Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing high speed interruption of the flow of a very fine, high pressure, high speed water jet 12 of the type used to cut foods, paper, and other goods. The water jet 12 is interrupted by a pivotal blocking bar 22 within a blocker housing. The blocking bar 22 is pivoted in a collar 24b to a first desired position out of the path of water jet 12 or to a second desired position for blocking the path of water jet 12. A pivot arm 28, controlled by an output shaft 30 of a rotary actuator 32, controls the rotation of the blocking bar 22. A high pressured airflow is introduced into the device for controlling the exhaustion of blocked water within the device and for cooling the rotary actuator 32.

Abstract: An analyte fluid stream with first molecules having relatively low molecular weight and a corresponding high coefficient of diffusion has reduced diffusional defocusing out of an analyte fluid stream. The analyte fluid stream of first molecules is associated with second molecules of relatively high molecular weight having a relatively low coefficient of diffusion and a binding constant effective to associate with the first molecules. A focused analyte fluid stream is maintained since the combined molecular weight of the associated first and second molecules is effective to minimize diffusion of the first molecules out of the analyte fluid stream.

Abstract: A system for mixing first and second polymer melt flows and directing a mixed polymer melt flow to one and another downstream locations includes a control valve having an inlet port for receiving the first polymer melt flow, and a pair of outlet ports, and a fluidic valve for forming the mixed flow of the first and second polymer melt flows and directing the mixed flow to one of a plurality of downstream locations. The fluidic valve is provided with a primary supply port for receiving the second polymer melt flow, a pair of secondary supply ports which are fluid-connected with the primary supply port at a mixing intersection, and a plurality of discharge ports extending from the mixing intersection. Each discharge port directs the mixed flow of the first and second polymer melt flows to a respective downstream location. A pair of branch conduits is provided which fluid-connect one of the pair of outlet ports of the control valve to a respective one of the secondary supply ports of the fluidic valve.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure noise suppression system which includes a fluid input circuit 22 for receiving pressure pulses carried by a first fluid which is displaceable; a fluid vessel 10 having a non-linear tube 28 containing a second fluid; a signal generator 18 for transmitting pressure pulses carried by the first fluid for displacing the second fluid; a fluid output circuit 36 having a displaceable third fluid; and a pressure sensor 38 for sensing pressure impulses which pass through the second fluid.

Abstract: A valve used to control the flow of a magnetorheological fluid, in which the mechanical properties of the magnetorheological fluid are varied by applying a magnetic field, is described. The valve can comprise a magnetoconducting body with a magnetic core that houses an induction coil winding, and an hydraulic channel located between the outside of the core and the inside of the body connected to a fluid inlet port and an outlet port, in which magnetorheological fluid flows from the inlet port through the hydraulic line to the outlet port. Devices employing magnetorheological valves are also described.

Abstract: A particle detector is designed to detect particles such as cells and blood corpuscles, and this particle detector includes means for passing and recovering a multilayer flow consisting of an inner layer A of conductive liquid specimen, a middle layer B of conductive first sheath liquid, and an outer layer C of nonconductive second sheath liquid surrounding them, in an orifice 12, and a pair of electrodes disposed on both sides of the orifice so as to contact the conductive liquid respectively. A detector circuit 44 is connected to the pair of electrodes so as to detect a particle signal on the basis of difference of electric impedance between the electrodes. The diameter of the orifice 12 is substantially the diameter of the middle layer. By varying the flow rate balance of the conductive liquids and nonconductive liquid, the diameter of the middle layer may be freely changed. Accordingly, the diameter of the orifice may be apparently changed as desired.

Abstract: A vortex amplifier having a vortex chamber is included in a fluid flow line. A sensor in the fluid flow line upstream of the vortex chamber and operable in response to changes in the fluid flow controls a valve in a further flow line for introducing a control fluid into the vortex chamber. The arrangement results in an automatic control in the fluid flow line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and selectively interrupting one or more fluid stream which is confined within an open channel. A transverse fluid stream is introduced into the channel at a point under the stream flowing within the channel. Introduction of the transverse stream at relatively low pressures is sufficient to cause the stream within the channel to leave the confines of the channel. If the channel is directed at a target, the method and apparatus will allow intermittent and selective interruption of a fluid stream flowing within the channel and directed at the target.

Abstract: Capillary flow of a principal fluid is controlled through the medium of a control fluid. The two fluids are capable of forming fluid/fluid interfaces therebetween in which the potential energy states of the two fluids on either side of the interface are different. Flow control of the principal fluid is effected by changing the kind of fluid/fluid interface by reversing the potential energy states of the two fluids at the interface or interfaces therebetween.

Abstract: An alarm device for a brake clearance limit in an air-over-hydraulic brake system wherein air pressure piston drives a hydraulic piston for producing braking hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic brake system, capable of giving a warning at a certain constant brake clearance, irrespective of the height of pressure in the hydraulic brake system. The device comprises a sensor of hydraulic pressure for detecting a hydraulic pressure P in the hydraulic brake system, a sensor of shift amount l of the air-pressure piston after the moment when the permissible limit of brake clearance has been reached and all of the gaps in the hydraulic brake system have been lost, and a warning element which gives a warning signal when a formula l>.alpha..multidot.P is satisfied, wherein .alpha. designates rigidity coefficient of the hydraulic brake system, i.e., a quotient of the increased shift amount of the hydraulic piston divided by the increased amount of the hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic servo valve suitable for controlling flow of a pressurized fluid in dirty and explosive environments, comprises a control valve actuated by a contamination-free sealed pilot circuit of electroviscous fluid commanded by electroviscous valves requiring minimal electrical power. Fluid is circulated in the pilot circuit by pressure pulses derived from the pressurized fluid by means of a fluidic oscillator and transmitted to the pilot circuit via flexible diaphragms.

