Adaptive fluidic function generators

Claim 2

A fluidic circuit for providing a fluid output signal as a selectively variable function of a fluid input signal, said circuit comprising: function generating means responsive to said input signal for generating a plurality of function signals, each function signal representing a different function of said input signal; and switching means for producing said fluid output signal, said switching means comprising a plurality of fluidic transmission gates connected to receive respective function signals and operable in response to predetermined commands for selectively providing different combinations of said fluid function signals as said fluid output signal.

Claim 3

The fluidic circuit according to claim 1 wherein said function generating means comprises: proportional fluidic amplifier means including: means for providing a power stream fluid, at least first and second outlet passages for selectively receiving said power stream and providing respective first and second fluid pressures in response to received portions of said power stream and input means responsive to said input signal for selectively deflecting said power stream relative to said outlet passages; fluidic comparator means connected to receive said first and second fluid pressures for providing a first fluid control signal in response to said first fluid pressure exceeding said second fluid pressure and a second fluid control signal in response to said second fluid pressure exceeding said first fluid pressure; first fluidic gating means connected to receive said first fluid pressure and said first fluid control signal for providing said first fluid pressure as a first gated fluid signal only in the absence of said first fluid control signal; second fluidic gating means connected to receive said second fluid pressure and said second fluid control signal for providing said second fluid pressure as a second gated fluid signal only in the absence of said second fluid control signal; and output means connected to receive said first and second gated fluid signals for providing one of said function signals in accordance with whichever of said first and second gated fluid signals has a higher pressure.

Claim 4

The fluidic circuit according to claim 1 wherein said function generating means comprises: analog fluidic amplifier means including: means for providing a power stream fluid, at least first and second outlet passages for selectively receiving said power stream and providing respective first and second fluid pressures in response to received portions of said power stream and input means responsive to said input signal for selectively deflecting said power stream relative to said outlet passages; fluidic comparator means connected to receive said first and second fluid pressures for providing a first fluid control signal in response to said first fluid pressure exceeDing said second fluid pressure and a second fluid control signal in response to said second fluid pressure exceeding said first fluid pressure; first fluidic gating means connected to receive said first fluid pressure and said first fluid control signal for providing said first fluid pressure as a first gated fluid signal only in the absence of said first fluid control signal; second fluidic gating means connected to receive said second fluid pressure and said second fluid control signal for providing said second fluid pressure as a second gated fluid signal only in the absence of said second fluid control signal; and output means connected to receive said first and second gated fluid signals for providing one of said function signals in accordance with whichever of said first and second gated fluid signals has lower pressure.

Claim 5

The fluidic circuit according to claim 1 wherein said function generating means comprises: fluidic amplifier means including: means for providing a power stream of fluid, at least three outlet passages for selectively receiving said power stream and providing respective fluid pressures in response to received portions of said power stream, and input means responsive to said input signal for selectively deflecting said power stream relative to said outlet passages; maximum pressure selector means connected to at least one pair of said outlet passages for providing a first fluid pressure signal having a pressure substantially equal to the higher of the two pressures appearing at said at least one pair of outlet passages, said first fluid pressure signal corresponding to one of said function signals; and means for providing a second fluid pressure signal which varies inversely with said first fluid pressure signal, said second fluid pressure signal corresponding to another of said function signals.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 4 further comprising summing means connected to receive all of the selectively provided function signals from said switching means for combining said signals to provide said output signal.

Claim 7

The fluidic circuit according to claim 1 wherein said function generating means comprises: fluidic amplifier means including: means for providing a power stream of fluid, at least three outlet passages for selectively receiving said power stream and providing respective fluid pressures in response to received portions of said power stream, and input means responsive to said input signal for selectively deflecting said power stream relative to said outlet passages; minimum pressure selector means for providing a first fluid pressure signal having a pressure substantially equal to the lower of the two pressures appearing at at least one pair of said outlet passages, said first fluid pressure signal corresponding to one of said function signals; and means for providing a second fluid pressure signal which varies inversely with said first fluid pressure signal, said second fluid pressure signal corresponding to another of said function signals.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 6 further comprising summing means connected to receive all of the selectively provided function signals from said switching means for combining said signals to provide said output signals.

