Abstract: Adjustable fluidic oscillators are disclosed. A disclosed example oscillator includes a base having a cavity with a cross-sectional profile defining an oscillatory chamber between an inlet and an outlet of the oscillator, and a plunger to be received by the cavity and movable along a depth of the cavity to vary an aspect ratio of the oscillator.

Abstract: A device for vibrating tubing as it is inserted into a wellbore is disclosed. The device has a fluidic switch that has no moving parts. The fluidic switch is connected to a piston that oscillates back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is the only moving part. As the piston oscillates, it blocks and unblocks openings in the cylinder or other components. The movement of the piston controls the timing of the oscillation, and also generates an impulse or vibration. The vibration may reduce the friction between the tubing and the wellbore.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a device for directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a fluid chamber; a first outlet; a second outlet; a first outlet fluid passageway, wherein the first outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the first outlet; and a second outlet fluid passageway, wherein the second outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the second outlet; wherein the fluid rotationally flows about the inside of the chamber, and wherein the fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway conjoins with the fluid flowing through the second outlet fluid passageway at a point downstream of the first and second outlet.

Abstract: A flow control device can include a surface that defines a chamber and includes a side perimeter and opposing end surfaces, a greatest distance between the opposing end surfaces being smaller than a largest dimension of the opposing end surfaces, a first port through one of the end surfaces, and a second port through the surface and apart from the first port, the side perimeter surface being operable to direct flow from the second port to rotate about the first port. Another device can include a cylindroidal chamber for receiving flow through an inlet and directing the flow to an outlet, a greatest axial dimension of the cylindroidal chamber being smaller than a greatest diametric dimension of the cylindroidal chamber, the cylindroidal chamber promoting rotation of the flow based on a characteristic of the inflow through the inlet. The device can have a flow path structure in the cylindroidal chamber.

Abstract: A fluid actuator for influencing the flow along a flow surface by ejecting a fluid flowing through the fluid actuator is described. The fluid actuator has at least two outlet lines with outlet openings at the respective ends thereof, and a feed line connected to the outlet lines for feeding fluid at a supply pressure, a flow direction diverting device into which the feed line opens and out of which the outlet lines open, and an adjusting device coupled to the flow direction diverting device to control the latter. The adjusting device is configured so the fluid is conducted successively in a cyclic sequence into each of the outlet lines. A discharge device for discharging a fluid out of a flow body, and a flow body having a multiplicity of discharge openings and a discharge device of said type are also described.

Abstract: A flow channel structure includes a substrate having a flow channel formed therein, and plural fibrous bristles extending from the inner wall of the flow channel. The flow channel is configured to allow a solution to flow through the flow channel. The inner wall of the flow channel is made of silicon. The flow channel is configured to allow a solution to flow through the flow channel. This flow channel structure can homogenize the solution inside the flow channel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic oscillator insert for use in a subterranean well can include forming the insert with a conical housing engagement surface thereon, and forming at least one fluidic oscillator on a substantially planar surface of the insert. A well tool can include a housing assembly, at least one insert received in the housing assembly, the insert having a fluidic oscillator formed on a first surface thereof, the insert being at least partially secured in the housing assembly by engagement of conical second and third surfaces formed on the insert and housing assembly, and a cover which closes off the first surface on the insert. An insert for use in a well tool can include a conical housing engagement surface, and at least one fluidic oscillator formed on a substantially planar surface. The fluidic oscillator produces oscillations in response to fluid flow through the fluidic oscillator.

Abstract: A well tool can comprise a fluid input, a fluid output and a fluidic oscillator which produces oscillations in a fluid which flows from the input to the output. The fluidic oscillator can include a vortex chamber with inlets, whereby fluid enters the vortex chamber alternately via the inlets, the inlets being configured so that the fluid enters the vortex chamber in different directions via the respective inlets, and a fluid switch which directs the fluid alternately toward different flow paths in response to pressure differentials between feedback fluid paths. The feedback fluid paths may be connected to the vortex chamber. The flow paths may cross each other between the fluid switch and the outlet.

Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use in a subterranean well can include a flow chamber having an outlet and at least one structure which resists a change in a direction of flow of a fluid composition toward the outlet. The fluid composition may enter the chamber in the direction of flow which changes based on a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid in the fluid composition. Another variable flow resistance system can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, the chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a structure which impedes a change from circular flow about the outlet to radial flow toward the outlet.

Abstract: A microfluidic diaphragm valve. The valve comprises: an inlet port; an outlet port; a weir positioned between the inlet and outlet ports, the weir having a sealing surface; a diaphragm membrane for sealing engagement with the sealing surface; and a thermal bend actuator for moving the diaphragm membrane between a closed position in which the membrane is sealingly engaged with the sealing surface and an open position in which the membrane is disengaged from said sealing surface.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow device includes at least one flow channel flowing into a branch point, to which at least two branched channels are connected, and at least one linking channel interconnecting the two branched channels. The linking channel flows into each branched channel at a short-circuit point which is preferably located at less than half of the length of each branched channel.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic oscillator comprises a main body and a cover body for covering the main body. An oscillation chamber is disposed on the main body to provide an oscillation space for fluid. A sudden-expansion micro-nozzle is connected with one end of the oscillation chamber, and an outlet passage is connected with the other end of the oscillation chamber. Two fluid-separating bodies are located at the connection positions of the outlet passage and the oscillation chamber, respectively. Two feedback channels are located outside two attachment walls. The sudden-expansion micro-nozzle is used to break the viscous shear stress between fluid and the walls and to generate unstable flow and oscillation. Moreover, the two feedback channels have different lengths, inside diameters and alternate outlet positions to further enhance the oscillation of fluid.

Abstract: A fluid amplifier is presented. The fluid amplifier comprises at least one control valve for controlling at least one of a first control fluid flow and a second control fluid flow. That is, the control valve has a movable element for selectively opening and closing at least one of the first control stream channel and the second control fluid flow channel. The control valve also includes a diaphragm for isolating the moveable element.

Abstract: A fluid amplifier having a filter interposed in an upstream conduit for filtering the power stream. The interior surface of the upstream conduit downstream from the filter is sealed to impede debris from being introduced to the power stream downstream from the filter.

Abstract: Method of converting and amplifying a weak pneumatic signal into an enhanced hydraulic signal comprises a few of interrelated techniques: keeping free planar liquid high-speed jet-stream flow in steady-state compact quasi-parallelepipedic shape along its trajectory of free path throughout gas ambient of pneumatic control chamber; dividing pneumatic control chamber into two isolated cavities by said jet-stream flow and separating said pneumatic chamber from downstream adjacent intake hydraulic chamber by solid partition, slotted with jet stream passing channel; insulating low pressurized said control pneumatic chamber from highly pressurized said hydraulic intake chamber by forming locking liquid whirls in gaps between entire liquid side free surfaces of jet-stream flow and adjacent solid side surfaces of jet-stream passing channel; enhancing an impact of liquid jet-stream flow impulse upon output channels of intake hydraulic chamber by effecting thereupon with additional impulses of thrust reactive flows; cre

Abstract: A method and flow system for controlling the flow of a liquid in a flow system, the liquid flow comprising particles and being led into a channel thereof. The method comprises the steps of enveloping the liquid flow by a flow of carrier liquid, hydrodynamically focussing the particles in the liquid flow providing a measurement signal of the liquid flow from an observation area in the channel, and dividing the liquid flow at a branching point into two or more outlets in response to the measurement signal. The division of the liquid comprises introducing a control liquid from at least one control channel at a merging point or merging area in the channel. The amount of control liquid is controlled by at least one electro-kinetic pump, the pump effect of which is controlled in response to the measurement signal.

Abstract: With a method of controlling the flow in a flow system where a liquid flow contains a particle concentration, the liquid flow is surrounded by a carrier liquid. The liquid flow and carrier liquid are led into a central channel in which there is provided an observation area (4) where measurements of the liquid flow are effected. The result of the measurements are used to lead the liquid flow into one of several channels, in that control liquids are introduced into the liquid flow before this reaches the channels, the control liquids being derived from a capillary pump structure which pumps on the basis of an electro-kinetic effect, e.g. an electro-osmotic effect. In a preferred embodiment, the pump structure consists of two capillary structures, to each of which an electrical field can be applied. Depending on the strength of the field, the amount of control liquid will be able to be controlled so that the liquid flow with the particle concentration can be led to one of two channels.

