Abstract: A vortex amplifier having a vortex chamber is included in a fluid flow line. A sensor in the fluid flow line upstream of the vortex chamber and operable in response to changes in the fluid flow controls a valve in a further flow line for introducing a control fluid into the vortex chamber. The arrangement results in an automatic control in the fluid flow line.

Abstract: There is provided a vortex-valve which comprises a housing defining a vortex chamber, a housing having an inlet through which liquid may enter the vortex chamber in manner to promote swirl within the vortex chamber and an outlet at one axial end of the vortex chamber. A wall of the housing is provided with an opening which is normally closed by a closure, this closure being operable between the closed position and an open position in which liquid may enter the vortex chamber by-passing the inlet. The vortex-valve may be provided at the outlet of a gully and is useful in enabling a blockage, which may occur at the inlet of the vortex-valve, to be by-passed, thereby draining any accumulated liquid in the gully. The blockage may then be removed when the gully is relatively dry.

Abstract: A vortex amplifier functions as a choke valve to control flow in a flow line from, for example, a gas or oil well. The vortex amplifier is arranged in the flow line such that flow passes radially through the vortex amplifier to emerge at an axial port. A control flow is introduced tangentially into the vortex amplifier along a line by a pump. The pump is regulated by a transducer responsive to signals generated by the flow in the flow line.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical amplifier driven actuator spool has first and second vortex chambers divided by an internal piston. A shaft is attached to the pistion and extends out the cylinder. Fluid logic controls the fluid flow in the vortex chambers so that the resulting chamber pressure causes the piston to accelerate. The use of beam deflection amplifiers for fluid control in connection with a push-pull vortex amplifier arrangement results in a device with low fluid flow leakage.

Abstract: Fluidics flow control of a multiphase supply using a cylindrical chamber is achieved by introducing the supply flow radially into the chamber. The supply flow exits through a port in the center at the chamber. A control fluid is then introduced tangentially about 90.degree. upstream from the supply port. A second control fluid port may be added about 90.degree. upstream from the first control fluid port, but preferably two sets of supply and control ports are added with like ports diametrically opposite each other. The control fluid flows against the circular wall of the control chamber, which introduces a vortex in the flow of the supply flow that decays into a spiral path to the exit port in the center of the chamber. The control flow rate may thus be used to control the spiral path, and therefore the supply flow rate through the exit port.

Abstract: A flow rate controller including a braking chamber having an essentially centrally arranged outlet aperture and is adapted to receive, through a peripheral opening within the braking chamber, a liquid flow to be controlled, in order to brake the liquid by causing it to rotate within the braking chamber.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of gas emerging from the outlet of a fluidic vortex valve, the method comprising feeding a supply fluid to an inlet of the vortex chamber associated with the fluidic vortex valve whereby a supply gas flow is injected into the vortex chamber in a substantially radial direction, feeding in a controlled manner via a valve member a control fluid to a second inlet of the vortex chamber whereby a control fluid flow is injected into the vortex chamber in a substantially tangential direction wherein the improvement lies in providing that the control fluid is in the form of a liquid monopropellant at least until after it has flowed past the valve member, and providing means for igniting the liquid monopropellant thereafter to generate the control gas flow in the vortex chamber.

Abstract: In variable air volume systems of buildings, a vortex valve is used for varying the volume of the air moving through the system.

Abstract: In an eddy current brake for controlling quantitative flow in a water line and with a brake housing in the shape of lying frustum of a cone with an outlet opening in the narrow end and an inlet opening downwardly on the large end face there is disposed a guide vane opposite the inlet opening within the housing, said guide vane being rotatable about the axis of the housing by means of an exterior adjustment lever between a position in which it closes the inlet, and a position in which it is disposed completely outside the inlet region and thus allows free flow. In intermediate positions the guide vane deflects the in flowing stream of water toward the frusto-conical wall so that the water, when the pressure head exceeds a certain valve, is caused to rotate about the axis of the housing to produce the desired brake effect. This effect can be varied by adjustment of the guide vane. Its deflecting effect permits the inlet spout and outlet spout of the brake housing to be disposed in elongation of each other.

