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: A fluidic device which produces fluid pulses having a selected pulse repetition frequency, pulse duration, pulse peak pressure and pulse peak flow rate includes first, second and third fluid flow controlling channels or lumens which converge in a junction, defining a “Y” configuration having a base leg and right and left diverging arms. The first leg portion has a fluid input and terminates downstream at the Y junction of the base and the two diverging arms. The first leg has converging walls which reduce the cross sectional area of the flow to thereby increase the fluid velocity to make a fluid jet. The second or right leg, begins at the Y junction and terminates distally in an enclosed, fluid-tight container having a selected blind volume. The third, or left leg, begins at the Y junction and terminates distally in a fluid outlet passage having a selected cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A valve (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The valve (100) comprises a body (102) including a plurality of ports (204, 205, 206). The valve (100) also comprises a valve actuator (150) positioned within the body (102). The valve actuator (150) includes a slider (110) and one or more shape memory alloy elements (112a, 112b). The one or more shape memory alloy elements (112a, 112b) are coupled to at least one side (113, 114) of the slider (110). The slider (110) is movable between a first position and at least a second position upon energizing at least one of the shape memory alloy elements (112a, 112b) of the one or more shape memory alloy elements (112a, 112b) in order to actuate the valve (100).

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the oscillator, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and wherein the first and second paths cross each other between the input and the respective first and second outputs. Another oscillator can include an input, first and second outputs, whereby a majority of fluid flowing through the fluidic oscillator exits the oscillator alternately via the first and second outputs, first and second paths from the input to the respective first and second outputs, and a feedback path which intersects the first path, whereby reduced pressure in the feedback path influences the majority of fluid to flow via the second path.

Abstract: A breather device A1 for pressure relief includes a breather pipe 121 serving as a fixing part, and an inner pipe 122 serving as a communication part and is provided by the breather pipe 121 with fixation strength enough for securing the breather device A1 to a liquid tank 101. The inner pipe 122 has a vent hole P formed therein for provide fluid-communication between the inside of the liquid tank 101 and the outside thereof in a manner such that an inner surface forming the vent hole P is made of a resin.

Abstract: A method and mechanism of producing a suction and periodic excitation flow. The method includes providing fluid flow from jet port with diameter dl at a controlled input pressure (Pin), directing the flow to a conduit with diameter d2, >d1, allowing additional fluid to join the flow through suction slot(s) to create an amplified flow in the conduit, further directing the amplified flow in a first direction by applying a transverse pressure differential, further redirecting the amplified flow in another direction by modifying an angle by which the transverse pressure differential is applied and iteratively repeating the further directing and further redirecting so that the amplified flow oscillates between the directions. The suction and periodic excitation flows may be employed, for example, to effectively control boundary layer separation. A mechanism for automated performance of the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrofluidic oscillator including a momentum exchange fluidic amplifier coupled to a four-way reciprocal valve. The four-way valve is connected to control flow of hydraulic fluid from a source thereof to a using apparatus. The fluidic amplifier is connected to provide input signals to the four-way valve to cause the four-way valve to reciprocate responsive to the input signals. Both negative and positive feedback paths are provided from each outlet of the fluidic amplifier to the respective control ports to control oscillation of the four-way valve.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus are disclosed for producing alternating pressure in a theapeutic device used to apply compressive forces to a portion of a human body to enhance venous blood flow and prevent venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in surgical patients. The apparatus comprises at least two sets of a plurality of inflatable bladders or chambers arranged in alternating relation to one another. All the bladders of one set are inflated and deflated alternately with the deflation and inflation of all the bladders of the other set to produce a therapeutic alternate chamber pumping action on that portion of the body being treated. A single fluidic flip-flop device controls the supply and venting of pressurized fluid to and from the chambers.

Abstract: A fluidic amplification device having an input, a fluid supply, a fluid sly nozzle for creating a laminar jet of fluid, an output chamber for receiving the laminar jet, control nozzles to control fluid flow through the amplification device from the fluid supply nozzle to the output chamber, wherein the control nozzle acts directly on the fluid to proportionally control the fluid output, vents disposed between the control nozzle and the output chamber, a DC flow output communicating with the output chamber, and pressure signal output ports communicating with the output chamber. By providing outputs for both DC flow and the pressure signal, the DC flow in the pressure signal output channels of the device is reduced and the problems of interstage flow noise, null off-set, parasitic capacitance and inductance in the input and output channels is also reduced.

Abstract: A fluidic gainblock for amplifying AC pressure signals having an additional lement known as a "T" junction added to the interconnection region between the stages of an LPA gainblock. Where normally there would be direct coupling between LPA's in a staged gainblock, there is now provided a path for the interstage flow noise and DC bias to exit prior to entering the next stage. This gainblock now allows as many stages to be added as needed in a gainblock as the elimination of the DC bias prevents the saturation of the gainblock. Interconnection flow noise is now minimized or eliminated completely and only the pressure signal is allowed to enter the next stage via the perpendicular branch of the "T" junction.

Abstract: An enhanced output opto-fluidic device includes three plates which together bound a number of passages including an interaction passage, an inlet channel including which opens into one of such ends, and two outlet channels which open into the other end of the interaction passage at symmetrically arranged outlet regions. Fluid is caused to flow through the inlet channel into the interaction passage to form a jet stream that flows toward the outlet regions.

Abstract: A fluidic set point amplifier provides an output signal which is strongly linear with respect to pressure of fluid supply, free of hysteresis, and has a zero crossing (set point) at a determined value of supply pressure. Uses of the set point amplifier include an all-fluidic pressure regulator, and a turbine engine fuel control having only a single moving part.

