US3918677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid waveform shaping devices
Assignee: Leesona Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract Fluid logic type system elements have structure and fluid flow paths which modify the shape of input fluid pressure signal waveforms to produce output waveforms of desired characteristics. Basic logic elements are of the taut flexible diaphragm type that control fluid flow paths through two opposed chambers by differential fluid pressures in the chambers on either side of the diaphragms. The chamber structure intercepting the diaphragm is constructed with critical profile shape to afford different characteristic responses to input fluid signals to the chambers. With such elements fluid signals may be introduced in various flow paths to achieve various output waveform shapes in response to generally on-off type digital input signals, including shortening, lengthening, inverting, delaying, and sharpening. Such functions as integration, differentiation, threshold detection and oscillation are attained. By use of passive resistive and capacitive fluid flow elements, delays and wave shaping features are simply introduced to improve the waveshaping versatility of the logic elements. Thus, simple logic elements or combinations thereof are employed together with construction of fluid flow path characteristics and selection of flow routes in a network to produce various modifications on signal pressure waveform shapes. Particular advantage is realized by using the dynamic negative going transitions of waveforms thereby providing fast switching signals, amplification and waveform shape controls.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry Clyde Cowan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:05
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C4/00; F15C3/00; F15C3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A logid fluid element for processing on-off type digital fluid signal waveforms to produce a change of signal waveform shape comprising in combination, an impervious thin flexible taut diaphragm clamped at its outer periphery between two members and movable into a flexed position in response to the differential pressure of fluid signals on opposite sides thereof, first and second chambers for confining respective fluid flow signals to contact at least a portion of said diaphragm on respective ones of said opposite sides and for receiving the diaphragm in said flexed position in response to differential fluid pressures in the two chambers, and a signal flow passageway with an outlet extending into the first one of said chambers and having diaphragm engaging structure positioned thereabout to intercept said flexed diaphragm with a contact surface structure shaped to modify the flexed curvature surface attained by said diaphragm in responsee to the differential pressure in said two chambers, to thereby control by said modified curvature surface the flow of fluid through said signal passageway wherein said diaphragm engaging structure comprises a leaky diaphragm engaging structure having serrated fluid conveying passages therein to prevent the diaphragm from conforming thereinto to stop flow of fluid therethrough by fluid on the opposite side of the diaphragm until a predetermined pressure is reached sufficient to deform the diaphragm into closing contact in said first chamber outside said fluid conveying passages, thereby constituting a switching device operable to close and open said passageway substantially at the same predetermined pressure magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A logid fluid element for processing on-off type digital fluid signal waveforms to produce a change of signal waveform shape comprising in combination, an impervious thin flexible taut diaphragm clamped at its outer periphery between two members and movable into a flexed position in response to the differential pressure of fluid signals on opposite sides thereof, first and second chambers for confining respective fluid flow signals to contact at least a portion of said diaphragm on respective ones of said opposite sides and for receiving the diaphragm in said flexed position in response to differential fluid pressures in the two chambers, and a signal flow passageway with an outlet extending into the first one of said chambers and having diaphragm engaging structure positioned thereabout to intercept said flexed diaphragm with a contact surface structure shaped to modify the flexed curvature surface attained by said diaphragm in responsee to the differential pressure in said two chambers, to thereby control by said modified curvature surface the flow of fluid through said signal passageway wherein said diaphragm engaging structure comprises a leaky diaphragm engaging structure having serrated fluid conveying passages therein to prevent the diaphragm from conforming thereinto to stop flow of fluid therethrough by fluid on the opposite side of the diaphragm until a predetermined pressure is reached sufficient to deform the diaphragm into closing contact in said first chamber outside said fluid conveying passages, thereby constituting a switching device operable to close and open said passageway substantially at the same predetermined pressure magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 operably connected in a system providing a maximum fluid pressure limit to flex said diaphragm wherein the passages are so proportioned with the diaphragm flexibility and surface tension that said predetermined pressure is substantially equal to said predetermined pressure magnitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm engaging structure comprises a substantially conical shaped indentation having said serrated fluid conveying passages thereabout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm engaging structure comprises a pedestal about said passageway with said serrated passages disposed on said pedestal about said passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said signal passageway includes a channel of such proportions to carry fluid into said first chamber terminating in a seating area on said pedestal of expanded dimensions for said diaphragm positioned to intercept said diaphragm over a contact area larger than that of said channel and chamber structure outside said pedestal area to contact said diaphragm for sealing off the flow of fluid in said signal passageway when said differential fluid pressure is of a predetermined magnitude great enough to force the diaphragm into sealing engAgement outside said pedestal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
253 words
A logic fluid element for processing on-off type digital waveforms to produce a change of signal waveform shape comprising in combination, an impervious thin flexible taut diaphragm clamped at its outer periphery between two members and movable into a flexed position in response to the differential pressure of fluid signals on opposite sides thereof, at least one chamber on one side of said diaphragm for confining fluid, means in said chamber defining a fluid flow path therethrough between an inlet and outlet port, diaphragm engaging structure comprising a smooth rounded protruding lip structure positioned concentrically about only one of said ports to extend inwardly from the chamber surface to engage the midregion of said diaphragm when flexed so that the diaphragm surface is indented by the lip structure on both sides of the lip to wrap about the smooth rounded lip surface, means closing the flow of fluid through said path by instituting a fluid control pressure of predetermined magnitude on the opposite side of said diaphragm to wrap said diaphragm about said lip structure with a central portion indented into said port, means establishing fluid under pressure in said flow path at a magnitude in the order of said fluid control pressure, and means for opening the passageway including a signal comprising a fractional reduction of said maggnitude of said fluid control pressure and said fluid under pressure thereby opening the path between the inlet and outlet ports with a lower pressure mganitude thereby to operate said element as an amplifying gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
253 words
A logic fluid element for processing on-off type digital waveforms to produce a change of signal waveform shape comprising in combination, an impervious thin flexible taut diaphragm clamped at its outer periphery between two members and movable into a flexed position in response to the differential pressure of fluid signals on opposite sides thereof, at least one chamber on one side of said diaphragm for confining fluid, means in said chamber defining a fluid flow path therethrough between an inlet and outlet port, diaphragm engaging structure comprising a smooth rounded protruding lip structure positioned concentrically about only one of said ports to extend inwardly from the chamber surface to engage the midregion of said diaphragm when flexed so that the diaphragm surface is indented by the lip structure on both sides of the lip to wrap about the smooth rounded lip surface, means closing the flow of fluid through said path by instituting a fluid control pressure of predetermined magnitude on the opposite side of said diaphragm to wrap said diaphragm about said lip structure with a central portion indented into said port, means establishing fluid under pressure in said flow path at a magnitude in the order of said fluid control pressure, and means for opening the passageway including a signal comprising a fractional reduction of said maggnitude of said fluid control pressure and said fluid under pressure thereby opening the path between the inlet and outlet ports with a lower pressure mganitude thereby to operate said element as an amplifying gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |