United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Other

Rolls-royce Corporation

University of Sheffield

Bass Public Limited Company

Quinetiq Limited

John R Tippetts

Geoffrey H Priestman

Timothy John Scanlon

Paul J Wilson

Stuart William Molzahn

William Dando

Gregory Berman

Lisa Jane Paine

Christopher W Wilson

Kevin D Brundish

Joshua Swithenbank

Provision of flow control arrangements which can be switched from high flow restriction to low flow restriction or vice versa are desirable. It is known to use switched vortex valves comprising a vortex chamber having a diverter portion which jets a through flow into either radial presentation to an outlet or tangential presentation with differential flow restrictions. Typically deflection is through cross flows presented from control ports as determined by mechanically actuated and controlled valves. Sensors are required to determine pressure differentials in order to actuate these moving part valves. By providing association between the control ports and an outlet path along with appropriate configuration and sizing of the flow regulators switching states can be provided through the cross flows presented via the flow regulators between the high and low through flow restriction. The flow regulators generally comprise orifice restrictors, diffusers/venturi arrangements or vortex throttles.

Flow control arrangement

A fountain () comprises a supply of water under pressure, a primary fluidic diverter () having an input () for said supply, and first and second outputs () diverging from said input. Two control ports () are provided with control flow to direct input flow to one or other of the two outputs that lead to the two inputs of a vortex amplifier (). This comprises a vortex chamber (), a radial port (), a vortex inducing port () and an axial output port (). One () of the diverter outputs is connected to the vortex inducing port, the other () to the radial port, so that supply to said axial output port is modulated by formation of a vortex in the chamber when flow is to the vortex inducing port. The axial port leads to a nozzle whereby a vortex spray or axial jet is produced, depending on which diverter output () is active. A wind detector () has a vertical jet () and a catcher () which fails to catch water from the jet in high wind conditions. The catcher feeds the control port () of a diverter, or such other pressure or flow detector as may be convenient. A fountain array of elements may comprise a number of diverters, the outputs of which have branches supplying the control ports of others in the array, whereby internal control is provided.

Display fountain, system, array and wind detector

A fuel injector including a combustion air flow conduit, a fuel inlet and, swirlers to mix the air and fuel flowing therethrough, additionally comprising fluidic control diverters including at least one control port, such that flow of control air through said control port allows variation in the degree of flow resistance to which combustion air is subjected. For example, control air flowing through the control port may impart swirl to the combustion air flow from the inlet, thereby subjecting the combustion air flow to increased resistance. Alternatively a fluidic diverter may selectively divert the main flow to either the first or second sub-conduits, each sub-conduit subjecting combustion air to different degrees of flow resistance.

Fuel injector

A system for separating a liquid and a gas including a separation vessel ( ) with an inlet ( ) for a gas/liquid mixture. Outlets ( ) for the fluids are disposed at different heights in the vessel. The outlets are controlled by turn-up vortex amplifiers (fluidic valves TuVAs) that include a supply port ( ), a control port ( ) and an outlet port ( ). The control port is supplied from the vessel at an intermediate level between the outlets, so that a change of flow in the control port alters resistence to flow through the valve.

Fluidic level control systems

A self cooling beverage container or can. Different embodiments of a self cooling can are shown including the use of an endothermic reaction perhaps between ammonium nitrate and water. In another embodiment a volatile liquid is evaporated. In another embodiment water is maintained in a low pressure environment and allowed to boil. The vapour which is produced from the boiling water is absorbed by a desiccant maintaining the boiling process. The cooling process may be initiated by the pressure release of a carbonated beverage can during opening of the can.

Self-cooling containers of beverage and foodstuffs

A control system for a single acting or double acting fluidic pump comprising a detector stage (1), a power amplifiction stage (2) and a primary element stage (3). The detector stage comprises bistable fluidic amplifiers for detecting pressure changes in a gas pressure line (10) to a displacement vessel of the pump. The power amplification stage comprises at least one unvented bistable fluidic amplifier to amplify and direct signals from the detector stage to the primary element. The primary element can be a jet pump (12) and vortex amplifier (13) to provide high pressures in the gas pressure line (10).

Fluidic pump control systems

A fluidic flow control device includes at least three terminals with two of the terminals being connected to input nozzles opposing each other in axial alignment. An interspace is provided adjacent the point of intersection of the two streams from the nozzles and a radial diffuser is provided encircling the interspace. The third terminal communicates with the radial diffuser. The variable relationship between the flows produced at the nozzles is effective to control the flow at the third terminal. The diffuser is formed by planar faces separated by a constant width gap. The gap opens into an annular plenum to which the third terminal is connected. The entry area to the radial diffuser is sized to be substantially equal to the sum of the areas of the nozzle throats. In one embodiment, a mixer region may be provided between the diffuser and at least one of the nozzles. A fourth terminal acting as a vent may communicate with the mixer region. If desired, a second radial diffuser may be provided and one nozzle throat may be larger than the other. A partition may be provided in the diffuser.

Fluidic control devices

For achieving a shut-off function, a mainstream communicates with a control stream into which an outlet for the mainstream opens laterally. By reciprocating the control stream back and forth across the outlet, for example by alternate pressurisation of reservoirs to which the control stream is connected at its ends, access of the mainstream to the outlet is inhibited. When the reciprocation is discontinued full flow of the mainstream to or through the outlet can take place.

Fluidic flow arrester

A fluidic flow control device comprising at least two generally aligned members having tapering bores therethrough, the members being so arranged as to constitute a convergence followed by a gradual divergence, separated by a gap, the gap communicating with an inlet/outlet or feed port. A cage connects the adjacent ends of the members and forms said port. A system for pumping may incorporate the device between a cylinder charged with pressure gas and an out-feed pipe. In operation, fluid is alternatively drawn in through the gap and into the cylinder and then pumped out by the gas across the gap and into and through the out-feed pipe. A level detector in the cylinder controls the oscillation of the system and an accumulator may be provided to smooth the outflow. Substantially continuous flow may be provided by coupling two systems to a common out-feed pipe. A pumped flow circuit useful for heat transfer utilizes two alternately operating devices out-feeding to a single diffuser section with connected feedback passages resupplying the devices in turn.

Growing community of inventors

Sheffield, United Kingdom

John R Tippetts