Abstract: A water damage protection system and method of preventing water damage for domestic water supply systems is provided. The system comprises a control valve, a sensing device, and a controller. The control valve is bias toward an open position to allow fluid flow therethrough. The control valve is moveable to a closed position upon actuation thereby preventing fluid flow through the conduit. The sensing device detects fluid flow through the fluid conduit. The sensing device sends a fluid flow signal upon detection of fluid flow. The controller receives the fluid flow signal from the sensing device. The controller actuates the control valve when the fluid flow signal occurs continuously for a predetermined length of time and the control valve moves to a closed position.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for splitting an established fluidic flow through a microfluidic channel among multiple downstream microfluidic channels include a plurality of elevated flow resistance regions to promote precise and predictable splitting. Each elevated resistance region imparts a flow resistance that is substantially greater than the characteristic resistance to established flow of its associated downstream channel. Elevated flow resistance regions may include one or more porous materials and/or alterations to the channel geometry of at least a portion of a downstream channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated fluidic systems and methods. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. The pressure source may be high pressure source or a low pressure source.

Abstract: A fluidic nozzle having multiple operating modes comprising a fluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end and a power nozzle at the upstream end for introducing a jet of a liquid (water) into the oscillation chamber. An outlet throat at the downstream end has a width, which does not allow the oscillation circuit to fill up and start to oscillate without entrained liquid. A pair of control ports are at the upstream end of the oscillation chamber and a pair of feedback passages connect said control ports to downstream ends of said oscillation chamber adjacent said outlet throat. A pair of controllable entrainment holes are provided in the oscillation chamber at the upstream end and a valve opens and closes the entrainment holes, such that when the entrainment holes are open to air, air is entrained and the oscillator does not oscillate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the pumping of crude oil through a pipe is disclosed. The facilitation includes receiving the crude oil through an input end of the pipe, processing the crude oil within the pipe to lower viscosity by at least partially cracking the crude oil into lower fractions and providing processed crude oil at the output end of the pipe in a reduced viscosity form. The step of processing the crude oil includes establishing an electrical discharge in proximity to the input end and passing the crude oil sufficiently close to the electrical discharge such that at least a portion is subjected thereto.

Abstract: A switching device for controlling fluid motion. The device includes a capillary filled with a first fluid into which a wall-confined bubble of a second fluid is introduced to achieve a first switching event. Capillary geometry and wetting properties provide a pressure-related asymmetric energy potential distribution for controlling the flow of the bubble, and the device is called an asymmetric bubble chamber, or ABC. The bubble is initially trapped in an energy potential well, and upon increase of its volume moves from the well into a region of low energy potential to achieve a second switching event. The first switching event may be blocking of a fluid channel or reflection of an optical beam in an optical crosspoint switch, while the second switching event may be unblocking of a fluid channel or restoration of transmission of an optical beam.

Abstract: A magnetic treatment device for fluid fuels, which exhibits a cylindrical flow chamber (6) with a conical part (17) widening in the direction of flow (A) and a conical, magnetic insert (16) with at least two flat and/or annular permanent magnets (10,11,12,13) arranged axially at a distance from each other, whereby the magnetic insert is held against the direction of flow with a force, e.g. intrinsic weight and/or the force from a spring and is mounted in the region of the conical part in such a manner that it can be moved axially, and in which the permanent magnets (10,11,12,13) are held at a distance from each other by spacing rings (14) or discs made from non-ferromagnetic material which are placed only in an inner region, between mutually facing surfaces of the permanent magnets, and a bearing shoulder (19) is allocated to at least one permanent magnet (10,12) in the wall of the conical part (17) of the flow-chamber (6).

Abstract: A process for cleansing microorganisms from the pliant epidermal surface of a human hand which comprises brushlessly scrubbing the pliant epidermal surface of the human hand with a plurality of cleansing fluids. The cleansing fluids are oscillating sprays which are sprayed onto the epidermal surface at a frequency of 20-80 HZ and at a temperature of 40-50° C. thereby removing microorganisms present on the pliant epidermal surface.

