US3598135A

US3598135A - Fluid pulse responsive impacting stream apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3598135A
Application number: US5649A
Authority: US
Inventors: Warren A Lederman; Louis D Atkinson
Original assignee: Johnson Service Co
Current assignee: Johnson Controls International Inc
Priority date: 1970-01-26
Filing date: 1970-01-26
Publication date: 1971-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-10
Also published as: CA927748A

Abstract

A pair of aligned and opposed main stream nozzles in the opposite end of a rectangular chamber establishes a lateral impacting streamflow within an exit chamber portion having lateral parallel boundary layer lock-on walls. Control ports are connected to the opposite sides of the lateral flow chamber and are interconnected by a circulation passageway having a central fluid pulse input port. Output ports are provided to opposite sides of the lateral flow passageway means. Reference ports are connected to the interaction chamber to the opposite sides of the exit chamber. Reference ports are also connected to the circulation passageway.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Warren A. Lederman Milwaukee;

Louis D. Atkinson, New Berlin, both of, Wis.

Jan. 26, 1970 Aug. 10, 197] Johnson Service Company Milwaukee, Wis.

FLUID PULSE RESPONSIVE IMPACTING STREAM APPARATUS 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 137/815, 235/201 Int. Cl FlSc 1/20 Field oISearch 137/815; 235/201 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,499,458 3/]970 Korta et al. 1 37/8 l .5 3,5l5,004 6/1970 Ponterio l37/8l.5 X

Primary Examiner-William R. Cline Attorneys-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall and Arnold J.

De Angelis ABSTRACT: A pair of aligned and opposed main stream nozzles in the opposite end of a rectangular chamber establishes a lateral impacting streamflow within an exit chamber portion having lateral parallel boundary layer lock-on walls. Control ports are connected to the opposite sides of the lateral flow chamber and are interconnected by a circulation passageway having a central fluid pulse input port. Output ports are provided to opposite sides of the lateral flow passageway means. Reference ports are connected to the interaction chamber to the opposite sides of the exit chamber. Reference ports are also connected to the circulation passageway.

Agcldng asm asoa name Supbly Resct Pulscz Bled PATENTED mm.

SHEET 1 OF 2 K ddng as n w asag 4 SuSply Reset Pulse Attorneys PATENTEUAUGIOIHH 3,598,135 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. Warren A L edrzrman BY LOUIS D Atkmson 4 Suppl-y Port Attorneys FLUID PULSE RESPONSIVE lMPACTlING STREAM APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to a fluid pulse responsive impact modulator and particularly to such an impact modulator establishing a reliable binary counter stage.

Fluidic devices operating essentially with purely interacting fluid streams have recently been developed for control, switching and amplifying functions. A pure fluid device, which can be switched between two output signal levels with internal means to maintain the device in the last switched condition, provides an output suitable for binary counting. US. Pat. No. 3,00l ,698 discloses a fluid pulse converter which can be employed in a binary counter system in which a beamed deflection amplifying system is provided with a pulse responsive circulation loop connected to a single input. By cascading of the devices, sequential input pulses to any one stage results in an efl'ective transfer of a pulse signal to a subsequent stage with a resulting binary counting sequence.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is particularly directed to a fluid responsive fluidic device employing an impacting stream means in combination with a boundary layer attachment means and a circulation control loop responsive to fluidic trigger pulses applied to the loop for controlling the impact modulator. The impacting stream fluidic device of the present invention provides a highly reliable pulse responsive control accurately responding to successive incoming pulse signals at a common input. Generally in accordance with the present invention, positive circulation control loop is established as a result of the aspiration of the flow at one end of the loop and the generation of a positive pressure flow at the opposite end of the loop. The fluidic device retains the advantages of the impacting stream concept including a relatively high output pressure recovery and essentially complete isolation between the input and output impedances of the fluidic device. The impacting stream concept also pennits application of the fluidic device over a wide range of supply pressures.

