Fluidic gaging device

Claim 2

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means aNd first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof; the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said pair of fixed resistors further comprising a single laminated structure of small dimension and each fixed resistor being a long capillary passage of predetermined length, the resistance values of each of the pair of fixed resistors being equal, the laminated resistor structure rendering said gage a portable device.

Claim 3

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. a second end of a second of said pair of fixed resistors and an input end of said first variable resistor means are connected to a third juncture of the bridge circuit; and b. means is connected across the second and third junctures of the bridge circuit for further processing the fluid signal developed thereacross.

Claim 4

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein said signal processing means comprises a fluid amplifier having no moving mechanical parts.

Claim 5

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein said signal processing means comprises a read-out device for indicating unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit.

Claim 6

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein said signal processing means comprises a digital type fluid amplifier.

Claim 7

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein said signal processing means comprises a proportional type fluid amplifier circuit having no moving mechanical parts for sufficiently amplifying the signal developed across the second and third junctures of the bridge circuit to detect deviations in the monitored parameter of very small order.

Claim 8

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head and an output end of said first variable resistor means are in communication with fluid vent means forming a fourth juncture of the bridge circuit.

Claim 9

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said first sensing head comprises a body having a cylindrical hollow interior forming said input fluid flow passage, a first end of the body being the input end of said input fluid flow passage supplied with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit, a second end of the body being the output end means spaced a predetermined distance from the surface of a material whose proximity to the second end of the body is being measured; and b. a predetermined resistance value of said first variable resistor determines a desired proximity distance between the second end of the body and the material being monitored whereby any deviation in the spacing thereof from the desired value causes an unbalanced pressure condition in the bridge circuit and develops a pressurized fluid signal indicative thereof.

Claim 10

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 8 wherein the second end of said body of said first sensing head has a curved surface conforming to the curved surface of the material being monitored wherein the material is of cylindrical or spherical shape whereby the gage functions as an out-of-roundness gage determining the out-of-roundness of the cylindrical or spherical shaped material.

Claim 11

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said first sensing head comprises a relatively long non-flexible tubing having a length equal to at least 3 times the inner diameter thereof and forming said output end means, the tubing providing a passage for a low density fibrous material being monitored by said gage and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said tubing whereby the material is compressed in its passage therethrough; and b. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprises a pair of passages supplied at the input ends thereof with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit and the output ends thereof in communication with the interior of said tubing in diametrically opposed relationship at a region spaced equally from the ends thereof whereby the pressurized fluid issuing into the interior of said tubing from said pair of passages escapes through the ends of said tubing, said tubing and material passing therethrough forming a variable constriction to fluid flow due to the variable density of the material, the variable constriction forming variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the density of the monitored material.

Claim 12

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. the output end means of said first sensing head comprises a first body having a cylindrical hollow interior providing a passage for the selected material being monitored by said fluidic gage; and b. said at least one input flow passage of said first sensing head comprises a second hollow body having a threaded output end adapted for fluid-tight connection with a radially formed threaded aperture in a sidewall of said first body spaced equally from the ends thereof to obtain fluid communication with the hollow interior of said first body whereby pressurized fluid supplied to the input end of said second hollow body from the second juncture of the bridge circuit issues into the hollow interior of said first body and escapes through the ends thereof which form variable constrictions formed by fixed dimensions of the ends of the hollow interior and the variable diameter dimensions of the selected material passing therethrough, the variable constrictions forming variable resistances to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the diameter of the monitored material, said second body due to the threaded connection being readily interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter passages therethrough for operation at significantly different input pressures, for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing through said first body, and the like.

Claim 13

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 11 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of sharp edged orifices mounted adjacent the ends of the hollow interior of said first body to thereby obtain a non-laminar flow of the escaping pressurized fluid.

Claim 14

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 11 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of threaded third bodies adapted for fluidic-tight connection at like threaded ends of the hollow interior of said first body and having narrow cylindrical passages therethrough aligned with the hollow interior of said first body for providing a passage for the material being monitored and thereby forming the variable constrictions to the escaping pressurized fluid, said pair of third bodies being interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter cylindrical passages therethrough for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing therethrough.

