Small piezoelectric air pumps with unobstructed airflow
View Patent ↗A T-shaped blade, or one or more hollow tubes, are vibrationally excited by one or more piezoelectric elements to generate an airflow from a free end of the blade or tube(s). The airflow may be directed to, or drawn away from, an electronic component to cool the electronic component.
1. A method comprising:
providing a T-shaped blade; and
using a piezoelectric element to drive an end of a cross-bar element of the T-shaped blade to direct air to an electronic component.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using a second piezoelectric element to drive another end of the cross-bar element of the T-shaped blade.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a microprocessor.
4. A method comprising:
providing a T-shaped blade; and
using a piezoelectric element to drive an end of a cross-bar element of the T-shaped blade to draw air away from an electronic component.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a linear piezoelectric element or a torsional piezoelectric element.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric element drives the blade to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric element drives the blade to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein said second piezoelectric element comprises a linear piezoelectric element or a torsional piezoelectric element.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein said piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element drive the blade to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency.
10. The method of claim 2 , wherein said second piezoelectric element drives the blade to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is within a computer.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is within a cellular phone.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is within a PDA.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is within a server.
15. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
using a second piezoelectric element to drive another end of the cross-bar element of the T-shaped blade.
16. The method of claim 4 , wherein the electronic component is a microprocessor.
17. The method of claim 4 , wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a linear piezoelectric element or a torsional piezoelectric element.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein said second piezoelectric element comprises a linear piezoelectric element or a torsional piezoelectric element.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein said piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element drive the blade to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein said electronic component is in a computer.