The device can be constructed in either a twoor threedimensional construction, for example, as shown in the copending application Ser. No. 5,653 of Louis D. Atkinson entitled Fluidic Logic Device and the copending application Ser. No. 5,652 of Warren A. Lederrnan entitled Two- Dimensional Fluidic Logic Device," both filed on the same day as this application and assigned to the same assignee. In the two-dimensional form, the aspect ratio which is defined as the ratio of the depth to the width of the several flow apertures is not critical. The invention is therefore readily applicable to formation as a miniature component with a low flow consumption and a high frequency operating range.

Generally, in accordance with the present invention, supply means establish a pair of generally opposed main streams impacting within the central portion of a reference or interaction chamber. The chamber includes a lateral control passageway means aligned with the lateral impacting streamflow with at least one lock-on wall, such that the impacting strcamflow locks on to such wall as a result of boundary layer phenomenon and establishes a stable state requiring a given change in the relative pressure of the two streams to remove the flow from such wall. In accordance with the present invention, control ports are provided into the interaction chamber to the opposite side of the lateral flow passageway means and the ports are interconnected to each other through a circulation passageway or loop means.

The impact, or interaction chamber is particularly constructed with the respective output or collector chambers connected to a reference, such that the main stream does not necessarily maintain a positive pressure and permits aspiration with the lateral flow lock-on to the opposite or furthest removed lock-on wall. This permits the entrainment or aspiration of the fluid with the resultant relative pressure which is negative relative to the pressure at the opposite port. In addition, output ports are provided to opposite sides of the lateral flow passageway means such that the position of the lateral flow with respect to the lock-0n wall selectively provides a signal to one or the other of the output ports. Thus with the lateral flow attached to the lock-on wall, the output immediately adjacent to such wall is provided with a proportionate pressure signal. If the relative strength of the two streams are varied to shift the lateral flow from the wall, the output pressure will essentially be removed. If the pressure level is sufficiently high to overcome the lock-on control, such pressure level will also be sufficiently large to remove the lateral flow from the corresponding portion of the chamber to reduce the output pressure.

A fluidic trigger signal port or passageway means is provided to the central portion of the circulation loop. An input trigger pulse is directed by the circulation flow to the corresponding port and provides a positive pressure signal at that port which reduces the effective strength of the corresponding main impacting stream. If the trigger pulse is sufficiently large, the strength reduction will result in a shifting of the impact position. By providing a second lock-on wall to the opposite side of the control passageway means, the flow is maintained in a second stable state with a reversed circulation flow upon removal of the trigger pulse. The output thereby is shifted to a second output. Any given stage may be provided set and reset ports to establish a given starting output by applying of a proper input signal to the set port or the reset port which in turn establishes the initial signal to the impact modulator to control the desired locking wall construction.

A continuous train of timespaced pulses applied to the trigger pulse passageway will establish a train of pulse signals at each output at one-half the input frequency. Two pulses are required to complete a single cycle of events. The first pulse transfers the flow from an output and the next pulse returns it to such output. Cascaded stages therefore are particularly adapted 0 provide a binary counting output.

The present invention thus provides a highly proved binary output stage of a pure fluid construction which can reliably respond to a train of incoming pulses with a relatively high output pressure and with the input impedance essentially completely decoupled from the output impedance. This permits direct cascading of binary counter stages with the output connected to as a trigger pulse input to the succeeding or next stage. Reliable two-dimensional construction further permits miniaturization of a binary-type fluidic counter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The drawing furnished herewith illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the subject invention and clearly disclosing the above advantages and features as well as others, which will be readily understood from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational view ofa fluidic pulse controlled apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken generally on line 2-2 of FIG. I and illustrating one construction of the fluidic device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the switched state of the binary counter stage in response to the first input trigger pulse;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken generally on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 to more clearly illustrate the alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIM ENTS Referring to the drawing and particularly invention FIGS. I and 2, the illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown in a two-dimensional configuration. Thus, the fluidic device is formed as a relatively flat planar unit including a pair of stacked plates 1 and 2 with the baseplate 1 formed with a plurality of channels and passageways. The plate members 1 and 2 can be formed of any suitable metal, plastic or the like and interconnected in any suitable manner, as by bolts 3, to define a plurality of sealed two-dimensional passageways and channels. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a fluidic deice includes a main stream interaction chamber 4 which is shown as a rectangular configuration formed by a corresponding recess in the baseplate l. A first main supply nozzle or passageway means 5 is provided to the one side or end of the chamber 4 and extends from the outermost left edge inwardly with the innermost portion formed as a stream-forming orifice 6. The main supply nozzle 5 is connected to a suitable fluid source which may be a gas, a liquid, or a mixture of such, which may or may not include certain solid components. Generally, the invention advantageously employs an air source for ease of reference and the relative ready availability thereof.