Claim 15

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 13 wherein said pair of third bodies are provided with beveled openings at the ends of the narrow cylindrical passages whicH the monitored material first approaches.

Claim 16

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said pair of fixed resistors further comprising a single laminated structure of small dimension and each fixed resistor being a long capillary passage of predetermined length, the resistance values of the pair of fixed resistors being unequal, the laminated resistor structure rendering said gage a portable device.

Claim 17

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said pair of fixed resistors further comprising a single laminated structure of small dimension and each fixed resistor being a long capillary passage of predetermined length, the resistance values of the pair of fixed resistors being unequal, the laminated resistor structure rendering said gage a portable device.

Claim 18

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 15 wherein: a. a second end of a second of said pair of fixed resistors and an input end of said first variable resistor means are connected to a third juncture of the bridge circuit; and b. means is connected across the second and third junctures of the bridge circuit for further processing the fluid signal developed thereacross.

Claim 19

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein said signal processing means comprises a fluid amplifier having no moving mechanical parts.

Claim 20

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein said signal processing means comprises a read-out device for indicating unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit.

Claim 21

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein said signal processing means comprises a digital type fluid amplifier.

Claim 22

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein said signal processing means comprises a proportional type fluid amplifier circuit having no moving mechanical parts for sufficiently amplifying the signal developed across the second and third junctures of the bridge circuit to detect deviations in the monitored parameter of very small order.

Claim 23

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head and an output end of said first variable resistor means are in communication with fluid vent means forming a fourth juncture of the bridge circuit.

Claim 24

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein: a. said first sensing head comprises a body having a cylindrical hollow interior forming said input fluid flow passage, a first end of the body being the input end of said input fluid flow passage supplied with pressurizEd fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit, a second end of the body being the output end means spaced a predetermined distance from the surface of a material whose proximity to the second end of the body is being measured; and b. a predetermined resistance value of said first variable resistor determines a desired proximity distance between the second end of the body and the material being monitored whereby any deviation in the spacing thereof from the desired value causes an unbalanced pressure condition in the bridge circuit and develops a pressurized fluid signal indicative thereof.

Claim 25

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 22 wherein the second end of said body of said first sensing head has a curved surface conforming to the curved surface of the material being monitored wherein the material is of cylindrical or spherical shape whereby the gage functions as an out-of-roundness gage determining the out-of-roundness of the cylindrical or spherical shaped material

Claim 26

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein: a. said first sensing head comprises a relatively long non-flexible tubing having a length equal to at least 3 times the inner diameter thereof and forming said output end means, the tubing providing a passage for a low density fibrous material being monitored by said gage and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said tubing whereby the material is compressed in its passage therethrough; and b. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprises a pair of passages supplied at the input ends thereof with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit and the output ends thereof in communication with the interior of said tubing in diametrically opposed relationship at a region spaced equally from the ends thereof whereby the pressurized fluid issuing into the interior of said tubing from said pair of passages escapes through the ends of said tubing, said tubing and material passing therethrough forming a variable constriction to fluid flow due to the variable density of the material, the variable constriction forming variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the density of the monitored material.

Claim 27

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 16 wherein: a. the output end means of said first sensing head comprises a first body having a cylindrical hollow interior providing a passage for the selected material being monitored by said fluidic gage; and b. said at least one input flow passage of said first sensing head comprises a second hollow body having a threaded output end adapted for fluid-tight connection with a radially formed threaded aperture in a sidewall of said first body spaced equally from the ends thereof to obtain fluid communication with the hollow interior of said first body whereby pressurized fluid supplied to the input end of said second hollow body from the second juncture of the bridge circuit issues into the hollow interior of said first body and escapes through the ends thereof which form variable constrictions formed by fixed dimensions of the ends of the hollow interior and the variable diameter dimensions of the selected material passing therethrough, the variable constrictions forming variable resistances to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the diameter of the monitored material, said second body due to the threaded connection being readily interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter passages therethrough for operation at significantly different input pressures, for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing through said first body, and the like.

Claim 28

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 25 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of sharp edged orifices mounted adjacent the ends of the hollow interior Of said first body to thereby obtain a non-laminar flow of the escaping pressurized fluid.

