Abstract: Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Abstract: Venturi devices are disclosed herein that include a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section, having a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap, a gate valve linearly translatable to open and close the Venturi gap, and an actuator connected to the gate valve to operatively move the gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The gate valve, in a longitudinal cross-section, is generally U-shaped, thereby having continuous, opposing sides that one each close the motive outlet and the discharge inlet and defining a void between the opposing sides that is in fluid communication with the suction port. The converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, and the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet.

Abstract: Venturi devices are disclosed that have a housing defining a conduit having a Venturi gap. Downstream of and bypassing the Venturi gap is a bypass check valve that defines an internal cavity having a first seat, a second seat, an inlet port, at least two outlet ports, and a seal member seated therein that is translatable between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat. The two outlet ports of the bypass check valve enter the conduit at opposing positions disposed a distance from a top of the conduit, which is located at a midsagittal plane of the housing. Further, a transition from a tapering section downstream of the Venturi gap and upstream of each of the two outlet ports to a discharge section downstream of the two outlet ports forms a gradually, continuously tapering interior surface of the conduit.

Abstract: Fluidic diodes are disclosed that have a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a divided fluid passageway therebetween defined by mirror image partitions generally tear-drop shaped spaced apart a first distance from one another by a constant width primary fluid pathway with the tip thereof pointed generally toward the outlet and spaced apart a second distance from an interior wall of the housing to define a constant width secondary fluid pathway. Fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is through the primary fluid pathway with some additional flow through the secondary fluid pathways joining the primary fluid pathway proximate the outlet for flow together in the same direction, and fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet through the secondary fluid pathways exits the secondary fluid pathways into the primary fluid pathway, proximate the inlet, in a direction substantially opposite the flow in the primary fluid pathway.

Abstract: A latching solenoid gate valve is disclosed, and includes a housing defining a conduit having a flow path therethrough and a cavity separating the conduit into a first section and a second section. The latching solenoid assembly also includes a gate assembly enclosed within the cavity of the housing and a first solenoid assembly and a second solenoid assembly seated within the cavity with the gate assembly linearly translatable therebetween. The gate assembly includes a first gate member comprising magnetizable material and defining an opening therethrough. The first gate member is linearly movable within the cavity between an open position with the opening aligned with the conduit and a closed position with the opening out of alignment with the conduit. The first gate member is moved linearly from either the open position or the closed position.

Abstract: Venturi devices and systems incorporating the Venturi devices are disclosed. The Venturi devices have a body defining a passageway that has a motive section and a discharge section spaced a distance apart from one another to define a Venturi gap. Both the motive section and the discharge section converge toward the Venturi gap. Also, the body defines a first suction port and a second suction port generally opposite one another that are each in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is generally wider proximate both the first suction port and the second suction port than at a generally central point therebetween. In a system, the Venturi device has its motive section fluidly connected to a source of motive pressure and one or both of the first and second suction ports in fluid communication with a device requiring vacuum.

Abstract: Check valves are disclosed that have a housing defining an internal cavity having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication therewith, and having a first seat defined by a first elastomeric V-ring seal and a second seat. and a check valve plate within the internal cavity that is translatable, in response to pressure differentials, between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat within the internal cavity of the housing. The first elastomeric V-ring seal includes a body having an interference fit to an annular channel defined by the housing and a lip extending from the body in a direction that defines a generally V-shaped void, viewed in cross-section, opening in a direction away from and generally perpendicular to the flow through the elastomeric V-ring seal into the internal cavity.

Abstract: An engine system having a flowpath between a junction upstream of a turbocharger and an intake manifold that includes an ejector and an aspirator connected in parallel relative to one another within the flowpath is disclosed. The motive flow through the ejector is in the opposite direction relative to the direction of the motive flow through the aspirator, and both the ejector and the aspirator have a suction port fluidly coupled to a device requiring vacuum. The engine system also includes a first check valve disposed in control of the motive flow through the ejector and a second check valve disposed in control of the motive flow through the aspirator and may also include a control valve in fluid communication within the flowpath upstream or downstream of the ejector and the aspirator that controls the flow into and/or out of both thereof.

Abstract: Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Abstract: Venturi devices are disclosed that have a housing defining a conduit having a Venturi gap. Downstream of and bypassing the Venturi gap is a bypass check valve that defines an internal cavity having a first seat, a second seat, an inlet port, at least two outlet ports, and a seal member seated therein that is translatable between a closed position against the first seat and an open position against the second seat. The two outlet ports of the bypass check valve enter the conduit at opposing positions disposed a distance from a top of the conduit, which is located at a midsagittal plane of the housing. Further, a transition from a tapering section downstream of the Venturi gap and upstream of each of the two outlet ports to a discharge section downstream of the two outlet ports forms a gradually, continuously tapering interior surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between first and second gate members that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof, which collectively form a passage through the sprung gate. The first gate member includes a fastener connected to a fastener receiving member of the second gate member thereby securing the first and second gate members together as a unit. This sprung gate unit is operatively connected to an actuator for linear translation within a pocket of a conduit to control fluid flow through the conduit. This assembled device may be manufactured using spin welding to sealingly mate the conduit to a housing enclosing the actuator.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated vacuum pump is disclosed. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump includes a body. The body defines at least two converging motive sections each having an outlet end, at least two diverging discharge sections each having an inlet end, and at least one Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is located between the outlet ends of the at least two converging motive sections and the inlet ends of the at least two diverging discharge sections.

Abstract: Recirculation systems for engine intake air are disclosed having a turbocharger compressor with an inlet and an outlet, a recirculation pathway connecting fluid flow from the outlet of the turbocharger compressor to fluid flow into the inlet of the turbocharger compressor, and a recirculation valve assembly controlling fluid flow through the recirculation pathway. The recirculation valve assembly includes an actuator operating a valve coupled to an aspirator assembly that produces vacuum when the fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the inlet to the outlet and when fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet. Fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet when the turbocharger generates boost. The vacuum generated by the aspirator assembly is in fluid communication with the actuator to move the valve between two or more positions.

Abstract: Engine systems have an air induction system, a turbocharger in fluid communication with an intake manifold, an evacuator defining a Venturi gap with a suction port in fluid communication therewith, a relief valve enclosing a piston and defining an inlet and an outlet in selective fluid communication with one another, and a storage tank of high pressure air in fluid communication with the evacuator. The relief valve has a valve element connected to the piston, and the piston divides the housing into a pressurized chamber in fluid communication with the suction port of the evacuator and a bypass portion in fluid communication with the inlet, which is in fluid communication with the compressed air from the turbocharger, and the outlet, which is in fluid communication with the air induction system or atmosphere. A discharge cone of the evacuator is in fluid communication with atmosphere or the air induction system.

Abstract: Fluidic diodes are disclosed that have a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a divided fluid passageway therebetween defined by mirror image partitions generally tear-drop shaped spaced apart a first distance from one another by a constant width primary fluid pathway with the tip thereof pointed generally toward the outlet and spaced apart a second distance from an interior wall of the housing to define a constant width secondary fluid pathway. Fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is through the primary fluid pathway with some additional flow through the secondary fluid pathways joining the primary fluid pathway proximate the outlet for flow together in the same direction, and fluid flow from the outlet to the inlet through the secondary fluid pathways exits the secondary fluid pathways into the primary fluid pathway, proximate the inlet, in a direction substantially opposite the flow in the primary fluid pathway.