Abstract: Density of a sample or its concentration are sensed by a fluidic device hng a nozzle with a divider for emitting the sample and a reference fluid as layers of a single laminar jet. The deflection of the jet in a fixed force field is sensed as an indicator of density or concentration. The same device can measure acceleration transverse to the nozzle axis or attitude in a fixed force field as a function of sensed jet deflection. The sensitivity of the acceleration and attitude sensor is a function of the density of the two selected fluids used in the layered laminar jet.

Abstract: A fluidic amplifier or switch for supplying pulses of a power gas to be controlled which is insensitive to load impedance or back pressure. One arm of the fluidic switch comprising part of the gas injection path is coupled to a working outlet and the other arm is coupled through a sonic orifice to a vent outlet. An orifice is provided in the downstream end of the power gas injection path, the injection pressure is maintained at preferably at least about twice the maximum back pressure and a substitute gas is injected into the arm of the fluidic switch not carrying the power gas to be controlled. The two gases are each alternately supplied to the working outlet and the vent outlet. When the power gas to be controlled is supplied to the working outlet, the substitute gas is supplied to the vent outlet and when the substitute gas is supplied to the working outlet, the power gas to be controlled is supplied to the vent outlet to maintain the pressure constant across the working outlet orifice.

Abstract: In a clothes washer, liquid pulses are delivered to a bucket or tank of water to create continuously recirculating flow therein in a vertical plane. The flow carries the clothes in a tumbling action and the pulses agitate the clothes passing the pulse source. Air is introduced into the water pulses and forms air bubbles in the tank which attract dirt particles and carry them to the surface where they are removed as part of a continuous surface overflow. In a preferred embodiment the liquid pulses are delivered by a novel fluidic oscillator of the feedback type in which air is continuously entrained by the power stream from each feedback passage in alternation. In one form, the oscillator utilizes scoop-type feedback passages between respective outlet passages and control ports, each feedback passage communicating with an air passage.

Abstract: A piston overtravel indicator for indicating overtravel of a piston from a rest position adjacent one end of a cylinder to working positions displaced from the rest position toward the other end of the cylinder. The indicator includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through a hole in the other end of the cylinder and having an inner rod end located within the cylinder adjacent the working positions of the piston. Overtravel of the piston beyond working positions causes engagement of same with the inner rod end for moving the rod outwardly through the hole. The indicator rod has a circumferential groove adjacent the inner end thereof for cooperation with a yieldable abutment extending into the hole for preventing complete outward displacement of the indicator rod through the hole.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably mounted through a dielectric bushing in the end wall. A conductive garter spring is compressed between the indicator rod and a groove in the cylinder end wall. An electric circuit including an electrically operated indicator is connected for completion through the indicator rod, end wall and garter spring. In an inward armed position of the indicator rod, dielectric material carried by the rod is interposed between the rod and garter spring for opening the electric circuit. In an outward operated position of the rod, a conductive surface on the rod engages the garter spring to complete the circuit and operate the indicator.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through the end wall. The rod has an armed position extending inwardly of the end wall and an operated position extending outwardly of the end wall. An electrically operated indicator is positioned in a circuit connected for completion through the indicator rod and end wall when the rod is in its operated position. In the armed position of the rod, dielectric material surrounds that portion of the rod extending through the end wall for opening the electric circuit. In the operated position of the rod, its outer surface engages the end wall for completing the electric circuit.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus introduces a controlled amount of gas into a liquid flowing through a conduit.The fluid mixing apparatus incorporates a flow control device which is constructed to produce a variable impedance to fluid flow through the control device. The impedance varies in a pre-planned relationship to the pressure differential across the flow control device and to an acceleration of the flow within the control device.The control device has an outlet connected to the interior of the liquid carrying conduit and has a gas inlet for supplying the gas to the interior of the control device.In a specific embodiment, the flow control device is a vortex chamber which produces rotation of the gas flowing through the gas inlet. This rotation produces a self-choking effect on the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: Control of a liquid power stream by establishment of a gaseous control flow is disclosed. The gaseous control flow is generated by the withdrawal of air at the boundary of the power stream to thereby create a pressure differential which deflects the power stream. Creation and control of a moving carrier flow to establish a moving boundary whereby the energy of the power stream may be modulated is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve system is provided for completely draining a vessel which may contain corrosive liquids and for preventing leakage until the vessel is to be drained. This is accomplished by providing the vessel with a throat at the bottom, an outlet tube connected to the throat and a pressure tube connected to the outlet tube with a source of fluid or gas pressure connected to the outlet tube between the throat and the pressure tube to force gas upward against (and/or through) the throat, thereby preventing the flow of liquid downwad through the throat. Agitation of the vessel contents can be achieved by flow of gas through he throat.

Abstract: A particle detector is designed to detect particles such as cells and blood corpuscles, and this particle detector includes means for passing and recovering a multilayer flow consisting of an inner layer A of conductive liquid specimen, a middle layer B of conductive first sheath liquid, and an outer layer C of nonconductive second sheath liquid surrounding them, in an orifice 12, and a pair of electrodes disposed on both sides of the orifice so as to contact the conductive liquid respectively. A detector circuit 44 is connected to the pair of electrodes so as to detect a particle signal on the basis of difference of electric impedance between the electrodes. The diameter of the orifice 12 is substantially the diameter of the middle layer. By varying the flow rate balance of the conductive liquids and nonconductive liquid, the diameter of the middle layer may be freely changed. Accordingly, the diameter of the orifice may be apparently changed as desired.