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 Gohre, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,513,417 and 2,569,683 to Lindsay, U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,812 to Elvidge et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,923 to Ii, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,688 to Grindley, and by U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2002/0148913 A1 to Horn. Fluid pumps having deflectors within their flow passages as well as ports at which suction is produced are represented by the Lindsay patents, the Daily patent, the Kobiolke et al patent, the Gohre patent, the Elvidge et al patent, the li patent, the Grindley patent, and by U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,625 B1 to Sertier and U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,696 to Wilkinson. The Gohre patent and the Grindley patent relate to pumps for extinguishing fires, and the Lindsay patents relate to portable pumps. U.S. Pat. No. 2,391,306 to Gregg and the Grindley patent disclose pumps utilizing Venturi tubes. Prior fluid pumps in which deflectors are used to alter fluid flow through the pumps have various disadvantages including inadequate flow rates, unsuitable pressures, inferior mixing, insufficient turbulence, undesirable recoil, structural and operational complexity, and lack of cost effectiveness.

[0006] The need remains for an improved fluid ejector pump in which air is turbulently mixed with water flowing through a flow passage through the pump containing a deflector which produces greater flow rates and greater mixing of water and air, enhanced discharge of atomized or air-entrained water, and greater suction at a suction inlet of the pump. A need further exists for a fluid ejector pump in which air and water are mixed during pressurized fluid flow through the pump while reducing back pressure and recoil. There is also a need for an economical fluid ejector pump of structural and operational simplicity providing an enhanced discharge of atomized or air-entrained water at a discharge outlet of the pump and enhanced vacuum at an air or suction inlet of the pump useful for many various applications including fire extinguishment applications with or without a fire suppression foam additive, irrigation applications, vacuum applications, vertical and non-vertical pumping applications, aqua, shrimp or fish farming applications, aeration applications, pesticide applications, drying applications, and injection molding applications, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is generally characterized in a fluid ejector pump having a longitudinally extending flow passage with a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end opposite the fluid inlet end. The fluid inlet end includes a Venturi tube inlet having a relative larger diameter entry opening for being supplied with pressurized fluid, such as water, and a relatively smaller diameter exit opening within the flow passage. A suction or air inlet comprising one or more air entry ports communicates with the flow passage adjacent the exit opening of the Venturi tube inlet. Water discharged into the flow passage from the exit opening of the Venturi tube inlet is mixed with air entering the flow passage through the suction inlet. A shaped deflector is located in the flow passage spaced upstream of the exit opening of the Venturi tube inlet and in axial alignment with the Venturi tube inlet. The deflector comprises a downstream end of convex or partial spherical configuration spaced upstream from the exit opening of the Venturi tube inlet, a cylindrical intermediate section extending from the downstream end in the upstream direction and an upstream section of frustoconical configuration extending from the intermediate section in the upstream direction. The upstream section is of increasing cross-sectional or diametric size in the upstream direction. The flow passage defines an annular gap or space around and along the deflector, the annular gap being defined between the exterior of the deflector and the internal surface of the wall forming the flow passage. A plurality of struts extend radially outwardly from the deflector into engagement with the wall of the flow passage to center the deflector in the flow passage.

[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.

[0009] In another embodiment, the deflector is solid without a lumen extending therethrough and has a relatively longer intermediate section and a relatively shorter upstream section extending outwardly in the upstream direction at about a 45 degree angle from the intermediate section. As the fluid flowing through the flow passage encounters the deflector, a highly unstable vortex is created and turbulence increases. Natural Bernoulli eddies are produced in the fluid and greater suction is produced at the suction inlet.

[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.

[0011] Various objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar parts in each of the drawing figures are identified by the same reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a body of a fluid ejector pump according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the body of the fluid ejector pump.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of a deflector of the fluid ejector pump.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an end perspective view of the deflector.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a body of a modified fluid ejector pump according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a body of another modified fluid ejector pump according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of an additional fluid ejector pump according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a body of the fluid ejector pump of FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified body for the fluid ejector pump of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A fluid ejector pump 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises an elongate body 12 defining a longitudinally extending flow passage 14 entirely through the body 12. The flow passage 14 has a central longitudinal axis 15. The body 12 and flow passage 14 include an open inlet or downstream end 16 for being supplied with a source of pressurized fluid, such as water, and an open outlet or upstream end 18, opposite the inlet end, through which the fluid is discharged. The wall of body 12 defining flow passage 14 may be formed integrally, unitarily as a single structural part or as a plurality of structural parts connected or assembled in any suitable manner preventing leakage. The inlet end 16 includes a Venturi tube inlet 20 defining a Venturi flow channel therethrough forming a portion of the flow passage 14. The Venturi tube inlet 20 has an entry opening 22 for being supplied with the pressurized fluid, and the Venturi tube inlet extends from the entry opening 22 to terminate at an exit opening 24 of the Venturi tube inlet located upstream in the flow passage 14. The Venturi tube inlet 20 is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 15. The entry opening 22 is coaxial with the exit opening 24 and is of a first diameter. The exit opening 24 is of a second diameter, smaller than the first diameter, with the flow channel defined by the Venturi tube inlet 20 having a tapering diameter portion 26 tapering in diameter continuously and uniformly from the first diameter to the second diameter. In one preferred embodiment, the first diameter is or is substantially 1.6 inches and the second diameter is or is substantially 0.700 inch.

[0022] The Venturi tube inlet 20 may be formed integrally, unitarily or monolithically as a single part or may be formed of multiple parts assembled together in any suitable manner. In the case of body 12, the Venturi tube inlet 20 is formed of multiple parts and comprises a Venturi tube member 21 and a cylindrical sleeve 23 mounted on a downstream end of the Venturi tube member 21. The downstream end of the Venturi tube member 21 terminates within the sleeve 23, which defines the entry opening 22 at the flow passage inlet end 16. The Venturi tube member 21 is a hollow member including a tapered section 25 disposed between a first or downstream cylindrical section 27 and a second or upstream cylindrical section 29. The first cylindrical section 27, which is partly disposed in sleeve 23, extends longitudinally from the downstream end of the Venturi tube member 21 to the widest end of the tapered section 25. The tapered section 25 extends from the first cylindrical section 27 with an inward taper to the second cylindrical section 29. The second cylindrical section 29 extends from the tapered section 25 to the exit opening 24. The flow channel defined by Venturi tube inlet 20 has tapering diameter portion 26 within tapered section 25, a first or downstream uniform diameter portion within first cylindrical section 27 and sleeve 23, and a second or upstream uniform diameter portion within second cylindrical section 29. The first uniform diameter portion of the flow channel is of the first diameter and extends from the entry opening 22 of sleeve 23 to the widest end of the tapering diameter portion 26 of the flow channel. The second uniform diameter portion of the flow channel is of the second diameter and extends from the narrowest end of the tapering diameter portion 26 to the exit opening 24. The tapering diameter portion is of considerably greater length than the second uniform diameter portion and, in the Venturi tube inlet 20, the first uniform diameter portion is of greater length than the tapering diameter portion.

[0023] The body 12 comprises a suction or air inlet 28 having at least one air entry port 30 communicating with the flow passage 14. The suction inlet 28 may be formed as a tubular extension of body 12 perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 15. The air entry port 30 is located adjacent the exit opening 24 of the Venturi tube inlet 20 and is aligned with the exit opening 24 in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 15. The suction inlet 28 for body 12 is formed by part of a T-shaped pipe having a longitudinal segment 31 and a transverse segment 33 extending perpendicularly from one side of the longitudinal segment. A downstream end of the longitudinal segment 31 fits over the tapered section 25 of the Venturi tube member 21 and is secured thereto with the downstream end of the longitudinal segment 31 adjacent the junction at which the first cylindrical section 27 of the Venturi tube member meets the widest end of the tapered section 25. An upstream end of the longitudinal segment 31 receives one end of a tubular transition member 35 which extends in the upstream direction from the upstream end of the longitudinal segment. The longitudinal segment 31 thusly defines a portion of the flow passage 14 through body 12. The transverse segment 33 extends perpendicularly from one side of the longitudinal segment 31 and is located between the upstream and downstream ends of the longitudinal segment. The transverse segment 33 defines the air entry port 30 therethrough in communication with the portion of flow passage 14 defined by the longitudinal segment 31. The exit opening 24 of the Venturi tube inlet 20 is disposed in the flow passage 14 in alignment with the air entry port 30 defined by transverse segment 33 and is located slightly upstream of a center axis of the transverse segment 33 perpendicular to central longitudinal axis 15. The Venturi tube inlet 20 may be fixedly secured to the longitudinal segment 31 in any suitable manner or may be removably secured to the longitudinal segment. The Venturi tube inlet 20 may be formed as part of the longitudinal segment 31.

