Vortex Generator As Control For System Patents (Class 137/810)
  • Patent number: 7082955
    Abstract: A system for conveying fluid through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure gas is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The gas/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the gas in the accelerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Ecotechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin L. Lane, Walter D. Prince, Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 7066207
    Abstract: A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ecotechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin L. Lane, Walter D. Prince, Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 7014131
    Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Berning, Daniel E. Steerman, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Gregory Russell
  • Patent number: 7011101
    Abstract: A valve system (10) controls the fluid flow between an inlet (12) and an outlet (14). The system (10) splits the flow into two parallel flow ducts (15, 16) and recombines the flows through opposed tangential inlets (18) and (19) of a fluidic vortex valve (20) which has an axial outlet (22). An adjustable valve (24) controls the flow through one of the parallel flow ducts (15), controlling the strength of the vortex generated within the vortex valve (20). Hence a small valve (24) can control and adjust the flows in both ducts (15 and 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Accentus PLC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, John William Stairmand, Richard Samuel Mills
  • Patent number: 6817375
    Abstract: The torsion generator includes casing (1), in which at least one canal (2) is formed, whose inlet is located near to the casing (1) periphery. The longitudinal axis of the canal (2) passes on the logarithmical curve, wherein the mathematical sequence of the construction of the coordinates is different for each section of the curve. The outlet of the canal (2) communicates with the camera (3), formed inside the casing (1) and is connected with an outgoing pipeline (4). The inlet of the canal (2) is located tangentially, and the outlet—axially to the casing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander Sorochinsky, Hristo Stojanov, Hristo Ivanov, Marija Stojanova
  • Patent number: 6730236
    Abstract: A flow conditioning apparatus, a separation system which includes the flow conditioning apparatus and cooperating downstream separation equipment, and a method of using the system are described. The system separates liquid components of differing densities from a fluid mixture. The flow conditioning apparatus includes an inlet, an outlet, and a swirl chamber extending along a swirl axis. The inlet and outlet cooperate with the swirl chamber to create a swirling of a fluid mixture passing through the swirl chamber to ideally induce coalescence of liquid droplets. The inlet and the outlet typically direct fluid to flow in a circumferential direction relative to the swirl axis to create a helical flow. The flow of the fluid mixture through the apparatus encounters a minimum of fluid shear and associated droplet dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Gene Edward Kouba
  • Patent number: 6659118
    Abstract: A system and method for conveying flowable material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ecotechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin L. Lane, Walter D. Prince, Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 6450189
    Abstract: Atomized particles within a desired size range (e.g., 1 micron to about 5 microns) are produced from two immiscible fluids, a first fluid source containing the formulation to be atomized, and a second fluid source which is contained in a pressure chamber surrounding at least the area where the first liquid is to be provided. The invention provides methods for: the production of templates for microfabrication, such as particles that serve as templates for self-assembly of monolayers; the creation of small particles to serve as building blocks for the microassembly of objects; and the use of an atomizate to etch configurations and/or patterns onto the surface of an object by removing a selected portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Universidad de Sevilla
    Inventor: Alfonso Gañán-Calvo
  • Patent number: 6435214
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ejecting a second fluid into the near-wall region of the boundary layer of a first fluid, so that the second fluid hugs the wall. This alone reduces drag by modifying the behavior of the near-wall structure, thereby reducing the frequency of burst and sweep cycles, even when the first and second fluids are identical. Further, one or more additives, such as polymer, surfactant, micro-bubbles, a combination thereof, and/or using a second fluid having an elevated temperature as compared to the temperature of the first fluid, may be used to achieve much greater drag reduction as well as lower dissipation rates than previously possible. The second fluid is ejected using a convex Coanda surface (7) and at a controlled velocity that is a small fraction of the velocity of the first fluid moving along the wall so that the flow lines of the second fluid are substantially aligned with the flow lines of the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Cortana Corporation
    Inventor: Victor V. Babenko
  • Patent number: 6402820
    Abstract: A system for separating a liquid and a gas including a separation vessel (30) with an inlet (28) for a gas/liquid mixture. Outlets (40, 42) for the fluids are disposed at different heights in the vessel. The outlets are controlled by turn-up vortex amplifiers (fluidic valves TuVAs) that include a supply port (40, 42), a control port (36, 38) and an outlet port (48, 50). The control port is supplied from the vessel at an intermediate level between the outlets, so that a change of flow in the control port alters resistence to flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The University of Sheffield