In any event, the main supply establishes a first mainstream 7 directed into the reference or interaction chamber 4. As previously noted, the device is a two-dimensional construction and thus, the stream is confined by the opposite cover plates 1 and 2. The orifice 6 is substantially smaller than the lateral dimension'of the chamber 4 and thus the stream is essentially a free stream to he opposite sides thereof.

A similar supply nozzle 8 is formed in the diametrically opposite side of the plate 1 and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the interaction chamber. The nozzle 8 terminates in a similar orifice 9 establishing an opposed flowing mainstream 10 of a corresponding fluid. The streams 7 and 10 impact generally centrally of the chamber 4 and define a lateral impacting streamflow 11. In the two-dimensional model, the flow will constitute two distinct flows extending laterally from the mainstreams 7 and 10 generally laterally of the interaction chamber 4. The impacting streamflow is directed or flows into reference or control chambers 12 and 13 which extend laterally of the interaction chamber and generally as extensions thereof. The one reference chamber 13 is referenced to atmosphere through a passageway 14 extending outwardly to the outermost edge of the plate or housing 1 and is referenced directly to the atmosphere or, if desired, to any other suitable reference. The reference chamber or passageway 14 is provided with an offset wall or notch 15 immediately adjacent the interaction chamber 4 to provide a restrictive discharge passageway to the reference pressure and to enhance the lock-on phenomenon as hereinafter described. The opposite reference chamber 12 extends inwardly of the housing and is connected to a laterally extending reference tap connection or conduit 16. The wall of the reference chamber 12 is generally aligned with the offset wall 15 with the reduced reference tap connection 16 providing the desired reference pressure restriction. The reference chamber 12 includes a lateral enlargement as at 16a with the reference tap connection 16 of a reduced size and connected to the central portion thereof. The reference chambers 12 and 13 thus define a pair of generally aligned lock-on

walls

17 and 18 spaced longitudinally of the main streamflow. The passageways are preferably constructed with a slight asymmetry about the vertical axis of FIG. 2 such that with essentially corresponding main supply stream pressures, the impacting streamflow is located adjacent the lock-on walls 17, shown to the left side of the reference chambers 12 and 13. The fluid flow engages the walls 17 and establishes a lock-on bubble 19 between each wall l7 and the lateral flow as a result of boundary layer phenomenon. The separation bubble 19 results from an entrainment phenomenon which creates an associated pressure level generally below atmospheric. Furthermore, the lateral impacting streamflow will be held to that position until a predetermined pressure differential exists between the two main supply streams 7 and 10 which is suffcient to overcome the lock-on force. The device, therefore, establishes a first stable condition. When such change occurs,

the pressure differential resulting in the removal from the lock on is, of course, sufficiently great to move the impact position and the lateral flow from the one lock-on wall 17 toward the opposite lock-0n wall 18. Further, the oppositely directed flow is a more or less cone-shaped flow, as shown in FIG. 3, with i the outer periphery 19a of the lateral flow initially engaging the lock-on wall with the resulting enhancement and positive creation of the low-pressure locking bubble between the lateral flow and the adjacent boundary layer or lock-on walls 18.

