US3552437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-fluidic interface device
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-15
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An interface device for providing electrical responses to fluidic signals, and for providing fluidic responses to electrical signals is described. The interface device disclosed has a housing with ports for receiving fluidic signals, and a chamber in which a ball member is movably disposed. A pair of electrically conductive coils in combination with magnetic circuits receive electrical signals for providing fluidic responses by moving the ball to control fluid flow, and for providing electrical signals in response to ball movement caused by the fluidic signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L Blosser Jr
- 👤 Gary B Woehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/0603; F16K31/0624; F16K31/0627; F16K31/0631; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/04; F16K11/056; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An interface device for use in electro-fluidic systems comprising: housing means having a chamber therein with an outlet port and first and second inlet ports for cooperating with respectively associated first and second sources of pressurized fluid; first and second plug means disposed in said chamber and associated with said first and second inlet ports, respectively; first and second electrically conductive coil means disposed in said chamber and associated with said first and second plug means, respectively; a movable magnetizable means disposed in said chamber intermediate said first and second plug means and cooperating with said first or second plug means for directing fluid flow from said second or first inlet port, respectively, into said outlet port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An interface device for use in electro-fluidic systems comprising: housing means having a chamber therein with an outlet port and first and second inlet ports for cooperating with respectively associated first and second sources of pressurized fluid; first and second plug means disposed in said chamber and associated with said first and second inlet ports, respectively; first and second electrically conductive coil means disposed in said chamber and associated with said first and second plug means, respectively; a movable magnetizable means disposed in said chamber intermediate said first and second plug means and cooperating with said first or second plug means for directing fluid flow from said second or first inlet port, respectively, into said outlet port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An interface device as in claim 1 wherein said chamber in said housing means is substantially circular in cross section said chamber further including a plurality of channels extending into said chamber from said first and second inlet ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An interface device as in claim 2 wherein each of said plug means has a plug portion of a shape to substantially conform to said circular cross section of said chamber, thereby permitting fluid flow past said plug means in said respective ones of said plurality of channels, and each of said plug means further including magnetizable support means for supporting said respectively associated one of said conductive coil means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An interface device as in claim 3 wherein said moveable magnetizable means is capable of alternatively contacting each of said plug means for at least partially blocking fluid flow in the ones of said plurality of channels associated with the contacted one of said plug means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An interface device as in claim 4 wherein said moveable magnetizable means comprises a spherically shaped member having a dimension to substantially conform to said circular cross section of said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An interface device as in claim 4 wherein said first and second electrically conductive coil means includes a conductive wire wound on the associatEd one of said support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
An interface device as in claim 6 and further including signaling means coupled to each of said conductive wires for alternatively applying an electrical signal to a selected one of said conductive wires for providing a magnetic field for urging said moveable magnetizable means into contact with the one of said plug means associated said selected one of said conductive wires, thereby at least impeding fluid flow in the associated ones of said channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An interface device as in claim 6 and further including sensor means coupled to each of said conductive wires for sensing changes in the parameters of the magnetic circuit caused by said moveable magnetizable means being forced by fluid pressure into contact with one of said plug means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |