Nathan Sell

Title: Nathan Sell and His Piezoelectric Pump Innovations.

Introduction

Nathan Sell is an inventor based in Bath, Great Britain, whose patent work focuses on piezoelectric fluid-pumping technology and its control systems. His inventions address pump performance and the coordinated operation of multiple pumps. Sell is associated with Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd. and holds 2 patents.

Latest Patents

Sell’s latest patent, “Active balancing of multiple interleaved piezo pumps,” describes a drive circuit for multiple piezo-actuated hydraulic pumps, including pumps used in aircraft. A voltage-boost stage supplies an elevated DC voltage to a high-voltage link, while parallel inverter stages convert that supply into oscillating voltages for individual pumps. A control system adjusts the voltage and phase of the inverter stages so the pumps operate out of phase. By measuring each pump’s power consumption and regulating at least one inverter’s output, the system balances power use across the pumps.

His “Piezo-electric fluid pump” patent describes a pump with a fluid reservoir, a movable piston head, a piezoelectric stack, and a pumping chamber. A bias mechanism keeps the piezoelectric stack under compression, while inlet and outlet disc valves control one-way fluid flow into and out of the chamber. The patent presents this combination of stack preloading and an inlet disc valve as a way to improve pressure and flow capability compared with other piezoelectric pumps.

Career Highlights

Sell’s patent portfolio reflects work on both individual pump design and systems that coordinate several pumps. The inventions combine mechanical components, such as piston heads and valves, with electrical drive and control circuitry. His work is associated with Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd.

Collaborations

The provided information names Tom Love and Andrew Plummer as Sell’s coworkers. It does not specify their roles in the patents or describe particular collaborations.

Conclusion

Nathan Sell’s two patents address practical challenges in piezoelectric pumping, from improving the pressure and flow of an individual pump to balancing power consumption across multiple pumps.