University of New Hampshire

Other

Parker-hannifin Corporation

The Aro Corporation

Eastern Air Devices, Inc.

Charles K Taft

Timothy J Harned

Steven R Huard

Benjamin M Herrick

Wilbert G Kautz

Joseph S Pavlat

David M Lancisi

Timothy S Burke

A converter or valve to modulate fluid flow, that includes a fluid channel to receive the fluid which is delivered to an output. An electrically-energized bender is disposed in close proximity to the output of the fluid channel; the bender is an elongate strip secured at one end and free to move at the other end toward or away from the output to interact with fluid flow from the output. An electric energy source is connected to bias the bender electrically to provide a small, controllable separation between the free end of the bender and the output of the fluid channel to provide an orifice for fluid flow, pumping action, as the bender moves relative to the output, upon a fluid film, separate from the fluid flow, serving either to compress or to expand the fluid film to achieve damping of the bender. The bender, in a modification, is shown in the form of a disc.

Electrofluid converters

A rotational position transducer comprising a rotor having annularly spaced teeth and a stator with a pole face configuration comprising annularly spaced teeth opposing the rotor teeth. One or more pole windings are energized by an alternate current source, and one or more output voltages induced in pole windings are produced with components having a characteristic which varies as a function of the angular position of the rotor relative to the stator. The output voltages may be either amplitude or phase modulated as a function of rotor position. The transducer may be combined with a stepping motor having an identical pole configuration.

Variable refluctance position transducer

An analog electro-fluidic signal transducer utilizing one or a tandem series of laminar proportional amplifiers. The transducer has input passages at a varying pressure differential produced by movements of a piezoelectric bender bimorph between opposed nozzles in a pressurized chamber. The pressure in the chamber and the excursion of the bender between the nozzles relative to the nozzle diameters are limited to minimize turbulence and achieve a pressure differential between the input passages that varies proportionally to or as an analog of a voltage applied to the bender. The pressure differential between the input passages is amplified by the amplifier or plural amplifiers in tandem series.

Analog electro-fluidic signal transducer

An electromagnetically controlled pneumatic valve includes a chamber having a first nozzle of magnetic material in opposed relation to a second nonmagnetic nozzle. A cylindrical, permanent magnet, valve member may become seated upon one or the other of the nozzles in response to an electromagnetic field generated by a coil surrounding the first nozzle. A conduit from the chamber between the nozzles connects to a pneumatic load such as an air tool.

Low power solenoid-operated air valve with magnetic latching

An electro-fluid interface device utilizes a control member that oscillates within a generally cylindrical chamber between an opposed pair of nozzles located at the ends of the chamber. Each nozzle is in fluid communication with a fluid supply, a fluid outlet, and a fluid drain. A coil or coils energized in response to an electrical input signal pulse width modulate the oscillation of the control member to produce a fluid flow through the outlets that is proportional to the electrical signal. In a preferred form, a pair of the coils is energized to oscillate the control element electromagnetically in cooperation with fluid flow forces on the control member due to the flow through the nozzles. Means for sensing the position of the control element switch the energizing current between the coils.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NH, United States of America

Charles K Taft