Abstract: A storm sewer overflow control device for controlling runoff surge flows from a generally vertically oriented storm drain into a generally horizontally oriented storm sewer pipe includes an engagement portion configured for insertion into the storm sewer pipe, a flow control portion attachable to the engagement portion and configured for receiving runoff surge flow flowing down the storm drain and slowing the flow for entry into the storm sewer through the engagement portion. The engagement portion is radially expandable to tightly and frictionally engage an interior surface of the storm sewer pipe, and preferably is configured to expand radially as it is shortened axially.

Abstract: A system for separating a liquid and a gas including a separation vessel (30) with an inlet (28) for a gas/liquid mixture. Outlets (40, 42) for the fluids are disposed at different heights in the vessel. The outlets are controlled by turn-up vortex amplifiers (fluidic valves TuVAs) that include a supply port (40, 42), a control port (36, 38) and an outlet port (48, 50). The control port is supplied from the vessel at an intermediate level between the outlets, so that a change of flow in the control port alters resistence to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A vortex valve flow control includes a housing defining a vortex chamber having an inlet for introducing a liquid into the vortex chamber in a manner to promote swirl and an outlet in one axial end of the vortex chamber. The peripheral wall of the of the vortex chamber, which is situated between the two end walls and surrounds the longitudinal axis of the vortex chamber, has a cylindrical cross-section. The distance between the end walls of the vortex chamber is no more larger than the diameter of the vortex chamber. A mounting device mounts a vortex valve flow control in a drainage gully whereby the outlet of the vortex valve communicates with the outlet from the gully. The mounting device includes a first element being securable to an end wall about the outlet opening and a second element mountable in or adjacent the outlet opening of the gully.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to manufacture a relatively large quantity of living water for a home or business. The apparatus includes a plurality of ampuls longitudinally aligned and connected together to enable the water delivered to the upper ampul to flow in a vortex pattern from the upper ampul to the lower ampul. Each ampul has a water dispensing unit which facilitates the flow of the water in a vortex pattern therein. Each ampul includes a longitudinally aligned neck with several pairs of magnets longitudinally aligned on the neck that create magnetic fields around the water as it flows in a vortex pattern through the neck. The apparatus is designed to be connected to a household water supply system and includes an optional holding tank and control valve.

Abstract: A sub-sea coupling comprises a male probe coupler and a female receiver coupler containing mutually engageable poppet valves which have intermediate valve heads between nose and shank portions which seal with respect to the respective couplers. Each valve has a longitudinal passageway allowing balancing of the poppet valve with respect to external pressure. Further, the poppet valves have substantial equality in effective area between the valve portions and the nose and shank portions so that the poppet valve is substantially balanced with respect to line pressure in the line to which the coupler is connected. The arrangement gives a high resistance to the ingress of sea water to the couplers while substantially avoiding any hydraulic lock or wash-out during make-up and separation of the couplers.

Abstract: There are disclosed three embodiments of a gate valve having a fail safe actuator which is especially useful in a subsea environment at considerably depth below water surface. The gate is urged to open position by control pressure and is moved to closed position, upon loss of a controlled condition, by means of a spring acting between the actuator and the stem. In one embodiment, when the body pressure is low, a floating ring sealably shiftable within an annular space between the stem and actuator is urged by body pressure into a position to engage a stop on the stem, and thus provide a force urging it in a direction to close the gate, when body pressure is below ambient, and by ambient pressure to a position to engage a stop on the actuator when body pressure is above ambient.

Abstract: A containment, such as a glovebox (4), has an air extract system comprising suction means which extracts air from the containment through a vortex amplifier (1) mounted in a containment wall opening (2). The amplifier (1) serves to control the extent of suction extracted from the containment. Air exiting from the amplifier is drawn through a filter (32) removably arranged within a filter tube (31), which extends substantially parallel to the containment wall (3). A transfer passage (29), having a cross-sectional area less than that of the wall opening (2), provides a communication between an outlet side of the amplifier (1) and the filter tube (31). At least an initial portion of the transfer passage (29) extends perpendicularly to the wall. The filter tube (31) has open ends normally closed by covers (40, 41). Removal of the covers (40, 41) enables a clean filter to be installed in the filter tube while ejecting the used filter.

