Apparatus and methods of chemically-powered fluid flow systems
Processes and devices for delivering a fluid by decomposition of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. Advantageously, the reaction is very fast and exothermic resulting in a fast ejection and, optionally, heating a fluid as it is ejected from a container. Also disclosed is a fluid flow system powered by a gas-generating reaction that is activated by an electrothermal activation switch.
1 . A fluid flow system, comprising:
an activation switch;
an electrical power source connected to the activation switch;
a resistive heater attached to a first chamber;
an electrical connection from the power source to the resistive heater;
wherein the first chamber comprises a first reaction composition;
a second chamber comprising a second reaction composition;
wherein, if the first and second reaction compositions are combined, a gas is generated;
wherein the resistive heater is adapted to open a pathway in the first chamber that creates an open flow path between the first and second chambers;
the first chamber comprising at least one collapsible wall;
a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and
a plunger adjacent the fluid chamber that is adapted to reduce volume of the fluid chamber when the gas is generated.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber is made of a polymeric film.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber is made of an elastic material that contracts as fluid is ejected from the chamber.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber comprises a valve that melts or decomposes in response to the heat supplied by the resistive heater.
5 . The system of claim 4 wherein the valve comprises a simple plug or patch of material.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second reaction compositions are fluid compositions that flow into an expansion chamber when the system is activated.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber is an expansion chamber; or, alternatively, wherein the second chamber is an expansion chamber.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second reaction compositions each comprise one or more reactants and catalyst; or one of the first and second reaction compositions comprises a catalyst while the other composition comprises a compound that decomposes in the presence of the catalyst.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein one or more springs push against the first chamber.
10 . The system of claim 1 wherein a single device comprises a plurality of first chambers either connected to a single second chamber or a plurality of second chambers.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein each first chamber comprises a resistive heater adapted to open a pathway in the first chamber.