Research on a Non-destructive Fluidic Storage Control Device

This report describes a non-destructive fluidic memory device with associated fluidic alphanumeric display, developed by Giannini Controls Corporation under contract NAS 12-43 with NASA Electronics Research Center. The device uses the surface tension of a liquid bead in an hour-glassshaped cavity to achieve a bi-stable memory effect which does not require a continuous supply of fluid power. Thus, the storage device may be left passive for years without losing its information, yet the information may be changed at any time by means of a control signal. We have shown that this new approach to a fluidic memory can be easily mated to conventional fluidic devices, and that a useful fluidic display is also feasible. It appears that the non-destructive fluidic storage device is the forerunner of a whole new technology ranging from infinite impedance analog devices to electro-fluidic transducers. Its successful development is a major contribution to the field of fluidics.