초록 ▼

A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, th

A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure generating system for an ear device, the system comprising: an electronic signal generator;a first receiver (acoustical driver) electronically connected to the signal generator, the receiver being capable of generating an audio signal in response to an electric signal received from the

1. A pressure generating system for an ear device, the system comprising: an electronic signal generator;a first receiver (acoustical driver) electronically connected to the signal generator, the receiver being capable of generating an audio signal in response to an electric signal received from the signal generator;a first sound actuated pump coupled to the first receiver, in a first mode, the pump being capable of discharging air from an egress port in response to the audio signal from the first receiver; andan inflatable member coupled to the egress port to be filled by the discharged air and suitable for positioning within the ear canal of a user. 2. The pressure generating system of claim 1, wherein the first sound actuated pump comprises: a first substrate and a cone shaped orifice there through, the orifice being aligned with the egress port;an ingress port for directing air to the orifice; andan egress tube fluidly coupled by a first end to a narrowed end of the cone shaped orifice. 3. The pressure generating system of claim 2, further comprising a tube connected to the ingress port. 4. The pressure generating system of claim 3, wherein the ingress port passes through the substrate. 5. The pressure generating system of claim 3, wherein the ingress port is on a proximal side of the substrate. 6. The pressure generating system of claim 3, wherein the ingress port is on a distal side of the substrate. 7. The pressure generating system of claim 2, wherein the first sound actuated pump comprises: a plurality of substrates stacked adjacently, each comprised of a cone shaped orifice there through, the orifice being aligned with the egress port of the first sound actuated pump;an ingress port for directing air to a first orifice; andan egress tube fluidly coupled by a first end to the egress port of the first sound actuated pump. 8. The pressure generating system of claim 7, further comprising a tube connected to the ingress port. 9. The pressure generating system of claim 8, wherein the ingress port passes through the substrate. 10. The pressure generating system of claim 8, wherein the ingress port is proximal to the substrate. 11. The pressure generating system of claim 8, wherein the ingress port is distal to the substrate. 12. The pressure generating system of claim 7, wherein the number of substrates is no greater than three. 13. The pressure generating system of claim 7, further comprising a membrane positioned between adjacent substrates. 14. The pressure generating system of claim 13, wherein the membrane comprises at least one pore. 15. The pressure generating system of claim 14, wherein the at least one pore is offset from the orifice of each adjacent substrate. 16. The pressure generating system of claim 15, further comprising a tube connected to the ingress port of the first substrate, wherein the ingress port is proximal to the membrane. 17. The pressure generating system of claim 16, wherein the ingress port is proximal to the first substrate. 18. The pressure generating system of claim 16, wherein the ingress port passes through the first substrate. 19. The pressure generating system of claim 2, further comprising a routing manifold connected to the ingress port, the egress tube and the inflatable member to control inflation and deflation of the inflatable member. 20. The pressure generating system of claim 19, wherein the routing manifold is capable of switching operation between an inflation mode where air is directed from ambient to the ingress port and from the egress tube to the inflatable member, and a deflation mode where air is directed from the inflatable member to the ingress port and from the egress tube to ambient. 21. The pressure generating system of claim 1, further comprising a routing manifold connected to the first sound actuated pump and the inflatable member to control inflation and deflation of the inflatable member. 22. The pressure generating system of claim 1, further comprising a second receiver (acoustical driver) electronically connected to the signal generator, the second receiver being capable of generating an audio output signal in response to an electric signal received from the signal generator. 23. The pressure generating system of claim 22, wherein the second receiver (acoustical driver) is connected to an acoustic sound tube which directs the audio output signal of the second receiver. 24. The pressure generating system of claim 23, wherein the inflatable member is coupled to the egress port via the acoustic sound tube. 25. The pressure generating system of claim 23, wherein the inflatable member is toroid-shaped defining a passage and the acoustic sound tube extends through the passage of the inflatable member. 26. The pressure generating pump of claim 22, wherein the second receiver (acoustical driver) is positioned within the inflatable member. 27. The pressure generating system of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic sound tube connecting the inflatable member to the egress port of the first sound actuated pump. 28. The pressure generating system of claim 27, wherein the inflatable member is toroid-shaped defining a passage and the acoustic sound tube extends through the passage of the inflatable member. 29. The pressure generating pump of claim 28, wherein the electronic signal generator, the first receiver (acoustical driver), and the first sound actuated pump are secured within a housing and the housing is positioned within the passage of the inflatable member. 30. The pressure generating system of claim 27, further comprising a second receiver (acoustical driver) electronically connected to the signal generator, the second receiver being capable of generating an audio output signal in response to an electric signal received from the signal generator and the second receiver being connected to the acoustic sound tube through which the audio output signal of the second receiver is directed. 31. The pressure generating system of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is detachable from the egress port of the first sound actuated pump. 32. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal generator, the first receiver (acoustical driver), and the first sound actuated pump are secured within a housing and the inflatable member is detachably connected to the housing. 33. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, wherein the electronic signal generator, the first receiver (acoustical driver), and the first sound actuated pump are secured within a housing and the housing is positioned within the inflatable member. 34. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, further comprising an impedance matching configuration. 35. The pressure generating pump of claim 34, wherein the impedance matching configuration comprises mechanical compliance of the inflatable member. 36. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, wherein the first sound actuated pump comprises an operation cycle having an intake stroke and an exhaust stroke, the intake stroke comprising the range of from about 60 to about 99% of the operation cycle time. 37. The pressure generating pump of claim 36, wherein the intake stroke comprises about 95% of the operation cycle time. 38. The pressure generating pump of claim 36, wherein the operation cycle is reversible. 39. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, wherein the audio signal from the first receiver comprises a saw-tooth waveform. 40. The pressure generating pump of claim 39, wherein the saw-tooth waveform is asymmetrical. 41. The pressure generating pump of claim 40, wherein the saw-tooth waveform is reversible. 42. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor coupled to the inflatable member. 43. The pressure generating pump of claim 42, wherein the pressure sensor is coupled to the first sound actuated pump to regulate pumping. 44. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, further comprising a feedback mechanism to control inflation of the inflatable member. 45. The pressure generating pump of claim 44, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises a pressure sensor for determining a pressure within the inflatable member. 46. The pressure generating pump of claim 45, wherein the pressure sensor is coupled to the first sound actuated pump to regulate pumping. 47. The pressure generating pump of claim 44, wherein the feedback mechanism comprises feedback-servo circuitry connected to the first sound actuated pump. 48. The pressure generating pump of claim 1, wherein the first sound actuated pump, in a second mode, is capable of a drawing air into the pump through the egress port.