Hydraulic fluidic level control system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsRichard H. Fashbaugh, Edward R. Durlak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydraulic fluidic level sensor for detecting an angular deviation from vity vertical comprising an inverted pendulum in conjunction with two fluidic proximity sensors to provide an output signal proportional to the angular deviation. Opposing fluid jets from the fluidic proximity sensors impinge on the inverted pendulum shaft to produce a net jet force which counterbalances the pendulum moment due to gravity. The pressure signal output from the proximity sensors is proportional to the angular deviation from the vertical and provides the input signal to a level control system. A secondary pendulum damping system is used to provide necessary viscous damping.
Claims3
A hydraulic level control sensor comprising:
- a. a fluid filled enclosure having first and second fluidic inlets and at least one fluidic outlet;
- b. an inverted pendulum pivotally mounted within said enclosure for assuming new positions of equilibrium with respect to a reference position as the inclination of said enclosure changes;
- c. first and second fluidic sensing means disposed adjacent said inverted pendulum for sensing the direction and angle of inclination of said inverted pendulum with respect to said reference position, said first and second sensing means being in fluidic communication with said first and second fluidic inlets, respectively;
- d. first and second pendulums pivotally connected to said inverted pendulum and pivotally connected to respective first and second shafts, said shafts being connected to said enclosure;
- and
- e. first and second fluid friction members disposed adjacent said first and second pendulums, respectively, such that first and second fluid friction gaps are formed therebetween, said first and second pendulums and said first and second fluid friction members rendering said inverted pendulum insensitive to rapid movements of said enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.