ELECTROMAGNET MEMBRANE PUMP/TRANSDUCER SYSTEM AND METHODS TO MAKE AND USE SAME

1 . An electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer that is operable to produce a flow of fluid, wherein the electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer comprises:

(a) a membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein the membrane is operable to move along an axis;

(b) a ferromagnetic material, wherein (i) the membrane comprises the ferromagnetic material, (ii) the ferromagnetic material is attached to the membrane, or (iii) both;

(c) a perforated structure having a first side facing the first side of the membrane, wherein the perforated structure has perforations to provide for the flow of the fluid through the perforated structure;

(d) an electromagnet on the first side of the perforated structure such that the electromagnet is facing the ferromagnetic material; and

(e) a venturi plate positioned on the second side of the membrane, wherein

(i) the electromagnet is operable to pull the membrane to a set point and then oscillate the membrane about this point, and

(ii) the oscillation of the membrane produces the flow of the fluid.

2 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the ferromagnetic material is attached to the membrane.

3 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 2 , wherein the ferromagnetic material is a ceramic compound.

4 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 3 , wherein the ceramic compound is ferrite.

5 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 4 , wherein the ferrite is Fe 3 O 4 or BaFe 12 O 19 .

6 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises the ferromagnetic material.

7 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 6 , wherein the membrane is comprised of ferromagnetic steel.

8 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet comprises a metal coil surrounded by a ferromagnetic material.

9 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 8 , wherein the metal coil is a copper coil.

10 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the ferromagnetic material is ferrite or steel.

11 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet is connected to an electronic circuit that controls the oscillation of the membrane.

12 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 11 , wherein the electronic circuit provides electronic current having a DC component and an AC component.

13 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation of the membrane has a mechanical resonance of around 20 kHz.

14 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation of the membrane has a non-resonant mode.

15 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation of the membrane produces sound waves.

16 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation of the membrane produces ultrasonic waves.

17 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the oscillation of the membrane modulates deflection of the membrane at audio frequencies to produce an audio signal.

18 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air.

19 . The electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducer of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is water.

20 . A system comprising a plurality of the electromagnet venturi membrane-based pump/transducers of claim 1 .

21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the system is an audio system.

22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the system is a pump.

23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the system is a fan.

24 - 46 . (canceled)