Abstract: A biological fluid transport device comprises a cutwater at the junction of at least two blood flow paths. The cutwater is substantially straight, substantially vertical, or both. At least one of the fluid paths may be tubular, and in some embodiments all of the fluid paths are tubular. The shear sensitive fluid may be, without limitation, blood, blood-based combinations, cell culture media, cell suspensions, proteins, and microcapsule suspensions. The device may be part of an extracorporeal circuit (e.g., blood during heart-lung bypass procedures or blood processing), but it need not be. Preferred embodiments of the device include, without limitation, kinetic pumps, mass transfer devices, filters, reservoirs, and heat exchangers.

Abstract: A precast prerotation basin system for use in a wet well for removing water or fluid therefrom is disclosed which comprises a prefabricated, three-dimensional body having a prerotation basin and fluid entrance channel. The precast prerotation basin presents an improvement over prior methods of forming prerotation basins downhole in a wet well because the basin system of the present invention is prefabricated, easily transportable and can be placed in a wet well without the need for providing a cement casing or floor beforehand. The precast prerotation basin of the present invention is pre-structured for accurate alignment of a centrifugal pump therein and eliminates the cost and inaccuracies of forming prerotation basins from molding cement downhole.

Abstract: A fill-up valve is provided for a riser having a longitudinal axis that is connected at one end to a subsea wellhead and at the other end to a platform of an offshore oil or gas well. The fill-up valve is formed from a gate valve that mounts to an exterior of the riser and occupies a position extending less than the entire transverse periphery of the riser. The gate valve has a transverse profile projecting outward from the exterior of the riser that allows passage of the riser and fill-up valve through confined areas, such as through a rotary table of the well. A flow passage of the gate valve communicates with the interior of the riser to allow water to flow into the interior of the riser.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for the first reduction stage of a two-stage aqualung. The regulator includes an inlet passage connected to a supply of breathable gases at high pressure; an outlet passage for the gases leading to a second stage regulator; a valve between the inlet passage and the outlet passage; the valve including a valve seat provided with central a through passage and a guided shutoff element; a flexing chamber communicating by one end with the surronding environment and closed at the other end by an impermeable and elastically deformable diaphragm; a rod-like member in contact by one end with the diaphragm and extending with clearance by its other end through the central passage of the valve seat up to the shutoff element. The valve means comprising a planar valve seat, and a shutoff element the portion of which, cooperating with the valve seat, is hemispherical sectioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved air feed valve to be attached to an underwater suit, responsive to a water pressure P measured at a selected point A of the underwater suit for permitting air to flow to the inside of the underwater suit at a predetermined flow rate from an associated compressed air cylinder via its primary pressure-reduction valve and tube, thereby keeping the inner air pressure of the underwater suit at a given value. The air feed valve is set for operation so as to feed air at such a flow rate that the inner air pressure of the underwater suit may be kept at a pressure lower than the pressure P-.sub..DELTA. P measured at a position A-X which is closer by a given distance X to the water surface than the selected point A of the underwater suit.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vortex wherein the vortex is typically formed of a fluid injected into a cavity formed in a cup-shaped member. The interior surface of the cup is formed of two discreet sections, a cylindrical section and a hemispherical section. An inlet port provides an ingress for fluid into the cavity. The fluid strikes the hemispherical surface upon entering the cavity and is redirected or diffused such that the fluid forms a vortex. The cylindrical section aids to stabilize the vortex enabling the vortex to extend above the surface of the cup-shaped member prior to degenerating.

Abstract: A hot and cold water faucet having a concave base and hot and cold water outlets in the base which, following the concave curvature, are positioned forwardly of a rearwardly located inlet into the faucet, and thus the water connections from opposite directions to the faucet inlet converge at an angle rather than head-to-head and this contributes to better mixing into a luke warm temperature of the water flowing into the faucet.

Abstract: A compressed gas release system including a compressed gas source, the gas within the source is released as a response to a combination of a predetermined threshold external pressure and a defined chemical environment.

Abstract: A sewage removal device for use with a recreational vehicle. The device is comprised of a housing attachable to the sewage drain conduit of the recreational vehicle. Sewage from the recreational vehicle drains into a cavity in the housing, and a water inlet directs a stream of water through a nozzle into an outlet conduit in the housing. The water stream facilitates removal of sewage as the sewage drains from the recreational vehicle into the cavity of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device with diversion or branching of a pipe flow under pressure with a height-adjustable built-in part and a swirl chamber which tapers from the region of the tangential inlet to the axial outlet of the flow, and is characterized in that, for simultaneous action with virtually any spiral movement distributed over the cross-section and for controlling the pressure distribution in the swirl flow and thus in the axial outlet opening, the built-in part (3) is inserted into the swirl chamber (5) adjustably in its eccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis.