    Inventors: John R. Tippetts, Geoffrey H. Priestman
  • Patent number: 6374858
    Abstract: A vortex valve flow control includes a housing defining a vortex chamber having an inlet for introducing a liquid into the vortex chamber in a manner to promote swirl and an outlet in one axial end of the vortex chamber. The peripheral wall of the of the vortex chamber, which is situated between the two end walls and surrounds the longitudinal axis of the vortex chamber, has a cylindrical cross-section. The distance between the end walls of the vortex chamber is no more larger than the diameter of the vortex chamber. A mounting device mounts a vortex valve flow control in a drainage gully whereby the outlet of the vortex valve communicates with the outlet from the gully. The mounting device includes a first element being securable to an end wall about the outlet opening and a second element mountable in or adjacent the outlet opening of the gully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Stephen Peter Hides, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh
  • Publication number: 20020003002
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ejecting a second fluid into the near-wall region of the boundary layer of a first fluid, so that the second fluid hugs the wall. This alone reduces drag by modifying the behavior of the near-wall structure, thereby reducing the frequency of burst and sweep cycles, even when the first and second fluids are identical. Further, one or more additives, such as polymer, surfactant, micro-bubbles, a combination thereof, and/or using a second fluid having an elevated temperature as compared to the temperature of the first fluid, may be used to achieve much greater drag reduction as well as lower dissipation rates than previously possible. The second fluid is ejected using a convex Coanda surface (7) and at a controlled velocity that is a small fraction of the velocity of the first fluid moving along the wall so that the flow lines of the second fluid are substantially aligned with the flow lines of the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Victor V. Babenko
  • Patent number: 6253782
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator includes a member having an oscillation inducing chamber, at least one source of fluid under pressure, at least a pair of power nozzles connected to the at least one source of fluid under pressure for projecting at least a pair of fluid jets into the oscillation chamber, and at least one outlet from the oscillation chamber for issuing a pulsating or oscillating jet of fluid to a point of utilization or ambient. A common fluid manifold connected to said at least a pair of power nozzles. The shape of the power nozzle manifold forms one of the walls of the interaction or oscillation chamber. In some of the fluidic circuits, the length can be matched to fit existing housings. The power nozzle can have offsets which produce yaw angles in a liquid spray fan angle to the left or right depending on the direction desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventor: Surya Raghu
  • Patent number: 6237636
    Abstract: Skin friction reduction on a surface moving relative to a fluid can be obtained by ejecting a polymer-water mixture/solution into the boundary layer. The efficacy of the ejected polymer-water mixture/solution is closely related to polymer dissipation out of the boundary layer and conditioning (i.e, lenthening, unwinding or stretching) of the polymer molecules by liquid shear forces immediately before ejection. The invention is a method and apparatus for conditioning and ejecting a polymer-water mixture/solution that improves drag reduction characteristics of the mixture/solution and maintains the mixture/solution in the boundary layer for as long as possible. By improving the drag-reduction characteristic in the polymer-water mixture/solution and by extending the time it remains in the near-wall region, the ejector can increase the performance and reduce the volume and storage requirements of a drag-reduction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Cortana Corporation
    Inventor: Victor V. Babenko
  • Patent number: 6065498
    Abstract: A flow control device for providing variable resistance to liquid flow through a flow passageway. A cylindrical housing communicates with the passageway. The housing has a sidewall, and an inlet and an outlet each disposed at two ends. A vortex generator is located within the housing, and has a base spaced from the inlet end of the housing and an annular flow guide radially spaced from the housing sidewall. The flow guide includes a number of slots. Liquid enters the housing through the inlet and is directed outside the vortex generator and through the slots. This creates a vortex flow path within the generator as the liquid flows to the housing outlet, so that as the pressure of the liquid at the inlet increases the flow factor of the device decreases to reduce the liquid flow rate through the device at higher inlet pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6053206
    Abstract: The device comprises a housing (1) with a curved side wall, said housing forming a vortex chamber and having an inlet opening (2) and an outlet opening (3), means (15) being provided at the inlet opening (2) for fastening a flow controlling element (7), and which device comprises a discharge pipe (5) connected with the outlet opening (3) of the vortex chamber. In the discharge pipe (5) a by-pass is provided which may be closed by means of a closing member (11) and which has a flow capacity so dimensioned that it does not at expected maximum liquid pressure substantially exceed the flow capacity of the vortex chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: J.o slashed.rgen Mosb.ae butted.k Johannesen
  • Patent number: 5913334
    Abstract: An integral, semi-integral, or modular apparatus for inducing pressure drop between upstream and downstream of the apparatus for exhaustion of flue gas as through the exhaust piping of a cyclone separator, smoke stack of boilers, or other exhaust piping is presented. The invented 1st apparatus comprises 1st plenum confinement means having a 1st and 2nd CO(circular opening) on upper and lower side thereof respectively, a 1st circular OC(outer cylinder) inserted downward through the 1st CO and secured, and a 1st circular IC (inner cylinder) inserted upward through the 2nd CO and secured, whereby pressurized gas retained in the 1st plenum confinement means is injected to make a 1st annular jet through a 1st annular passage defined by outer surface of the 1st IC and inner surface of the 1st OC so that the flue gas flow inside of the 1st IC is easily sucked up toward downstream of the 1st apparatus due to the pressure drop caused by high kinetic energy of the vertical velocity component of the 1st annular jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Kwangsoo Hyun
  • Patent number: 5893383
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator is disclosed for providing oscillating flow to outlet ports (172, 173). The fluid oscillator (100) in one embodiment has no fluid communication between a pair of diverging diffuser legs (163, 164) downstream of the upstream edge (169) of a splitter (165) and no fluid communication between a chamber (162) and either of the diverging diffuser legs downstream of the splitter edge. In other embodiments, a turbulent flows generator is formed by use of bump step (202), pins (220, 230), surface discontinuities (250) or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Perfclean International
    Inventor: David M. Facteau
  • Patent number: 5799691
    Abstract: A device for feeding a gaseous fluid radially from a center of a vessel outwards, including a central vertical gas feed tube having at least one vertical row of discharge openings, a catalyst bed of bulk material accommodated in a perforated basket, which includes a perforated cylindrical surface surrounding the central vertical gas feed tube in a spaced relationship thereto and defines with the guide feed tube a hollow cylindrical space, the perforated cylindrical surface defining an impingement surface of the catalyst bed, and deflector elements provided at the at least one row of the discharge openings to insure a substantially tangential flow of gas into the hollow cylindrical space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Marsch
  • Patent number: 5687766
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vortex wherein the vortex is typically formed of a fluid injected into a cavity formed in a cup-shaped member. The interior surface of the cup is formed of two discreet sections, a cylindrical section and a hemispherical section. An inlet port provides an ingress for fluid into the cavity. The fluid strikes the hemispherical surface upon entering the cavity and is redirected or diffused such that the fluid forms a vortex. The cylindrical section aids to stabilize the vortex enabling the vortex to extend above the surface of the cup-shaped member prior to degenerating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: B. W. Vortex, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd S. Weakley
  • Patent number: 5673724
    Abstract: A hot and cold water faucet having a concave base and hot and cold water outlets in the base which, following the concave curvature, are positioned forwardly of a rearwardly located inlet into the faucet, and thus the water connections from opposite directions to the faucet inlet converge at an angle rather than head-to-head and this contributes to better mixing into a luke warm temperature of the water flowing into the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Jack Abel
  • Patent number: 5651392
    Abstract: Static assembly for increasing speed of a fluid jet. The assembly includes a series of fluid deflectors or obstacles, each having an edge over which the jet flows while accelerating. Respective surfaces connect the accelerated flow to the next successive deflector or obstacle, where the acceleration phenomenon repeats. Each deflector or obstacle preferably includes a hollow shape which the jet impacts. The width of the fluid jet decreases in proportion to the speed of the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Rene Essirard
  • Patent number: 5640988
    Abstract: A vortex valve (40) includes a housing defining a votex chamber(44), the housing having an inlet (46) through which liquid may enter the vortex chamber (44)in a manner to promote swirl within the vortex chamber (44) and an outlet (30) at one axial end of the vortex chamber (44). A wall of the housing is provided with an opening which is normally closed by a closure, this closure (6) being operable between the closed position and an open position in which livid may enter the vortex chamber (44) by-passing the inlet (46). The vortex valve is free from a spring device capable of urging the closure (6) from the open position to the close position. The vortex valve (40) may be provided at the outlet of a gully and is useful in enabling a blockage, which may occur at the inlet (46) of the vortex valve (40), to be by-passed, thereby draining any accumulated liquid in the gully. The blockage may then be removed when the gully is relatively dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Hydro International plc
    Inventor: Roy Brereton
  • Patent number: 5588459
    Abstract: A sewage removal device for use with a recreational vehicle. The device is comprised of a housing attachable to the sewage drain conduit of the recreational vehicle. Sewage from the recreational vehicle drains into a cavity in the housing, and a water inlet directs a stream of water through a nozzle into an outlet conduit in the housing. The water stream facilitates removal of sewage as the sewage drains from the recreational vehicle into the cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Mark E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5573029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device with diversion or branching of a pipe flow under pressure with a height-adjustable built-in part and a swirl chamber which tapers from the region of the tangential inlet to the axial outlet of the flow, and is characterized in that, for simultaneous action with virtually any spiral movement distributed over the cross-section and for controlling the pressure distribution in the swirl flow and thus in the axial outlet opening, the built-in part (3) is inserted into the swirl chamber (5) adjustably in its eccentricity in relation to the swirl chamber axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Robert Freimann
  • Patent number: 5365962
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system in which a vortex valve is combined in series with a non-fluidic control valve. The non-fluidic control valve is upstream of the vortex valve and is so arranged that small changes in its state control the operation of the vortex valve, which provides the major control over the flow of the fluid. Erosion in the non-fluidic valve due to abrasion or cavitation in the non-fluidic valve is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Stephen A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5337789
    Abstract: A vortex valve includes a housing having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends to define a vortex chamber. The sidewall of the housing has a primary tangential inlet through which liquid may enter the vortex chamber in a manner to promote swirl within the vortex chamber and an outlet at one axial end of the vortex chamber. The outlet represents at least 50% of the area of the end of the vortex chamber in which it is situated and in the vortex chamber has a length which is at least one and a half times the diameter of the outlet. The vortex valve requires only a low head to initiate vortex flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Hydro International Limited
    Inventor: Roger J. Cook
  • Patent number: 5311907
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system that combines a vortex diode with a jet ejector to transfer liquid from one tank to a second tank by a gas pressurization method having no moving mechanical parts in the fluid system. The vortex diode is a device that has a high resistance to flow in one direction and a low resistance to flow in the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Edward D. Houck
  • Patent number: 5247547
    Abstract: A containment, such as a glovebox (3), includes an extract system comprising an extract suction means, a filter housing (4), and a vortex amplifier (1) controlling the extent of suction by the suction means from the containment, wherein the vortex amplifier is removably mounted in an opening in a wall (2) of the containment, and the filter housing is mounted relative to the containment in such a manner that a filter (22) within the housing can be posted through an opening into the containment.The vortex amplifier is removable for cleaning.The filter housing may be mounted on the exterior of the containment in-line with the opening in which the vortex amplifier is mounted whereby the filter can be posted through the opening in which the vortex amplifier is mounted upon removal of the vortex amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventor: Raymond Doig
  • Patent number: 5080137
    Abstract: A vortex flow regulator used in sewer catch basins to prevent overflow of the system from storm water runoff and to standardize the production of regulators. The hollow body of these flow regulators within a given range of regulators by the present construction have been found suitable for different size discharge orifice requirements. A flow regulator has been provided that is adapted to standardization of parts when built with only its discharge orifice needing change. The structure lends itself to mass production of flow regulators. Simple means for attachment of flow regulators within basin drain pipes has been provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas R. Adams
  • Patent number: 5076327
    Abstract: An electro-fluid converter for controlling a fluid actuating an adjusting element, such as a main control slider of a servo valve, comprises at least one displaceable throttle arranged in a fluid-rich circuit. The throttle has at least one throttle element with a central inlet passage and a plurality of flow-mechanical identical base elements arranged around the central inlet passage in a star-like manner. Each of the base elements includes a bipolar wall stream element connected with the inlet passage and a whirling chamber element connected with the wall stream element, each of the wall stream elements being thermoelectrically controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mettner
  • Patent number: 5074719
    Abstract: A method of regulating the overflow from a cyclone, hydrocyclone or similar device (1) comprises the steps of passing the overflow (1C) to the main inlet (3C) of a fluidic valve (3) and passing at least a proportion of the underflow (1B) from the device (1) to the control inlet (3B) of the said fluidic valve (3). The flowrate of the overflow (1C) leaving the device (1) is maintained despite variations in feed flowrate or feed flow pressure (1A). Preferably, the underflow (1B) or proportion thereof is passed through a restriction (2) before being passed to the control inlet (3B) of the fluidic valve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Orkney Water Test Centre Limited
    Inventor: Simon R. H. Davies
  • Patent number: 5052442
    Abstract: A vortex chamber valve for controlling fluid flow in a pipe system comprising a housing forming a vortex chamber having a curved sidewall, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; an inlet valve disposed at an upstream side of the vortex chamber inlet opening having a main section and an edge section, wherein the edge section has a deflecting surface protruding away from the main section and towards the upstream side of the inlet valve, the edge section of the inlet valve covers a part of the inlet opening, so that, when upstream fluid levels rise at least up to the deflecting surface, the deflecting surface acts on the inflowing fluid to cause contraction in the inlet opening of the cross-sectional area of the inflowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Jorgen M. Johannessen
  • Patent number: 4917151
    Abstract: A vortex amplifier having a vortex chamber is included in a fluid flow line. A sensor in the fluid flow line upstream of the vortex chamber and operable in response to changes in the fluid flow controls a valve in a further flow line for introducing a control fluid into the vortex chamber. The arrangement results in an automatic control in the fluid flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Alan Blanchard, Lionel H. Ford
  • Patent number: 4889166
    Abstract: There is provided a vortex-valve which comprises a housing defining a vortex chamber, a housing having an inlet through which liquid may enter the vortex chamber in manner to promote swirl within the vortex chamber and an outlet at one axial end of the vortex chamber. A wall of the housing is provided with an opening which is normally closed by a closure, this closure being operable between the closed position and an open position in which liquid may enter the vortex chamber by-passing the inlet. The vortex-valve may be provided at the outlet of a gully and is useful in enabling a blockage, which may occur at the inlet of the vortex-valve, to be by-passed, thereby draining any accumulated liquid in the gully. The blockage may then be removed when the gully is relatively dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Hydro International Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Lakatos
  • Patent number: 4887628
    Abstract: A vortex amplifier functions as a choke valve to control flow in a flow line from, for example, a gas or oil well. The vortex amplifier is arranged in the flow line such that flow passes radially through the vortex amplifier to emerge at an axial port. A control flow is introduced tangentially into the vortex amplifier along a line by a pump. The pump is regulated by a transducer responsive to signals generated by the flow in the flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Michael J. Bowe, Alistair L. Wright
  • Patent number: 4867041
    Abstract: A hollow cylindrical amplifier driven actuator spool has first and second vortex chambers divided by an internal piston. A shaft is attached to the pistion and extends out the cylinder. Fluid logic controls the fluid flow in the vortex chambers so that the resulting chamber pressure causes the piston to accelerate. The use of beam deflection amplifiers for fluid control in connection with a push-pull vortex amplifier arrangement results in a device with low fluid flow leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Francis M. Manion
  • Patent number: 4852613
    Abstract: A control system for a single acting or double acting fluidic pump comprising a detector stage (1), a power amplifiction stage (2) and a primary element stage (3). The detector stage comprises bistable fluidic amplifiers for detecting pressure changes in a gas pressure line (10) to a displacement vessel of the pump. The power amplification stage comprises at least one unvented bistable fluidic amplifier to amplify and direct signals from the detector stage to the primary element. The primary element can be a jet pump (12) and vortex amplifier (13) to provide high pressures in the gas pressure line (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: United Kingdon Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: John R. Tippetts, Geoffrey H. Priestman
  • Patent number: 4846224
    Abstract: Fluidics flow control of a multiphase supply using a cylindrical chamber is achieved by introducing the supply flow radially into the chamber. The supply flow exits through a port in the center at the chamber. A control fluid is then introduced tangentially about 90.degree. upstream from the supply port. A second control fluid port may be added about 90.degree. upstream from the first control fluid port, but preferably two sets of supply and control ports are added with like ports diametrically opposite each other. The control fluid flows against the circular wall of the control chamber, which introduces a vortex in the flow of the supply flow that decays into a spiral path to the exit port in the center of the chamber. The control flow rate may thus be used to control the spiral path, and therefore the supply flow rate through the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Earl R. Collins, Jr., Wilbur J. Marner, Naresh K. Rohatgi
  • Patent number: 4834142
    Abstract: A flow rate controller including a braking chamber having an essentially centrally arranged outlet aperture and is adapted to receive, through a peripheral opening within the braking chamber, a liquid flow to be controlled, in order to brake the liquid by causing it to rotate within the braking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Jorgen Mosbaek Johannessen ApS
    Inventor: Jorgen M. Johannessen
  • Patent number: 4817863
    Abstract: In variable air volume systems of buildings, a vortex valve is used for varying the volume of the air moving through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Limited-Honeywell Limitee
    Inventors: Gordon M. Bragg, Richard G. Carothers, Kenneth A. MacLeod, Marvin D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4632107
    Abstract: An opposing vortex oscillator is used to control the frequency and duty cycle of a high-frequency jet ventilator for trauma management in acute and uncontrolled situations where no power other than the pressure of the ventilation gas itself is available. Frequency adjustment is achieved by connecting variable volumes to one inlet of the oscillator while duty cycle control is achieved by supplying fluid to one inlet of the oscillator through a variable-orifice bias control valve. Safety means are provided to automatically disable the ventilator in case of airway blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Nimbus, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Butler
  • Patent number: 4557295
    Abstract: A fluidic pulsing device is disclosed which comprises at least one fluid lifier and several vortex valve restrictors. One or more amplifiers direct fluid flow to the several vortex valves, which are arranged in parallel fashion. Such an arrangement allows for optimization of design geometries, and therefore, optimization of performance, despite the fact that the physical dimensions of the apparatus may be severely restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Allen B. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4518013
    Abstract: A pressure compensating, water flow control device in which the incoming water is split between first and second flow paths. The first flow path is in the form of a closed loop and the second flow path includes a vortex chamber. The outlet from the device is co-axial with said vortex chamber. Both ends of the closed loop communicate with an inlet zone. The vortex chamber is, in one form, connected to said inlet zone by a passage and, in another form, said chamber and said inlet zone are contiguous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Inventor: John H. Lazarus
  • Patent number: 4515252
    Abstract: A vortex flow hydraulic shock absorber for damping relative displacement of two components comprising a piston provided with a fluid passage therethrough including a pair of vortex chambers formed in a movable valve body disposed between a pair of resilient annular discs in a valve chamber in the piston. The valve body moves against the force of the resilient annular discs in response to an increase in the pressure difference of the working fluid on opposite sides of the piston to positions in which the fluid is permitted to bypass one or both of the vortex chambers as it traverses the piston, thereby varying the damping force of the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kunihiko Hidaka, Naoto Fukushima, Kazuro Iwata
  • Patent number: 4502575
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a piston which comprises upper and lower members. The upper and lower members are fixedly assembled to define therein the vortex chamber. The piston has vertically-extending channels on the periphery thereof to define the vertical section of the vortex passages together with the inner periphery of the cylinder tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Fukushima, Kazuroh Iwata, Kunihiko Hidaka
  • Patent number: 4422476
    Abstract: A fluidic control device, in particular a vortex amplifier, comprises a casing having fluid inlet, outlet and control ports. A vortex chamber is formed within the casing by a plate which is spaced from a wall of the casing by members which each define a part of the periphery of the vortex chamber. Each member has a channel in communication with a respective control port for introducing control fluid flow into the vortex chamber. An aperture is formed in the plate adjacent each channel to divert a portion of the control flow to the opposite side of the plate and facing the inlet port whereby to reduce instability over the operating range of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Alan Blanchard
  • Patent number: 4418721
    Abstract: A high capacity fluidic valve is disclosed which is useful for creating psure pulses in a drill string for communicating diagnostic information from the bottom of a well bore to the surface during drilling. The device of the present invention comprises essentially a vortex chamber having an element therein which is capable of rapidly changing the flow through the chamber from radial to vortical. Flow throttling action in the valve is produced by the vortical flow in the chamber, thereby producing pressure pulses in the fluid stream flowing through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Allen B. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4313470
    Abstract: For achieving a shut-off function, a mainstream communicates with a control stream into which an outlet for the mainstream opens laterally. By reciprocating the control stream back and forth across the outlet, for example by alternate pressurisation of reservoirs to which the control stream is connected at its ends, access of the mainstream to the outlet is inhibited. When the reciprocation is discontinued full flow of the mainstream to or through the outlet can take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: John R. Tippetts
  • Patent number: 4286627
    Abstract: The method of operation of a vortex chamber which has a fluid connection which can be controlled at times to send fluid from the chamber to a cavity, containing a movable mass, and which can allow fluid to travel from the cavity through the same fluid connection into the chamber to later exit from the vortex chamber exit is disclosed. The vortex chamber, in a preferred embodiment, has a tangential power fluid input, an output at the center, and a radial combined input-output communicating with the movable mass container. The vortex chamber is used to reduce pressure at the fluid output when and only when control fluid input enters the chamber at the fluid input. Exhaust fluid from the movable mass container can easily pass radially through the vortex chamber to its output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Ronald E. Graf