Abstract: An opposing vortex oscillator is used to control the frequency and duty cycle of a high-frequency jet ventilator for trauma management in acute and uncontrolled situations where no power other than the pressure of the ventilation gas itself is available. Frequency adjustment is achieved by connecting variable volumes to one inlet of the oscillator while duty cycle control is achieved by supplying fluid to one inlet of the oscillator through a variable-orifice bias control valve. Safety means are provided to automatically disable the ventilator in case of airway blockage.

Abstract: A fluidic pulsing device is disclosed which comprises at least one fluid lifier and several vortex valve restrictors. One or more amplifiers direct fluid flow to the several vortex valves, which are arranged in parallel fashion. Such an arrangement allows for optimization of design geometries, and therefore, optimization of performance, despite the fact that the physical dimensions of the apparatus may be severely restricted.

Abstract: A fluidic control device, in particular a vortex amplifier, comprises a casing having fluid inlet, outlet and control ports. A vortex chamber is formed within the casing by a plate which is spaced from a wall of the casing by members which each define a part of the periphery of the vortex chamber. Each member has a channel in communication with a respective control port for introducing control fluid flow into the vortex chamber. An aperture is formed in the plate adjacent each channel to divert a portion of the control flow to the opposite side of the plate and facing the inlet port whereby to reduce instability over the operating range of the amplifier.

Abstract: A high capacity fluidic valve is disclosed which is useful for creating psure pulses in a drill string for communicating diagnostic information from the bottom of a well bore to the surface during drilling. The device of the present invention comprises essentially a vortex chamber having an element therein which is capable of rapidly changing the flow through the chamber from radial to vortical. Flow throttling action in the valve is produced by the vortical flow in the chamber, thereby producing pressure pulses in the fluid stream flowing through the valve.

Abstract: A liquid telemetry system is disclosed useful for transmitting data through a fluid body by means of pulses in the fluid. To generate the pulses in the fluid the system utilizes a bi-stable fluid amplifier in conjunction with a vortex valve. Control input signals direct the flow of fluid from the bi-stable amplifier into the vortex valve in such manner as to selectively impede the flow of fluid through the vortex valve. The resulting changes in fluid flow rates generate pulses within the fluid body.

Abstract: A telemetry system is disclosed which utilizes a fluid feedback oscillator n conjunction with a flow restricting device in order to generate pulses in a fluid. Means are provided to turn the oscillator on or off or to vary the frequency of oscillation, thereby permitting the transmission of information by means of the fluid pulses.

Abstract: The method of operation of a vortex chamber which has a fluid connection which can be controlled at times to send fluid from the chamber to a cavity, containing a movable mass, and which can allow fluid to travel from the cavity through the same fluid connection into the chamber to later exit from the vortex chamber exit is disclosed. The vortex chamber, in a preferred embodiment, has a tangential power fluid input, an output at the center, and a radial combined input-output communicating with the movable mass container. The vortex chamber is used to reduce pressure at the fluid output when and only when control fluid input enters the chamber at the fluid input. Exhaust fluid from the movable mass container can easily pass radially through the vortex chamber to its output.

Abstract: A vortex-diode check valve comprises a short cylindrical working chamber with an axial inlet port entering axially through a first end wall at a short distance from the central portion of a second end wall and a tangential outlet port exiting tangentially through a circular side wall. The ratio of fluid flow resistances, between flows in the reverse and forward directions, is markedly increased by configuring at least one end wall as a flexible resilient diaphragm, permitting relative motion between the second end wall and the axial inlet port.

Abstract: A substantially funnel-shaped vortex chamber valve having a longitudinal axis assuming an angle to the vertical which is greater than 30.degree., having at least one substantially tangential inlet nozzle disposed in the vicinity of the lowest point of the largest cross-sectional area of the chamber, and an eccentrically arranged venting port disposed in the vicinity of the highest point of the chamber, the venting port having a feedline extending above the level of the head race.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator controls the amount of fluid flow or pressure of the fluid flowing through the regulator by producing an impedance to flow through the regulator which varies in relationship to the pressure differential across the regulator and which also varies in relationship to an acceleration in the fluid flowing through the regulator. The regulator has a shape which produces an acceleration in the fluid flowing through the regulator to cause the flow itself to vary the impedance to flow through the regulator.In a specific embodiment the fluid flow regulator is a vortex chamber and can be used as a replacement for existing, mechanical PCV valves for internal combustion engines. The flow regulator of the present invention provides a variable orifice valve function without any moving parts.