Similar output passageways

20 and 21 are provided to the opposite sides of the control passageway 12, and thus the impact flow position and particularly the lock-on walls, to permit recovery of the output pressure in accordance with the position of the impacting flow. Thus, with he lateral flow as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure tends to rise in the interaction chamber 4 shown to the left of the passageway 12 and in alignment with the output passageway 20. The output passageway 20 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention projects inwardly of the housing and terminates in a lateral pressure-connected conduit or tap 22.

The output passageway 21 to the opposite side of the chamber 12 is similarly constructed and terminates in a tap 23. When the lateral flow is shifted to the lock-on wall 18, the output pressure is collected in the opposite side of the passageway 12 and particularly the output passageway 21 and tap 23.

in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the opposite ends of the interaction chamber 4 which constitute the output pressure collectors for the

respective passageways

20 and 21 are also interconnected by suitable reference or bleed

passageways

24 and 25 to a suitable reference such as atmosphere in the described embodiment. Each of the

passageways

24 and 25 are similarly constructed with relatively small orifices adjacent the interaction chamber 4 in the edge wall diametrically opposite from the corresponding

passageways

20 and 21. The

passageways

24 and 25 extend angularly outwardly and then perpendicular to the lower edge of the housing in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bleed passageways prevent undesirable pressure buildup in the collector chambers allowing stable operation and a range of output loading. This, in turn, facilitates aspiration by the mainstream 7 or 10 and the lateral flow within the interaction chamber to the reference pressure side of the lateral flow. Thus, in FIG. 2, the main supply stream 10 readily aspirates flow as a result of the referencing of the interaction chamber 4 to the right of such lateral flow.

Similar control ports

26 and 27 are formed in the edge walls at the opposite ends of the chamber 4 and thus in alignment with the corresponding side of the mainstreams 7 and 10. The control ports or

orifices

26 and 27 similarly curve laterally outwardly from the opposite sides of chamber 4 towards the opposite side edges of the housing and terminate in corresponding input ports, identified respectively as a set pulse port 28 and a reset port 29 for purposes of identification. A control fluid signal applied via the set port 26 establishes a control stream which controls the pressure of the mainstreams 7 through secondary injection. Thus, the control stream establishes a control pressure which varies the velocity profile of the primary stream 7 and reduces its effective strength rela tive to the opposed mainstream 10. The impacting flow then shifts to the left and establishes the setting of the bistable unit in the set position of FIG. 2.

Similarly, a fluid signal applied via the reset pulse port 29 provides a corresponding reduction in strength of the mainstream l0 with respect to stream 7. When the pressure difference is sufficient to release the lateral flow from the lockon wall, the lateral flow shifts to the right with the resulting lock-on to the right-hand lock-on wall 18 as shown in FIG. 3.

In accordance with the present invention, a circulation loop or passageway means 30 interconnects the

control ports

26 and 27. The circulation passageway means includes an inner 4 inverted V-shaped wall 31 with a cusp 31a at its peak and interconnected to the center of the

control passageways

26 and 27 through a curved portion. The outer wall 32 of the circulation passageway means 30 is generally straight and parallel to V-shaped wall 31. Similar bleed or reference ports 33 and 34 extend inwardly from the opposite edges of the housing member and connect to the circulation loop or passageway 30 through a similar offset portion. A trigger pulse passageway or port 35 is provided in the upper edge of the housing and terminates in a nozzle or orifice 36 aligned with the center of the circulation passageway 30 and thus in diametrically spaced relation to the V-shaped inner wall 31. With the impacting streams positioned as shown in Fig. 2 and, in particular, with the lateral flow attached to the wall 17, positive output pressure is applied to the one output orifice 22. A part of the output pressure is emitted through the control port 26 to establish a positive outward pressure in such control passageway. Thus, the latter functions as a partial collector and flow will emanate out of the control passageway as well as the output passageway. 1

On the opposite side, the complementary control port 27 is subjected to entrainment phenomenon and, consequently, fluid is aspirated from the control port 27 by the mainstream 10. The one control port 26 is, therefore, at a positive pressure above atmosphere while the opposite control port 27 is at a relatively negative pressure with respect to atmosphere. The circulation passageway 30 provides a flow path from the control port 26 to the control port 27. This results in a continuous flow of fluid from the left side of the unit shown in FIG. 2 to the right side of the impacting streams. The control flow is, therefore, applied to the stream I0 but is of an insufficient force to result in a change or a reduction in the pressure of stream relative to stream 7 sufficiently to release from the wall.

