Fluidic upstream control of the directional flow of a power jet exiting a fluidic power nozzle

Claim 2

A fluidic device having a plenum chamber, an input port to said plenum chamber for receiving a supply of fluid, and a power nozzle contiguous with said plenum chamber for generating a power jet, said device including means located upstream of said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said controlling means comprising: a. a plate defining one end wall of said plenum chamber and having a sharp edged orifice formed within said plate to define said power nozzle; b. an elongated movable transducer element positioned within said plenum chamber and surrounded by the gas therewithin, one end of said element being positioned adjacent said power nozzle; and c. means for changing the position of said one end of said element relative to said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said changing means including: i. adjustible means for applying a fixed mechanical bias to said transducer element; and ii. signal means coupled to said transducer element for varying the position of said one end of said transducer element adjacent said power nozzle in response to corresponding variations in said signal means.

Claim 3

A fluidic device according to claim 1, wherein another end of said element is fixed within another end wall of said plenum chamber, said other end wall being opposite said one end wall, and said element is cantilevered within said plenum chamber.

Claim 4

A fluidic device according to claim 2, wherein said element is centrally positioned within said plenum chamber.

Claim 5

A fluidic device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustible means is comprised of: a. a control screw threaded through a tapped hole in a side wall of and extending into said plenum chamber; and b. a spring positioned within said plenum chamber for biasing said element, one end of said spring being fixed to said control screw, and another end of said spring fixed to said element.

Claim 6

A fluidic device according to claim 4, wherein said element is comprised of a piezo-electric bimorph crystal.

Claim 7

A fluidic device according to claim 5, wherein said signal means is comprised of electrical signal means electrically coupled to said element for controlling the position of said one end of said element adjacent said power nozzle.

Claim 8

A fluidic amplifier comprising: a. a fluidic device having a plenum chamber, an input port to said plenum chamber for receiving a supply of gas, and a power nozzle contiguous with said plenum chamber for generating a power jet, said device including means located upstream of said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said controlling means comprising: 1. a plate defining one end wall of said plenum chamber and having a sharp edged orifice formed within said plate to define said power nozzle; 2. an elongated flexible transducer element positioned within said plenum chamber and surrounded by the gas therein, one end of said element being normally axially aligned with and located adjacent said power nozzle; and 3. means for changing the position of said one end of said element relative to the axis of said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said changing means including: i. adjustible means for applying a fixed mechanical bias to said transducer element; and ii. signal means coupled to said transducer element for varying the position of said one end of said transducer element adjacent said power nozzle in response to corresponding variations in said signal means; and b. first and second fluidic receivers positioned downstream from said power nozzle, said first receiver being axially aligned with said power nozzle for receiving the power jet when said element is normally axially aligned with said power nozzle, and said second receiver being angularly displaced in a first direction from the axis of said power nozzle for receiving the power jet when the position of said one end of said element is varied in the first direction relative to the axis of said power nozzle.

Claim 9

A fluidic amplifier comprising: a. a fluidic device having a plenum chamber, an input port to said plenum chamber for receiving a supply of gas, and a power nozzle contiguous with said plenum chamber for generating a power jet, said device including means located upstream of said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said controlling means comprising: 1. a plate defining one end wall of said plenum chamber and having a sharp edged orifice formed within said plate to define said power nozzle; 2. an elongated flexible transducer element positioned within said plenum chamber and surrounded by the gas therein, one end of said element being normally axially aligned with and located adjacent said power nozzle; and 3. means for changing the position of said one end of said element relative to the axis of said power nozzle for controlling the directional flow of the power jet exiting said power nozzle, said changing means including: i. adjustible means for applying a fixed mechanical bias to said transducer element; and ii. signal means coupled to said transducer element for varying the position of said one end of said transducer element adjacent said power nozzle in response to corresponding variations in said signal means; and b. first and second fluidic receivers positioned downstream from said power nozzle, said first receiver being axially aligned with said power nozzle for receiving the power jet when said element is normally axially aligned with said power nozzle, and said second receiver being angularly displaced in a first direction from the axis of said power nozzle for receiving the power jet when the position of said one end of said element is varied in the first direction relative to the axis of said power nozzle.

Claim 10

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 7, further comprising a third fluidic receiver angularly displaced in a second direction opposite the first direction from the axis of said power nozzle for receiving the power jet when the position of said one end of said element is varied in the second direction relative to the axis of said power nozzle.

Claim 11

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 8, wherein another end of said element is fixed within another end wall of said plenum chamber, said other end wall being opposite said one end wall, and said element is cantilevered within said plenum chamber.

Claim 12

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 9, wherein said element is centrally positioned within said plenum chamber.

Claim 13

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 7, wherein said adjustible means is comprised of: a. a control screw threaded through a tapped hole in a side wall of and extending into said plenum chamber; and b. a spring positioned within said plenum chamber for biasing said element, one end of said spring being fixed to said control screw, and another end of said spring fixed to said element.

Claim 14

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 11 wherein said element is comprised of a piezo-electric bimorph crystal.

Claim 15

A fluidic amplifier according to claim 12, wherein said signal means is comprised of electrical signal means electrically coupled to said element for controlling the position of said one end of said element adjacent said power nozzle.