Abstract: A non-electromechanical, pumpless liquid recirculation system for adiabatic pre-cooling and evaporative heat exchange systems featuring an ejector device including motive fluid nozzle and an annular recirculating fluid chamber surrounding the nozzle. Motive make-up liquid under pressure is expelled from the nozzle into a mixing chamber. Recirculating fluid is introduced to and entrained with the motive make-up liquid at the outlet of the nozzle, and the motive force of the make-up liquid forces the combined make-up liquid and recirculating liquid out through the outlet of the ejector device to a water distribution system for the heat exchange system.

Abstract: A micro-sized structure and construction method for a fluidic oscillator wash or spray nozzle (100 or 250) has a nozzle housing (110 or 252) enclosing an interior cavity (112 or 262) which receives an insert (114 or 254) having internal fluid passages defining first and second power nozzles (120, 122 or 280, 282). The power nozzles receive pressurized fluid (130) flowing through the interior cavity of the housing, where the fluid flows into the cavity at the bottom of the housing and flows upwardly to inlets (140, 142) for the power nozzles so that accelerating first and second fluid flows are aimed by the power nozzles toward one another in an interaction region (154 or 284) which exhausts laterally along a spray axis through a horn-shaped throat defined partly within the insert and partly within the flared spray outlet orifice (160 or 290) defined through the sidewall (162) in the housing.

Abstract: A clog resistant online vortex emitter assembly and method uses a double-sided circuit and a series of vortex chambers of optimized dimensions to create a pressure drop with large dimensions and good clog resistance. The vortex emitter allows for pressure regulation without moving parts and includes a unitary body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a multi-lumen flow channel providing fluid communication between the first surface and the second surface, wherein said unitary body is a double-sided circuit with a plurality of vortex chambers with lumens aligned in series. The vortex chamber includes an inlet region, a power nozzle, an interaction region and a throat, the inlet region is in fluid communication with the interaction region through the power nozzle. The plurality of vortex chambers includes dimensions to create a pressure drop and be attached to an outer surface of an irrigation tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated or remotely controlled methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying soiled external 2-D or 3-D image sensor surfaces such as objective lenses on Light Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) sensors when mounted in a configuration that is exposed to dirty environments.

Abstract: The invention relates to various low flow rate fluidic nozzle inserts having a reverse mushroom-shaped mushroom insert geometry that are useful for a wide range of spraying and cleaning applications. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to fluidic nozzle inserts that are able to perform at low flow rates with geometrical and dimensional limitations. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to compact fluidic nozzle inserts that provide a manner by which to attain a desired level of performance in a fluidic nozzle assembly for small scale applications at low flow rates.

Abstract: A clog resistant in-line vortex emitter and drip irrigation assembly and method uses a double-sided circuit and a series of vortex chambers of optimized dimensions to create a pressure drop with large dimensions and good clog resistance. The vortex chamber 100 also allows for a lower exponent than traditional circuits. This gives a pressure regulating property to the no-moving-parts circuit. The vortex emitter allows for some pressure regulation without sacrificing recyclability or requiring moving parts. The vortex circuit of the present disclosure is optimized for an emitter efficiency Ef value wherein Ef=(k/Ackt)*Amin such that k is a unitless head loss coefficient, Ackt is the area of the circuit, and Amin is the minimum cross sectional area of the circuit. A higher k per a given area with larger dimensions allows for a smaller part with a lower chance of clogging.

Abstract: A conformal, cup-shaped fluidic oscillator spray nozzle member (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is configured to generate one or more oscillating sprays from fluid flowing into a substantially open proximal end and distally into a substantially closed distal end wall with one or more centrally located orifices defined therein. A multi-input, multi-output cup-shaped fluidic oscillator (200, 300, 400) is configured to generate a selected fluid spray from a plurality of (e.g., 2-8) fluid product inlets which are configured in interacting pairs and feed into a common interaction region of the fluidic nozzle geometry. Optionally, an outlet “A” can be positioned in the interaction region and allow for air entrainment into the interaction region or external oscillating spray streams to generate a foamed spray of fluid product.

