Apparatus and methods for fluidic amplification

A device comprising:

• a fluidic signal generator;
• an input fluidic amplifier stage, configured to receive a fluidic input from the fluidic signal generator and provide a first stage fluidic output;
• an output fluidic amplifier stage, configured to receive a fluidic signal based on the first stage fluidic output and provide a device fluidic output;
• and
• a haptic device configured to receive the device fluidic output,
• wherein the input fluidic amplifier stage comprises a fluidic valve, and the fluidic valve includes a source, a gate, and a drain,
• the fluidic input is connected to the gate of the fluidic valve through a fluid channel,
• a fluid flow between the source and the drain of the fluidic valve is controlled by the fluidic input,
• the fluidic valve further comprises a movable gate transmission element configured to restrict the fluid flow when the fluid input is received by the gate,
• the output fluidic amplifier stage comprises a second fluidic valve, and the second fluidic valve comprises a second source, a second gate, a second drain, and a second movable gate transmission element, and
• the device fluidic output is based on the fluidic input.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a first fluidic amplifier stage, a fluidic input from a fluidic signal generator;
• amplifying the fluidic input using the first fluidic amplifier stage to provide a first stage fluidic output;
• amplifying the first stage fluidic output using at least one further fluidic amplifier stage to provide a device fluidic output;
• and
• operating a haptic device using the device fluidic output, wherein:
• the first fluidic amplifier stage includes a fluidic valve;
• the fluidic valve comprises a source, a gate, a drain, and a movable gate transmission element configured to restrict a fluid flow between the source and the drain when the fluid input is received by the gate;
• the at least one further fluidic amplifier stage comprises a second fluidic valve;
• and
• the second fluidic valve comprises a second source, a second gate, a second drain, and a second movable gate transmission element.