GB1338017A - Signal converter for fluidic controls - Google Patents

Abstract

1338017 Fluidic elements ENFO ENTWICKLUNGS-UND FORSCHUNGS-AG 1 Nov 1971 [30 Oct 1970] 50707/71 Heading G4P [Also in Division G3] A converter 1, which operates in a digital manner, comprises a compound fluid inlet 5 which is fed from a common source 8 and which creates a single resultant axially directed jet, two fluid outlets 7, and two vents 9, the downstream end of the compound inlet 5, 5 carrying two symmetrically disposed heat transfer elements 10. Appropriate activation of the transfer elements serves to cause the input jet to be deflected to one or other of the two outputs 7. A digital action is ensured by curving the up- stream ends 6 of the two outlets 7. The converter, which is of laminate construction, is made such as to allow the transfer plates to have a quick response time both when heated and when cooled. Heating of the elements 10 may be achieved by supplying the heat energy directly as electrical heat energy. Alternatively, such supply may be by way of heat radiation or laser radiation (Fig. 5, not shown), or by way of heat conduction (Fig. 4, not shown). A converter having a three-dimensional arrangement of outlets is disclosed (Fig. 7, not shown), such converter employing four heat transfer plates. An analogue converter is depicted in Fig. 1, not shown.