| 摘要 |
A fluid-controlled switch capable of being mass produced and densely spaced, having two groups of fluid control inputs, at least two fluid outputs, and an internal movable mass is disclosed. The fluid energy necessary for switching is used economically, fluid power consumption being drastically reduced after switching is complete, even though fluid power input may continue thereafter. The movable mass, which may be a group of little masses, divides the switch into two volume complexes. Switching is caused by a pressure difference between the two complexes. The pressure difference between the two complexes is caused by sufficient flow into one but not the other group of fluid inputs. The switch may be used to switch simultaneously one or more primary signals and corresponding status signals, which may be used to determine whether all switches in a row or column or other grouping within an array of switches are reset. Types of signals for either primary or status signals may be of any compatible type including electrical, fluidic, and optical signals. The fluid-controlled switch may be used as a follower of an electrically-controlled switch, to provide isolation between controlling and controlled circuits in relay applications. It can also be controlled by any logical combination of electrically-controlled fluid switches. Two sample switching arrays, one in which electrical signals are associated with rows and columns, and one in which fluid signals are associated with rows and columns, both produce destructive mark operation with logical AND and logical EXCLUSIVE OR being performed at the cross-points on electrical and fluidic signals respectively.
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