Abstract: A free-standing Energy Recovery System enables sanitary recovery of thermal energy with heat transfer from hot waste effluent to incoming domestic water. The source of the effluent may, for example, be conventional commercial ware-washing, clothes washing equipment, pasteurization and other industrial processes.

Abstract: A system for providing pre-conditioned air to an aircraft on the ground includes a ground air conditioning unit configured to produce air-conditioned air, a control module for controlling operation of the air conditioning unit, and an air hose having a first end in communication with a pre-conditioned air outlet of the air conditioning unit and a second end having a connector for connection to an aircraft on the ground. A pressure sensing device provides pressure information to the control module and is arranged so as to allow pressure monitoring of the flow of pre-conditioned air in the vicinity of the second end of the air hose.

Abstract: A device and method to adapt a model in a underdetermined adaptive system that provides an output in response to an input. A controller provides parameters to the model in a transceiver system, composed of linearizers, equalizers, or estimators as a function of an error signal. The controller and the model parameters are manipulated to allow agnosticism with respect to input signals or model complexity, enabling robust operation and efficient implementation.

Abstract: A fluid handling device (100) comprises: a first channel (130); a second channel (140); a communication section (150); an air introduction path (160); and an air reservoir (190). The first enamel (130) and the second channel (140) are channels through which a fluid (210) can move by capillary action. The communication section (150) connects the first channel (130) and the second channel (140) with each other, and has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second channel (140). The air introduction path (160) communicates with the first channel (130). The air reservoir (190) communicates with the air introduction path (160).

Abstract: An aircraft system includes a fan, a differential pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a system controller. The fan provides airflow for at least one heat exchanger. The differential pressure sensor senses a pressure difference between an inlet of the fan and a diffuser exit of the fan. The temperature sensor senses a temperature at the inlet of the fan. The system controller is configured to receive the sensed pressure difference, the sensed temperature, and a speed of the fan, and determines an operating point of the fan based upon the sensed pressure difference, the speed of the fan, and the sensed temperature. The operating point is indicative of contamination of the at least one heat exchanger.

Abstract: An alert system within a vehicle including a sensor and at least one speaker that generates at least one air thrust when a sensor detects a hazardous condition. The frequency and strength of the at least one air thrust varies based on the awareness level of the driver. In one embodiment, at least one air thrust is directed towards the driver from the direction of the hazardous condition. The hazardous condition may include, but is not limited to the driver falling asleep or a vehicle running a red light.

Abstract: A method for managing torque transmitting mechanism actuator output pressure under low supply pressure conditions is provided. The method is executable to control engagement of a torque transmitting mechanism during such conditions.

Abstract: A device for controlling the pressure of a gas in a circuit via the generation of bubbles through a liquid, which is used to produce a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is provided. The device includes a container containing a liquid and a bubble tube with one end located outside the liquid connected to a device connected to a patient's respiratory tract and the other end located within the liquid. The device also includes at least one hose for adjusting the level of liquid in the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drainage circuit (4) for a flow of a liquid (5), the circuit being fitted with a monitoring appliance (13) for monitoring an excess flow rate of the liquid (5). The monitoring appliance (13) comprises a monitoring duct (14) interposed between an upstream duct (7) for collecting the liquid (5) and a downstream duct (9) for discharging the liquid (5). The monitoring duct (14) has retaining means (15) for retaining part of the liquid (5) inside a chamber (16) arranged to receive a spillway (22) of the captured liquid (19) in a reserve (20) fitted with indicator means (23) with a visual scale for providing warning information relating to the quantity of liquid (24) contained in the reserve (20).

Abstract: A fluidic system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of fluidic oscillatory actuators, and at least one synchronization conduit connecting two or more of the actuators such as to effect synchronization between oscillations in the two or more connected actuators.

Abstract: Valve positioning systems may include one or more components and a controller. Components may include one or more electric-to-pressure output converters, relays, gas supplies, and/or actuators. A controller may adjust a position of a valve by sending a signal. The valve positioning system may individually monitor components and determine the condition of each component being individually monitored. The valve positioning system may determine if a component will fail prior to failure and/or determine if a problem will occur in a component prior to the problem occurring.

