A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

A major challenge for the general use of “lab-on-a-chip” (LOAC) systems and point-of-care (POC) devices has been the generally complex and need for sophisticated peripheral equipment, such that it is more difficult than anticipated to implement low cost, robust and portable LOAC/POC solutions. It would be beneficial for chemical, medical, healthcare, and environmental applications to provide designs for inexpensive LOAC/POC solutions compatible with miniaturization and mass production, and are potentially portable, using compact possibly hand-held instruments, using reusable or disposable detectors. Embodiments of the invention address improved circuit elements for self-powered self-regulating microfluidic circuits including programmable retention valves, programmable trigger valves, enhanced capillary pumps, and flow resonators. Additionally embodiments of the invention allow for the flow direction within a microfluidic circuit to be reversed as well as for retention of reagents prior to sale or deployment of the microfluidic circuit for eased user use.

An apparatus for controlling flow of ER fluid. The apparatus has a first channel 10 for conveying carrier fluid 1 of a first dielectric constant and droplets 2 of a second dielectric constant in the carrier fluid. The apparatus further comprises a second channel 20 conveying the ER fluid and a first conductor 100 for conveying an electrical potential from the second channel to the first channel. A circuit 61 is provided for applying potential difference between the first and second channels. When a droplet is present in the first channel, the ER fluid is solidified in the second channel; when no droplet is present, the ER fluid flows as liquid in the second channel. Therefore the apparatus acts as an IF gate. Arrangements for other types of fluidic logic gate are also disclosed.

A fluidic system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of fluidic oscillatory actuators, and at least one synchronization conduit connecting two or more of the actuators such as to effect synchronization between oscillations in the two or more connected actuators.

A linear gauge includes a contact member having a lower tip to be positioned facing a workpiece; an air slider including a cylinder surrounding the contact member with a clearance left between them, and configured to eject air such that the contact member is supported movably in a vertical direction; a scale that detects a height position of the contact member; a casing accommodating therein the contact member, the air slider, and the scale; an evacuation portion formed in an upper portion of the cylinder such that the ejected air is evacuated into the casing; and a communication channel communicating an inlet, which is formed in an upper portion of the contact member, and an outlet, which is formed in the lower tip of the contact member, with each other inside the contact member.

An active separation control system, comprising a fluidic oscillatory actuator having an ejector member, an oscillator member, and a joining channel between said oscillator member and said ejector member, all mounted on at least one flexible member, said fluidic oscillatory actuator being mountable on a rotatable door of a vehicle such that said flexible member assumes a different shape when said door is closed than when said door is open, wherein said joining channel is also flexible to assume a shape of said flexible member.

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

A fluidic device for providing analogue output control includes a main channel, a first control channel, a second control channel, a comparator which receives respective input fluid flows from the main, the first and the second control channels. The first control channel is configured such that the input fluid flow therefrom carries an oscillating pressure wave signal, the second control channel includes a flow regulator controllable to vary the mass flow rate of the input fluid flow from the second control channel, and the main channel is configured such that the input fluid flow therefrom is at a reference mass flow rate. The comparator is configured such that the input fluid flows from the first control and the second control channels act in combination on the input fluid flow from the main channel to produce an output fluid flow from the comparator having a PWM mass flow rate characteristic.

Systems and methods determine a fluid efficiency of a fluid that flows through a fluid power system. A magnetic flux gradient generated by a magnetic fluid filter positioned on a flow path as the fluid flows through the magnetic fluid filter is monitored in real-time by a fluid monitoring device that is coupled to the fluid power system. A fluid status is determined in real-time that is associated with the magnetic flux gradient from fluid parameters associated with the magnetic flus gradient as detected by the fluid monitoring device. The fluid status of the fluid is determined in real-time that indicates that a corrective action is to be executed to increase a quality of the fluid based on the fluid parameters detected by the fluid monitoring device. The degradation to components of the fluid power system increases without the corrective action being executed to increase the quality of the fluid.