2024-08-14 カリフォルニア大学リバーサイド校(UCR)
<関連情報>
- https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2024/08/14/how-air-powered-computers-can-prevent-blood-clots
- https://www.cell.com/device/fulltext/S2666-9986(24)00407-1
空気圧システムのエラー検出のための空気圧論理回路 Air-powered logic circuits for error detection in pneumatic systems
Shane Hoang,Mabel Shehada,Zinal Patel,…,Konstantinos Karydis,Philip Brisk,William H. Grover
Device Published:August 12, 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.device.2024.100507
Graphical abstract
Highlights
- Air-powered logic circuits can detect problems in pneumatic systems
- The pneumatic error detector calculates parity bits using microfluidic valves
- The device successfully detects failures in a wearable medical device
- A low-cost (<$1 USD) way to detect problems using no electronic sensors
The bigger picture
Air-powered pneumatic systems are used in a wide variety of mechanical systems ranging from train brakes to assembly line robots, breast pumps, and medical ventilators. Sensors can be added to these systems to detect failures, but this additional electronic hardware adds cost, complexity, and peripheral safety concerns to the system. In this work, we present an inexpensive and easy-to-manufacture air-powered logic device that can detect and respond to problems in pneumatic systems without using electronic sensors. This work shows that pneumatic logic can be used to make a wide range of important air-powered systems safer and less expensive.
Summary
Pneumatic control systems are common in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, robotics, and many other fields. Undetected failures in pneumatic systems can have serious consequences. In this work, we present an air-powered error detector that can identify failures in pneumatic systems. This device contains a pneumatic logic circuit of 21 microfluidic valves that calculates the parity bit corresponding to several pneumatic control bits. If a problem such as an air leak or blockage occurs, then the calculated and expected parity bits will not match, and the device outputs an error signal to alert the user or to shut down the system. As a proof of concept, we used the device to detect anomalies in an intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) medical device. By providing a simple and low-cost way to detect problems without using sensors, the pneumatic error detector can promote safety and reliability across a wide range of pneumatic systems.