Abstract: A clog resistant in-line vortex emitter and drip irrigation assembly and method uses a double-sided circuit and a series of vortex chambers of optimized dimensions to create a pressure drop with large dimensions and good clog resistance. The vortex chamber 100 also al lows for a lower exponent than traditional circuits. This gives a pressure regulating property to the no-moving-parts circuit. The vortex emitter allows for some pressure regulation without sacrificing recyclability or requiring moving parts. The vortex circuit of the present disclosure is optimized for an emitter efficiency Ef value wherein Ef=(k/Ackt)*Amin such that k is a unitless head loss coefficient, Ackt is the area of the circuit, and Amin is the minimum cross sectional area of the circuit. A higher k per a given area with larger dimensions allows for a smaller part with a lower chance of clogging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated or remotely controlled methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying soiled external 2-D or 3-D image sensor surfaces such as objective lenses on Light Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) sensors when mounted in a configuration that is exposed to dirty environments.

Abstract: A vacuum generator/amplifier system for gas applications and a brake booster generation method uses a vacuum amplifier system including a multi-lumen defining member comprising a modified venturi geometry having a converging section leading to a throat (lumen segment of minimum ID diameter), followed by a straight section culminating in to a diverging section and a port for output vacuum which is located after the throat at the beginning of the straight section. The converging section has a sinusoidal shape leading to the point of convergence, also called the throat, with a minimum internal lumen diameter D, and generates an amplified vacuum at the output with a gain ratio of four to one, with substantially reduced parasitic losses, even at low flows.

Abstract: Spray nozzle assembly (300) is configured to generate a swirled spray (312) with improved rotating velocity w and smaller uniform droplet size. Cup-shaped nozzle member (300) has a body portion (318) with a cylindrical side wall (320) surrounding a central longitudinal spray axis (322), a circular closed end wall (324) and an exit aperture (310) coaxial with the spray axis (322) and defined through the end wall (324). A fluid dynamic circuit (330) is formed in an inner surface (326) of end wall (324) and includes three inwardly tapered power nozzles (302, 304, 306) terminating in an interaction region (308) which is exhausted via the exit aperture (310). The power nozzles have respective longitudinal axes (334, 362, 382) offset with respect to the spray axis (322) with corresponding non-tangential angles of attack (352, 374, 394) configured to efficiently cause a fluid vortex in interaction region (308).

Abstract: A miniature low-flow, fluid conserving washer nozzle has an elongated housing enclosing an interior volume aligned along an inlet axis which receives an elongated insert member with internal fluid passages defining first and second power nozzles, so that accelerating first and second fluid flows are aimed by the first and second power nozzles toward one another in an interaction region defined within the insert with an insert throat to aim spray laterally or transversely along a spray axis through an aligned sidewall aperture in the nozzle housing. The nozzle may generate a planar oscillating sweeping fan of spray, produced by fluidic oscillations at low flow rates, typically 150-300 ml/min at 25 psi. The fan of spray generated may be varied from 20° to 70° or about 15°-60°. The outer dimensions of spray head could be as small as 3.5 mm. The fluidic geometry is also capable of spraying high viscosity liquids up to 25 CP or up to 15 CP.

Abstract: Provided is a PCV valve assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that allows for the flow of combustion fluid/gas to flow between an inlet and an outlet and switch between two modes of operation, (i) a radial or high flow mode, and (ii) a tangential or low flow mode, as dictated during the operation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valve assembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing high flow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increases, the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switch modes. This may be enabled due to the shape of the fluidic geometry and the bypass channel which is adapted to vary the amount of flow between a first and a second control ports. The bypass channel allows the geometric fluidic pattern to switch between the high flow mode and the low flow mode.

