Fluid control apparatus

Abstract

Abstract 1511658 Fluid regulation DEFENCE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR 16 Dec 1975 [17 Dec 1974] 54508/74 Heading G3H [Also in Division F2] A system for actuating a pressure-operated fluidcontrol device C, Fig. 1, comprises at least one fluid circuit incorporating at least two electroviscous valves EV 1 , EV 2 , electrical control apparatus for varying the electrical field applied to the fluid flowing through the valves to vary the fluid-pressure in the circuit, and means for communicating the fluid-pressure with the fluidcontrol device C for actuating the latter and thereby controlling the flow of primary fluid WF. The control device C incorporates a bellows-type regulator B which is subjected to the pressure at point X 1 via line CP and thereby regulates the flow of the primary fluid WF from inlet IP to outlet OP leading to a load E. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 4, four electroviscous valves EV 7 to EV 10 are arranged in the form of a Wheatstone Bridge and the two pressures at points Y 1 , Y 2 are subjected to respective bellows-type regulators B(Y 1 ), B(Y 2 ) to proportionately vary communication of high and low-pressure topping 20, 21 with a control duct 23 and thereby control the pressure at annular recess 24. Low-pressure at the recess causes much of the primary flow 19 to be directed through swirl vanes 18 in a vortex chamber 10. Highpressure at the recess causes much of the primary flow to be directed straight through and around body 16 to increase the flow-rate. In another embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), pressures at opposite points (X 1 , X 2 ) of a Wheatstone Bridge arrangement, are applied to the opposite ends of a spool valve (S) via bellows chambers (CH 1 , CH 2 ), the spool valve controlling primary fluid-flow to and from a piece of hydraulic equipment (HE). The electroviscous valves each comprise a hollow cylinder (1), Fig. 2 (not shown), which surrounds and supports a concentric solid cylinder (2) to form an annular flow path (3). A variable voltage (VVS) is connected across the cylinders to produce the electrical control field.

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