Abstract: A microfluidic device for the splitting or sequencing of fluid flow includes a plurality of upstream and/or downstream chambers coupled via microfluidic channels. For splitting fluid, a substrate is provided that includes a main chamber and a plurality of downstream sub-chambers. Each sub-chamber is associated with a sealable vent hole. Fluid is selectively moved into the desired sub-chamber of interest by unsealing its associated vent hole. Fluid is then pumped into the sub-chamber, for example, by rotating the substrate. For flow sequencing, a substrate is provided that includes a plurality of upstream chambers coupled to at least one downstream chamber. Each upstream chamber has an associated vent hole that can be selectively opened. The substrate is then rotated and fluid contained in the upstream chamber with the valve in the unsealed state will then pass to the at least one downstream chamber.

Abstract: An air-distribution device based upon the Coanda-effect comprises two mobile elements that move in synchronism and in phase opposition for distributing an air flow into two ducts.

Abstract: Described herein is a Coanda-effect air distributor for distributing a flow between a number of ducts set downstream. Provided in the area that separates the initial ends of two ducts set downstream is the inlet of a recirculation duct that creates an air circulation that masks the entrance of a duct set downstream when the flow is deviated into the other duct.

Abstract: An air-distribution system comprises a fluid device that enables deviation of a flow of air that traverses a main duct (6S; 6D) into a first secondary duct (7S, 7C) and a second secondary duct (7C, 7D), exploiting the Coanda effect. The system may be applied in vehicles in general, in particular motor vehicles, or for example in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that includes a microball valve is provided. The microball valve is capable of preventing or interrupting fluid flow through the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can include a substrate layer, and a microfluidic pathway that includes the microball valve. Methods are provided for manipulating fluids using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that includes a micro ball valve is provided. The microball valve is capable of preventing or interrupting fluid flow through the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can include a substrate layer, and a microfluidic pathway that includes the microball valve. Methods are provided for manipulating fluids using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system comprised of an inlet duct (1) and two outlet ducts (6 and 7) including deviating means for directing the inlet flow into one or the other outlet ducts (6 and 7) composed of a mobile wall (2) suitable for making the flow adhere to the walls of one duct or the other due to the Coanda effect. In a first position, the mobile wall (2) is incorporated into the side wall (3) of the inlet conduct (1) that extends into one of the two outlet ducts. From this position, the mobile wall (2) can be moved to a second position where its upstream end protrudes inside the duct to create a step-like irregularity (4) on the duct's internal surface.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system comprised of an inlet duct (1) and two outlet ducts (6 and 7) including deviating means for directing the inlet flow into one or the other outlet ducts (6 and 7) composed of a mobile wall (2) suitable for making the flow adhere to the walls of one duct or the other due to the Coanda effect. In a first position, the mobile wall (2) is incorporated into the side wall (3) of the inlet conduct (1) that extends into one of the two outlet ducts. From this position, the mobile wall (2) can be moved to a second position where its upstream end protrudes inside the duct to create a step-like irregularity (4) on the duct's internal surface.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic diverter valve is provided which has a valve body with a fluid inlet zone communicating with a fluid diversion zone, which in turn communicates with a fluid outlet zone. In the fluid inlet zone there is at least one inlet for a fluid, at least one air inlet and a venturi passage for guiding the fluid as a jet. In a passage downstream of the venturi passage the air inlet communicates with the fluid jet exiting the venturi passage and the jet enters the diversion zone. Depending on whether the air inlet is blocked or not, the fluid jet either continues straight through the diversion zone to a first outlet from the valve body or, if the air stream is blocked, the jet is diverted to impinge upon a wall in the diversion chamber, the wall being arranged to be directed toward a different one of the outlet openings in the fluid outlet zone.

Abstract: A self-adjusting venturi/mixer is disclosed. An inlet port body and outlet port body having a converging region and diverging region, respectively, are longitudinally slidably disposed with respect to each other, forming an annular injection gap that widens when the ports are moved apart and narrows when the ports are moved together. The movement is accomplished by virtue of varying fluid pressure at the inlet port, which exerts frictional pull on the outlet port, pulling the inlet port body away from the outlet port body. In other embodiments, a flexible member is positioned peripherially around the annular gap so that as the gap widens, the flexible member deforms to partially close the gap. This keeps the bubble size small where a gas is being injected into a liquid, and also limits a maximum flow of additive material at excessive flow rates.

