Fluidic repeater

Claim 2

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor over a continous range of positions including a first position and a second position and a plurality of positions in between said first and second positions: a responder having components movable with respect to one another, said components including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the respective positions of the responder components, whereby upon a change in the relative position of said responder components due to change in pressure in said passage effected by change of position of said transmitter, said responder feeds back to said passage a counteracting change in pressure; said transmitter and feedback means controlling the pressure in said passage, said pressure in said passage being free of dither 50 that said responder will come to rest when said obstructor of the transmitter is at rest.

Claim 3

Fluidic repeater according to claim 1 wherein said responder primary cylinder includes an annular groove having reservoir connection means for connecting said primary cylinder to the reservoir, and said feedback means includes a feedback passage in said primary cylinder which passage has a variable cross-section taken in planes transverse to the direction of fluid flow through said feedback passage and which feedback passage is contiguous with and directly communicates with said primary cylinder groove such that fluid flows at variable rate from said one end of said primary cylinder through said feedback passage and into said primary cylinder annular groove.

Claim 4

Fluidic repeater according to claim 1 wherein said components of said responder further include a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston axially-movably disposed in said secondary cylinder, and said responder further includes first valve means, actuated by said primary piston, for controlling fluid supply from a source of pressurized fluid to opposite sides of said secondary piston to cause movement of said secondary piston in response to movement of said primary piston.

Claim 5

Fluidic repeater according to claim 1, said transmitter means being upstream of said responder, said feedback means being downstream of said responder, said transmitter means including operator means for positioning said obstructor thereof, the position of said obstructor being single valued for each position of the operator means, said responder having a certain position in which said primary piston is disposed in between the ends of said cylinder, said certain position of the responder corresponding to a certain position of the transmitter obstructor in that the responder piston assumes its said certain position when the transmitter obstructor is in its said certain position, said responder piston being movable from its said certain position in either directiion depending upon the direction of movement of the transmitter obstructor from its said certain position, whereby said certain positions of the responder piston and transmitter obstructor constitute mid-positions, said transmitter means when its obstructor is in its said mid-position passing sufficient fluid to said passage to create a fluid pressure on said responder balancing that of said opposition means despite said feedback means venting fluid from said passage when said responder piston is in its said mid-position.

Claim 6

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder having components movable with respect to one another, said components including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the respective positions of the responder components, whereby upon change in the relative position of said responder components due to change in pressure in said passage effected by change of position of said transmitter, said responder feeds back to said passage a counteracting change in pressure; said components of said responder further including a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston axially-movably disposed in said secondary cylinder, and said responder further including first valve means, actuated by said primary piston, for controlling fluid supply from a source of pressurized fluid to opposite sides of said secondary piston to cause movement of said secondary piston in response to movement of said primary piston; wherein said feedback means includes valve means, connected to and actuated by said secondary piston, for variably venting fluid from said passage to the reservoir according to the position of said secondary piston with respect to said secondary cylinder.

Claim 7

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder having components movable with respect to one another, said components including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the respective positions of the responder components, whereby upon change in the relative position of said responder components due to change in pressure in said passage effected by change of position of said transmitter, said responder feeds back to said passage a counteracting change in pressure; said components of said responder further including a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston axially-movably disposed in said secondary cylinder, and said responder further including first valve means, actuated by said primary piston, for controlling fluid supply from a source of pressurized fluid to opposite sides of said secondary piston to cause movement of said secondary piston in response to movement of said primary piston; wherein said feedback means includes valve means, connected to and actuated by said secondary piston, for variably venting fluid from said passage to the reservoir according to the position of said secondary piston with respect to said secondary cylinder.

Claim 8

Fluidic repeater according to claim 5 wherein said feedback means includes a feedback means passage in the surface of said responder secondary piston.

Claim 9

Fluidic repeater according to claim 5 wherein said feedback means further includes a variable cross section passage in the surface of said primary piston.

Claim 10

Fluidic repeater according to claim 7 wherein said primary cylinder includes an annular groove having reservoir connection means for connecting said primary cylinder to the reservoir, and said feedback means passage communicates with said primary cylinder groove such that fluid flows at variable rate from said one end of said primary cylinder, through said feedback means passage and into said primary cylinder annular groove.

Claim 11

Fluidic repeater according to claim 8 wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is substantially constant.

Claim 12

Fluidic repeater according to claim 8 wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is created by fluid pressure.

Claim 13

Fluidic repeater according to claim 10 wherein said opposition means includes a third cylinder and a third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid.

