Abstract: A fluidic logic-gate device may include inlet ports, input ports, an output port, fluid channels each configured to route fluid from one of the inlet ports to the output port, and pistons that each include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first blocking position and unblock, when the piston is in a second blocking position, one of fluid channels, (2) a first controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the first controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the first blocking position, and (3) a second controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the second controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the second blocking position. Various other related devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a diaphragm valve comprising a tubular valve seat, a primary side passage located outside the valve seat, a secondary side passage located inside the valve seat, and pressing member which presses the diaphragm to a seating surface to change a valve opening, a supporting member which contacts with the diaphragm in a valve opening range that is at least one part of an entire opening range from a fully opened state to a fully closed state to obstruct deformation of the diaphragm to the secondary side passage side is disposed in a region between the seating surface and a center of the seating surface. Thereby, even when a pressure difference between both sides of the diaphragm is large, a reduction of a gap at the seating surface can be prevented, and gas can be flowed at a large flow rate.

Abstract: A fluidic device may include inlet ports, control input ports, one or more output channels, inlet channels that are each configured to convey fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output channels, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to inhibit, when the piston is in a first position, and uninhibit, when the piston is in a second position, one of the inlet channels, (2) a control gate configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the control gate, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional control gate configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional control gate, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic device may include inlet ports, input ports, one or more output ports, fluid channels each configured to route fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output ports, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, one of the fluid channels, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gate valve that opens or closes opening parts of a valve box with a valve plate includes a valve rod that moves upward or downward and tilt inside the valve box; a drive mechanism that moves the valve rod upward or downward by a predetermined stroke and tilts the valve rod; a stopper mechanism that includes a spring return type stopper pin, and in which, when compressed air is supplied, a pin rod of the stopper pin moves forward in a horizontal direction, and a cam plate connected to the valve rod or a load receiving roller attached to the cam plate collides with the pin rod to regulate an upward movement of the valve rod. When the supply of the compressed air is stopped, the pin rod moves backward in the horizontal direction due to a reaction force of the spring, so that the cam plate or the load receiving roller does not collide with the pin rod and the regulation on the upward movement of the valve rod is released; and a vibration reducing device that reduces vibration.

Abstract: A system which detects gas leaks near devices which use “natural gas” or other flammable gases such as methane, ethane, propane or butane and implements multiple automatic responses to the detection of such leaks including emitting audible alarms, contacting utility and emergency service providers, and shutting off the flow of the flammable gases is disclosed. Optional to the system allowing the system to report on the approximate location of the leak and/or the approximate danger level caused by the leak by reporting on the gas/air ratios in the area are also disclosed. A method for implementing the method of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The valve member includes a valve body and a seal. The valve body defines a first frusto-conical surface and an outside annular cavity. The seal extends within the outside annular cavity and includes a first tapered and circumferentially-extending surface adapted to sealingly engage the tapered surface of the valve seat. In another aspect, the seal includes an annular bulbous protrusion from which the first tapered and circumferentially-extending surface angularly extends, the first tapered and circumferentially-extending surface extending between the annular bulbous protrusion and the first frusto-conical surface of the valve body. In another aspect, an offset distance is defined between the first frusto-conical surface of the valve body and at least a portion of the first tapered and circumferentially-extending surface of the seal, the offset distance extending in a direction that is perpendicular to at least the first frusto-conical surface of the valve body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are inexpensive, easy-to-install (do-it-yourself/DIY), non-invasive, independently powered automated devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for leak detection, prevention and mitigation, particularly fluid leak detection, prevention and mitigation, as well as water leak detection and water-supply shutoff of domestic and commercial pressurized water-supply networks.

Abstract: Fluid control valves including single-opening, binary fluid control valves that are initially closed and can be opened one time only to allow a fluid transfer between two spaces separated by a fluid impermeable barrier. Applications of valves of this type include inflatable devices, including but not limited to medical device balloons, in particular gastric balloons for weight loss.

Abstract: A fluid controller includes a piezoelectric pump, a valve, and a cuff. The valve includes a first valve housing, a diaphragm, and a second valve housing. The second valve housing has a second air hole, a third air hole, and a first valve seat. The second air hole connects to the internal space of the cuff. The third air hole connects to the outside of the fluid controller. The first valve seat is formed around the third air hole. Together, the second valve housing and the diaphragm form a first flow passage. The first flow passage connects the second air hole and the third air hole to each other. The second valve housing has a protruded portion protruding toward the diaphragm and providing a portion of the first flow passage. The shortest distance between the protruded portion and the diaphragm is less than the diameter of the third air hole.

Abstract: Various implementations include a fluidic oscillator array including at least two fluidic oscillators, each including an interaction chamber, fluid supply inlet, outlet nozzle, and feedback channels. The interaction chambers have a first and second attachment wall. Fluid streams flow from the fluid supply inlets, into the interaction chambers, and exit through the outlet nozzles. A feedback channel is coupled to each of the first and second attachment walls. Each feedback channel is in fluid communication with the interaction chamber and has an intermediate portion disposed between a first and second end of the feedback channels. Fluid from the fluid stream flows into the first ends of the respective feedback channels, causing the fluid stream to oscillate between the first and second attachment walls. Adjacent feedback channels of adjacent fluidic oscillators share a common intermediate portion, causing the exiting fluid streams of each fluidic oscillator to oscillate at the same frequency.

Abstract: A flow rate control device (100) comprises: a pressure control valve (6) provided in a flow path; a flow rate control valve (8) provided downstream side of the pressure control valve; and a first pressure sensor (3) for measuring pressure on the downstream side of the pressure control valve and on the upstream side of the flow rate control valve. The flow rate control valve has a valve element (13) seated on/separated from a valve seat (12); a piezoelectric element (10b) for moving the valve element so as be seated on/separated from the valve seat; and a strain sensor (20) provided on a side surface of the piezoelectric element. The pressure control valve (6) is configured to control the pressure control valve (6) on the basis of a signal output from the first pressure sensor (3), and to control the driving of the piezoelectric element of the flow rate control valve (8) based on a signal output from the strain sensor (20).

Abstract: A refuelling system is disclosed having a fuel conduit, a variable-position valve for controlling a rate of flow of fuel leaving the conduit, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from a sensor arrangement a measurement of an electrostatic condition in a fuel tank being fuelled by the system. The controller is configured to control the variable-position valve to control the rate of flow of fuel based at least in part on the measurement received from the sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the flow rate sensor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor, adjust a control deadband based on an actuator command history, and determine a compensated position setpoint using the flow rate measurement, the adjusted control deadband, and a proportional variable deadband control technique. The controller is further configured to operate the motor to drive the drive device to the compensated actuator position setpoint.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body having an inlet for fluid communication with a space or source containing pressurised gas, and at least one outlet. A membrane is arranged between the inlet and the at least one outlet. A membrane puncturing element is arranged for movement between a retracted, inoperative position and an extended position in which it punctures the membrane. An actuating piston is operatively coupled to the membrane puncturing element for moving the membrane puncturing element between its retracted and its extended positions, the actuating piston being received in a piston bore of the valve body. The valve body also includes a cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a sealed actuating gas cartridge. A cartridge puncturing device is provided for puncturing the actuating gas cartridge. An actuating gas flow passage communicates actuating gas released from the actuating gas cartridge to the actuating piston bore upon puncturing the actuating gas.

Abstract: A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The community system includes a hydrogen source, a hydrogen storage, an FC power generating facility, a house group that uses hydrogen supplied from at least one of the hydrogen source and the hydrogen storage, and a management system that manages hydrogen in the community system. The management system manages hydrogen possession allocated to each house in the house group.

Abstract: A plasma plate is used to minimize drag of a fluid flow over an exposed surface. The plasma plate includes a series of plasma actuators positioned on the surface. Each plasma actuator is made of a dielectric separating a first electrode exposed to a fluid flow and a second electrode separated from the fluid flow under the dielectric. A pulsed direct current power supply provides a first voltage to the first electrode and a second voltage to the second electrode. The series of plasma actuators is operably connected to a bus which distribute powers and is positioned to minimize flow disturbances. The plasma actuators are arranged into a series of linear rows such that a velocity component is imparted to the fluid flow.

Abstract: A pneumatic system includes a fluidic switching module having an air passage and a vent in fluid communication with the air passage. The pneumatic system also includes a sound attenuator coupled to the fluidic switching module, the sound attenuator having a first chamber in fluid communication with the vent, a first orifice in fluid communication with the vent via the first chamber, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber via the first orifice, and a second orifice in fluid communication with the first orifice via the second chamber.

Abstract: Mass flow controllers and methods for controlling mass flow controllers are disclosed. One method includes providing a process gas through a flow sensor of the mass flow controller, obtaining a gas-adjusted sensitivity coefficient for the flow sensor, and obtaining gas-adjusted nonlinearity data for the flow sensor. The method also includes producing gas-adjusted characterization data for the flow sensor using the gas-adjusted sensitivity coefficient and the gas-adjusted nonlinearity data. A flow value from the gas-adjusted characterization data is obtained using a flow sensor signal from the flow sensor, and the flow value is used along with a setpoint signal to control a valve of the mass flow controller.