An apparatus and associated method, for controlling signal passage, includes a first passageway for a first fluid, a second passageway for a second fluid, and an interposed chamber. A first, movable diaphragm at a first chamber junction and a second, movable diaphragm at a second chamber junction, with a third fluid bound there between and interposed between the first and second passageways. A device varies a volume of the third fluid bound between the diaphragms and thus moves the diaphragms. A movable member and a reservoir of the device are configured such that the movable member is sufficiently movable to increase the volume of the reservoir to remove a sufficient portion of the third fluid bound between the first and second diaphragms from the chamber to cause the first and second diaphragms to be pressed against the first and second walls, respectively.

An apparatus and associated method, for controlling signal passage, includes a first passageway for a first fluid, a second passageway for a second fluid, and an interposed chamber. A first, movable diaphragm at a first chamber junction and a second, movable diaphragm at a second chamber junction, with a third fluid bound there between and interposed between the first and second passageways. A device varies a volume of the third fluid bound between the diaphragms and thus moves the diaphragms. A movable member and a reservoir of the device are configured such that the movable member is sufficiently movable to increase the volume of the reservoir to remove a sufficient portion of the third fluid bound between the first and second diaphragms from the chamber to cause the first and second diaphragms to be pressed against the first and second walls, respectively.

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.

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.

A device for use with soft robotic devices comprises soft fluidic actuators, a microfluidic/minifluidic valves and channels module, a fluidic module, sensors, and a control module. The actuators are operable to apply predetermined effects to surfaces and/or objects. The microfluidic/minifluidic valves and channels module has micro/mini fluidic channels and on-chip fluidic pressure-controlled pinch valves forming a fluidic network. Each pinch valve has a valve pinch chamber, a membrane layer, and a valve control pressure chamber. The control module receives signals from the sensors and controls the fluidic module to control the pinch valves to induce flow of fluid under pressure to the actuators. An active compression apparel may include the device, and may have a skin contact backing layer and a strain-limiting backing layer sandwiching the actuators which are operable to provide compression to the skin and/or limb of a user through the at least one backing layer.

A device for use with soft robotic devices comprises soft fluidic actuators, a microfluidic/minifluidic valves and channels module, a fluidic module, sensors, and a control module. The actuators are operable to apply predetermined effects to surfaces and/or objects. The microfluidic/minifluidic valves and channels module has micro/mini fluidic channels and on-chip fluidic pressure-controlled pinch valves forming a fluidic network. Each pinch valve has a valve pinch chamber, a membrane layer, and a valve control pressure chamber. The control module receives signals from the sensors and controls the fluidic module to control the pinch valves to induce flow of fluid under pressure to the actuators. An active compression apparel may include the device, and may have a skin contact backing layer and a strain-limiting backing layer sandwiching the actuators which are operable to provide compression to the skin and/or limb of a user through the at least one backing layer.

A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises a channel and a gate. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from the source to the drain. The gate controls a rate of fluid flow in the channel in accordance with the fluid pressure within the gate. Specifically, the gate is configured to induce a first flow rate of the 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. In certain embodiments, the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. In alternative embodiments, the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises a channel and a gate. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from the source to the drain. The gate controls a rate of fluid flow in the channel in accordance with the fluid pressure within the gate. Specifically, the gate is configured to induce a first flow rate of the 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. In certain embodiments, the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. In alternative embodiments, the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate.

A fluidic device comprises a channel, a gate, and one or more additional elements. The channel is configured to transport a fluid from a source to a drain. The gate includes a chamber with an adjustable volume that affects fluid flow within the channel by displacing a wall of the channel toward an opposite wall of the channel based in part on fluid pressure within the chamber exceeding a threshold pressure. A high pressure state of the gate corresponds to a first chamber size and a first flow rate of the fluid. A low pressure state of the gate corresponds to a second chamber size that is smaller than the first chamber size and a second flow rate that is greater than the first flow rate. The additional elements are configured to reduce the threshold pressure past which the chamber decreases the cross-sectional area of the channel.

An apparatus and associated method, for controlling signal passage, includes a first passageway for a first fluid, a second passageway for a second fluid, and an interposed chamber. A first, movable diaphragm at a first chamber junction and a second, movable diaphragm at a second chamber junction, with a third fluid bound there between and interposed between the first and second passageways. A device varies a volume of the third fluid bound between the diaphragms and thus moves the diaphragms. A movable member and a reservoir of the device are configured such that the movable member is sufficiently movable to increase the volume of the reservoir to remove a sufficient portion of the third fluid bound between the first and second diaphragms from the chamber to cause the first and second diaphragms to be pressed against the first and second walls, respectively.