Abstract: Pressurized motive fluid flow passes through a single fluidic vortex orifice to opposite chambers of a differential area, double acting, linear servo-cylinder. While shifting in one direction the vortex orifice severely restricts the flow to the fluid chamber of the motor which is contracting in size so as to permit rapid movement of the piston in that direction, and whenever the piston is moving in an opposite direction the vortex orifice allows substantially unrestricted fluid flow to the same chamber which is now expanding in size, so that the piston can shift rapidly in this opposite direction.

Abstract: A flow device for interaction with a fluid stream to control its direction comprises a conduit system which includes a cavity in communication with an inlet for the stream and at least one outlet for the stream. Controllable flexible means co-operative with the cavity are provided for interaction with the stream and function to deflect the stream in one direction or the other from its entering direction as it leaves the cavity. The fluid stream can be selectively directed into one or the other of two separate outlets, or a single outlet can be combined with a vortex arrangement so as to enable one to select the direction of rotation of the stream about the axis of the vortex.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the flow rate of a fluid, comprising a casing having an annular or cone-shaped fluid passage, for radial flow (inwardly or outwardly) between an inlet and outlet which are spaced radially and form unobstructed flow paths to the whole of the fluid passage. The geometry of the fluid passage is defined for a compressible and incompressible fluid so that laminar flow is achieved in the fluid passage. The apparatus further provides a very rapid dynamic response, essentially free of hysteresis, and substantially no internal generation of fluid flow turbulence resulting in a minimum of noise and freedom from cavitation. In an adjustable configuration the apparatus provides a proportional fluid valving function. In a nonadjustable configuration the apparatus provides a laminar flow restriction.

Abstract: An oscillating liquid nozzle, for use in producing foam for fires, having a fluidic oscillating device attached to the nozzle exit with a pair of inner wall members spaced from the nozzle exit to form control ports. Outer wall members connect to the nozzle body and have scoop members positioned at their forward end which extend into the flow forward of the inner wall members to return a portion of the flow to the control ports and cause oscillation of the liquid stream leaving the nozzle exit.

Abstract: A fluid metering and flow dividing valve is provided which is particularly adapted for use in a fuel distribution system associated with a gas turbine engine and includes first and second variable area valves. Each valve is comprised of a movable shoe member and a stationary plate member cooperating in sliding frictional engagement to define a variable fluid flow area. A shaft interconnects each movable shoe member and is selectively translatable by actuating means responsive to signal means to effect movement of the movable shoe members to thereby vary the variable fluid flow areas.

Abstract: A null adjustable vortex rate sensor which enables the precise control and elocation of the stagnation point of the fluid stream with respect to the null line of the pickoff located within said chamber. The null adjustable vortex rate sensor is a vortex rate sensor with a fixed position pickoff and a fixed position drain, a rod being concentrically located in the drain and extended from the drain into the chamber. The horizontal adjustability of this rod inside the drain controls the location of the stagnation point at the pickoff within the chamber very precisely thus enabling one to approximately choose the location of the pickoff member and by means of the rod mechanism located in the drain move and adjust the stagnation point to obtain a null output at the fixed position of the pickoff. The pickoff provides a differential pressure signal which is a function of the angular rate of rotation of the chamber in inertial space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid-distribution apparatus in which one main fluid inlet flow is divided substantially equally between a number of outlets for example as the feeding of a plurality of burners on a gas turbine engine from a single fuel supply. At low total flow rates the difference in height of the various outlets can adversely effect the equality of distribution of liquid between the outlets and it is known to provide a restrictor in series with each outlet to improve the flow division between the outlets. However, where there is a large range of flow rates, the simple restrictors which are effective at low flow rates will cause a very substantial pressure loss at high flow rates. Further a simple restrictor essentially involves a passage of small cross-section which can become blocked by solid particles within the liquid.