If a trigger pulse 37 of flow is applied to the trigger nozzle 35, as shown in FIG. 3, the input fluid pressure and flow is directed by the circulating fluid to the right side of the circulation passageway 30, as shown at 38, and thus into the control port 27. If the trigger pulse is of a sufficient pressure level, the total fluid signal now applied to stream 10 reduces the effective strength of the stream 10 relative to stream 7 to establish differential pressure great enough to cause the impacting lateral flow to release from the wall 17. Upon the release, the entrainment or lock-on bubble 19 is broken and the impact point shifts rapidly to the right. Further, the lateral flow generally includes the cone-shaped lateral flow as at 19a and is directed to the right as shown in FIG. 3 resulting in lock-on to the opposite wall. The streams 7 and I0 will remain in this second stable position even after removal of the trigger pulse. Furthermore, the pressure now builds up in the right side of the chamber 4 and flow emanates from port 27. Similarly, stream 7 aspirates fluid from port 26 and an opposite circulating of fluid is created within passageway 30.

The next trigger pulse applied to the nozzle .35 is directed by the reverse circulation flow to the control port 26 resulting in a reverse switching of the impact point and associated lateral flow. Thus, a continuous train of time-spaced input pulses applied to the nozzle 34 and thus to the circulation loop establishes an output signal at each of the

output ports

22 and 23 having a frequency equal to one-half the input frequency. Thus, as just described, a pair of sequential trigger pulses results in removal and reinstatement of the output signal at any given output. Because two input or trigger pulses are required to complete a cycle at any given output, the fluidic device functions as a pure fluid frequency divider and provides the basic function required for binary counter stages. Although placement of the control ports and the like is not critical, the several control output and reference ports are preferably spaced laterally of each other to promote the establishment of the desired circulating fluid flow.

The several binary stages may, of course, be constructed of a three-dimensional configuration employing a bistable impacting fluidic device such as shown in FIG. 4 wherein a fluidic device unit 38 is similar to that shown in the copending application of Louis A. Atkinson entitled Fluidic Logic Device" which was filed on the same day as this application and is assigned to the same assignee. Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the bistable unit 38 includes a central body member 39 provided with a central passageway with the opposite ends closed by similar end covers or caps 40 and 41. Each of the caps 40 and 41 includes a similar supply nozzle 42 and 43, respectively, mounted in opposed aligned relationship with the central passageway through the body member 39 to create a pair of opposed impacting streams 44 and 45. A central impacting reference chamber 46 is provided centrally within the body member 39 with the impacting streams 44 and 45 establishing a radial impacting flow 47 within such reference chamber 46. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the central passageway is made somewhat larger than the mainstreams 44 and 45 such that the latter are three-dimensionally free streams and the reference chamber 46 completely encircles the stream to permit discharge of the radial flow. Both of the opposite sidewalls of the reference chamber 46 are shown as planar surfaces which define lock-on walls 48 and 49 to which the impacting flow is held by the lock-on phenomena similar to that described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1- 3. A first output chamber and passageway 50 are formed to the one side of the reference chamber 46, including an output orifice 51 in the wall adjacent the reference chamber and an isolating orifice 52 in the end wall of the body member aligned with the supply port 42. A similar output chamber and passageway 53 are formed to the opposite side of chamber 46. Passageways 54 to the opposite side of the supply nozzles provide a reference connection to the internal chambers 55 and 56 between the internal ends of the nozzles 42 and 43 and the opposed end walls of the body member 39.

