Fluid ejector pumps

Abstract

A fluid ejector pump is characterized by a longitudinally extending flow passage with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The fluid inlet end includes a Venturi tube inlet having a relatively larger diameter entry opening for being supplied with pressurized fluid and a relatively smaller diameter exit opening within the flow passage. An air inlet communicates with the flow passage adjacent the exit opening for the intake of air into the fluid exiting the Venturi tube inlet. A shaped deflector is located in the flow passage upstream of the exit opening, with the flow passage defining an annular gap around and along the deflector. An upstream end of the deflector has an upward angle causing acceleration of the fluid flowing upstream in the flow passage. A hi-low mixing effect is produced in the flow passage for greater mixing and turbulence of the fluid while vacuum or suction at the suction inlet is increased.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from prior provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 469,355 filed May 9, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to fluid pumps and, more particularly, to fluid ejector pumps having a flow passage containing a shaped deflector causing turbulent mixing of fluid flowing through the flow passage. [0004] 2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art [0005] Fluid pumps in which air is mixed with water have been proposed. Such pumps sometimes employ deflectors within flow passages of the pumps to create alterations in fluid flow through the flow passages as represented by U.S. Pat. No. 121,376 to Jamison, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 524,268 to Walten et al, U.S. Pat. No. 1,810,131 to Daily, U.S. Pat. No. 2,011,224 to Kobiolke et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,234,631 to Göhre, U.S. Pat. Nos...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In one embodiment, the deflector has a lumen extending entirely therethrough in axial alignment with the lumen of the Venturi tube inlet, with an entry hole at the downstream end and an exit hole at the upstream section. The lumen comprises a downstream lumen segment of uniform diameter extending from the entry hole to an upstream lumen segment. The upstream lumen segment is continuously increasing in diametric size from the downstream lumen segment to the exit hole of the deflector. In a preferred embodiment, the upstream section extends outwardly from the intermediate section at an angle of about 13 degrees. Water containing air flows upstream from the Venturi tube inlet and encounters the deflector, causing some of the fluid to enter the deflector lumen and some of the fluid to flow along the annular space between the deflector and the wall of the flow passage. The acceleration of the fluid flowing upstream in the flow passage along the annular space is increased due to the upward angle of the upstream section of the deflector. The fluid flowing through the deflector lumen is discharged into a mixing region of the flow passage from the exit opening of the deflector, and a high-low mixing effect is producing in the mixing region of the flow passage for greater mixing and turbulence of the fluid while the vacuum or suction at the suction inlet is increased. The fluid is discharged from the outlet end of the flow passage as atomized or air-entrained water.

[0010] The fluid pumps of the present invention overcome the disadvantages of prior fluid pumps utilizing flow altering deflectors. The fluid pumps of the present invention enhance turbulent mixing of air and water flowing through the pumps, create a high-low mixing effect of fluid flowing through the flow passage of the pumps, create greater turbulence in the fluid flowing through the flow passage of the pumps, increase vacuum or suction produced at a suction inlet of the pumps by which air enters the flow passage of the pumps and is turbulently mixed with water flowing through the flow passage, create a natural air break in the flow passage of the pumps, provide greater flow rates through the pumps, and provide structural and operational simplicity for economical use in many diverse applications utilizing atomized or air-entrained fluid discharged from the pumps and / or utilizing a vacuum created at the suction inlet of the pumps.

Problems solved by technology

As the fluid flowing through the flow passage encounters the deflector, a highly unstable vortex is created and turbulence increases.

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