Abstract: A buoyancy control valve assembly for maintaining a diver's neutral buoyancy as the diver descends or ascends by automatically admitting air to or releasing air from the diver's buoyancy compensator. The assembly includes a valve body having a reference air chamber and a piston communicating at one end with the air chamber and at the other end with the water. Annuluses on the piston provide connection of a port leading to the buoyancy compensator either with a source of pressurized air or with a vent port as the diver descends or ascends. At neutral buoyancy, the piston moves to a neutral position, blocking flow through the compensator port. A bleed line with a check valve connects the compensator port with the air chamber, and a vent port in the piston connects the air chamber with the piston vent annulus to permit the appropriate change in the air chamber pressure to allow return of the piston to its neutral position.

Abstract: The regulator comprises a piston (13) comprising a hollow rod (21) extending through an internal partition (6) delimiting a high pressure chamber (3) and an internal chamber (5) and coacting with a valve seat (24) disposed in the high pressure chamber (3) and carried by a closure member (25) mounted in one end (2) of the regulator body. The internal chamber (29) communicates with a lateral chamber (9) formed externally by a membrane (10), the two chambers (9 and 5) being filled with an incompressible fluid (29), typically a silicone oil, transmitting to the piston (13) the ambient pressure. The regulator is useful in respiratory equipment for divers, particularly for divers in cold water.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling having a pressure-equalizing valve in the female coupler body is disclosed. A passage extends between the central bore or receiving chamber and the external surface of the female member. A valve in the passage allows sea water to flow into the annulus during connection or disconnection of the male and female coupling members, thus equalizing the pressure and preventing implosion of seals during disconnection of the coupling members.

Abstract: A vortex chamber fluid pulser selectively produces pressure pulses in fluid flowing therethrough by the alternating insertion and retraction of a flow-disrupting tab into and out of an annular vortex chamber having an inlet and a pair of opposed axial outlets. Insertion of the tab disrupts the normally radial flow of fluid through the chamber and outlets causing the flow to become vortical; retraction of the tab causes a second pressure pulse as the flow returns to radial, sending a sequence of pressure pulses capable of carrying encoded signals to a transducer remotely located in the fluid.

Abstract: A subsea actuator for operating a valve (20) or the like comprises a movable wall member (19) fixed to an axially slidable stem and separating a pressure chamber (2) from a space (3) which is subjected to the hydrostatic pressure of ambient seawater. A selector valve (11) is operable to connect the chamber (2) to a source of pressurised fluid, e.g. a source of pressurised gas (14), or to a drain e.g. connected to atmosphere by a pressure vessel (12) and pipe (15). A blowdown valve (16) and dump valve (13) are provided for ejecting liquid collected in the vessel (12). The space (3) may be connected to an open-bottomed container (17) to provide a gas barrier between the seawater and the interior of the actuator. Supply of pressurised gas to the chamber (2) causes the member (19) to be driven forwards, gas being allowed to flow past the member into the space (3) during this movement to assist the expulsion of water from the container (17) and the expulsion of any contaminants from within the actuator.

Abstract: A vortex valve includes a housing having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends to define a vortex chamber. The sidewall of the housing has a primary tangential inlet through which liquid may enter the vortex chamber in a manner to promote swirl within the vortex chamber and an outlet at one axial end of the vortex chamber. The outlet represents at least 50% of the area of the end of the vortex chamber in which it is situated and in the vortex chamber has a length which is at least one and a half times the diameter of the outlet. The vortex valve requires only a low head to initiate vortex flow.

Abstract: A containment, such as a glovebox (3), includes an extract system comprising an extract suction means, a filter housing (4), and a vortex amplifier (1) controlling the extent of suction by the suction means from the containment, wherein the vortex amplifier is removably mounted in an opening in a wall (2) of the containment, and the filter housing is mounted relative to the containment in such a manner that a filter (22) within the housing can be posted through an opening into the containment.The vortex amplifier is removable for cleaning.The filter housing may be mounted on the exterior of the containment in-line with the opening in which the vortex amplifier is mounted whereby the filter can be posted through the opening in which the vortex amplifier is mounted upon removal of the vortex amplifier.

