F15C3/02

Complementary fluidic valves and systems

A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Analog fluidic devices and systems
11098737 · 2021-08-24 · ·

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 and systems

A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

COMPLEMENTARY FLUIDIC LOGIC AND MEMORY DEVICES
20210010495 · 2021-01-14 ·

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.

LOAD-DEPENDENT HYDRAULIC FLUID FLOW CONTROL SYSTEM
20190024677 · 2019-01-24 ·

The present disclosure relates to a load dependent flow control system for directing hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator. The load dependent flow control system includes a closed-center valve device for controlling hydraulic fluid flow to the actuator. The closed-center valve device includes a valve spool and an electro-actuator that adjusts a position of the valve spool to adjust a rate of the hydraulic fluid flow supplied to the hydraulic actuator. A pressure sensor is provided for sensing a pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the hydraulic actuator. The system also includes an electronic controller configured to receive an operator flow command from an operator interface. The operator flow command corresponds to a base flow through the closed-center valve device. The electronic controller interfaces with the electro-actuator of the closed-center valve device and with the pressure sensor. At least when the sensed pressure is above a threshold pressure, the electronic controller uses the operator flow command and the sensed pressure to generate a pressure-modified flow command that is sent to the closed-center valve device to control flow through the closed-center valve device. The pressure-modified flow command corresponds to a pressure-modified flow through the closed-center valve device. The pressure-modified flow is less than the base flow through the closed-center valve device.