Abstract: Provided is a PCV valve assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that allows for the flow of combustion fluid/gas to flow between an inlet and an outlet and switch between two modes of operation, (i) a radial or high flow mode, and (ii) a tangential or low flow mode, as dictated during the operation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valve assembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing high flow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increases, the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switch modes. This may be enabled due to the shape of the fluidic geometry and the bypass channel which is adapted to vary the amount of flow between a first and a second control ports. The bypass channel allows the geometric fluidic pattern to switch between the high flow mode and the low flow mode.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a fluidic oscillator 100 operating on a pressurized fluid to generate an oscillating spray of fluid droplets, and the oscillator aims fluid jets from first, second and third power nozzles 114A, 114B, 114C into an interaction chamber 118 and toward an upwardly projecting island protuberance 126 defining first, second and third island wall segments. The outermost jets 114A, 114B are aimed at an obtuse angle of 100 to 140 degrees along axes which intersect beyond the island at a Jet intersection point, J1. The upstream end of interaction chamber 118 is defined by first and second laterally offset concave wall surfaces 142, 152 which define left side and right side vortex generating areas so that fluid jet steering vortices may be alternately formed and then displaced distally and shed to steer the fluid jet laterally within interaction chamber 118.

Abstract: Provided is a bi-directional PCV valve assembly, system and method. The bi-directional PCV valve may include a fluidic geometry that allows for a flow of fluid a high flow rate in one direction, forward flow, and a low flow rate in the opposite direction, reverse flow. The reverse flow includes a swirling flow that increases the pressure drop and reduces the flow rate to a third of the flow rate of the forward flow. The disclosed assembly produces a strong swirling flow (vortex) in the reverse direction and an efficient (low pressure drop) flow in the forward direction.

Abstract: A miniature low-flow, fluid conserving washer nozzle has an elongated housing enclosing an interior volume aligned along an inlet axis which receives an elongated insert member with internal fluid passages defining first and second power nozzles, so that accelerating first and second fluid flows are aimed by the first and second power nozzles toward one another in an interaction region defined within the insert with an insert throat to aim spray laterally or transversely along a spray axis through an aligned sidewall aperture in the nozzle housing. The nozzle may generate a planar oscillating sweeping fan of spray, produced by fluidic oscillations at low flow rates, typically 150-300 ml/min at 25 psi. The fan of spray generated may be varied from 20° to 70° or about 15°-60°. The outer dimensions of spray head could be as small as 3.5 mm. The fluidic geometry is also capable of spraying high viscosity liquids up to 25 CP or up to 15 CP.

Abstract: A vacuum generator/amplifier system for gas applications and a brake booster generation method uses a vacuum amplifier system including a multi-lumen defining member comprising a modified venturi geometry having a converging section leading to a throat (lumen segment of minimum ID diameter), followed by a straight section culminating in to a diverging section and a port for output vacuum which is located after the throat at the beginning of the straight section. The converging section has a sinusoidal shape leading to the point of convergence, also called the throat, with a minimum internal lumen diameter D, and generates an amplified vacuum at the output with a gain ratio of four to one, with substantially reduced parasitic losses, even at low flows.

Abstract: A nozzle and spray dispenser for generating a uniform substantially flat fan spray pattern when spraying high viscosity fluids (i.e., oils, lotions, cleaning liquids, shear-thinning liquids and gels and similar Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids having viscosities of 10-100 cP) is configured with an exit orifice 134 defining multiple lip segments 150A, 150B, 150C. Cup-shaped nozzle member 100 has a cylindrical side wall 102 surrounding a central longitudinal axis and has a circular closed end wall with at least one exit aperture passing through the end wall 112. At least one enhanced exit orifice structure is formed in an inner surface of the end wall, and includes two to five lip segments of selected width defining edges at the orifice 134, where each edge segment is defined at the distal edge of a separate and distinct interior wall segment 160A, 160B, 160C which has a selected wall convergence angle ?.

Abstract: Provided is a PCV valve assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that allows for the flow of combustion fluid/gas to flow between an inlet and an outlet and switch between two modes of operation, (i) a radial or high flow mode, and (ii) a tangential or low flow mode, as dictated during the operation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valve assembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing high flow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increases, the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switch modes. This may be enabled due to the shape of the fluidic geometry and the bypass channel which is adapted to vary the amount of flow between a first and a second control ports. The bypass channel allows the geometric fluidic pattern to switch between the high flow mode and the low flow mode.