Abstract: A miniature non-return valve comprises a circular recess with an inlet at its center, an annular groove coaxial with the recess and communicating with the recess at a number of points within the groove, and an outlet duct communicating with the groove. Fluid entering the inlet passes through the recess, the annular groove and the outlet duct substantially unimpeded, whereas fluid entering the outlet duct forms a vortex in the recess so that flow of that fluid to the inlet is inhibited. Control fluid may be fed into the recess to initiate or enhance formation of the vortex. The inlet and the circular recess may be provided in first and second substrates, respectively, and the annular groove and the outlet duct may be provided in a third substrate, all by a micromachining process, the substrates being bonded together in a stack. The substrates may be formed of silicon.

Abstract: A low air warning system for scuba divers in which a pressure switch and an electromagnetic transmitter are positioned at or near the high pressure air supply tank of the scuba diver and a corresponding electromagnetic receiver is positioned on the diver's mask. A plenum extending from the receiver, provides a pair of LED light indicators of two different colors which also oscillate at different frequencies, depending upon the condition of the pressure switch in response to the supply of air in the diver's air supply tank. A unique electromagnetic transmission and receiving system is disclosed which relies upon magnetic induction between a high Q transmitting antenna and a high Q receiving antenna in the form of LC tank circuits. One of the novelties of the present invention is the use of frequency modulation and the use of distinct modulating tone frequencies which produce one or the other of two signals to activate one or the other of two LEDs of different colors and at different activation frequencies.

Abstract: An adjustable regulator of the type having fluid coupling oil within a cavity exposed to ambient pressure and overlying a diaphragm which operates based upon imbalances of said ambient pressure and an intermediate pressure zone on the other side of said diaphragm. The adjustment of the spring on the diaphragm is accomplished by means of a cap screw which is screwed into the sidewalls of the regulator within the cavity holding the oil. The oil is prevented from draining from the cavity by a second diaphragm overlying the oil in the cavity which can flex based upon changes in ambient pressure. The cap screw has a threaded extension in the form of a stem and tool surface on the other side of said stem for turning said cap screw.

Abstract: Aviator harness fittings are pneutically actuated by a central device including a pressurized gas cartridge. A firing pin may mechanically pierce the cartridge or automatic ballistic actuation of the firing pin may be accomplished by SEA WARS gas-generating devices when the latter contacts sea water. The ballistic actuation of the present invention requires two separate SEA WAR gas-generating devices to fire simultaneously thereby minimizing the chance of false actuation.

Abstract: A gas control valve (802) has an inlet needle jet (812) and an outlet (816), the communication between which is controlled by a valve member (808) carried by a rod (807) connected to a diaphragm (804) which divides a chamber (806), open to ambient pressure, from a chamber (805) which has an inlet connected to a buoyancy chamber (100) of buoyancy apparatus in which the valve is incorporated. The inlet (816) is also connected to the buoyancy chamber (100). By the inclusion of an ascent sensing control valve (801) sensing to trigger a venting valve (106), the buoyancy control apparatus is capable of producing hovering in water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for maintaining the gas contained in a submerged enclosure in pressure equilibrium with the outside, comprising a plurality of deformable bags which are immersed at the same time as said enclosure which are filled with gas compressed to different pressures and which communicate with said enclosure via a manifold on which they are connected by automatic three-way valves.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which may alternatively be used as a diverter or as a blowout preventer for a drilling rig. The system comprises a blowout preventer attached above a spool having a hydraulically driven sleeve/piston. An outlet flow passage in the spool, which may be connected to a vent line, is closed off by the sleeve wall when the spool piston is at rest.Hydraulic ports are connected above and below the blowout preventer annular piston and above and below the spool annular piston. The ports below the blowout preventer piston and above the spool piston are in fluid communication with each other. A hydraulic circuit is provided having two valves between a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a drain.

Abstract: A fluidic device, in particular a vortex diode, has a vortex chamber formed by spaced apart end walls and a peripheral side wall. An axial port is provided in one end wall and a further port permitting tangential flow into or out of the chamber is provided in the other end wall.

Abstract: A fluid swivel joint coupling has first and second body members pivotably connected together for pivoting about a swivel axis. The first body member includes an inlet portal, an outlet portal, a diverted fluid passageway opening into the outlet portal and a channel communicating the inlet portal with the diverted passageway. The second body member is pivotably mounted in flow communication with the outlet portal and has a second diverted passageway communicating through a second channel to a third portal. Each channel has an axis of elongation offset from the swivel axis so that fluid may enter the diverted passageway in the first body member tangentially from the first channel and flow therethrough in vortex fashion along the swivel axis into the second diverted passageway and leave the second diverted passageway tangentially to flow out the second channel.

Abstract: A low pressure warning device for use by scuba divers attaches to a fitting on the high pressure stage of the air tank. The warning device has both audible and visual indicators contained in a housing attached adjacent the air pressure gauge. A two stage warning to indicate a first low pressure and a second dangerously low pressure may be provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator for subsea use, which charges itself as it is lowered to the operating depth. The seawater and hydraulic fluid operate against unbalanced pistons (36, 52) with low pressure gas (42) therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for modulating the thrust vector of a rocket motor by injecting t gas into the divergent section of the rocket nozzle and modulating injection of the hot gas by varying the flow from a solid propellant gas generator by controlling its flow rate with a vortex throttling valve arrangement.

Abstract: A device for venting gas from an expansible gas chamber (lifejacket, lifting bag, etc.) of an underwater buoyancy apparatus. The device comprises a monitoring device which monitors the rate of ascent of the expansible gas chamber and provides a control signal when the ascent velocity exceeds a predetermined speed. A venting valve assembly controls the venting of gas from the expansible gas chamber and is responsive to the control signal to vent gas reducing the buoyancy of the expansible gas chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated actuator for a sliding gate valve designed for use in a subsea environment. The actuator includes a manual override system that functions independently of the actuator's hydraulic piston and return spring, an externally accessible valve gate drift adjustment, an externally adjustable upstop for the actuator stem, a stem thread assembly that can be manufactured from a material different from the actuator stem to prevent or reduce the possibility of thread galling, a hydraulic control pressure porting system integral with the hydraulic cylinder to minimize space requirements, and a facility for accommodating an optional external electrical stem position indicator package.

Abstract: A divers two-stage gas reclaim back pressure regulator is described having mutually concentric side-by-side annular first and second chambers interconnected by a central tubular duct one end of which is cooperable with a first stage diaphragm to form a first stage valve. A third chamber for connection to a gas reclaim line is disposed between the first and second stages and communicates with the latter by way of a plurality of radially-increasing-in-size openings through an annular land of convex configuration on which a second diaphragm seats. A biasing compession spring for the second stage is located in the mentioned tubular duct. An auxiliary closure is provided by a valve element carried on the second diaphragm and capable of seating on the second stage end of the duct. The arrangement is compact, demands relatively low exhalation operation pressure and is tolerant of intruding foreign matter.

Abstract: A marine riser safety valve is disclosed which, when placed in series with a deep water marine riser string, prevents collapse of riser pipe when inadvertent gas influx replaces the drilling fluid column. A cylindrical body is provided having a depression formed therein with at least one diaphragm port from the central bore of the body through the wall of the depression. A valve port is provided axially from the depression. A cylindrical member including a cylindrical diaphragm and a valve sleeve are joined end-to-end. The cylindrical member is disposed about the exterior of the body with the elastomeric diaphragm covering the depression and the valve sleeve covering the valve port. When a differential pressure develops across the wall of the diaphragm of a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm constricts into the body depression and moves the valve sleeve axially, opening the valve port to permit sea water influx.

Abstract: The partial vacuum produced at the inlet passage of a vortex chamber is employed to move liquid from one compartment to another in order to maintain the level of liquid in at least one of the compartments within a predetermined level of the liquid in the other compartment. In one embodiment, the vortex unit or other suction means develops a partial vacuum at the maximum height of a siphon tube extending between the two chambers, the vacuum drawing fluid from both or at least one of the chambers to the top of the tube thus initiating siphoning. A sump pump having a negative pressure insufficient to lift the liquid to the maximum height of the siphon tube is employed to deliver liquid to a load and concurrently to the vortex unit to establish the required partial vacuum to initiate siphoning.

