US4512371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photofluidic interface
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1983-06-13
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Granted: 1985-04-23
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Expires: 2003-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A photofluidic interface that transduces optical control signals into fluidontrol pressures is provided in which an AC modulated light source is utilized to transmit control signals to a photo acoustic cell that absorbs the light energy and converts it to heat energy thus creating pressure pulses within the cell. The output signal of the photo acoustic cell is then fluidically amplified, fluidically rectified and again fluidically amplified to create an output signal that drives an actuator.
Inventors
- 👤 Tadeusz M. Drzewiecki
- 👤 Kenji Toda
- 👤 John Gurney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:51
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/02; F15C1/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/212; Y10T137/2125; Y10T137/2147; Y10T137/2158; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2191; Y10T137/2196; Y10T137/2229; Y10T137/2262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A photofluidic interface for transducing optical signals to fluidic signals comprising: a source of modulated electromagnetic energy that utilizes an optical carrier control signal that operates at a frequency in excess of 1000 Hz; means for converting said electromagnetic energy to modulated fluidic signals; means for fluidically amplifying said fluidic signals; means for fluidically rectifying said fluidic signals; and an actuator responsive to said rectified signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A photofluidic interface for transducing optical signals to fluidic signals comprising: a source of modulated electromagnetic energy that utilizes an optical carrier control signal that operates at a frequency in excess of 1000 Hz; means for converting said electromagnetic energy to modulated fluidic signals; means for fluidically amplifying said fluidic signals; means for fluidically rectifying said fluidic signals; and an actuator responsive to said rectified signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for converting said electromagnetic energy comprises: a housing; a chamber with and open outlet within said housing for holding a volume of fluid; a layer of energy absorbing material located within said chamber so as to receive said electromagnetic energy; a window covering one side of said chamber; and a laminar jet positioned adjacent the open outlet of said chamber wherein said jet is utilized to create an acoustic impedance that blocks said open outlet of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said electromagnetic energy is light and said window is transparent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy is amplitude modulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy is frequency modulated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy is pulse width modulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy is gate width modulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said energy absorbing material is carbon black.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said volume of fluid is air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 2 further comprising means for directing said electromagnetic energy from said source to said window.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said means for directing said electromagnetic energy from said source to said window is comprised of optical fibers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transducing optical control signals into fluidic control pressures utilizing a photofluidic interface comprising: directing light from a high frequency modulated light source onto a light sensitive target material located with a photo fluidic cell; transfering the heat energy of the target material to an adjacent volume of fluid located within said photo fluidic cell thereby creating an AC acoustic current within said photo fluidic cell; fluidically amplifying the output signal produced by the AC pressure signal of said photo fluidic cell; fluidically rectifying the output signal of the fluidic amplification in order to produce a DC pressure output; and fluidically amplifying the output DC pressure signal of the fluidic rectification to create pressures to drive a control system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transducing optical control signals into fluidic control pressures utilizing a photofluidic interface comprising: directing light from a high frequency modulated light source onto a light sensitive target material located with a photo fluidic cell; transfering the heat energy of the target material to an adjacent volume of fluid located within said photo fluidic cell thereby creating an AC acoustic current within said photo fluidic cell; fluidically amplifying the output signal produced by the AC pressure signal of said photo fluidic cell; fluidically rectifying the output signal of the fluidic amplification in order to produce a DC pressure output; and fluidically amplifying the output DC pressure signal of the fluidic rectification to create pressures to drive a control system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the modulated light source is comprised of a light emitting diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the modulated light source is comprised of a modulated laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the light from the modulated light source is relayed to the photo fluidic cell by optical fibers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the light sensitive target material is comprised of carbon black.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the volume of fluid is air.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said operating frequency is at least 1400 Hz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the frequency of the modulated light source is at least 1400 Hz.
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) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-10-22 | 1989-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-22 | 1992-10-22 | 1993-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-22 | 1996-10-22 | 1997-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |