초록 ▼

A compressor system that is configured to compress the fluid from low pressure source to a higher pressure magnitude is powered from the same low pressure fluid source. The compressor system includes two piston assemblies that are coaxially coupled to one another, and that are of differing cross sec

A compressor system that is configured to compress the fluid from low pressure source to a higher pressure magnitude is powered from the same low pressure fluid source. The compressor system includes two piston assemblies that are coaxially coupled to one another, and that are of differing cross sectional areas. The low pressure fluid is used to move the larger piston assembly, which is in turn used to move the smaller piston assembly. Low pressure fluid is selectively admitted to the smaller piston assembly, and movement thereof is used to compress the low pressure fluid to a higher pressure magnitude. The compressor system uses a fluidic bistable amplifier, which also coupled to the low pressure fluid source, to control low pressure fluid flow to the larger piston assembly, to thereby control its movement.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 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

We claim: 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. 2. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet check valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet check valve inlet port adapted to couple to the fluid source, the inlet check valve outlet port coupled to the second piston cylinder inlet flow port, the inlet check valve configured to allow fluid flow into the second piston chamber and prevent fluid flow out of the second piston chamber; and an outlet check valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the outlet check valve inlet port coupled to the second piston cylinder outlet flow port, the outlet check valve configured to allow fluid flow out of the second piston chamber and prevent fluid flow into the second piston chamber. 3. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising: a filter disposed upstream of the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle. 4. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the fluidic bistable amplifier further includes first and second leg vents fluidly coupled to the fluidic bistable amplifier first and second outlet ports, respectively. 5. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first piston is moveable between at least a first position, in which the first piston is disposed adjacent the first and second flow ports, and a second position, in which the first piston is disposed adjacent the third and fourth flow ports. 6. The compressor of claim 5, wherein: fluid flow through the fluidic bistable amplifier first outlet port moves the first piston toward the second position; and fluid flow through the fluidic bistable amplifier second outlet port moves the first piston toward the first position. 7. The compressor of claim 5, wherein: movement of the first piston toward the first position draws fluid from the fluid source into the second piston chamber; and movement of the first piston toward the second position compresses the fluid drawn into the second piston chamber. 8. The compressor of claim 5, wherein: the first piston moves the first control valve to the closed position when the first piston is moved to the first position; and the first piston moves the second control valve to the closed position when the first piston is moved to the second position. 9. The compressor of claim 1, wherein: the first and second control valves are normally open, and are moved to the closed position by the first piston. 10. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first and second control valves are disposed at least partially within the second and fourth flow ports, respectively. 11. The compressor of claim 1, wherein the first and second control valves are poppet valves. 12. The compressor of claim 1, further comprising: a third piston cylinder defining a third piston chamber, the third 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 third piston cylinder, the third piston cylinder inlet flow port adapted to couple to the fluid source; and a third piston movably disposed within the third piston chamber and fluidly isolating the third piston cylinder inlet and outlet flow ports from the third piston cylinder vent port, the third piston coupled to, and configured to move in response to movement of, the first piston. 13. 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 cylinder, the inlet flow port adapted to couple to a fluid source; a third piston cylinder defining a third piston chamber, the third 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 third piston cylinder, the third piston cylinder inlet flow port adapted to couple to the 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 third piston movably disposed within the third piston chamber and fluidly isolating the third piston cylinder inlet and outlet flow ports from the third piston cylinder vent port, the third 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. 14. A system for supplying compressed air to an aircraft hydraulic system, comprising: a low pressure air source configured to supply a flow of relatively low pressure air; 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 cylinder, the inlet flow port coupled to the low pressure air source to receive the flow of relatively low pressure air therefrom; 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 coupled to the low pressure air source to receive the flow of relatively low pressure air therefrom, the fluidic bistable first and second control ports coupled to the fourth and second flow ports, respectively, and to the low pressure air source upstream of the fluid bistable amplifier inlet nozzle to receive the flow of relatively low pressure air therefrom, 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 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. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: an inlet check valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the inlet check valve inlet port adapted to couple to the low pressure air source, the inlet check valve outlet port coupled to the second piston cylinder inlet flow port, the inlet check valve configured to allow the flow of relatively low pressure air into the second piston chamber and prevent air flow out of the second piston chamber; and an outlet check valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, the outlet check valve inlet port coupled to the second piston cylinder outlet flow port, the outlet check valve configured to allow air flow out of the second piston chamber and prevent air flow into the second piston chamber. 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a filter disposed between the low pressure air source and the fluidic bistable amplifier inlet nozzle. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a first flow orifice disposed between the low pressure air source and the fluidic bistable amplifier first control port; and a second flow orifice disposed between the low pressure air source and the fluidic bistable amplifier second control port. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluidic bistable amplifier further includes first and second leg vents fluidly coupled to the fluidic bistable amplifier first and second outlet ports, respectively. 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first piston is moveable between at least a first position, in which the first piston is disposed adjacent the first and second flow ports, and a second position, in which the first piston is disposed adjacent the third and fourth flow ports. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein: fluid flow through the fluidic bistable amplifier first outlet port moves the first piston toward the second position; and fluid flow through the fluidic bistable amplifier second outlet port moves the first piston toward the first position. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein: movement of the first piston toward the first position draws fluid from the fluid source into the second piston chamber; and movement of the first piston toward the second position compresses the fluid drawn into the second piston chamber. 22. The system of claim 19, wherein: the first piston moves the first control valve to the closed position when the first piston is moved to the first position; and the first piston moves the second control valve to the closed position when the first piston is moved to the second position. 23. The system of claim 14, wherein: the first and second control valves are normally open, and are moved to the closed position by the first piston. 24. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second control valves are disposed at least partially within the second and fourth flow ports, respectively. 25. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second control valves are poppet valves. 26. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a third piston cylinder defining a third piston chamber, the third 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 third piston cylinder, the third piston cylinder inlet flow port coupled to the low pressure air source to receive the flow of relatively low pressure air therefrom; and a third piston movably disposed within the third piston chamber and fluidly isolating the third piston cylinder inlet and outlet flow ports from the third piston cylinder vent port, the third piston coupled to, and configured to move in response to movement of, the first piston. 27. 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 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.