Patent classifications
F15C3/00
Apparatus and methods for fluidic amplification
In some examples, a device includes a first fluidic amplifier stage, configured to receive a fluidic input and provide a first stage fluidic output, and a second fluidic amplifier stage, configured to receive the first stage fluidic output and provide a second stage fluidic output. The first fluidic amplifier stage may include a fluidic valve, for example having a source, a gate, and a drain. The fluidic input may be connected to the gate of the fluidic valve through a fluid channel, and a fluid flow between the source and the drain of the fluidic valve may be controlled by the fluidic input. An example device may be configured to provide a fluidic output, wherein the fluidic output is based on the fluidic input, and the fluidic output may be provided to a fluidic load such as an actuator.
Analog fluidic devices and systems
In some examples, a device includes a fluidic circuit may be configured to receive a fluidic input (and optionally a fluidic bias) and to provide a fluidic output based on the fluidic input. In some examples, the fluidic output may be a fluidic difference output based on a difference (such as a pressure and/or flow difference) between the fluidic input and a fluidic bias. In some examples, a device includes a fluidic amplifier configured to receive the fluidic difference output, and to provide a device fluidic output based on the fluidic difference output. The device fluidic output may be provided to a fluidic load, which may include an actuator and/or a haptic device.
Complementary fluidic logic and memory devices
A fluidic device may include inlet ports, control input ports, one or more output channels, inlet channels that are each configured to convey fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output channels, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to inhibit, when the piston is in a first position, and uninhibit, when the piston is in a second position, one of the inlet channels, (2) a control gate configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the control gate, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional control gate configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional control gate, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
Complementary fluidic valves, logic gates, and latches
A fluidic device may include inlet ports, input ports, one or more output ports, fluid channels each configured to route fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output ports, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, one of the fluid channels, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices and systems are also disclosed.
Complementary fluidic valves, logic gates, and latches
A fluidic device may include inlet ports, input ports, one or more output ports, fluid channels each configured to route fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output ports, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, one of the fluid channels, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices and systems are also disclosed.
COMPLEMENTARY FLUIDIC LOGIC AND MEMORY DEVICES
A fluidic device may include inlet ports, control input ports, one or more output channels, inlet channels that are each configured to convey fluid from one of the inlet ports to one of the one or more output channels, and pistons. In some examples, each piston may include (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to inhibit, when the piston is in a first position, and uninhibit, when the piston is in a second position, one of the inlet channels, (2) a control gate configured to interface with a first control pressure that, when applied to the control gate, forces the piston towards the first position, and (3) an additional control gate configured to interface with a second control pressure that, when applied to the additional control gate, forces the piston towards the second position. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
Methods and apparatus to multi-purpose an acoustic emission sensor
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to multi-purpose an acoustic emission sensor are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collection engine to obtain a measurement from an acoustic emissions sensor coupled to a fluid flow control assembly, and obtain a state of the fluid flow control assembly. The example apparatus further includes a selector to adjust a gain of a pre-amplifier based on the state to adjust the measurement, and a condition identifier to identify a condition of the fluid flow control assembly based on the adjusted measurement.
Methods and apparatus to multi-purpose an acoustic emission sensor
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to multi-purpose an acoustic emission sensor are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a collection engine to obtain a measurement from an acoustic emissions sensor coupled to a fluid flow control assembly, and obtain a state of the fluid flow control assembly. The example apparatus further includes a selector to adjust a gain of a pre-amplifier based on the state to adjust the measurement, and a condition identifier to identify a condition of the fluid flow control assembly based on the adjusted measurement.
Valvular-conduit exhaust manifold
A fluid-conduit collector spans across a plurality of collector-inlet interface structures and at least one fluidic diode element. A branch inlet portion of at least one collector-inlet interface structure, in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid-conduit runner portion, provides for receiving exhaust gases from a corresponding separate exhaust port of an intermittent-combustion internal combustion engine. A main inlet portion of the collector-inlet interface structure in fluid communication with an outlet portion thereof defines a portion of the fluid conduit of the collector. The branch inlet portion is in fluid communication with the outlet portion via a collector inlet port that is at least partially bounded by a relatively-sharp-edged junction with the fluid conduit of the collector. The fluidic-diode element located coincident with, or downstream of, the collector inlet port provides for a relatively-higher coefficient of discharge for exhaust gases flowing towards an outlet of the collector, than for an associated reverse-directed bulk flow or acoustic pressure wave flowing in a reverse direction.
Composable PFET fluidic device
A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. The fluidic device may be combined with other fluidic devices to form different types of logic devices g an inverter, OR gate, etc.). And the logic devices may be incorporated into an artificial reality system (e.g., as part of a haptic assembly). In some embodiments, a fluidic device includes a gate, a channel, and a wedge. The wedge controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on a fluid pressure in the gate. The wedge induces a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with a low pressure state of the gate, and a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a high pressure state of the gate, the second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.