PUMP

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the necessity of solenoids and armatures, reduce costs by simplifying a structure, reduce the size and remove anxiety for wear by reducing the number of sliding members. SOLUTION: In this pump, four coil spring-shaped actuators 10 to 13 made of shape memory alloy are hung between an electrode 14 mounted on a piston 2 and electrodes 16, 17 mounted on a cover 15. When a drive current is supplied to these actuators 10 to 13, they are contracted so as to have a solid winding posture. At this time, liquid in a pump chamber 9 is flowed out from a check valve 24. Next, when a drive current is supplied to actuators 4 to 7, the actuators 4 to 7 are contracted until they become solid winding. The other actuators 10 to 13 are extended, and fluid in a pump chamber 3 is flowed out from a check valve 21. The pump is constituted so as to repeat these steps. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI