A pump comprises a body for at least partially defining a pumping chamber
(28); a pump member which undergoes displacement when acting upon a fluid
in the pumping chamber; and a piezoelectric element which responds to the
displacement of the pump member to generate an electric current. The
electric current generated by the piezoelectric element is preferably
applied to a charge storage device which is coupled to the piezoelectric
element. The storage device can take various forms, including but not
limited to a battery (50, 150, 250), a capacitor (52, 152, 252), and a
power supply for the pump (54). In one example embodiment, the pump
member is a diaphragm (26) which undergoes the displacement when acting
upon a fluid in the pumping chamber. In this example embodiment, the
piezoelectric element responds to the displacement of the diaphragm to
generate the electric current. In another example embodiment, the pump
member is a valve (130, 230, 132, 232) which undergoes the displacement
to allow the fluid to communicate with the pumping chamber. The valve can
be an inlet valve (130, 230) for admitting the fluid into the pumping
chamber, or an outlet valve (132, 232)) for discharging the fluid from
the pumping chamber. The piezoelectric element responds to the
displacement of the valve to generate the electric current. The
piezoelectric element can be adhered to an exterior surface of the valve.
Alternatively, the piezoelectric element can constitute a working portion
of the valve.