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 focused optical input signal is applied to an optically absorbent wall portion of one of two convergent supply nozzles in a fluidic device to reduce the thickness of the flow boundary layer. The boundary layer reduction deflects the combined nozzle discharge to achieve a desired output from the device.

Abstract: A fluidic system is provided in which the laminar flow operating range has een increased. The fluidic system uses stacks of laminate plates in which filter means is placed between vent and exhaust laminates for breaking up eddies and flow noise created from supply nozzle and vent areas.

Abstract: A full wave fluidic rectifier which produces a direct fluidic output signal having an amplitude which increases from a very low level as the amplitude of an alternating fluidic input signal increases. In includes a nozzle for directing a fluid stream along the rectifier axis into a null venting outlet, two signal outlets which are symmetrically disposed in opposite sides of the null outlet, and two control signal inlets for applying the alternating input signal to the stream, deflecting the stream alternately toward the two signal outlets in proportion to the amplitude of the alternating input signal. The two signal outlets are connected by respective channels of equal fluid resistance to a common channel which serves as the rectifier output.

Abstract: A focused optical input signal is applied to an optically absorbent wall portion of a supply nozzle 40 in a fluidic device to cause boundary layer separation of flow therein. The boundary layer separation turns the flow to achieve a desired output from the device.

Abstract: An unfocused optical input signal is applied to an optically absorbent wall portion of an interaction region 30 in a fluidic device to effect flow impedance modulation thereat. The flow impedance modulation adjusts the velocity profile of the flow to achieve a desired output from the device.

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 method and apparatus for converting the absolute pressure of a pressuri fluid to a differential pressure indicating the fluid pressure relative to a reference pressure. The pressurized fluid is directed asymmetrically into a laminar proportional amplifier (LPA) along a centerline toward a first of two outlets at a velocity determined by the fluid pressure. The LPA includes first and second control inlets disposed on opposite sides of the directed fluid jet and connected to a common source of control fluid, the first control inlet being disposed on the same side as the first outlet, and the second control inlet being disposed on the same side as the second outlet.

Abstract: A photofluidic interface that transduces optical control signals into fluid ontrol pressures is provided in which an AC modulated light source is utilized to transmit control signals to a photo acoustic cell that absorbs the light energy and converts it to heat energy thus creating pressure pulses within the cell. The output signal of the photo acoustic cell is then fluidically amplified, fluidically rectified and again fluidically amplified to create an output signal that drives an actuator.

Abstract: A broad band flueric amplifier is disclosed which comprises means to incre the deflection of the fluid jet within the amplifier at higher frequencies of oscillation of the jet. The means for increasing jet deflection comprises vanes or protrusions positioned closely adjacent the jet path at selected distances from the nozzle. Acoustic feedback from these vanes or protrusions will assist the control pulse in deflecting the jet at selected frequencies of oscillation.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated laminar proportional amplifier having an interaon chamber laterally extended into a plurality of vented recesses and a power nozzle for issuing fluid into the interaction chamber. A linear resistor is fluidically coupled between the fluid input of the power nozzle and the fluid outputs of the plurality of vented recesses for bypassing fluid around the power nozzle.

Abstract: A fluidic pyrotechnic initiator capable of initiating a fluid resonator cridge initiator upon receipt of a low pressure input signal. A monostable supersonic wall-attachment fluidic amplifier is used with a control channel to detach the supersonic jet, causing it to impact the resonator tube of the initiator. A vent is provided to keep an over pressure in the control channel from initiating the cartridge.

Abstract: A warning device of the disconnection of a tube from another tube, for example, of a respirator canula from a patient's medical equipment comprises: a source of gas under pressure; a pneumatic switch; a filter; an adjustable pressure reducing valve; and a pneumatic cell of the fully open -- fully closed type, supplied by said pressure-reducing valve. A sensing tube terminates in at least one orifice between the walls in contact of two said tubes when they are normally connected and controls the cell. A distributor is supplied by said pressure-reducing valve and controlled at its resting input and at its working input by the cell. At least one alarm means is supplied by the distributor. The said orifice may be an open end of said sensing tube, inserted between the walls in contact of the canula and of the apparatus of the patient.

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 laminar jet linear accelerometer includes a plenum chamber to which prerized fluid is supplied and a nozzle operatively associated with the chamber for issuing the fluid in the form of a jet. The jet is conducted into another chamber, which is vented to an ambient environment, and output channels, having fluidic output sensors disposed therein, are disposed downstream of the vented chamber. Under non-acceleration conditions, the issued jet uniformly impinges upon the sensors and a zero differential output is sensed and indicated, thereby indicating the absence of an applied acceleration. Under applied acceleration conditions, however, the jet flow is deflected by means of the applied acceleration and consequently, such flow impinges upon the sensors in a non-uniform manner. A differential output is thus sensed and the value or magnitude of the acceleration applied may be determined therefrom.

Abstract: Described herein is a flueric laminar bi-stable amplifier. The device comses essentially a flueric amplifier having a supply nozzle, a pair of outlet nozzles, a pair of control nozzles, vent means located along the axial path of fluid flow and means for providing a supply of pressure to the vent means so as to maintain the vent pressure above ambient pressure. Means are also provided for grounding the control ports and for providing back pressure to the control ports. Essentially, the device is a flueric laminar flip-flop that does not use the Coanda effect, but rather it relies upon the instability of jet position due to vent pressurization. If vent flow is allowed to enter the control region in excess of that demanded by entrainment and the control port is vented to ambient, then any small perturbation will cause more flow to enter one side and less on the other, thereby increasing the pressure differential and causing the jet to deflect more until it reaches a stable position on one side or the other.