Abstract: Apparatus for not only removing fluids from a slurry system but also for injecting fluid into the slurry system so that the concentration can be positively maintained. The apparatus provides for a uniform dilution of slurry so that the fluids will not segregate the slurry causing portions to have low concentration when fluids are added or portions which have high concentration when fluids are removed.

Abstract: A device for automatically opening a gas supply valve when the device reaches a predetermined depth, e.g. when diving, has a gas reservoir, a pressure sensing means providing a control signal when the ambient pressure exceeds that of the gas reservoir, and a supply valve which is opened upon receipt of that signal. A preferred embodiment has a flexible diaphragm exposed at its faces respectively to the ambient pressure and to the gas reservoir pressure, and arranged to move an actuator which acts directly or indirectly on the gas supply valve. Underwater buoyancy apparatus, for use for example by a diver, has a buoyancy chamber to which as can be supplied to alter buoyancy, and the device is incorporated between a gas supply and the buoyancy chamber to give automatic increase of buoyancy when a predetermined depth is reached.

Abstract: A deep diving breathing system in which a breathable gas mixture is circulated through a diving helmet by a push-pull pump includes an inlet flow control valve, an outlet gas flow regulator valve, and a bleed valve. The bleed valve operates in response to the pressure of gas flowing from the outlet gas flow regulator valve to bleed gas from a gas supply line upstream of the inlet flow control valve. The system facilitates diving operations from a diving bell at a range of depths and recovery of helium in a helium-oxygen breathing gas mixture.

Abstract: Provided is an underwater pressure regulator comprising a high and a low pressure chamber, an inlet to the high pressure chamber and at least one outlet port associated with the low pressure chamber. A valve assembly including a valve seat is interposed between the high and low pressure chambers to control the flow of air between the chambers. A coil spring maintains the valve in open position when pressure in the low pressure chamber decreases. An oil reservoir responds to ambient water pressure via a flexible diaphragm to maintain the outlet pressure, i.e., the secondary pressure at a constant level above the ambient pressure at different depths. A piercing member serves to perforate the diaphragm upon excessive expansion of the latter due to high pressure leakage within the regulator system, oil being discharged, under pressure, through the perforated diaphragm, whereupon the regulator then becomes a conventional water-filled unit.

Abstract: In a rotary compressor unit including a compressor comprising a rotor rotatable in a cylinder, a blade in contact with an outer surface of the rotor and reciprocated thereby in a radial direction in a closed chamber formed in the cylinder, the chamber being defined by longitudinally spaced apart end plates on both sides of the cylinder, suction and discharge and passages opening through the end plates into the closed chamber, and a check valve provided at least in the suction passage, the check valve comprises a fluid diode.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises means for regulating intermittent flow of respiratory fluid to a patient during oxygen therapy. The invention utilizes laminar fluidic elements in the control circuit for regulating the operation of an oxygen flow valve.

Abstract: Regulation of the oxygen partial pressure in the closed respiratory circuit of a diver. A sample of the gas mixture of the circuit is continuously taken and is passed into the monitor chamber (2) where its oxygen partial pressure is measured and an electrical control signal is generated if the measured pressure falls below a reference value. The signal is used to trigger an injection to the diver (4) of a defined amount of an oxygen-rich gas mixture. Application to dives in deep water.

Abstract: Apparatus for dissipating the pressure of a confined fluid has a housing with a sidewall in a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration with a top and bottom. Inlet means is formed into the sidewall so that the axis of the inlet is tangent to a diameter of the sidewall. An outlet extends through the bottom and an opening extends through the top. High pressure fluids entering the inlet form a vortex around the sidewall and between the top and the bottom and pass out the outlet under low pressure. Air is introduced through the openings in the top to prevent cavitation within the housing. A device may be coupled to the outlet to reduce the velocity of the fluids leaving the outlet.

Abstract: A weapon is provided with means to buffer the recoil which is produced when the weapon is fired. The buffer includes a fluidic device having a first and a second chamber. During recoil, a compressive force is applied to the fluid in the first chamber and flow from the first chamber to the second chamber is restricted by a fluidic diode in relationship to the pressure differential between the first and second chamber. On counter recoil, the fluid flows from the second chamber to the first chamber in an essentially unrestricted manner. The level of flow restriction by the fluidic diode is greater at high pressure differentials than at low pressure differentials.