Claim 9

The circuit according to claim 1 wherein said function generating means includes: fluidic amplifier means having at least three outlet passages for providing respective fluid signals as functions of a fluid input signal; and circuit means having common output means and connected to at least one pair of said outlet passages for providing at said common output means one of said function signals as a predetermined function of the amplitude difference between the signals appearing at each passage in said at least one pair of outlet passages.

Claim 10

The fluidic circuit according to claim 8 wherein said common output means comprises fluidic summing means responsive to application of said function signals thEreto for providing said fluid output signal as a function of the sum of said function signals.

Claim 11

The fluidic circuit according to claim 8 wherein said common output means comprises fluidic means responsive to application of said function signals thereto for providing said fluid output signal as a function of the difference between said function signals.

Claim 12

The fluidic circuit according to claim 8 wherein said common output means comprises means responsive to application of said function signals thereto for providing said fluid output signal as a function of the sum of certain ones of said function signals and the difference between certain others of said function signals.

Claim 13

The fluidic circuit according to claim 8 wherein said circuit means comprises: maximum amplitude selector means connected to said at least one pair of outlet passages for providing a fluid signal having an amplitude substantially equal to the higher of the two amplitudes of the signals appearing at said pair of outlet passages.

Claim 14

The fluidic circuit according to claim 12 wherein said circuit means further comprises means for providing as one of said function signals a signal of amplitude proportional to the amplitude difference between the fluid signal provided by said maximum amplitude selector means and the fluid signal at one of said outlet passages of said fluidic amplifier means.

Claim 15

The fluidic circuit according to claim 8 wherein said switching means comprises said plurality of fluidic transmission gates having said common output means, one gate for each of said function signals, each gate comprising: an input port connected to receive a respective function signal, at least one output channel disposed to selectively receive the function signal applied to said input port, means for connecting said output channel to said output means, and control means responsive to said predetermined commands for selectively inhibiting passage of respective function signals to said common output means.

Claim 16

The fluidic circuit according to claim 14 further comprising means for selectively initiating said predetermined commands.

Claim 17

The fluidic circuit according to claim 14 further comprising means responsive to the fluid output signal appearing at said common output means for selectively providing said predetermined commands.

Claim 18

The fluidic circuit according to claim 14 further comprising means responsive to said fluid input signal for selectively providing predetermined commands.

Claim 19

A fluidic circuit for providing a fluid output signal as a selectively variable function of the amplitude of a variable-amplitude fluid input signal, said selectively variable function varying in response to amplitude variations in a fluid command signal, said circuit comprising: signal proportioning means, including an input port for receiving said input signal and a pair of output ports, for proportioning said variable-amplitude input signal between said output ports as a function of the amplitude of said command signal; and fluidic amplifier means responsive to different proportions of said variable-amplitude input signal at said output ports of said proportioning means for providing said fluid output signal as respective functions of said input signal

Claim 20

A fluidic circuit for providing a fluid output signal as a selectively variable function of the amplitude of a variable-amplitude fluid input signal, said selectively variable function varying in response to amplitude variations in a fluid command signal, said circuit comprising: signal proportioning means, including an input port for receiving said input signal and a pair of output ports, for proportioning said variable-amplitude input signal between said output ports as a function of the amplitude of said command signal; and fluidic amplifier means responsive to different proportions of said variable-amplitude input signal at said output ports of said proportioning means for providing said fluid output signal as respective functions of said input signal

Claim 21

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said command signal is an analog fluid signal which is selectively variable over a continuous range of signal levels and wherein said proportioning means is a proportional fluidic amplifier responsive to said command signal for proportioning the input signal between said output ports over a correspondingly continuous range of signal proportions.

