Non-electric sensing, amplification, and presentation of sound using fluidic laminar flow technology

Abstract

This briefing will describe and demonstrate fluidic-based sound reception, amplification, and pneumatic headphone presentation to the listener. Fluidics is non-electronic and uses laminar proportional amplifiers and fluid-flow technology to demonstrate a sensitive “microphone” due to its massless diaphragm (laminar jet of low-velocity air) and perfect impedance matching to the propagating medium (also air). Many years ago the U.S. Army developed a system called the Individual Soldier Operated Personal Acoustic Detection System (ISOPADS) that utilized this fluidic technology to enhance and extend the Soldier's listening range. This demonstration system will let people point a small parabolic dish and listen around the room using a pneumatic headset. It makes for a fun demo, especially when participants understand that they are listening to a non-electronic system that uses only air.