Electromagnetic fluidics system and method

Abstract

A fluidic system (e.g. amplifier or bistable unit) having an inlet branch and a pair of outlet branches separated by a fluid-flow splitter whereby the fluid is rendered electromagnetically susceptible, e.g. magnetic by incorporating magnetic particles therein, electrostatically responsive by being relatively dielectric, or electrically conductive, so that the fluid flow to the outlet branches may be controlled by magnetic, electrostatic or current flow means or an output may be derived by similar electromagnetic means for controlling an ancillary device, providing an indication of a fluid flow parameter or feedback control of an input parameter.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fluidics amplifier or bistable device comprising: a unit having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch, an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and diverging from a common junction proximal to said inlet branch, and a flow splitter at the junction of said outlet branches, said device being traversable from said inlet side to said outlet side by an electromagnetically susceptible fluid;   electromagnetic means at least at one of said sides co-operating with said fluid for applying an electromagnetic field thereto of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches or to sense the flow of said fluid through at least one of said outlet branches, said fluid being a liquid entraining magnetically permeable particles, and said electromagnetic means including a pair of coils disposed respectively at said outlet branches for generating respective electrical signals upon the inducing of an electric field in each coil with passage of said liquid through said outlet branches;   means for applying a magnetic field across a stream of liquid at said inlet side for deflecting said stream selectively between said branches;   at least one controlled jet opening transversely to said liquid stream at said inlet side for applying a bias to said liquid stream and directing it preferentially into one of said outlet branches; and   a transmitter of vibrational energy disposed at said inlet side for applying said vibrational energy to said liquid, and at least one receiver responsive to the vibrational energy transmitted by said liquid and activated upon the passage of said liquid in the respective outlet branch.   
     
     
       2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said particles are permanently magnetic. 
     
     
       3. A method of operating a fluidics device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch and an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and separated by a fluid-flow splitter, comprising the steps of: passing a nonconductive liquid stream through said device from said inlet side to said outlet side;   dispersing particles of an electromagnetically susceptible material in said stream for entrainment thereby,   said material being capable of interaction with an electromagnetic field;   electromagnetically sensing the flow of said liquid through said one of said outlet branches;   applying to the liquid stream passing through said fluidics device at said inlet side an electromagnetic field of a strength sufficient to deflect said liquid stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches;   deriving from said electrical output a feedback-control signal; and   modifying at least one parameter of the liquid flow at said inlet side by said feedback-control signal.   
     
     
       4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid stream is rendered electromagnetically susceptible by admixing magnetically permeable particles with said liquid, said flow of liquid being sensed in said one of said outlet branches by inducing an electric-current flow upon the liquid-entrained particles traversing said one of said branches. 
     
     
       5. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said liquid is water and said particles are ions of a water-soluble salt dissolved in said liquid, and wherein the passage of said liquid through said one of said branches is detected by measuring the electrical resistance across a portion of said one of said branches. 
     
     
       6. The method defined in claim 3 wherein an electrical output is derived from each of said outlet branches proportional to a parameter of the liquid flow therethrough, said method further comprising the step of combining said outputs to produce a signal indicative of the relative values of said liquid-flow parameter in said branches. 
     
     
       7. A fluidics amplifier or bistable device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch, an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and diverging fro ma common junction proximal to said inlet branch, and a flow splitter at the junction of said outlet branches, said device being traversable from said inlet side to said outlet side by an electromagnetically susceptible fluid; electromagnetic means at least at one of said sides co-operating with said fluid for applying an electromagnetic field thereto of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches or to sense the flow of said fluid through at least one of said outlet branches, said fluid being an electrically conductive liquid and said electromagnetic means including a conductivity cell in each of said outlet branches responsive to the resistivity of said liquid; and circuit means for producing an electrical feedback control signal responsive to the flow of fluid through at least one of said outlet branches, and modifying at least one parameter of the fluid flow at said inlet side by said feedback control signal.   
     
     
       8. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising means for passing an electric current through said liquid at least at said inlet side, said electromagnetic means including means for applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of said stream for interaction with the current-conducting fluid. 
     