Abstract: Fluidic oscillators are used to apply pulsatile sweeping streams of a liquid, preferably a cleansing solution, to selected areas of epidermis in a manner consistent with the resonant characteristics of the epidermis. The device thereby cleanses the skin, pores, and folds of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fluid microdiode for directionally incorporating a dosed fluid into another stationary or flowing target fluid contained in a closed system, especially in the submicroliter range. It is characterized by a planar arrangement of a microcapillary open on both sides or a system of closely juxtaposed microcapillaries open on both sides being in direct contact with the target fluid on the outlet side thereof and being separated from the discontinuously supplied dosed fluid on their inlet side by an air or gas cushion, forming a meniscus (6) which is curved according to the surface tension. As a device (1), said fluid microdiode consists of a stacked arrangement of a flow channel (9), the actual diode in the form of a grid structure formed by capillaries, and a spacer chip (2), securing the gaseous medium in the region of the coupling surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing drag and noise associated with fluid w within a conduit is provided. The conduit has flexible walls that are shaped to form stationary waves having peaks and troughs and are repeated in the axial direction of the conduit. The stationary waves are moved along the axial direction of the conduit whereby a vortex is trapped in the fluid flow at each of the troughs. Each of the vortices forms part of an isolating layer between the conduit wall and the main stream of the fluid flow thereby reducing drag. Furthermore, the vortices push the dominant noise producing region toward the center of the fluid flow where sound coupling efficiency is lower.

Abstract: An oil tool and method for controlling the accumulation of paraffin and deposits in downhole oil string and oil transmission flow lines is provided by employing at various locations in the downhole oil string or in the oil transmission flow lines a coupling device with an inside liner of a non magnetic material surrounded by a magnet and shield of a magnetic material. The preferred application employs at least two magnets having their north pole and south pole aligned in opposite directions held in place in relation to a magnetic outer shield or casing by a non magnetic restraining ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating an enclosure from external pollution includes a tube (2) with one end opening out into the enclosure and with its opposite end (5) being open. At least one slot (6) is provided in the inside wall of said tube in the vicinity of its opening (5), the slot being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said tube and sloping towards the opening. The slot is fed with gas so as to blow a continuous sheet of gas into the tube. At least one porous plate is disposed on the inside wall of said tube between the slot (6) and the opening (5), and the plate is fed with a gas which forms a small flow of gas suitable for overcoming the pressure reduction formed by the sheet of gas leaving from said slot (6). The enclosure is maintained at a pressure which is slightly higher than its surroundings so as to create a flow of gas running along said tube (2) and deflecting the sheet or sheets of gas leaving the slot (6) towards the opening (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge for a liquid filter, in particular for use for tanks for the filtration of water for the production of drinking water, with a generally cylindrical vessel, which contains the filtering material and with a sealing screen mounted on this vessel like a cover. In order to improve the functioning of a filter cartridge, and in particular to make such a filter cartridge, which with comparatively fast liquid throughput has a good filtration action with optimum utilization of the filtering material, it is proposed in conformity with the invention that the sealing screen be covered by a distributor cap 3 essentially closed at the top and open at the side.

Abstract: Air is detected from opposing ends of a trough-like continuous contour which defines a guide path for the two opposing streams. The air streams will be attached to flow along the trough and where the oppositely directed streams impact or impinge upon each other, they will be deflected normal to their path and the two combined streams will be projected or directed perpendicularly outwardly from the trough in the form of a fan-shaped jet. By controlling the velocity of the two opposing jets, the point of impact or impingement of the two jets can be moved along the trough with the trough defining the path of movement of the point or virtual outlet of outward projection of the combined jets. In preferred embodiments, the defrost and heating and air conditioning outlets for automobiles incorporate the invention so as to avoid protrusions and provide a continuous clean and unbroken appearance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and device for metering small amounts of a low boiling liquified gas which flows from an orifice of a cold-insulated vessel. In this process and device the orifice of the vessel is sealed off by a gas bubble.

Abstract: A fluidic diverter comprising a housing forming a chamber having an inlet at one end and two diverging outlets at the opposite end. An asymmetric configuration is produced within the chamber by axially spaced steps in opposing walls of the chamber and a single control port communicates with the chamber at a position associated with the step adjacent the inlet. In use and in the absence of a control at the control port, flow will emerge through the outlet at the side of the chamber associated with the control port. A fluidic pumping system includes a fluidic pump having the fluidic diverter in a delivery line of the pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic memory device has two elongated passages for liquid, an input member connected with upper ends of the elongated passages for liquid supply into the latter, and two output members each connected with a lower end of the respective passage, wherein the output members are formed so that a portion of liquid supplied in a preceding step remains in one curved output member, and during a subsequent step of liquid supply the liquid will flow into an elongated passage provided with the other output member.

Abstract: A conveying and supporting surface is provided with a plurality of coanda effect nozzles for providing a directional film of gas along the surface to support and/or convey a plurality of articles, in indefinite length web, or material along the surface. The directional coanda effect nozzles will produce a conveying film of gas and a film of gas that will produce a suction spaced from the surface to hold the articles closely adjacent the surface while at the same time produce an air bearing to prevent the articles or web material from contacting the surface.