Claim 29

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 25 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of threaded third bodies adapted for fluidic-tight connection at like threaded ends of the hollow interior of said first body and having narrow cylindrical passages therethrough aligned with the hollow interior of said first body for providing a passage for the material being monitored and thereby forming the variable constrictions to the escaping pressurized fluid, said pair of third bodies being interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter cylindrical passages therethrough for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing therethrough.

Claim 30

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 27 wherein said pair of third bodies are provided with beveled openings at the ends of the narrow cylindrical passages which the monitored material first approaches.

Claim 31

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said first variable resistor means comprising a second sensing head operatively identical to said first sensing head and adapted to be in close proximity and retained in fluid communication with a fixed portion of the selected material having the desired value of the monitored parameter whereby said second sensing head functions as a reference resistance to fluid flow therethrough corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter.

Claim 32

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said first variable resistor means comprising a second sensing head operatively identical to said first sensing head and adapted to be in close proximity and retained in fluid communication with a fixed portion of the selected material having the desired value of the monitored parameter whereby said second sensing head functions as a reference resistance to fluid flow therethrough corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter.

Claim 33

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized flUid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said first sensing head comprising a body having a cylindrical hollow interior forming said input fluid flow passage, a first end of the body being the input end of said input fluid flow passage supplied with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit, a second end of the body being the output end means spaced a predetermined distance from the surface of a material whose proximity to the second end of the body is being measured; i. the second end of the body having a curved surface conforming to the curved surface of the material being monitored wherein the material is of cylindrical or spherical shape whereby the gage functions as an out-of-roundness gage determining the out-of-roundness of the cylindrical or spherical shaped material, and j. a predetermined resistance value of said first variable resistor determining a desired proximity distance between the second end of the body and the material being monitored whereby any deviation in the spacing thereof from the desired value causes an unbalanced pressure condition in the bridge circuit and develops a pressurized fluid signal indicative thereof.

Claim 34

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized flUid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said first sensing head comprising a body having a cylindrical hollow interior forming said input fluid flow passage, a first end of the body being the input end of said input fluid flow passage supplied with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit, a second end of the body being the output end means spaced a predetermined distance from the surface of a material whose proximity to the second end of the body is being measured; i. the second end of the body having a curved surface conforming to the curved surface of the material being monitored wherein the material is of cylindrical or spherical shape whereby the gage functions as an out-of-roundness gage determining the out-of-roundness of the cylindrical or spherical shaped material, and j. a predetermined resistance value of said first variable resistor determining a desired proximity distance between the second end of the body and the material being monitored whereby any deviation in the spacing thereof from the desired value causes an unbalanced pressure condition in the bridge circuit and develops a pressurized fluid signal indicative thereof.

Claim 35

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said fluid juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said first sensing head comprising a relatively long non-flexible tubing having a length equal to at least 3 times the inner diameter thereof and forming said output end means, the tubing providing a passage for a low density fibrous material being monitored by said gage and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said tubing whereby the material is compressed in its passage therethrough; and i. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprising a pair of passages supplied at the input ends thereof with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit and the output ends thereof in communication with the interior of said tubing in diametrically opposed relationship at a region spaced equally from the ends thereof whereby the pressurized fluid issuing into the interior of said tubing from said pair of passages escapes through the ends of said tubing, said tubing and material passing therethrough forming a variable constriction to fluid flow due to the variable density of the material, the variable constriction forming variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the density of the monitored material.

Claim 36

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said fluid juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. said first sensing head comprising a relatively long non-flexible tubing having a length equal to at least 3 times the inner diameter thereof and forming said output end means, the tubing providing a passage for a low density fibrous material being monitored by said gage and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said tubing whereby the material is compressed in its passage therethrough; and i. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprising a pair of passages supplied at the input ends thereof with pressurized fluid from the second juncture of the bridge circuit and the output ends thereof in communication with the interior of said tubing in diametrically opposed relationship at a region spaced equally from the ends thereof whereby the pressurized fluid issuing into the interior of said tubing from said pair of passages escapes through the ends of said tubing, said tubing and material passing therethrough forming a variable constriction to fluid flow due to the variable density of the material, the variable constriction forming variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the density of the monitored material.

