| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 285 336 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
10.05.1989 Bulletin 1989/19 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
05.10.1988 Bulletin 1988/40 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 25.03.1988 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)4: F15C 1/04 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
DE FR GB IT |
| (30) |
Priority: |
30.03.1987 GB 8707528
|
| (71) |
Applicant: PLESSEY OVERSEAS LIMITED |
|
Ilford
Essex IG1 4AQ (GB) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
|
- Dakin, John Phillip
East Wellow
Romsey
Hants (GB)
- Matthews, Robert Barry
Chandlers Ford
Eastleigh
Hants S05 2GN (GB)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Nicholson, Ronald |
|
Intellectual Property Department
The Plessey Company plc
2-60 Vicarage Lane
Ilford
Essex IG1 4AQ
Ilford
Essex IG1 4AQ (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Improvements relating to operating control arrangements for fluidic devices |
(57) A fluidic device operating arrangement which is especially for the remote control
of a fluidic device in potentially explosive or electrically vulnerable environments
comprises optical signal generating means and transducer means for converting the
output derived from the optical signal generating means into a mechanical output either
directly or through the intervention of further means to produce the requisite flow
of operating fluid in the device for the operation thereof.
The transducer means may comprise a gas-filled light transmissive vessel which contains
a small volume of fibrous material which undergoes very rapid heating and produces
consequential expansion of the vessel walls for generating a mechanical pressure pulse
which can be transmitted to the operating fluid fed to one or more control ports of
the associated fluidic device.