Abstract: A method and mechanism of producing a suction and periodic excitation flow. The method includes providing fluid flow from jet port with diameter dl at a controlled input pressure (Pin), directing the flow to a conduit with diameter d2, >d1, allowing additional fluid to join the flow through suction slot(s) to create an amplified flow in the conduit, further directing the amplified flow in a first direction by applying a transverse pressure differential, further redirecting the amplified flow in another direction by modifying an angle by which the transverse pressure differential is applied and iteratively repeating the further directing and further redirecting so that the amplified flow oscillates between the directions. The suction and periodic excitation flows may be employed, for example, to effectively control boundary layer separation. A mechanism for automated performance of the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hose separation transmitter system includes a shock sensor and a transmitter that are secured to the delivery hose. If the hose becomes disconnected, the shock sensor will generate a shock signal when the hose falls to the ground and the transmitter will respond to the shock signal by generating an encoded RF signal. A receiver at the vehicle receives the RF signal from the transmitter, determines that a hose disconnect has occurred, and automatically disables a fluid pump or closes a valve to stop the flow of fluid. The shock sensor preferably uses a strip of piezoelectric material. Related methods are also disclosed. For quick connect and disconnect, the shock sensor and transmitter are preferably secured to the hose by a hook and loop fabric material. The transmitter is immune to normal ambient vibration levels. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow within a microfluidic circuit using external valves and pumps connected to the circuit is disclosed. The external valves and pumps, which are not a part of the microfluidic substrate, control fluid pumping pressure and the displacement of air out of the fluid circuit as fluid enters into the circuit. If a valve is closed, air cannot be displaced out of circuit, which creates a pneumatic barrier that prevents fluid from advancing within the circuit (under normal operating pressures). Applications of this method of fluid control are explained.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine, and for dynamically controlling fluid properties of a fluid that is operational in situ in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filling a container to a predetermined level with liquid provided from an external liquid supply means. The apparatus includes a main valve and a main valve seat for controlling the supply of liquid to the container. A lower valve housing is provided for supporting the main valve and main valve seat. An upper cap housing is also provided which is in fluid communication between the external liquid supply means and the main valve. Together, the lower and upper housings form a manually releasably connected valve assembly which is removably insertable into the container.

Abstract: An improved apparatus used in a system for filling containers with a required liquid to a predetermined level are disclosed. The apparatus includes an improved main valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the apparatus and into the container. This improved main valve means includes an improved main valve, an improved main valve seat, and a main valve support.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrofluidic pin transducer (64) which maintains a stable null setting for a control pin (46). In the control mode of operation, the pin (46) is rotatable in a conventional manner about a first axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (140) of the pin. In the null setting mode, a cam arrangement (120,122,128) is employed to effect rotational movement of the pin (46) about a second axis (136) which is perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis (140) of the pin. This arrangement effectively makes control independent on null setting.

Abstract: An optical actuator position demand signal through optic fiber 14 is focused on one side 32 of optical fluidic interface 16. A second optical signal through optic fiber 56 is attentuated 50 in proportion to actuator 38 position and focused on a second side 34 of the interface 16. Amplified fluidic signals 68, 70 drive the actuator until the demand signal 14 and actual signal 58 are in balance.

Abstract: A control system for a single acting or double acting fluidic pump comprising a detector stage (1), a power amplifiction stage (2) and a primary element stage (3). The detector stage comprises bistable fluidic amplifiers for detecting pressure changes in a gas pressure line (10) to a displacement vessel of the pump. The power amplification stage comprises at least one unvented bistable fluidic amplifier to amplify and direct signals from the detector stage to the primary element. The primary element can be a jet pump (12) and vortex amplifier (13) to provide high pressures in the gas pressure line (10).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dispensing fluid materials wherein the fluid is discharged from a nozzle at a rate controlled by a metering valve having a seat and a stem moveable with respect to the seat to modulate the flow. A servo-actuator connected in a feedback control loop is used to position the valve stem with respect to its seat in accordance with a control signal. The control signal is derived in accordance with the difference between a driving signal representing a desired flow rate and the sum of a pair of feedback signals. One feedback signal represents the actual flow rate while the other feedback signal is correlated to both the relative velocity and position of the stem with respect to the seat. The position-dependent velocity signal is generated by a transducer comprising a magnet and a coil influencable by the field of the magnet as the magnet and coil move relative one another.

Abstract: In variable air volume systems of buildings, a vortex valve is used for varying the volume of the air moving through the system.

Abstract: The present invention uses an input multiplexer for selecting a plurality of input signals, a fluid multiplexer for selectively delivering a control output to a plurality of devices to be controlled, a detecting multiplexer for selecting detected signals indicative of the condition in which the devices respond, a controller for controlling the multiplexers for successive and repeated selective operations, for effecting a controlling arithmetic operation on an input signal fed through the input multiplexer and a detected signal fed through the detecting multiplexer, and for delivering a control signal resulting from the controlling arithmetic operation, and an electropneumatic transducer for converting the control signal to a pneumatic pressure and issuing the pneumatic pressure as an input to the fluid multiplexer.