Claim 22

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said command signal is a digital fluid signal having a plurality of selective discrete signal levels, and wherein said proportioning means comprises a fluidic switching element for providing a corresponding plurality of discrete input signal proportions at said output port in rEsponse to said plurality of discrete command signal levels.

Claim 23

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said amplifier means comprises: power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid; at least one outlet passage disposed downstream of said power nozzle for receiving said power stream; control means for selectively deflecting said power streams relative to said outlet passage, said control means comprising first and second control nozzles connected via said fluid passage means to respective ones of said output ports of said proportioning means, said control nozzles being located at different distances downstream of said power nozzle means and disposed to issue respective fluid control streams in interacting relationships with said power stream.

Claim 24

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said amplifier means includes an analog type of fluidic amplifier having power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid, a first pair of control nozzles disposed on opposite sides of the power stream and responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a respective pair of control streams in interacting relationship with said power stream, and receiving means for receiving varying portions of said power stream as a function of power stream deflection produced by said control streams, and wherein said fluid passage means includes means for connecting the output ports of said proportioning means to respective ones of said control nozzles of said to analog fluidic amplifier.

Claim 25

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein: said fluid input signal is a differential fluid pressure signal; said proportioning means comprises a further input port, a further pair of output ports, means responsive to said command signal for proportioning pressurized fluid applied to said further input port between said further pair of output ports, and means for applying said differential fluid pressure input signal across said input ports; said amplifier means comprises first and second analog fluidic amplifiers each having power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid, a first pair of control nozzles disposed on opposite sides of said power stream and responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing respective control streams in interacting relationship with said power stream, and a pair of fluid output passages for receiving said power stream as a differential fluid pressure output signal in accordance with the deflection of said power stream by said control streams, said second fluidic amplifier additionally comprising a second pair of generally opposed control nozzles responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing respective fluid control streams in interacting relationships with said power streams; and further comprising fluid passage means, including a means for connecting one of said first-mentioned output ports of said proportioning means to one of said first pair of control nozzles of said first fluidic amplifier, means for connecting the other of said first-mentioned output ports of said proportioning means to one of said first pair of control nozzles of said second fluidic amplifier, means for connecting one of said further pair of output ports from said proportioning means to the other of said first pair of control nozzles of said first fluidic amplifier, means for connecting the other pair of said further pair of output ports of said proportioning means to the other of said first pair of control nozzles of said second fluidic amplifier, and means for connecting the output passages of said first amplifier to respective ones of said second pair of control nozzles of said second amplifier.

Claim 26

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein: said amplifying means comprises first and second proportional flUidic amplifier means having different respective first and second determinable output signal versus input signal gain characteristics, and means for combining the output signals from said first and second proportional fluidic amplifier means; said fluid passage means includes means for applying pressurized fluid from one output port of said proportioning means as an input signal to said first proportional fluidic amplifier means and means for applying pressurized fluid from the other output port of said proportioning means as an input signal to said second proportional fluidic amplifier means.

Claim 27

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said amplifier means comprises: power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid; at least one outlet passage disposed downstream of said power nozzle means for receiving said power stream; control means for selectively deflecting said power stream relative to said outlet passages, said control means comprising at least first and second control nozzles connected to respective ones of said pair of output ports of said proportioning means, said control nozzles being disposed to issue respective fluid control streams in interacting relationship with said power stream such that control streams of equal momenta issuing from said control nozzles produce different degrees of deflection of said power stream.

Claim 28

The circuit according to claim 25 wherein said control nozzles are disposed at different angles relative to said power stream.

Claim 29

The circuit according to claim 25 wherein said amplifier means is a substantially planar device in which said power stream is restricted to deflection in a single plane.