In the operation of the system, the supply ports 42 and 43 are connected to a suitable fluid supply adapted to establish generally similar strength streams, but with the one stream of a very slightly greater strength than the other such that the radial flow is biased into engagement with one of the lock-on walls. In FIG. 4, the lateral flow 47 is shown engaging the lockon wall 48. An output pressure and flow, therefore, is created within the output chamber and passageway 50. Further, a par tial positive pressure signal is created within the reference chamber 55, and a negative pressure signal is created within the opposite reference chamber 56 as a result of aspiration.

Similar control nozzles 57 and 58 are provided extending perpendicular to the path of the mainstreams, one within each of the reference chambers 55 and 56 adjacent the supply ports 42 and 43. A signal stream from nozzle 57 or nozzle 58 engages the corresponding mainstream and, as a result of deflec' tion thereof, results in a relative decrease in the force of such stream with respect to the opposed stream. In the application of this device to the present invention, the signal nozzles 57 and 58 are interconnected by a circulation loop 59 to provide for a circulating fluid therebetween. The illustrated circulation loop is generally an inverted V-shaped member having the one leg interconnected to the signal nozzle 57 and including a curved portion 60 extending from the signal nozzle 57 to a relatively straight line passageway portion, the upper end of which is connected to an offset portion forming the apex 61 of the V-shaped circulation loop. The opposite leg is similarly formed and joined with the first circulation leg at the apex 61. An input port member 62 is connected to the outer wall of the apex 61 and includes a nozzle or orifice 63 to establish a pulse input signal centrally of the two legs of loop 59. The opposite wall of the apex 61 in alignment with the input port 62 is formed as a concave wall 64. Bleed passageways 65 and 66 are similarly connected to the two legs of the circulation loop in slightly inwardly spaced relation from the apex 6] and particularly the concave wall 64.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 generally operates in a manner similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment. Thus, with the system established as shown in FIG. 4 and with the lateral flow 47 secured to the lock-on wall, an output pressure is built up within the output passageway 50. In addition, this results in a partial buildup of pressure within the reference chamber 55 adjacent the signal nozzle 57. Conversely, the referencing of the supply nozzle chamber 56 results in aspiration and thus a reduction in the relative pressure level adjacent the other signal nozzle 58. This induces a circulation flow from the first nozzle through the circulation loop 59 to the second or opposite signal nozzle 58, as

shown by flow arrows 67. The flow is in the direction tending to reduce the strength of the stronger mainstream 45 but is insufficient to reduce its strength to a level to overcome the lock-on wall effect. An input signal at the trigger input port 62, however, is directed once again by the circulating fluid 67 to the second nozzle 58 and when of an appropriate level, the total signal stream strength sufficiently reduces the strength of the related mainstream 45 whereby the relative stream pressure is sufficient to break the lock-on force between the radial flow 47 and the wall 48. The flow 47 is thus released and the impact point shifts with the rapid transfer of the impacting flow 47 to the opposite lock-on wall 49. Thus, the circuit operates in essentially the same manner as the first embodiment. The three-dimensional configuration, however, may be desirable in that the cylindrical openings and passageways have a minimal impedance and may result in a somewhat improved recovery characteristic. Thus, the two-dimensional device will tend to introduce frictional losses as a result of the boundary walls in two planes of the stream.

In both of the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the control signal nozzles or passageways are shown establishing control signal streams generally perpendicular to the path of the mainstream. It may be desirable to incline the control signal passageway angularly in slightly opposed relationship to the mainstream in order to reduce the required cutoff strength. Thus, a lesser input pulse signal can be employed. Further, although single nozzles are shown with corresponding single circulation loops, additional control nozzles may be incorporated for either or both of the mainstreams to provide additional interrelated controls if so desired.

The present invention thus provides a highly reliable binarytype fluidic device having the highly desirable performance characteristics. Thus, the impacting stream concepts with the related control ports and output ports allow relatively high pressure recovery and, as in other impacting stream devices, isolation between the impact and the output. This is particularly significant in a binary-type counter as it eliminates impedance matching of the cascaded stages. The device may operate over a wide pressure range and the aspect ratio of the two-dimensional model is not critical, as previously discussed.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

We claim: v

l. A fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus comprising a pair of impacting stream means establishing a lateral impacting streamflow adjacent a lock-on wall'to establish a stable output condition, said lock-on wall defining a pair of pressure chambers to the opposite side of the lateral impacting streamflow and having a pair of control passageway means terminating one each to each side of the lateral impacting streamflow, a circulation passageway means connecting said control passageway means to establish a circulation flow as a result of the differential pressure across said lateral impacting streamflow, and fluid signal passageway means connected to the circulation passageway means for applying a fluid signal thereto with such fluid signal being directed by the circulating fluid to the corresponding control passageway means.

2. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 having a second lock-on wall to the opposite side of the lateral impacting streamflow from the first lock-on wall to establish a bistable fluidic means.

3. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim lwherein said circulation passageway means includes a generally inverted V-shaped inner wall with a cusp and a parallel straight outer wall connecting said control passageway means, and said fluid signal passageway means being connected to the center of the outer wall in opposed alignment with the apex of the V-shaped inner wall.

4. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting stream means includes an interaction chamber means having a pair of opposed supply nozzle means establishing a first and second impacting stream within said chamber for establishing said lateral impacting streamflow, lateral flow passageway means connected to said chamber in alignment with the impacting streamflow to exit said lateral flow, said lateral flow passageway means including a pair said lateral corresponding walls to the opposite side of said impacting streamflow and defining a pair of spaced lock-on walls, said control passageway means and output means connected to said chamber to opposite sides of the lock-on wall.

5. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 4 having reference pressure passageway means connected to the chamber to the opposite sides of the lock-on wall.

6. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 4 having reference pressure passageway means connected apparatus the circulation passageway means to the opposite sides of the fluid signal passageway means.

7. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting stream means includes an interaction chamber means having a pair of opposed supply nozzle means establishing a first and second impacting stream within said chamber for establishing said lateral impacting streamflow, lateral flow passageway means connected to said chamber in alignment with the impacting streamflow to exit said lateral flow, said lateral flow passageway means including at least one wall to one side of said impacting streamflow and defining said lockon wall engaged by said impacting streamflow to establish a corresponding stable state, output passageway means connected to said chamber to opposite sides of the lock-on wall, said first control passageway means connected to said chamber between the output means and the first nozzle means, said second control passageway means being connected to said chamber between the second output means and the second nozzle means.

8. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lateral flow passageway means includes a pair of lock-on walls one to each side of the impacting streamflow.

9. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 7 having reference pressure passageway means connected to the chamber to the opposite sides of the lateral flow passageway means.

10. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 7 having reference pressure passageway means connected to the circulation passageway means to the opposite sides of the fluid signal passageway means.

11. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim I wherein a generally rectangular two-dimensional flow interaction chamber includes a pair of opposed nozzles at the op.- posite ends establishing said lateral impacting streamflow within a generally central laterally extending exit chamber having longitudinally spaced parallel walls defining lock-on walls to establish a stable output condition, said lock-on wall defining a pair of chambers within said interaction chamber, said pair of control passageway means curving outwardly and laterally from the corresponding end of the interaction chamber to input signal ports, said circulation passageway means including an inverted V-shaped inner wall having a cusp at its apex and connected to the control passageway means and a straight outer wall parallel to said V-shaped wall defining a restricted passageway connection to the control passageway means, fluid signal passageway means connected to the outer wall of the circulation passageway means in opposed aligned relationship to the cusp of said V-shaped inner wall, a pair of reference passageways connected to the circulation passageway means each between the fluid signal passageway means and the control passageway means, output passageway means connected one each between the lock-on the exit chamber and on the opposite side of the impacting streams from said control and output passageway means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,598,135 Dated August 10, 1971 Inventor(s) Warren A. Lederman and Louis D. Atkinson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, Line 39, after "adapted" cancel the "o" and insert to Column 3, Line 8, cancel "deice" and insert device Column 3, Line 27, cancel "he" and insert the Column 4, Line 16, cancel "he" and insert the Column 8, Line 12, after "pair" cancel "said lateral" and insert Column 8 Line 22, after "connected" cancel "apparatus" and insert Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOITSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents RM PC4050 (o-6g) uscoMM-oc 6O37l-P69 .s. novnuunn Dliuflur. nun-L