Abstract: A flueric partial pressure sensor (10) includes a flueric bridge sensor (10a) having two bridge legs (11, 12) adapted for sensing a reference-gas and a sample-gas. A linear resistor (14, 15) and an orifice resistor (16, 17) are incorporated in each leg and arranged to cause asymmetric flow rates therethrough. Inlets to the two bridge legs are subject to a datum pressure within a datum pressure chamber (38) so that a change of datum pressure automatically changes control signals output by the sensor. The partial pressure sensor is disclosed in combination with a molecular sieve type gas concentration system (24) in an on-board oxygen enrichment of air system for an aircraft and enables the oxygen concentration in oxygen enriched air delivered by the system to be appropriate to breathing requirement at an altitude intermediate aircraft cabin and ambient atmospheric pressures.

Abstract: A fluidic sensor of objects comprising a body in which there are mounted an emitting nozzle connected to a feeding chamber connected to a feeding conduit, and an intake nozzle disposed in the area defined by the emitting nozzle and connected to an outlet conduit. Between the inlet conduit and the feeding chamber there is, shaped in the body, an additional chamber inside which there is a movable valve body with conical seats shaped on opposite ends, which is connected to a switching sensor movably mounted in the body. The switching sensor disconnects the flow of feeding energy when the object is outside a zone of detection and causes an acoustic signal if the object moves too close to the fluidic sensor. The acoustic signal can be used to cause a breakdown step.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed in which a fluidic counter generates fluidic switching signals in response to a fluidic oscillator for sequentially activating a plurality of fluidically activated electrical switches for multiplexing a plurality of electrical conductors into a single conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for filling containers with a required liquid to a predetermined level are disclosed. The apparatus includes a main valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the apparatus and into the container; a fluid amplifier means for receiving at least a portion of the liquid from the main valve means and for generating a pressure signal until such time as the liquid within the container reaches the predetermined level; and pilot valve means for maintaining the main valve means open in the presence of the pressure signal from the fluid amplifier and for closing the main valve means in the absence of the pressure signal. The system includes the aforesaid apparatus together with liquid supply conduit and valve means.

Abstract: A liquid level control device for controlling the flow of liquid into a reservoir, storage tank or the like, incorporating automatic shut-off characteristics. The device includes nozzle means including a fluid amplifier for automatically closing valve means in response to sensing means disposed remote from the nozzle means and fluid amplifier. The remote sensing means is responsive to the static presence of the interface at a sensing level of liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A drainage apparatus for an aircraft lavatory system includes a waste holding tank that receives waste from the individual toilet units. The waste holding tank has a pressurization port and a waste drain opening formed in an upper portion thereof. A blower is coupled to the pressurization port to force air into the tank to pressurize it, thereby forcing waste out of the tank through the waste drain opening. The waste travels through an internal waste drain conduit having a first end located at the bottom of the tank below the level of the waste and a second end coupled to the waste drain opening. Preferably, a flow control device is interposed in fluid communication between the blower and the pressurization port and is operable to direct the flow of air from the blower either into the tank for pressurization or out of the tank to create a partial vacuum within the tank to aid in vacuum flush of the toilet units. An auxiliary pressurization source is also provided in the event of blower failure.

Abstract: A demand responsive flow controller for use in a respiration system for the administration of oxygen from a pressurized source through a cannula to a patient is disclosed. A flow path between the pressurized source and the cannula is opened and closed by a fluidic valve which is responsive to the presence and absence of a low pressure power stream developed by a flow restrictor coupled to the pressurized source. The low pressure power stream is applied to the control port of the on/off fluidic valve by a monostable fluidic switch which conducts the low pressure power stream through the valve control port of the on/off valve in response to expiration by the patient, and which diverts the low pressure power stream away from the on/off valve in response to inspiration by the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is one that uses the novel feature of fluidics to control the flow of conditioned air in an air-conditioning system. More specifically, in one species of the invention, fluidic amplifier apparatus controls the flow of hot water into the coils and, therefore, controls the changeover from cool to warm air in the main duct, and in a second species it not only controls the mentioned changeover but also the volume of the conditioned air flowing in the duct.

Abstract: A means for interfacing between low pressure, low flow fluidic circuits and he high pressure, high flow input requirements of fluidic digital thrusters to control the roll, pitch or yaw rate of missiles is provided. Input pressures from the fluidic circuitry cause a fluidic digital amplifier to go to one of its two stable states. The output from the digital amplifier operates one piston in the interface means, causing it to close off a digital thruster control port. The same output is ported to the opposite side of the other interface means piston, causing it to unblock the other digital thruster control port. Blocking of the first control port causes the digital thruster to switch to either a left or right output leg to initiate a corrective thrust. The pistons are interlocked so that only one piston can be extended to cover a given control port at any time.

Abstract: In an airplane having a pressurized passenger section, with a lavatory sink. The waste water from the lavatory sink is directed either to a toilet tank where it is stored, or to a drain mast line where it is discharged overboard during in-flight operation. A particular fluidic diverting system is used so that when the pressure differential between the passenger compartment and ambient atmosphere is above a certain level, air from the passenger compartment passes through a vent line to cause the fluidic system to operate in a manner that substantially all the waste water is directed through the drain mast line.

Abstract: A flow regulator is disclosed for controlling liquid flow, for example, from a supply source to a receiving tank according to the liquid level in the tank. Specifically, a fluid interaction device communicating with the receiving tank causes a fluid pressure signal to be developed in response to departure of the liquid in the tank from a predetermined level. A differential pressure responsive valve adjusts liquid flow from the supply source to the receiving tank in response to the fluid pressure signal. Several embodiments and other features including a bypass for enhancing stable flow and a preferred valve structure are disclosed.A beverage dispensing system incorporating the aforesaid flow regulator is also disclosed. A cold carbonated liquid is continually circulated past dispensers from a pressurized chill tank having a carbon dioxide atmosphere. The flow regulator admits further liquid to the system from a supply source whenever liquid is tapped from the system by the dispensers.

Abstract: A fluidic control system which automatically schedules and controls power developed by an aircraft during landing approach operation. Fluidic signals are generated in relation to sensed aircraft flight parameters, and these signals are combined in a preselected manner which includes integration of one of the signals by a series feedback capacitance fluidic integrator, to produce a single input signal indicative of a desired rate of fuel flow to schedule aircraft power to the desired level. The single input signal is temperature compensated, then discretely selectively modified in relation to ambient conditions by selectively varying the impedance of fluidic resistive networks to alter the gain of a fluidic amplifier driven by the single input signal. An error signal is then generated and amplified to produce a power output signal which drives a fuel control servo actuator in proportion to the error signal when the latter is small, and drives the servo in a digital manner when the error is large.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system that employs fluidic principles to provide temperature control. A fluidic oscillator is utilized to control the conditioning process in which the imput of primary and secondary air to the system is controlled in a push-pull manner so that the supply of primary air increases to the extent the supply of secondary air decreases, and vice versa. Accordingly, the fluidic apparatus regulates the ratio of primary to secondary air directed into the room to be conditioned.

Abstract: A laminated stack has grooves on the faces of the laminations forming fluid amplifiers and control channels therefor. Pneumatic detectors are coupled with the control channels. The laminations are perpendicular to the path of travel of workpieces to be treated, such as glass sheets, and outlet nozzles of the fluid amplifiers and openings of the pneumatic detectors face the glass sheet. Preferably opposed stacks on each side of the path of travel each emit detector jets to jet receivers of the other stack, and the nozzles thereof simultaneously treat both sides of the workpiece. The laminations may be oblique to the path of travel. Upstream and downstream detectors and combinations thereof are disclosed, including an Exclusive OR arrangement.

Abstract: A pneumatic wheel speed sensor provides pulse frequency signal proportional to wheel speed, the signal is converted to DC signal and differentiated and compared to commanded deceleration, error which causes modulation of brake pressure. Excessive deceleration causes a digital amplifier to switch into the system an integrator resulting in rapid brake pressure signal decrease. A second order lead protects against undesirable landing gear oscillation in aircraft applications.

Abstract: A pure fluidic fuel control system for a gas turbine engine in which engine speed and compressor discharge pressure are sensed and utilized to control the flow of fuel to the engine. In the system an analog fluid signal proportional to engine speed is applied to two separate fluidic circuits, one circuit to generate a signal for controlling the engine during acceleration and the other for controlling the engine during steady state operation. The difference between these two signals is multiplied by a signal proportional to the compressor discharge pressure, the product signal being proportional to the necessary fuel flow for any engine condition. The product signal is amplified and applied to a fuel flow valve, the position of which is sensed and fed back to the input of the product signal amplifier for closed loop control.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a selected amount of liquid from apparatus such as a service station gasoline pump. Low pressure air is directed through air passages in response to valve means carried by the pump indicator dials. The amount desired to be dispensed is entered into the system through a selector valve means, which allows air to actuate the hose nozzle automatic cut-off device when the desired amount, or an amount slightly less than the desired amount, has been dispensed.

Abstract: An air distribution system supplies conditioned air to at least one zone to be conditioned and comprises a supply duct connected with a diffuser discharging into the conditioned zone. A modulating valve in the supply duct is provided with a bellows actuator for regulating the flow of air into the zone and a secondary conditioning apparatus such as a heater is provided in the supply duct for warming the air before introduction into the zone. The control system for the bellows actuator and for the secondary conditioning apparatus is of the fluidic type with power for the actuator and control system supplied from a total pressure pick-up in the duct. A thermostat for supplying temperature responsive fluidic signals to the bellows and control system is provided with manual adjustments for setting the minimum and maximum flow rates of conditioned air into the zone.