Patent ID: 7413418
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A fluidic compressor, comprising: a first piston cylinder defining a first piston chamber, the first piston cylinder including at least first, second, third, and fourth flow ports extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the first piston chamber; a second piston cylinder defining a second piston chamber, the second piston cylinder including at least an inlet flow port, an outlet flow port, and a vent port extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the second piston chamber, the inlet flow port adapted to couple to a fluid source; a first piston movably disposed within the first piston chamber and fluidly isolating the first and second flow ports from the third and fourth flow ports; a second piston movably disposed within the second piston chamber and fluidly isolating the inlet and outlet flow ports from the vent port, the second piston coupled to, and configured to move in response to movement of, the first piston; a fluidic bistable amplifier including an inlet nozzle, first and second control ports, and first and second outlet ports, the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle adapted to couple to the fluid source, the fluidic bistable amplifier first and second control ports coupled to the fourth and second flow ports, respectively, and in fluid communication with the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle upstream of where the fluidic bistable amplifier is adapted to couple to the fluid source, the fluidic bistable amplifier first and second outlet ports coupled to the first and third flow ports, respectively, the fluidic bistable amplifier configured such that (i) if fluid flows through the fluidic bistable amplifier first control port, then fluid entering the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle is directed into and through the fluidic bistable second outlet port and (ii) if fluid flows through the fluidic bistable amplifier second control port, then fluid entering the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle is directed into and through the fluidic bistable first outlet port; a first flow orifice disposed upstream of the fluidic bistable amplifier first control port and in fluid communication with the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle upstream of where the fluidic bistable amplifier is adapted to couple to the fluid source; and a second flow orifice disposed upstream of the fluidic bistable amplifier second control port and in fluid communication with the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle upstream of where the fluidic bistable amplifier is adapted to couple to the fluid source; a first control valve coupled to the first piston cylinder and movable between an open position and a closed position, whereby the fluidic bistable amplifier second control port is fluidly coupled to, and fluidly isolated from, the first piston chamber, respectively; and a second control valve coupled to the first piston cylinder and movable between an open position and a closed position, whereby the fluidic bistable amplifier first control port is fluidly coupled to, and fluidly isolated from, the first piston chamber, respectively.