     
       9. A fluidics amplifier or bistable device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch, an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and diverging from a common junction proximal to said inlet branch and a flow splitter at the junction of said outlet branches, said device being traversable from said inlet side to said outlet side by an electromagnetically susceptible fluid; electromagnetic means at least at one of said sides co-operating with said fluid for applying an electromagnetic field thereto of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches or to sense the flow of said fluid through at least one of said outlet branches, said fluid being a liquid dielectric and said electromagnetic means including a pair of electrodes in each of said outlet branches responsive to the dielectric constant of the intervening space for producing an output in dependence upon the passage of said liquid through the respective branch; and circuit means for producing an electrical feedback control signal responsive to the flow of fluid through at least one of said outlet branches, and modifying at least one parameter of the fluid flow at said inlet side by said feedback control signal. .[.10. A method of operating a fluidics device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch and an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and separated by a fluid-flow splitter, comprising the steps of passing a stream of an electromagnetically susceptible liquid through said device from said inlet side to said outlet side; applying to the liquid stream passing through said device at said inlet side an electromagnetic field of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches; electrically detecting at least one flow parameter of the liquid stream passing through said outlet side; and electrically controlling the electromagnetic field in response to the electrically detected flow parameter..]. .[.11. The method defined in claim 10 wherein said liquid stream is rendered electromagnetically susceptible by admixing therewith magnetically permeable particles entrainable by said liquid, and wherein said electromagnetic field is a magnetic field applied in the plane of 
     
     
        liquid flow and across said liquid stream..]. .[.12.  The method defined in claim 10 wherein said liquid is water and is rendered electromagnetically susceptible dissolving a water-soluble salt therein to form an electrolyte and by passing a current through said electrolyte, a magnetic field being applied perpendicularly to the plane of said liquid 
     
     
        stream..]. 13. In a fluidics device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch, an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and diverging from a common junction proximal to said inlet branch, a flow splitter at the junction of said outlet branches, and means for shifting the flow of liquid from said inlet branch between said outlet branches, the improvement which comprises a generator of liquid-transmissible energy exposed to the liquid traversing said inlet branch, and a detector of liquid-transmissible energy exposed to the liquid traversing at least one of said outlet branches for energization by energy transmitted in the liquid stream upon its switching 
     
     
        to said one outlet branch. 14. The improvement defined in claim 13 wherein said transmitter is a light source, said liquid is translucent and said 
     
     
        detector is a photoelectric device. 15. The improvement defined in claim 13 wherein said transmitter is a source of vibrations in contact with the liquid traversing said inlet branch and the detector is a vibration-responsive transducer. PG,13 .Iadd. 16. A method of operating a fluidics device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch and an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and separated by a fluid-flow splitter, comprising the steps of passing a stream of an electromagnetically susceptible liquid through said device from said inlet side to said outlet side; applying to the liquid stream passing through said device at said inlet side an electromagnetic field of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches; electrically detecting at least one flow parameter of the liquid stream passing through said outlet side; and electrically controlling the electromagnetic field in response to the electrically detected flow parameter wherein said liquid stream is rendered electromagnetically susceptible by admixing therewith magnetically permeable particles entrainable by said liquid, and wherein said electromagnetic field is a magnetic field applied in the plane of liquid flow and across said liquid stream. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A method of operating a fluidics device having an inlet side provided with at least one inlet branch and an outlet side having a pair of outlet branches opening toward said inlet branch and separated by a fluid-flow splitter, comprising the steps of passing a stream of an electromagnetically susceptible liquid through said device from said inlet side to said outlet side; applying to the liquid stream passing through said device at said inlet side an electromagnetic field of a strength sufficient to deflect said stream at least partly into one of said outlet branches; electrically detecting at least one flow parameter of the liquid stream passing through said outlet side; and electrically controlling the electromagnetic field in response to the electrically detected flow parameter wherein said liquid is water and is rendered electromagnetically susceptible dissolving a water-soluble salt therein to form an electrolyte and by passing a current through said electrolyte, a magnetic field being applied perpendicularly to the plane of said liquid stream..Iaddend.