Abstract: Process for damping pressure pulsations and apparatus for performing the process. The process of this invention serves for the damping of pressure pulsations in a fluid, particularly a fiber suspension, flowing in a closed system wherein the pressure pulsations to be damped are measured at a measuring site and compensated at a correction site, with a throttle position being located between the measuring and the correction sites, with the damping of the imparted pressure impulses occurring at the correction site, which pressure impulses are opposite to the measured pressure pulsations, with the time periods thereof being about the same as those of the measured pressure pulsations. Several apparatuses for performing the process are also set forth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing discrete zones of pressure at the surface of a perforated panel of the type typically used for laminar fluid flow control includes a first array of channel members fluidly communicating with perforations in the panel, all of the channel members in the first array extending in a first direction and being substantially parallel to one another, and a second array of channel members fluidly communicating with the fluid in the first array of channel members, all of the channel members in the second array extending in a second direction and being substantially parallel to one another, where the first and second arrays of channel members being disposed in crossing relationship with a source of pressure being applied to the second array of channel members. By this arrangement, control of fluid flow in at least one of the first and second arrays results in discrete zones of pressure at the surface of the panel.

Abstract: An E-R hydraulic control valve that has two or more surfaces that can be moved relatively to one another to adjust a flow orifice size while maintaining a control voltage gradient across the E-R fluid and to seat one surface against the other to shut off fluid flow. Combining movable mechanical fluid flow elements with E-R fluid control allows initial tuning of the valve to a particular application by mechanical restriction of an orifice, and E-R operating control of the fluid. Seating the mechanical surfaces provides a fail-safe shut-down mode.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens integrated onto a silicon wafer. A light transmitting material such as gas or liquid is entrapped in a cavity in the wafer. The cavity has a flexible, light transmitting wall. The wall provides one surface of the lens. When the material inside the cavity is heated or cooled, the wall flexes and the focal length of the lens changes. The lens is suitable for use in temperature and pressure sensors, fiber optic communication networks, optical computers, and other applications.

Abstract: A modified laminar proportional amplifier with feedback for converting the absolute pressure of a pressurized fluid to a differential pressure indicating the pressure of the pressurized fluid relative to a predetermined set-point pressure. The device includes two outlets separated by a splitter, a supply nozzle for directing a jet of the pressurized fluid toward a first of the two outlets at a velocity determined by the absolute pressure and a feedback path for deflecting the jet toward the second outlet such that as the jet increases to a maximum value and then decreases until the differential pressure between the two outlets is equal to zero when the absolute pressure of the pressurized fluid is equal to the predetermined set-point pressure. The feedback path includes an adjustable fluidic resistor and a temperature compensated flow controller for making the device insensitive to temperature.

Abstract: A marine propulsion water jet system which operates at high efficiency and automatically adjusts itself to maintain a relatively constant primary injection water velocity over a wide speed range. The propulsion system includes a fluid flow amplifier by which a high velocity principal water flow is injected into a slower velocity secondary water flow to form a water jet. The fluid flow amplifier includes an adjustable orifice through which the principal water flow is injected into the secondary water flow and the size of the orifice is automatically adjusted in order to maintain a relatively constant water jet velocity.

Abstract: A mechanically offset fluid amplifier for converting the absolute pressure f a pressurized fluid to a differential pressure indicating the pressure of the pressurized fluid relative to a predetermined set point pressure. The device includes two outlets separated by a splitter, a supply nozzle for directing a jet of the pressurized fluid toward a first of the two outlets at a velocity determined by the absolute pressure, and control elements for deflecting the jet toward the second outlet such that as the jet velocity increases from zero, the deflection of the jet increases to a maximum value and then decreases until the differential pressure between the two outlets is equal to zero when the absolute pressure of the pressurized fluid is equal to the predetermined set point pressure.

Abstract: A three-axis navigational guidance system utilizes three specially designed internal jet-type fluidic angular rate sensors which simultaneously sense the rotational rate of a guided body relative to three mutually perpendicular control axes. Fluidic output signals from the sensors are converted to electrical signals which are used to maintain the body in a preselected attitude relative to each of the three axes. The sensors are rendered extremely accurate by means of unique calibration mechanisms associated therewith which compensate for or correct for fabricational inaccuracies in the sensors. The operation of the rate sensing portion of the guidance system is environmentally stabilized by a novel jet-control system which automatically maintains the Reynolds number of each sensor jet within a predetermined range to thereby substantially eliminate jet drift.

Abstract: A fluidic system for stabilizing movement of a body subject to oscillation at its natural frequency, such as a tank-mounted gun, with appropriate circuitry and controls for notch filtering control output signals at the natural frequency.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein is an externally adjustable flow splitter a fluid amplifier. The flow splitter is a substantial triangular plate fixedly attached to a rod rotatably mounted in the amplifier immediately adjacent to the fluid outputs to redirect fluid flow through to the fluid outputs of a fluid amplifier to null the amplifier. The rod extends externally of the amplifier and is threaded to receive externally a lock nut which can be threaded down on the rod to secure the position of said triangular plate.

Abstract: A fluidic gain changer uses a fluid jet to mechanically deflect between two ets of fluidic receivers. A planar fluidic amplifier has its power jet, control jets and interaction regions bounded together to form a flexible tab than can be deflected in the third dimension. Two sets of receivers are located downstream and are offset so that the jet is evenly divided into the two sets of receivers when the tab is centered. Deflection of the tab increases the gain in one set of receivers while decreasing the gain in the other set of receivers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the direction of the thrust vector of the engine exhaust stream in an upper surface blowing type aircraft includes ducts in the aircraft wings having rotary control valves for controlling the flow of air through the ducts from a source of high pressure to the low pressure upper surface of the wing. Introduction of the airflow at the upper surface rearwardly of the jet engine produces separation of Coanda effect attachment of the engine exhaust stream from the curved upper wing surface. Coanda effect attachment deflects the exhaust stream over the wing and toward the ground and results in a predominantly vertical thrust vector which augments lift of the aircraft. However, separation of the exhaust stream from the upper surface results in a predominantly horizontal thrust vector which augments forward acceleration of the aircraft. The fluidic action of the valves can rapidly change the thrust vector between basically horizontal and highly inclined orientations.

Abstract: A fluid flow control element is constituted by a fluidic amplifier having an interaction region shaped to provide side walls leading to a pair of fluid flow outlets. The fluid flow inlet for the fluidic amplifier has positioned adjacent thereto at least one control fluid passageway, and the flow of fluid to the outlet passages is controlled by at least one pivoted valve or flap element pivoted between two positions for controlling flow fluid from the fluid inlet to a selected one of a pair of fluid flow passageways or outlets. In the preferred embodiment the fluid flow inlet and outlet and the interaction chamber are such that the fluid pressure in the chamber is always above any pressure in the load passageways and fluid from the fluid flow inlet flows out from the chamber through the control passage.

Abstract: A fluid diverting assembly particularly suited for use as a component for a fluid exit structure of an air-conditioner, which has a passageway through which a fluid medium flows. The passageway includes a nozzle for issuing a fluid stream as the fluid medium passes therethrough, a pair of spaced opposed guide walls having a shape diverging from each other in a direction downstream with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid stream and opening outwardly in a direction away from the nozzle, and a deflecting blade supported in the passageway between the upstream and downstream ends of the nozzle for movement between first and second extreme positions for changing the direction of flow of the fluid stream emerging from the passageway in such a manner as to control mutual interference between one of currents flowing on one side of the deflecting blade and the adjacent guide wall thereby controlling the direction of flow of the fluid stream.

Abstract: A fluidic accelerometer and electromagnetic transducer formed from a plurty of vertical laminations having a nozzle, a pair of outlets for receiving nozzle fluid and a flexible member as an extension of one of the laminations which forms a vertical wall of said nozzle extending into a chamber between the nozzle and the outlets. The flexible member is responsive to acceleration or electromagnetic forces transverse the nozzle centerline to vary the proportion of nozzle fluid received by each outlet. The flexible member is separated from the horizontal walls of the chamber by a selected small distance to create sufficient viscous shear force to effectuate damping.

Abstract: A demand responsive flow controller for use in a respiration system for the administration of oxygen from a pressurized source through a cannula to a patient is disclosed. A flow path between the pressurized source and the cannula is opened and closed by a fluidic valve which is responsive to the presence and absence of a low pressure power stream developed by a flow restrictor coupled to the pressurized source. The low pressure power stream is applied to the control port of the on/off fluidic valve by a monostable fluidic switch which conducts the low pressure power stream through the valve control port of the on/off valve in response to expiration by the patient, and which diverts the low pressure power stream away from the on/off valve in response to inspiration by the patient.

Abstract: A fluid oscillator is shown for producing pulsations in a flow of fluid. The oscillator has a housing which includes a fluid inlet channel for connection to a supply of fluid under pressure, a fluid outlet channel, and a valve chamber located between and communicating with said channels. A valve element is movably located in the valve chamber to alternatively block and unblock the outlet channel to produce the pulsating flow. The valve element moves to a blocking position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve element adjacent to the outlet channel. This reduction in pressure is partly caused by the fluid flowing past the valve element from the inlet channel to the outlet channel. The outlet channel is dimensioned so that the inertia of the fluid therein produces a further reduction in fluid pressure at the valve element adjacent to the outlet channel, which further reduction in pressure also holds the valve element firmly in the blocking position.

