chamber decreases, resulting in the liquid flow from the chamber to the outlet. (3) The ICPF actuator is applied with a sine voltage; the micropump provides liquid flow from the tank to the outlet. Characteristics of the micropump are measured. The experimental results indicate that the micropump has satisfactory responses.

[1]  Yoshihito Osada,et al.  ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED MECHANOCHEMICAL DEVICES USING POLYELECTROLYTE GELS , 1985 .

[2]  Toshio Fukuda,et al.  Structure and mechanism of two types of micro-pump using polymer gel , 1992, [1992] Proceedings IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems.

[3]  Y. Osada,et al.  A polymer gel with electrically driven motility , 1992, Nature.

[4]  Kazuhiro Kosuge,et al.  Micro catheter system with active guide wire , 1995, Proceedings of 1995 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

[5]  D De Rossi,et al.  Electrically induced contractile phenomena in charged polymer networks: preliminary study on the feasibility of muscle-like structures. , 1985, Transactions - American Society for Artificial Internal Organs.

[6]  Toyoichi Tanaka,et al.  Collapse of Gels in an Electric Field , 1982, Science.

[7]  Shuxiang Guo,et al.  Development of the micro pump using ICPF actuator , 1997, Proceedings of International Conference on Robotics and Automation.