1. A disc pump system comprising:
a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the cavity being formed by a side wall closed at both ends by substantially circular end walls, at least one of the end walls being a driven end wall having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the driven end wall;
an actuator operatively associated with the central portion of the driven end wall to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall thereby generating displacement oscillations of the driven end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto with an annular node between the center of the driven end wall and the side wall when in use;
an isolator operatively associated with the peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce damping of the displacement oscillations, the isolator comprising a flexible printed circuit material;
an electrochemical detection system coupled to conductive paths in the isolator, the electrochemical detection system being operable to detect the presence of a target gas in fluid that flows through the pump body;
a first aperture disposed at any location in either one of the end walls other than at the annular node and extending through the pump body;
a second aperture disposed at any location in the pump body other than the location of the first aperture and extending through the pump body; and,
a valve disposed in at least one of the first aperture and second aperture; whereby:
the displacement oscillations generate corresponding pressure oscillations of the fluid within the cavity of the pump body causing fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.
2. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture and the second aperture are arranged to cause fluid to flow through the disc pump in a circuitous path.
3. The disc pump system of claim 2, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode; and
the circuitous path is disposed adjacent the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode such that fluid flowing through the disc pump system flows first over the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode.
4. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture is disposed in the driven end wall at a location that is coincident with a central pressure anti-node of the disc pump system.
5. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein first aperture is disposed in the driven end wall at a location that is coincident with a peripheral pressure anti-node of the disc pump system.
6. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
7. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
8. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
9. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
10. The disc pump system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises at least one electrode.
11. The disc pump system of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the surface of the driven end wall within the cavity.
12. The disc pump system of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the isolator within the end wall within the cavity.
13. A method for detecting the presence of a target gas in a disc pump system having a disc pump having an actuator mounted within the disc pump on an isolator, the isolator comprising a flexible circuit material, whereby the isolator allows the actuator to oscillate for generating air flow through a cavity of the disc pump to supply pressure to a load, the method comprising:
driving the actuator to cause an oscillatory displacement motion of the actuator to generate radial pressure oscillation of fluid within the cavity;
causing fluid to flow through the cavity over an electrochemical detection system;
detecting the presence of the target gas; and
indicating the presence of the target gas.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
19. A disc pump comprising:
a pump body having a substantially cylindrical shape defining a cavity for containing a fluid, the cavity being formed by a side wall closed at both ends by substantially circular end walls, at least one of the end walls being a driven end wall having a central portion and a peripheral portion extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the driven end wall;
an actuator operatively associated with the central portion of the driven end wall to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall thereby generating displacement oscillations of the driven end wall in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto with an annular node between the center of the driven end wall and the side wall when in use;
an isolator operatively associated with the peripheral portion of the driven end wall to reduce damping of the displacement oscillations, the isolator comprising a printed circuit material;
an electrochemical detection system being operable to detect the presence of a target gas in fluid that flows through the pump body;
a first aperture disposed at any location in either one of the end walls other than at the annular node and extending through the pump body;
a second aperture disposed at any location in the pump body other than the location of the first aperture and extending through the pump body; and,
a valve disposed in at least one of the first aperture and second aperture; whereby:
the displacement oscillations generate corresponding pressure oscillations of the fluid within the cavity of the pump body causing fluid flow through the first aperture and the second aperture when in use.
20. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system is coupled to conductive paths in the isolator.
21. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein first aperture and the second aperture are arranged to cause fluid to flow through the pump in a circuitous path.
22. The disc pump of claim 21, wherein:
the electrochemical detection system comprises a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode; and
the circuitous path is disposed adjacent the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode such that fluid flows first over the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode.
23. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the target gas comprises a volatile organic compound.
24. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a metal oxide sensor.
25. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a printed polymeric material having electrical properties that change in the presence of the target gas.
26. The disc pump of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises a polymeric material that is printed onto electrical contacts of the isolator.
27. The disc pump system of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical detection system comprises at least one electrode.
28. The disc pump system of claim 27, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the surface of the driven end wall within the cavity.
29. The disc pump system of claim 27, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the isolator within the end wall within the cavity.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member, said handle including a recess formed in said first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a plate engaged into said recess of said first end member, said plate including an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said first spring biased latching element,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle.
2. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes a flange extended into said orifice of said plate, and said first spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said flange of said plate and for limiting said first spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to said plate and for preventing said first spring biased latching element from being disengaged from said plate and said first end member of said handle.
3. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a cavity formed in said first end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of said first spring biased latching element.
4. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a second end member, a second spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said second end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said second end member of said handle, and an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said second spring biased latching element, a second base weight member having a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said second end member of said handle and for allowing said second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said second end member of said handle, and having an aperture formed in said second base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said second base weight member, and said second base weight member is contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said second spring biased latching element for pressing said second spring biased latching element into said second end member of said handle and for allowing said second base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said second end member of said handle, and said second spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said second base weight member when said second spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said second base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said second base weight member to said second end member of said handle, and a second button slidably received and engaged in said second base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said second base weight member and said second spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said second spring biased latching element into said second end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said second spring biased latching element from said second base weight member and for allowing said second base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said second end member of said handle.
5. An adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle, said handle including a recess formed in said second end member, and a plate engaged into said recess of said second end member, and said plate includes an orifice formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said second spring biased latching element.
6. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plate includes a flange extended into said orifice of said plate, and said second spring biased latching element includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said flange of said plate and for limiting said second spring biased latching element to slide and move relative to said plate and for preventing said second spring biased latching element from being disengaged from said plate and said second end member of said handle.
7. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said handle includes a cavity formed in said second end member for receiving and engaging with a spring biasing member of said second spring biased latching element.
8. An adjustable exercise device comprising:
a handle including a first end member,
a first spring biased latching element slidably received and engaged in said first end member of said handle, and selectively extendible out of said first end member of said handle, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top thereof,
a first base weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and including an aperture formed in said first base weight member and communicating with said chamber of said first base weight member, and said first base weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased latching element for pressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle and for allowing said first base weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first end member of said handle, and said first spring biased latching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said first base weight member when said first spring biased latching element is aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member, for anchoring and retaining said first base weight member to said first end member of said handle, and
a first button slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member and aligned with said aperture of said first base weight member and said first spring biased latching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased latching element into said first end member of said handle, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased latching element from said first base weight member and for allowing said first base weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first end member of said handle, said first base weight member including a first spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in said first base weight member, and selectively extendible out of said first base weight member, and including an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said first spring biased catching element, an intermediate weight member including a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said first base weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first base weight member, and including an aperture formed in said intermediate weight member and communicating with said chamber of said intermediate weight member, and said intermediate weight member being contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said first spring biased catching element for pressing said first spring biased catching element into said first base weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be attached and engaged onto said first base weight member, and said first spring biased catching element being biased to engage into said aperture of said intermediate weight member when said first spring biased catching element is aligned with said aperture of said intermediate weight member for anchoring and retaining said intermediate weight member to said first base weight member.
9. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a second button slidably received and engaged in said intermediate weight member and aligned with said aperture of said intermediate weight member and said first spring biased catching element for selectively depressing said first spring biased catching element into said first base weight member, and for selectively disengaging said first spring biased catching element from said intermediate weight member and for allowing said intermediate weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said first base weight member.
10. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into said compartment of said intermediate weight member and having a hole formed therein for slidably receiving and engaging with said second button.
11. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into said hole thereof, and said second button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said peripheral flange said panel and for limiting said second button to slide and move relative to said panel and for preventing said second button from being disengaged from said panel and said intermediate weight member.
12. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said intermediate weight member includes a second spring biased catching element slidably received and engaged in said intermediate weight member, and selectively extendible out of said intermediate weight member, and includes an inclined surface formed and provided on top of said second spring biased catching element, an outer weight member includes a chamber formed therein for receiving and engaging with said intermediate weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto said intermediate weight member, and includes an aperture formed in said outer weight member and communicating with said chamber of said outer weight member, and said outer weight member is contactable and engageble with said inclined surface of said second spring biased catching element for pressing said second spring biased catching element into said intermediate weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be attached and engaged onto said intermediate weight member, and said second spring biased catching element is biased to engage into said aperture of said outer weight member when said second spring biased catching element is aligned with said aperture of said outer weight member for anchoring and retaining said outer weight member to said intermediate weight member.
13. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said outer weight member includes a third button slidably received and engaged in said outer weight member and aligned with said aperture of said outer weight member and said second spring biased catching element for selectively depressing said second spring biased catching element into said intermediate weight member, and for selectively disengaging said second spring biased catching element from said outer weight member and for allowing said outer weight member to be engaged onto and disengaged from said intermediate weight member.
14. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said outer weight member includes a compartment formed therein, a panel engaged into said compartment of said outer weight member and having a hole for engaging with said third button.
15. The adjustable exercise device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said panel includes an inner peripheral flange extended into said hole thereof, and said third button includes an outer peripheral rib for selectively engaging with said peripheral flange said panel and for limiting said third button to slide and move relative to said panel.