Abstract: A device for vibrating tubing as it is inserted into a wellbore is disclosed. The device has a fluidic switch that has no moving parts. The fluidic switch is connected to a piston that oscillates back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is the only moving part. As the piston oscillates, it blocks and unblocks openings in the cylinder or other components. The movement of the piston controls the timing of the oscillation, and also generates an impulse or vibration. The vibration may reduce the friction between the tubing and the wellbore.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the oscillator, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and wherein the first and second paths cross each other between the input and the respective first and second outputs. Another oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs, whereby a majority of fluid flowing through the fluidic oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and a feedback path which intersects the first path, whereby reduced pressure in the feedback path influences the majority of fluid to flow via the second path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for specifying one or more operational parameters for a pumping system are disclosed. A first suction pressure loss profile for a first pump in a pumping system is determined. A second suction pressure loss profile for a second pump in the pumping system is determined. The first suction pressure loss profile is compared with the second suction pressure loss profile. One or more operational parameters are specified based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator includes an oscillator body having two attachment walls defining an oscillating chamber therebetween, an inlet duct communicatively extended from the oscillating chamber for guiding a flow of fluid entering into the oscillating chamber, an outlet duct communicatively extended from the oscillating chamber for guiding the flow of fluid exiting from the oscillating chamber, a flow splitter provided at the outlet duct to communicate with the oscillating chamber, and two feedback channels communicating with the oscillating chamber. Each of the attachment walls has an upstream portion and a downstream portion integrally extended therefrom as a step shouldering manner to form a modulating shoulder for modulating an oscillation of the flow within the oscillation chamber so as to stabilize the flow of the fluid to pass through the oscillator body.

Abstract: A method for attenuation of low frequency acoustic sound in an acoustic dctor comprising the steps of collecting incoming sound waves in the frequency range of DC to 3000 Hz so as to provide an incoming signal S.sub.I, splitting the incoming signal into two signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 such that signal S.sub.1 travels through a one acoustic transmission tube a distance of L.sub.1 to the first control port of a fluidic laminar proportional amplifier and signal S.sub.2 travels through a second acoustic transmission tube a distance of L.sub.2 to the second control port of the fluidic laminar proportional amplifier, adjusting the L.sub.1 distance such that the phase of input signal S.sub.1 is shifted in relation to the phase of input signal S.sub.2 when input signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 arrive at the control ports of the laminar proportional amplifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting the absolute pressure of a pressuri fluid to a differential pressure indicating the fluid pressure relative to a reference pressure. The pressurized fluid is directed asymmetrically into a laminar proportional amplifier (LPA) along a centerline toward a first of two outlets at a velocity determined by the fluid pressure. The LPA includes first and second control inlets disposed on opposite sides of the directed fluid jet and connected to a common source of control fluid, the first control inlet being disposed on the same side as the first outlet, and the second control inlet being disposed on the same side as the second outlet.

Abstract: A broad band flueric amplifier is disclosed which comprises means to incre the deflection of the fluid jet within the amplifier at higher frequencies of oscillation of the jet. The means for increasing jet deflection comprises vanes or protrusions positioned closely adjacent the jet path at selected distances from the nozzle. Acoustic feedback from these vanes or protrusions will assist the control pulse in deflecting the jet at selected frequencies of oscillation.

Abstract: A trim circuit for compensating for null offset of the jet stream in a flic transducer, such as an amplifier or jet deflection sensor, includes a flow bias control circuit and a supply sensitive difference flow control circuit. The flow bias control circuit supplies fluid pressure to a pair of symetrically disposed control channels at the input end of the transducer. This fluid pressure tends to decrease the amount of null offset of the jet stream from a central axis of the transducer which intersects a pair of symetrically disposed output channels. The supply sensitive difference flow control circuit removes the null offset remaining after correction by the flow bias control circuit. The supply sensitive difference flow control circuit may be disposed in one of the later stages of a cascaded fluidic amplifier chain or at the control inputs of a single stage transducer or amplifier.

Abstract: A fluidic resistor module, including resistor channels connected in paral between two common ports, is permanently adjustable by deforming the cross sections of the individual channels by externally applied forces. The channels are formed on the interior surface of an exterior plate of a bonded plate module, and the indicia indicating the locations of the channels are formed on the exterior surface of the plate. A pair of adjustable resistor modules are used to null opposed fluidic bias means in a laminar fluidic device.

Abstract: The fluidic oscillator consists of a resonant fluid circuit having a fluid inertance and a dynamic fluid compliance. The inertance is a conduit interconnecting two locations of a chamber on each side of a working fluid jet issuing into one end of the chamber, the inertance conduit serving to transfer working fluid between the two locations. Through one or more output orifices located approximately at the opposite end of the chamber, the fluid exits from a chamber exit region which is shaped to facilitate formation of a vortex (the dynamic compliance) from the entering fluid. The flow pattern in the chamber and particularly the vortex in the chamber exit region provide flow aspiration on one side and surplus of flow on the opposite side of the chamber, which effects accelerate and respectively decelerate the fluid in the inertance conduit such as to cause reversal of the vortex after a time delay given by the inertance.

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: An air conditioner including an air intake, a blower for drawing air into the air conditioner through the air intake, a heat exchanger in the path of the air, and an air exit structure in the path of the air. The air exit structure is a plate-like sheet of rigid material having an aperture therein forming a nozzle for issuing a main stream of air as the air passes therethrough. A control chamber downstream of the nozzle develops a pressure differential in the main stream of air flowing from the nozzle as it flows between a pair of spaced opposed diverging walls to control the direction of flow of the stream. The pressure differential is developed by closing control apertures in the chamber by interceptors over the control apertures.

Abstract: A fluid diverting assembly is constituted by a structural body having a nozzle from which a main stream of fluid is issued as the fluid passes therethrough, a pair of opposed control chambers positioned adjacent the nozzle and on respective lateral sides of the stream of fluid, a pair of side walls outwardly diverging in a direction downstream of the nozzle with respect to the direction of flow of the main fluid stream, and control apertures respectively communicated to the control chambers. An interceptor mechanism is provided for alternately adjustably closing any one of the control apertures for deflecting the direction of flow of the main fluid stream issued by the nozzle.

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 mud pulse transmitter is presented for transmitting information by prese pulses to the surface during the drilling of a borehole. A vortex valve is controlled by a fluidic feedback oscillator to generate the mud pulses. The oscillator frequency may be varied or the oscillator turned on and off by valves in the feedback paths of the oscillator, thereby permitting the transmission of information.

Abstract: A bistable fluidic amplifier having high gain is disclosed. Power fluid is upplied through an inlet port and lobe-shaped feedback cavities downstream provide an oscillating differential pressure or flow between a pair of outlets. A pair of opposed control ports are provided between the inlet port and the feedback cavities and a differential control pressure or flow applied to the control ports creates a differential outlet pressure or flow having a gain in the range of 10-15.

Abstract: Described herein is a flueric laminar bi-stable amplifier. The device comses essentially a flueric amplifier having a supply nozzle, a pair of outlet nozzles, a pair of control nozzles, vent means located along the axial path of fluid flow and means for providing a supply of pressure to the vent means so as to maintain the vent pressure above ambient pressure. Means are also provided for grounding the control ports and for providing back pressure to the control ports. Essentially, the device is a flueric laminar flip-flop that does not use the Coanda effect, but rather it relies upon the instability of jet position due to vent pressurization. If vent flow is allowed to enter the control region in excess of that demanded by entrainment and the control port is vented to ambient, then any small perturbation will cause more flow to enter one side and less on the other, thereby increasing the pressure differential and causing the jet to deflect more until it reaches a stable position on one side or the other.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow diversion arrangement for use with an additive dispensing system in an automatic washer. Included is a liquid flow diverter of the transverse pressure differential type having control ports coupled to atmosphere by tubes whose open ends terminate at the machine sequence control timer. Means are provided associated with the timer for closing the open ends of the tubes and thereby the control ports at predetermined times to effect liquid flow diversion. A check valve is provided at the outer end of each control port for preventing liquid from escaping from the fluid diverter. A chamber is coupled by a segment of the tubing between each control port and the timer for accumulating liquid that may bypass the check valves and further, for preventing audible sonic oscillations which may occur in the liquid flow diversion arrangement due to the inherent ability of the diverter to amplify resonance in the system.

Abstract: A fluidic device using a free jet in which a control nozzle or nozzles terminate within the emitter jet, is disclosed. Positioning the ends of the control nozzles within the emitter jet avoids jet distortion when acted upon by control fluid for deflection. In the preferred embodiment, geometric symmetry is provided, either with control nozzles in pairs disposed opposite to each other, or another control member, such as a rod, disposed opposite to each control nozzle. A receiver for preventing air or gas entrainment is also disclosed. The device provides high efficiency, low noise, and operates with low pressure.

Abstract: The fluidic oscillator consists of a resonant fluid circuit having a fluid inertance and a dynamic fluid compliance. The inertance is a conduit interconnecting two locations of a chamber on each side of a working fluid jet issuing into one end of the chamber, the inertance conduit serving to transfer working fluid between the two locations. Through one or more output orifices located approximately at the opposite end of the chamber, the fluid exits from a chamber exit region which is shaped to facilitate formation of a vortex (the dynamic compliance) from the entering fluid. The flow pattern in the chamber and particularly the vortex in the chamber exit region provide flow aspiration on one side and surplus of flow on the opposite side of the chamber, which effects accelerate and respectively decelerate the fluid in the inertance conduit such as to cause reversal of the vortex after a time delay given by the inertance.