Claims

1. A fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus comprising a pair of impacting stream means establishing a lateral impacting streamflow adjacent a lock-on wall to establish a stable output condition, said lock-on wall defining a pair of pressure chambers to the opposite side of the lateral impacting streamflow and having a pair of control passageway means terminating one each to each side of the lateral impacting streamflow, a circulation passageway means connecting said control passageway means to establish a circulation flow as a result of the differential pressure across said lateral impacting streamflow, and fluid signal passageway means connected to the circulation passageway means for applying a fluid signal thereto with such fluid signal being directed by the circulating fluid to the corresponding control passageway means.

3. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circulation passageway means includes a generally inverted V-shaped inner wall with a cusp and a parallel straight outer wall connecting said control passageway means, and said fluid signal passageway means being connected to the center of the outer wall in opposed alignment with the apex of the V-shaped inner wall.

4. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting stream means includes an interaction chamber means having a pair of opposed supply nozzle means establishing a first and second impacting stream within said chamber for establishing said lateral impacting streamflow, lateral flow passageway means connected to said chamber in alignment with the impacting streamflow to exit said lateral flow, said lateral flow passageway means including a pair corresponding walls to the opposite side of said impacting streamflow and defining a pair of spaced lock-on walls, said control passageway means and output means connected to said chamber to opposite sides of the lock-on wall.

6. The fluidic puLse-responsive apparatus of claim 4 having reference pressure passageway means connected to the circulation passageway means to the opposite sides of the fluid signal passageway means.

7. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein said impacting stream means includes an interaction chamber means having a pair of opposed supply nozzle means establishing a first and second impacting stream within said chamber for establishing said lateral impacting streamflow, lateral flow passageway means connected to said chamber in alignment with the impacting streamflow to exit said lateral flow, said lateral flow passageway means including at least one wall to one side of said impacting streamflow and defining said lock-on wall engaged by said impacting streamflow to establish a corresponding stable state, output passageway means connected to said chamber to opposite sides of the lock-on wall, said first control passageway means connected to said chamber between the output means and the first nozzle means, said second control passageway means being connected to said chamber between the second output means and the second nozzle means.

11. The fluidic pulse-responsive apparatus of claim 1 wherein a generally rectangular two-dimensional flow interaction chamber includes a pair of opposed nozzles at the opposite ends establishing said lateral impacting streamflow within a generally central laterally extending exit chamber having longitudinally spaced parallel walls defining lock-on walls to establish a stable output condition, said lock-on wall defining a pair of chambers within said interaction chamber, said pair of control passageway means curving outwardly and laterally from the corresponding end of the interaction chamber to input signal ports, said circulation passageway means including an inverted V-shaped inner wall having a cusp at its apex and connected to the control passageway means and a straight outer wall parallel to said V-shaped wall defining a restricted passageway connection to the control passageway means, fluid signal passageway means connected to the outer wall of the circulation passageway means in opposed aligned relationship to the cusp of said V-shaped inner wall, a pair of reference passageways connected to the circulation passageway means each between the fluid signal passageway means and the control passageway means, output passageway means connected one each between the lock-on walls and the control passageway means to one side of said impacting streams, and a pair of reference passageway means having restricted ports and connected one each to each side of the exit chamber and on the opposite side of the impacting streams from said control and output passageway means.