Claim 30

The circuit according to claim 27 wherein said fluid input signal is a differential fluid pressure, wherein said proportioning means includes: another input port, a further pair of output ports, means responsive to said command signal for proportioning pressurized fluid applied to said another input port between said further pair of output ports, and means for applying said differential fluid pressure input signal across both said input ports; and wherein said amplifier means further comprises: third and fourth control nozzles connected to respective ones of said further pair of outlet ports, said third and fourth control nozzles being disposed such that both said first and third control nozzles and said second and fourth control nozzles are symmetrically arranged with respect to said power stream when deflected.

Claim 31

The circuit according to claim 18 wherein said amplifier means is a three-dimensional fluidic amplifier comprising: power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid along a predetermined axis; control means for selectively deflecting said power stream for said predetermined axis in at least two different directional planes, said control means including first and second control nozzles each connected to a respective output port of said proportional means via said fluid passage means, each control nozzle being adapted to issue a respective control stream of fluid in response to application of pressurized fluid thereto for deflecting said power stream in a respective one of said two different planes; deflecting means disposed downstream of said control means and responsive to deflection of said power stream by said control means for deflecting said power stream relative to said predetermined axis in a direction which is opposite to the direction of deflection produced by said control means and to a degree of deflection which varies with the direction of the deflection produced by said control means; and fluid receiving means disposed to receive said power stream downstream of said deflecting means for providing said fluid output signal as a function of the overall power stream deflection produced by said control means and deflecting means.

Claim 32

The circuit according to claim 29 wherein the degree of power stream deflection produced by said deflection means also varies with the degree of power stream deflection produced by said control means.

Claim 33

The circuit according to claim 30 wherein said deflecting means comprises a reversing chamber extending between said power nozzle means and said fluid receiving means, the interior wall of said reversing chamber diverging from said power nozzle means and then converging toward said receiving means, said interior wall being asymmetrical relative to said predetermined axis.

Claim 34

The circuit according to claim 31 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said chamber perpendicular to said predetermined axis is of generally elliptical configuration.

Claim 35

The circuit according to claim 31 wherein said amplifier means further comprises two additional control nozzles, each disposed in substantial opposition to a respective one of said first and second control nozzles, wherein said fluid input signal is a differential fluid pressure signal, wherein said proportioning means includes another input port, a further pair of output ports, means responsive to said command signals for proportioning pressurized fluid applied to said another input port between a further pair of output ports, and means for applying said differential fluid pressure across the first-mentioned input port and said another input port, and wherein said two additional control nozzles are connected to said further pair of output ports via said fluid passage means.

Claim 36

A three-dimensional fluidic amplifier comprising: power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid along a predetermined axis; control means for selectively deflecting said power stream in all planes parallel to and extending radially from said predetermined axis; deflecting means disposed downstream of said control means and responsive to said deflection of power stream by said control means in all of said radially extending planes for deflecting said power stream relative to said axis in a direction which is radially opposite to the direction of the deflection initiated by said control means and with a degree of deflection which varies with the direction of the deflection initiated by said control means; and fluid receiving means for selectively receiving said power stream as a function of the total power stream deflection produced by said control means and deflecting means.

Claim 37

A three-dimensional fluidic amplifier comprising: power nozzle means responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a power stream of fluid along a predetermined axis; control means for selectively deflecting said power stream in all planes parallel to and extending radially from said predetermined axis; deflecting means disposed downstream of said control means and responsive to said deflection of power stream by said control means in all of said radially extending planes for deflecting said power stream relative to said axis in a direction which is radially opposite to the direction of the deflection initiated by said control means and with a degree of deflection which varies with the direction of the deflection initiated by said control means; and fluid receiving means for selectively receiving said power stream as a function of the total power stream deflection produced by said control means and deflecting means.

Claim 38

The amplifier according to claim 34 wherein the degree of power stream deflection produced by said deflection means also varies with the degree of power stream deflection produced by said control means.

Claim 39

The amplifier according to claim 35 wherein said deflecting means comprises: a reversing chamber extending between said power nozzle means and said fluid receiving means, the interior wall of said reversing chamber diverging from said power nozzle means and then converging toward said receiving means, said interior wall being a continuous surface which is asymmetrical relative to said predetermined axis.

Claim 40

The amplifier according to claim 36 wherein the cross section of said chamber normal to said predetermined axis is of a generally elliptical configuration.

Claim 41

The amplifier according to claim 36 further comprising a gain adjustment means independent of said control means and said deflection means for selectively varying the direction in which said power stream is deflected in response to said control means.

Claim 42

The amplifier according to claim 38 wherein said gain adjustment means comprises means for selectively introducing a variable swirling motion in said power stream.

Claim 43

The amplifier according to claim 36 wherein said control means comprises at least two control nozzles, each responsive to application of pressurized fluid thereto for issuing a control stream in interacting relationship with said power stream, said control streams being directEd in respective ones of said two different directional planes.

Claim 44

The amplifier according to claim 40 further comprising gain adjustment means independent of said control means and said deflection means for selectively varying the direction in which said power stream is deflected in response to said control means.

Claim 45

The amplifier according to claim 41 wherein said gain adjustment means comprises means for selectively introducing a variable swirling motion in said power stream.

Claim 46

The amplifier according to claim 42 wherein said last-mentioned means includes means for introducing a stream of fluid about the periphery of said power nozzle means.

Claim 47

A fluidic amplifier system responsive to a fluid input signal to provide a fluid output signal which is an amplified function of said fluid input signal, the gain of said amplifier system being selectively variable in response to a fluid command signal, said system comprising a plurality of fluidic amplifier means, each having a different gain; means responsive to said fluid command signal for applying selective portions of said fluid input signal as individual input signals to said plurality of fluidic amplifier means, said selective portions being variable in response to the amplitude of said fluid command signal; and means for combining of output signals from said plurality of fluidic amplifier means for providing said fluid output signal for said system.

Claim 48

A fluidic amplifier system responsive to a fluid input signal to provide a fluid output signal which is an amplified function of said fluid input signal, the gain of said amplifier system being selectively variable in response to a fluid command signal, said system comprising a plurality of fluidic amplifier means, each having a different gain; means responsive to said fluid command signal for applying selective portions of said fluid input signal as individual input signals to said plurality of fluidic amplifier means, said selective portions being variable in response to the amplitude of said fluid command signal; and means for combining of output signals from said plurality of fluidic amplifier means for providing said fluid output signal for said system.

Claim 49

The system according to claim 44 wherein at least one of said fluidic amplifier means provides an output signal which is 180* out of phase with a fluid input signal applied thereto.

Claim 50

A fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal which ever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other; said signal selection means comprising means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the greater amplitude; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal.

Claim 51

A fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal which ever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other; said signal selection means comprising means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the greater amplitude; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal.

Claim 52

The combination according to claim 46 further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain amplifier, and gain control means for varying the gain function of said amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said further fluid signal to said gain control means.

Claim 53

In combination: a fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other, wherein said signal selection means comprises means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the greater amplitude; the combination further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain fluidic amplifier, and gain control means varying the gain function of said variable gain amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said output signal from signal selection means to said gain control means.

Claim 54

In combination: a fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other, wherein said signal selection means comprises means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the greater amplitude; the combination further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain fluidic amplifier, and gain control means varying the gain function of said variable gain amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said output signal from signal selection means to said gain control means.

Claim 55

A fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signal has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other; said signal selection means comprising means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the lesser amplitude; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal.

Claim 56

A fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signal has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other; said signal selection means comprising means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the lesser amplitude; a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal.

Claim 57

The combination according to claim 49 further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain amplifier, and gain control means for varying the gain function of said amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said further fluid signal to said gain control means.

