Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.

Abstract: A fluidic pulse generator system includes two fluidic diverter valves that are both controlled by a single fluidic pilot valve. The fluidic pilot valve and the two fluidic diverter valves are each adapted to receive a flow of pressurized fluid. The flow of pressurized fluid through the fluidic pilot valve is controlled in response to pressurized fluid flow through a control valve. In turn, the flow of pressurized fluid through the two fluidic diverters valves is simultaneously controlled in response to the flow of pressurized fluid through the fluidic pilot valve.

Abstract: Methods devices and systems that employ non-mechanical valve modules for controlling directing fluid and other material movement through integrated microscale channel network. These non-mechanical valve modules apply forces that counter the driving forces existing through a given channel segment, via fluidly connected channel segments, so as to selectively arrest flow of material within the given channel segment.

Abstract: Methods devices and systems that employ non-mechanical valve modules for controllably directing fluid and other material movement through integrated microscale channel networks. These non-mechanical valve modules apply forces that counter the driving forces existing through a given channel segment, via fluidly connected channel segments, so as to selectively arrest flow of material within the given channel segment.

Abstract: Methods of concentrating materials within microfluidic channel networks by moving materials into regions in which overall velocities of the material are reduced, resulting in stacking of the material within those reduced velocity regions. These methods, devices and systems employ static fluid interfaces to generate the differential velocities, as well as counter-current flow methods, to concentrate materials within microscale channels.

Abstract: Methods devices and systems that employ non-mechanical valve modules for controllably directing fluid and other material movement through integrated microscale channel networks. These non-mechanical valve modules apply forces that counter the driving forces existing through a given channel segment, via fluidly connected channel segments, so as to selectively arrest flow of material within the given channel segment.

Abstract: A hot water supply system includes an arrangement for adjusting a temperature of water. A plurality of outlets are connected to water supplied objects. A change-over valve selects one of the outlets and supplies the water to the selected outlet. An outlet setting unit determines a target outlet selected from the outlets. A temperature setting unit determines a target temperature. A control unit controls the change-over valve and the temperature adjusting means in accordance with the target outlet and the target temperature.

Abstract: A fluidic complementary gain changing circuit has three laminar proportio amplifiers, one of which supplies fluid pressure streams to the other two. The latter amplifiers have substantially identical geometries and complementary gain curves at any given supply pressure, relative to a gain changing signal constituting a bias pressure applied to control ports of the first amplifier. A differential input signal supplied to the control ports of the two complementary amplifiers modulates the supply streams traversing those amplifiers and results in concurrent high and low gain complementary signals at the respective outlet ports of the overall circuit. Variable resistance elements permit calibration of the circuit.

Abstract: Signal output means (11) responsive to gas flow and particularly suited for use in gas flow indicator apparatus (10), has first and second pressure-datum valves (24, 25) arranged in downstream order in a gas conduit (16), the second pressure-datum valve (25) being arranged to open at a lower pressure difference than the first pressure-datum valve (24). A flueric amplifier (15) has a power jet port (28) connected to the gas conduit (16) on the upstream side of the first pressure-datum valve (24), opposed control pressure ports (26, 27) connected respectively to a chamber (22) formed between the first and second pressure-datum valves (24, 25) and to the gas conduit (16) downstream of the second pressure-datum valve (25), and a vent port (30) also connected to the gas conduit (16) downstream of the second pressure-datum valve (25). A pressure signal output by the flueric amplifier (15) in response to gas flow through the conduit (16) may be used to trigger a visual or audio warning device (14).

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: 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.