This paper describes the design and manufacture of a monolithic high-pressure diaphragm pump made entirely of soft elastomer material and driven by a combustion chamber incorporated within the soft pump structure. The pump can deliver pressures up to 60 kPa and can reach output flows up to 40 ml/min. Methane (CH4) combustion is used as the actuation source. The pump uses two soft flap-structured check valves for directing the flow. Pumping pressure and frequency dependence were measured and analyzed. Results show that controlled and repeatable combustion of methane is possible without damaging the soft structure. Experimentally, 6–10% methane is identified as the ideal air-fuel ratio for combustion. With continuous delivery of reactants, a 1 Hz pumping frequency was achieved. The volume of the combustion chamber and the material stiffness are identified to be major determinants of the stroke volume.
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ASME 2014 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems
September 8–10, 2014
Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Aerospace Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4615-5
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Soft Combustion-Driven Pump for Soft Robots
Constantinos Stergiopulos,
Constantinos Stergiopulos
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
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Daniel Vogt,
Daniel Vogt
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
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Michael T. Tolley,
Michael T. Tolley
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
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Michael Wehner,
Michael Wehner
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
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Jabulani Barber,
Jabulani Barber
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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George M. Whitesides,
George M. Whitesides
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
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Robert J. Wood
Robert J. Wood
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Search for other works by this author on:
Constantinos Stergiopulos
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Daniel Vogt
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Michael T. Tolley
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Michael Wehner
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Jabulani Barber
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
George M. Whitesides
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Robert J. Wood
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University, Boston, MA
Paper No:
SMASIS2014-7536, V002T04A011; 6 pages
Published Online:
December 8, 2014
Citation
Stergiopulos, C, Vogt, D, Tolley, MT, Wehner, M, Barber, J, Whitesides, GM, & Wood, RJ. "A Soft Combustion-Driven Pump for Soft Robots." Proceedings of the ASME 2014 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems. Volume 2: Mechanics and Behavior of Active Materials; Integrated System Design and Implementation; Bioinspired Smart Materials and Systems; Energy Harvesting. Newport, Rhode Island, USA. September 8–10, 2014. V002T04A011. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2014-7536
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