Abstract: A fluidic contactor comprising a vortex stage and a separator stage. The vortex stage is in the form of a vortex chamber whereby fluids of different densities when introduced into the chamber through one or more tangential inlets are caused to swirl through the chamber before passing into the separator stage which is in the form of a column forming an extension of an axial outlet from the vortex chamber. In passing along the column the fluids become separated and emerge through separated outlets at the end of the column remote from the chamber. The fluids can be mixed together before entry into the chamber or separate fluids can be intimately mixed together in swirling through the chamber, in each case to permit mass transfer of constituents between the fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus for a pneumatic impact wrench driven by an air motor.

Abstract: A trim circuit for compensating for null offset of the jet stream in a flic transducer, such as an amplifier or jet deflection sensor, includes a flow bias control circuit and a supply sensitive difference flow control circuit. The flow bias control circuit supplies fluid pressure to a pair of symetrically disposed control channels at the input end of the transducer. This fluid pressure tends to decrease the amount of null offset of the jet stream from a central axis of the transducer which intersects a pair of symetrically disposed output channels. The supply sensitive difference flow control circuit removes the null offset remaining after correction by the flow bias control circuit. The supply sensitive difference flow control circuit may be disposed in one of the later stages of a cascaded fluidic amplifier chain or at the control inputs of a single stage transducer or amplifier.

Abstract: A fluidic amplifier or switch for supplying pulses of a power gas to be controlled which is insensitive to load impedance or back pressure. One arm of the fluidic switch comprising part of the gas injection path is coupled to a working outlet and the other arm is coupled through a sonic orifice to a vent outlet. An orifice is provided in the downstream end of the power gas injection path, the injection pressure is maintained at preferably at least about twice the maximum back pressure and a substitute gas is injected into the arm of the fluidic switch not carrying the power gas to be controlled. The two gases are each alternately supplied to the working outlet and the vent outlet. When the power gas to be controlled is supplied to the working outlet, the substitute gas is supplied to the vent outlet and when the substitute gas is supplied to the working outlet, the power gas to be controlled is supplied to the vent outlet to maintain the pressure constant across the working outlet orifice.

Abstract: A fluid diverting assembly is constituted by a structural body having a nozzle from which a main stream of fluid is issued as the fluid passes therethrough, a pair of opposed control chambers positioned adjacent the nozzle and on respective lateral sides of the stream of fluid, a pair of side walls outwardly diverging in a direction downstream of the nozzle with respect to the direction of flow of the main fluid stream, and control apertures respectively communicated to the control chambers. An interceptor mechanism is provided for alternately adjustably closing any one of the control apertures for deflecting the direction of flow of the main fluid stream issued by the nozzle.

Abstract: A bistable fluidic amplifier having high gain is disclosed. Power fluid is upplied through an inlet port and lobe-shaped feedback cavities downstream provide an oscillating differential pressure or flow between a pair of outlets. A pair of opposed control ports are provided between the inlet port and the feedback cavities and a differential control pressure or flow applied to the control ports creates a differential outlet pressure or flow having a gain in the range of 10-15.

Abstract: A fluidic device using a free jet in which a control nozzle or nozzles terminate within the emitter jet, is disclosed. Positioning the ends of the control nozzles within the emitter jet avoids jet distortion when acted upon by control fluid for deflection. In the preferred embodiment, geometric symmetry is provided, either with control nozzles in pairs disposed opposite to each other, or another control member, such as a rod, disposed opposite to each control nozzle. A receiver for preventing air or gas entrainment is also disclosed. The device provides high efficiency, low noise, and operates with low pressure.

Abstract: A fluidic system (e.g. amplifier or bistable unit) having an inlet branch and a pair of outlet branches separated by a fluid-flow splitter whereby the fluid is rendered electromagnetically susceptible, e.g. magnetic by incorporating magnetic particles therein, electrostatically responsive by being relatively dielectric, or electrically conductive, so that the fluid flow to the outlet branches may be controlled by magnetic, electrostatic or current flow means or an output may be derived by similar electromagnetic means for controlling an ancillary device, providing an indication of a fluid flow parameter or feedback control of an input parameter.