An airlock system that includes a plurality of adjacent chambers successively arranged along a guide path. Predetermined pressures are produced in each chamber so that the predetermined pressure in each chamber is at a pressure different from the predetermined pressure produced in an adjacent chamber. Gate valves are positioned to separate adjacent chambers in order to maintain a pressure differential between the adjacent chambers.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to control of flow of a fluid within a fluid conductor having fluid-impenetrable walls surrounding a lumen. The fluid impenetrable walls have a rigid portion, a thermally-deformable portion, and a thermal heater and/or cooler thermally coupled to the thermally-deformable portion. The thermally-deformable portion has a geometrical form that changes in response to changes in temperature of the thermally deformable portion. A flow controller receives a signal indicative of a desired flow rate and controls the thermal heater so as to cause the thermally-deformable portion to deform thereby controlling the fluid flow to the desired flow rate.

A fluidic device controls fluid flow in a channel conduit from a fluid entrance to a fluid exit. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises the channel conduit, a flexible element, a cross member, and a gate. The channel conduit is bounded by an inner surface that includes a protrusion. The flexible element is coupled to the inner surface of the channel conduit on a different side of the inner surface as the protrusion. The cross member has a first end that is coupled to a deformable surface that is part of the inner surface of the channel conduit and a second end that is coupled to the flexible element. The gate is configured to deform the deformable surface in accordance with a fluid pressure at the gate. An amount of deformation imparted by the gate controls a position of the flexible element via the cross member.

A fluidic device controls fluid flow in a channel conduit from a fluid entrance to a fluid exit. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises the channel conduit, a flexible element, a cross member, and a gate. The channel conduit is bounded by an inner surface that includes a protrusion. The flexible element is coupled to the inner surface of the channel conduit on a different side of the inner surface as the protrusion. The cross member has a first end that is coupled to a deformable surface that is part of the inner surface of the channel conduit and a second end that is coupled to the flexible element. The gate is configured to deform the deformable surface in accordance with a fluid pressure at the gate. An amount of deformation imparted by the gate controls a position of the flexible element via the cross member.

Disclosed herein is a flow control device. The flow control device comprises a sheet made from a shape memory alloy. The flow control device also comprises at least one slit through the sheet. At least the one slit defines at least one flap in the sheet. The flow control device further comprises at least one electrically-resistive trace printed on the sheet at least one of on or adjacent at least the one flap. Upon receipt of an electrical current, at least the one electrically-resistive trace configured to generate heat for deforming at least the one flap relative to the sheet and opening an aperture formed in the sheet.

A fluid supply system for providing a turbomachine fluid to a component of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fluid supply system includes a fluid container, a moveable barrier, and an airbag. The moveable barrier fluidly divides the fluid container into a first portion and a second portion. The moveable barrier is moveable between a flow-permitting position and a flow-restricting position. The turbomachine fluid experiences a circulating flow between the component and the second portion of fluid container when the moveable barrier is in the flow-permitting position. The circulating flow is at least partially impeded by the moveable barrier when the moveable barrier is in the flow-restricting position. The airbag is positioned within the first portion of the fluid container. The airbag is selectively operable to move the moveable barrier from the flow-permitting position to the flow-restricting position.

A fluid supply system for providing a turbomachine fluid to a component of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fluid supply system includes a fluid container, a moveable barrier, and an airbag. The moveable barrier fluidly divides the fluid container into a first portion and a second portion. The moveable barrier is moveable between a flow-permitting position and a flow-restricting position. The turbomachine fluid experiences a circulating flow between the component and the second portion of fluid container when the moveable barrier is in the flow-permitting position. The circulating flow is at least partially impeded by the moveable barrier when the moveable barrier is in the flow-restricting position. The airbag is positioned within the first portion of the fluid container. The airbag is selectively operable to move the moveable barrier from the flow-permitting position to the flow-restricting position.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to control of flow of a fluid within a fluid conductor having fluid-impenetrable walls surrounding a lumen. The fluid impenetrable walls have a rigid portion, a thermally-deformable portion, and a thermal heater and/or cooler thermally coupled to the thermally-deformable portion. The thermally-deformable portion has a geometrical form that changes in response to changes in temperature of the thermally deformable portion. A flow controller receives a signal indicative of a desired flow rate and controls the thermal heater so as to cause the thermally-deformable portion to deform thereby controlling the fluid flow to the desired flow rate.