Claim 14

Fluidic repeater according to claim 11 wherein said third cylinder has smaller cross sectional area than said first cylinder and said first source connection means and said second source connection means connect to the same source.

Claim 15

Fluidic repeater according to claim 5 wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is substantially constant.

Claim 16

Fluidic repeater according to claim 5 wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is created by fluid pressure.

Claim 17

Fluidic repeater according to claim 14 wherein said opposition means includes a third cylinder and a third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid.

Claim 18

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder having components movable with respect to one another, said components including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the respective positions of the responder components, whereby upon change in the relative position of said responder components due to change in pressure in said passage effected by change of position of said transmitter, said responder feeds back to said passage a counteracting change in pressure; the force exerted by said opposition means being created by fluid pressure; said opposition means including a third cylinder and a third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, and said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid; wherein said third cylinder has smaller cross sectional area than said first cylinder and said first source connection means and said second source connection means connect to the same source.

Claim 19

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder having components movable with respect to one another, said components including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the respective positions of the responder components, whereby upon change in the relative position of said responder components due to change in pressure in said passage effected by change of position of said transmitter, said responder feeds back to said passage a counteracting change in pressure; the force exerted by said opposition means being created by fluid pressure; said opposition means including a third cylinder and a third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, and said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid; wherein said third cylinder has smaller cross sectional area than said first cylinder and said first source connection means and said second source connection means connect to the same source.

Claim 20

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the position of said primary piston with respect to said primary cylinder, said responder further including a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston axially movably disposed in said secondary cylinder, and said responder further including first valve means, actuated by said primary piston, for controlling fluid supply from a source of pressurized fluid to opposite sides of said secondary piston to cause movement of said secondary piston in response to movement of said primary piston, wherein said vent means includes valve means, connected to and actuated by said secondary piston, for variably venting fluid from said passage to the reservoir according to the position of said secondary piston with respect to said secondary cylinder.

Claim 21

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; feedback means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the position of said primary piston with respect to said primary cylinder, said responder further including a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston axially movably disposed in said secondary cylinder, and said responder further including first valve means, actuated by said primary piston, for controlling fluid supply from a source of pressurized fluid to opposite sides of said secondary piston to cause movement of said secondary piston in response to movement of said primary piston, wherein said vent means includes valve means, connected to and actuated by said secondary piston, for variably venting fluid from said passage to the reservoir according to the position of said secondary piston with respect to said secondary cylinder.

Claim 22

Fluidic repeater according to claim 17 wherein said feedback means further includes a variable cross section passage in the surface of said primary piston.

Claim 23

Fluidic repeater according to claim 18 wherein said primary cylinder includes an annular groove having reservoir connection means for connecting said primary cylinder to the reservoir, and said feedback means passage communicates with said primary cylinder groove such that fluid flows at variable rate from said one end of said primary cylinder, through said feedback means passage and into said primary cylinder annular groove.

Claim 24

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; and vent means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the position of said primary piston with respect to said primary cylinder, wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is created by fluid pressure, and wherein said opposition means includes a third cylinder and third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid.

Claim 25

Fluidic repeater comprising: a fluid passage for conveying pressurized fluid; first source connection means for connecting said passage to a source of pressurized fluid; transmitter means, including a variably-positionable fluid-flow obstructor, for variably obstructing the flow of fluid from said source connection means to said fluid passage according to the position of said obstructor; a responder including a primary cylinder and a primary piston axially-movably disposed within said primary cylinder, said passage being connected to one end of said primary cylinder such that the fluid within said passage exerts a first force against the end of said primary piston adjacent to said one end of said primary cylinder; opposition means for exerting a second force upon said primary piston in opposition to said first force, the total force exerted by said opposition means being independent of the position of said transmitter means obstructor; and vent means for variably venting fluid from said passage to a reservoir of fluid at lower pressure than said passage at a point downstream from said transmitter means obstructor, the extent of venting by said feedback means being variable according to the position of said primary piston with respect to said primary cylinder, wherein the force exerted by said opposition means is created by fluid pressure, and wherein said opposition means includes a third cylinder and third piston axially-movably disposed in said third cylinder, one end of said third piston being connected to said primary piston, there being a space between the other end of said third piston and the end of said third cylinder adjacent thereto, said opposition means further including second source connection means for connecting said space to a source of pressurized fluid.

Claim 26

Fluidic repeater according to claim 20 wherein said third cylinder has smaller cross sectional area than said first cylinder and said first source connection means and said second source connection means connect to the same source.