Claim 37

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. the output end means of said first sensing head comprising a first body having a cylindrical hollow interior providing a passage for the selected material being monitored by said fluidic gage; and i. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprising a second hollow body having a threaded output end adapted for fluid-tight connection with a radially formed threaded aperture in a sidewall of said first body spaced equally from the ends thereof to obtain fluid communication with the hollow interior of said first body whereby pressurized fluid supplied to the input end of said second hollow body from the second juncture of the bridge circuit issues into the hollow interior of said fIrst body and escapes through the ends thereof which form variable constrictions formed by fixed dimensions of the ends of the hollow interior and the variable diameter dimensions of the selected material passing therethrough, the variable constrictions forming variable resistances to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the diameter of the monitored material, said second body due to the threaded connection being readily interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter passages therethrough for operation at significantly different input pressures, for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing through said first body, and the like.

Claim 38

A fluidic gage having no moving mechanical parts for continuous monitoring of a particular parameter such as wire diameter, sliver density, object proximity and the like, comprising: a. a pair of fluidic resistors having fixed resistances to fluid flow therethrough; b. first fluidic resistor means having selected variable resistance to fluid flow therethrough; c. a first sensing head provided with at least one input fluid flow passage and output end means adapted to be in close proximity and in fluid communication with a selected material having a particular parameter being continuously monitored by said gage whereby said first sensing head functions as a second fluidic resistor having a resistance to fluid flow therethrough which is variable as a function of the value of the monitored parameter; d. said pair of fixed resistors, first variable resistor means and first sensing head connected in bridge circuit relationship, the bridge circuit connected to a source of pressurized fluid, the resistance of said first variable resistor means preset to a selected resistance corresponding to the desired value of the monitored parameter to obtain a balanced condition of the bridge circuit when the monitored parameter of the material passing in close proximity to and in fluid communication with said first sensing head is at the desired value thereof, the bridge circuit developing a pressurized fluid signal during the unbalanced conditions of the bridge circuit when the value of the monitored parameter deviates from the desired value; e. said pair of fixed resistors having first ends thereof connected to a first juncture of the bridge circuit; f. the source of pressurized fluid connected to said first juncture; g. an input end of said at least one input fluid flow passage of said first sensing head and a second end of a first of said pair of fixed resistors connected to a second juncture of the bridge circuit; h. the output end means of said first sensing head comprising a first body having a cylindrical hollow interior providing a passage for the selected material being monitored by said fluidic gage; and i. said at least one input fluid flow passage comprising a second hollow body having a threaded output end adapted for fluid-tight connection with a radially formed threaded aperture in a sidewall of said first body spaced equally from the ends thereof to obtain fluid communication with the hollow interior of said first body whereby pressurized fluid supplied to the input end of said second hollow body from the second juncture of the bridge circuit issues into the hollow interior of said fIrst body and escapes through the ends thereof which form variable constrictions formed by fixed dimensions of the ends of the hollow interior and the variable diameter dimensions of the selected material passing therethrough, the variable constrictions forming variable resistances to fluid flow therethrough and causing the fluid pressure at the second juncture of the bridge circuit to vary directly with the diameter of the monitored material, said second body due to the threaded connection being readily interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter passages therethrough for operation at significantly different input pressures, for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing through said first body, and the like.

Claim 39

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 32 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of sharp edged orifices mounted adjacent the ends of the hollow interior of said first body to thereby obtain a non-laminar flow of the escaping pressurized fluid.

Claim 40

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 32 wherein the output end means of said first sensing head further comprises a pair of threaded third bodies adapted for fluidic-tight connection at like threaded ends of the hollow interior of said first body and having narrow cylindrical passages therethrough aligned with the hollow interior of said first body for providing a passage for the material being monitored and thereby forming the variable constrictions to the escaping pressurized fluid, said pair of third bodies interchangeable with like bodies of different diameter cylindrical passages therethrough for utilization with significantly different diameter materials passing therethrough.

Claim 41

The fluidic gage set forth in claim 34 wherein said pair of third bodies are provided with beveled openings at the ends of the narrow cylindrical passages which the monitored material first approaches.