GB1370417A - Fluidic circuit devices - Google Patents

Abstract

1370417 Valves BEKAERT SA NV 18 Jan 1973 2641/73 Heading F2V [Also in Division G4] A fluidic OR gate has a flexible valve member extending across all the inlet ports. Fluid appearing at any input port displaces the member away from that port, sealing any unpressurized ports while allowing fluid to pass from the pressurized port or ports to an outlet chamber. The mechanical characteristics of the member are such that, in the absence of inlets, pressure in the outlet chamber cannot cause the member to seal all of the inlets, and consequently the pressure is relieved via one of the inlets. In one embodiment the valve member is a ring 21, Figs. 1 and 4, surrounding a cylindrical part 1 having inlet ports 10-12. The outlet chamber is annular, being defined by ring 21 and annular wall 22. Part 1 and wall 22 are sandwiched between flat plates, the height of ring 21 being slightly less than the distance between the plates. Fluid issuing from any one or more of the inlets, e.g. inlet 11 as in Fig. 4, displaces ring 21 so that it seals the remaining ports against ingress of fluid from the outlet chamber. Fluid from the pressurized ports flows between the end faces of the ring and the plates, passing to outlet port (24), Fig. 3 (not shown), via the annular chamber. When no inlet is pressurized reverse flow can occur since the ring can not seal all the inlet ports, so relieving pressure in the outlet chamber. In a second embodiment, Fig. 6b, the inlet ports A-D are disposed in a line, with valve member 37 extending across them. Fluid passing over member 37 enters chamber 31 and exits at outlet 32. In another embodiment, Figs. 7a, 7b (not shown), the wall having the inlet ports is curved.