Abstract: A fluidic valve which includes a supply nozzle for discharging a fluid po stream, and a pair of outlet channels for receiving the power stream. A rigid member is disposed inside the power nozzle so that it splits the power stream evenly and fluid exits via the two outlet channels with equal pressures. A shaft upon which the rigid member is mounted is responsive to an external input signal for causing the rigid member to turn so that fluid exits via the two outlet channels with a proportional pressure differential output signal being produced across the outlet channels. A centering spring returns the rigid member to its null position when no external input signal is applied to the shaft.

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: The transition module is intended to be assembled with at least three action modules constituting a sequencer and comprises an elementary logical gate having two inputs and one output, two inputs for receiving the output signals of two predetermined action modules and directing the signals to the inputs of the logical gate, one output for directing the output of the logical gate towards a predetermined input of the third action module and a Y-duct for directly connecting the output of the third action module to a predetermined input of each of the first two action modules.

Abstract: A jet flow alternator for reversing the flow of a confined fluid stream which includes selectively controlled tubes to cause said stream to flow in either one of two directions under pressure.

Abstract: A transducer to monitor a parameter and produce an acoustic signal from which the monitored parameter can be recovered. The transducer comprises a modified Galton whistle which emits a narrow band acoustic signal having a frequency dependent upon the parameter being monitored, such as the temperature of the cooling media of a nuclear reactor. Multiple locations within a reactor are monitored simultaneously by a remote acoustic receiver by providing a plurality of transducers each designed so that the acoustic signal it emits has a frequency distinct from the frequencies of signals emitted by the other transducers, whereby each signal can be unambiguously related to a particular transducer.

Abstract: A fluid capacitor for liquid use is described comprising a cylinder-pistopring arrangement where the spring constant is made to vary as the viscosity of a fluid, so that a temperature independent RC time constant can be achieved in the systems forced to operate at constant Reynolds number. In one embodiment of the invention a piston containing chamber is allowed to fill with fluid. The pressure of fluid on the movable piston is transmitted in the form of a normal force acting upon a beam which is rigidly supported at both ends, the beam consisting of a flexible material having a high thermal expansion coefficient and being supported by a rigid frame having a low thermal expansion coefficient such that the deflection of the beam is a function of both temperature as well as the applied force.

Abstract: An air outlet through which air is supplied to the room of a building or the like which includes a plurality of blower elements arranged in at least one row, with each element being independently angularly adjustable to supply air within a range of definite blast directions. The length of each individual blower element is maximally approximately 12-25 times greater than the thickness of the outwardly flowing stream of supply air.

Abstract: A torsional reed reference fluidic oscillator operating within 0.1% of the desired frequency over a temperature range of -65.degree. to +165.degree.F and an operating pressure of from 1 to 4 psi. The oscillator includes a torsional reed fluidic amplifier and fluidic feedback means for converting output signals from output ports of the amplifier to first and second input signals having a phase relationship for insuring operation of the apparatus as an oscillator. The amplifier is comprised of first, second and third plates, an elongated reed member, first and second torsional members and a tab, all of which are made of material having negligible thermal coefficient of expansion and negligible change in modulus of elasticity over the temperature range. The reed member is positioned within an elongated slot in the first plate, and is fixed thereto by the first and second torsional members, wherein the major axis of the torsional members is perpendicular to the plane and major axis of the reed member.

Abstract: A fluidic device having a plenum chamber, an input port to the chamber for receiving a supply of gas, and a power nozzle contiguous with the plenum chamber for generating a power jet. Means is located upstream of the power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting the power nozzle. The controlling means is comprised of an elongated movable element, so positioned within the plenum chamber to be surrounded by the gas therein, and means for adjusting the position of one end of the element relative to the axis of the power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting the nozzle. The fluidic device forms part of a fluidic amplifier having at least first and second fluidic receivers positioned downstream from the power nozzle. The first receiver is axially aligned with the power nozzle for receiving the power jet when one end of the element is normally axially aligned with and located adjacent the power nozzle.

Abstract: A fluidic device comprising a housing having operate and release compartments separated by a passage is arranged with a pressure source for forcing a deformable moving element from either compartment into a deformation chamber connecting to the release compartment. The moving element is deformed to increase its potential energy by an amount which is sufficient to effect the element's movement from the deformation chamber to the operate compartment upon termination of the pressure.