Claim 58

In combination: a fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other, wherein signal selection means comprises means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the lesser amplitude; the combination further comprising: a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal; the combination further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain fluidic amplifier, and gain control means for varying the gain function of said variable gain amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said output signal from signal selection means to said gain control means.

Claim 59

In combination: a fluidic amplifier having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of a fluid signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at respective ones of said first and second outlet ports; signal selection means for providing as an output signal whichever of said first and second fluid signals has a predetermined characteristic relative to the other, wherein signal selection means comprises means for providing as an output signal the one of said first and second fluid signals having the lesser amplitude; the combination further comprising: a third outlet port for said fluidic amplifier for providing a third fluid signal in response to said fluid input signal; and means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which is proportional to the difference between the amplitudes of said output signal and said third fluid signal; the combination further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having a signal inlet port adapted to receive a fluid input signal, a fluid output port for providing an amplifier output signal in response to said input signal and in accordance with the gain function of said variable gain fluidic amplifier, and gain control means for varying the gain function of said variable gain amplifier as a function of the amplitude of a gain command signal applied thereto; and means for applying said output signal from signal selection means to said gain control means.

Claim 60

In combination: fluidic amplifier means having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of an input signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at said first and second outlet ports, respectively, said first and second fluid signals having amplitudes which vary with the amplitude of said input signal; means for providing a thiRd fluid signal having an amplitude which varies inversely with the amplitude of said first fluid signal; means for providing a fourth fluid signal having an amplitude which varies inversely with said second fluid signal; and signal selecting means for selecting as an output signal whichever of said third and fourth fluid signals has a greater amplitude.

Claim 61

In combination: fluidic amplifier means having at least one inlet port and first and second outlet ports and responsive to application of an input signal to said inlet port for providing first and second fluid signals at said first and second outlet ports, respectively, said first and second fluid signals having amplitudes which vary with the amplitude of said input signal; means for providing a thiRd fluid signal having an amplitude which varies inversely with the amplitude of said first fluid signal; means for providing a fourth fluid signal having an amplitude which varies inversely with said second fluid signal; and signal selecting means for selecting as an output signal whichever of said third and fourth fluid signals has a greater amplitude.

Claim 62

The combination according to claim 52 further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having means responsive to the amplitude of an applied gain control signal for varying the gain of said variable gain amplifier; and means for applying said output signal from said signal selecting means as a gain control signal to said variable gain fluidic amplifier.

Claim 63

The combination according to claim 52 further comprising: means for providing a further fluid signal having an amplitude which varies inversely with the amplitude of the output signal provided by said signal selecting means.

Claim 64

The combination according to claim 54 further comprising: a variable gain fluidic amplifier having means responsive to the amplitude of said further fluid signal for varying the gain of said variable gain fluidic amplifier.

Claim 65

A fluidic system including means for providing at least two intermediate fluid signals which are functions of a fluid input signal, and means for selectively subtracting said intermediate signals, one from the other, in response to command signals to provide an output signal which is a new function of said fluid input signal.

Claim 66

A fluidic system including means for providing at least two intermediate fluid signals which are functions of a fluid input signal, and means for selectively subtracting said intermediate signals, one from the other, in response to command signals to provide an output signal which is a new function of said fluid input signal.

Claim 67

The system according to claim 56 further comprising means for varying said command signals in response to system operation to change the characteristics of said new function.

Claim 68

A fluidic system including: means for providing at least two intermediate signals which are each different respective functions of a fluid input signal; gating means for selectively inhibiting passage of said intermediate signals; and means for combining those intermediate signals which are not inhibited to provide a new function of said fluid input signal.

Claim 69

A fluidic system including: means for providing at least two intermediate signals which are each different respective functions of a fluid input signal; gating means for selectively inhibiting passage of said intermediate signals; and means for combining those intermediate signals which are not inhibited to provide a new function of said fluid input signal.

Claim 70

The system according to claim 58 further comprising means responsive to predetermined operation of said system for operating said gating means to selectively inhibit said intermediate signals.