[0024] The opposite end of transition member 35 is received in the downstream end of a tubular outlet member 37 of body 12. The upstream end of the outlet member 37 defines the outlet end 18 of body 12 and flow passage 14. The wall thickness of transition member 35 is less than the wall thickness of the longitudinal segment 31 and is less than the wall thickness of the outlet member 37. The wall of the longitudinal segment 31 at its upstream end and the wall of the outlet member 37 at its downstream end are respectively recessed along their interior surfaces to accommodate the wall thickness of the transition member 35 such that the flow passage 14 is of uniform diameter from air entry port 30 to the outlet end 18.

[0025] A shaped deflector 32 is located and secured within flow passage 14 upstream of the Venturi tube inlet 20 and the air entry port 30. The deflector 32 is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 15. The deflector 32 is best shown in FIGS. 2-4 and comprises a body having a blunt downstream end 34 of convex or partial spherical configuration longitudinally spaced upstream of the exit opening 24 of Venturi tube inlet 20, an intermediate section 36 of cylindrical configuration extending in the upstream direction from the downstream end 34, and an upstream section 38 of frustoconical configuration extending in the upstream direction from the intermediate section 36. The external diameter of intermediate section 36 is uniform from downstream end 34 to upstream section 38. The external diameter of upstream section 38 increases continuously and uniformly in the upstream direction from intermediate section 36. A plurality of struts 40 extend radially outwardly from the intermediate section 36 into engagement with the wall of body 12 forming flow passage 14 to center the deflector in the flow passage 14 coaxially. As shown in FIG. 2, ends of the struts 40 may be held between the upstream end of longitudinal segment 31 and an internal shoulder of outlet member 37. The diameter of the flow passage 14 is larger than the maximum external diameter of the deflector 32 such that an annular gap or space is defined in the flow passage 14 around and along the deflector. In one preferred embodiment, the external diameter of the intermediate section 36 is or is substantially 0.800 inch and the maximum external diameter of the upstream section 32 is or is substantially 1.200 inches in a flow passage 14 having a diameter of or substantially of 1.600 inches. The distance between the exit opening 24 and the downstream end 34 may be or may substantially be 3.64 inches in the preferred embodiment.

[0026] The deflector 32 may be hollow, with a lumen 44 extending entirely therethrough. The lumen 44 has an entry hole 46 at the downstream end 34 coaxial with the exit opening 24 of Venturi tube inlet 20 and has an outlet hole 48 at the end of the upstream section 38 coaxial with the entry hole 46. The lumen 44 comprises a cylindrical downstream lumen segment extending in the upstream direction from the entry hole 46 to a frustoconical upstream lumen segment extending in the upstream direction from the downstream lumen segment to the outlet hole 48. Accordingly, the downstream lumen segment is of uniform circular cross-section having a uniform diameter from the entry hole 46 to the upstream lumen segment. The upstream lumen segment is of continuously and uniformly increasing circular cross-section of continuously and uniformly increasing diameter from the downstream lumen segment to the outlet hole 48. In one preferred embodiment, the downstream lumen segment has a diameter of or substantially of 0.400 inch and the outlet hole 48 has a diameter of or substantially of 0.800 inch. A discharge opening or outlet 50 for the fluid ejector pump 10 at outlet end 18 is located upstream of the outlet hole 48 of the deflector 32 such that a mixing region 51 of flow passage 14 is defined between outlet hole 48 and discharge opening 50. In a preferred embodiment, the length of mixing region 51 corresponding to the distance from outlet hole 48 to discharge opening 50 is or is substantially 2.35 inches. The external surface of deflector 32 defining the upstream section 38 extends angularly outwardly from the external surface of the deflector defining the intermediate section 36, and the external surface of the upstream section 38 extends angularly outwardly from the external surface of the intermediate section 36 at an angle A as shown in FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, angle A is or is substantially 13 degrees.

[0027] Water flowing upstream through the flow passage 14 from the Venturi tube inlet 20 is combined with and contains air which enters the flow passage 14 through the suction inlet 28. As this fluid flows upstream, it encounters the deflector 32, causing some of the fluid to enter the deflector lumen 44 and some of the fluid to flow along the annular space of the flow passage 14 between the interior surface of the body 12 and the external surface of the deflector. The acceleration of the fluid flowing upstream in the flow passage 14 along the annular space is increased due to the upward angle of the upstream section 38 of the deflector 32, and the fluid flow is also increased. The fluid flowing through the deflector lumen 44 is discharged into the flow passage 14 from the outlet hole 48 of the deflector, and a high-low mixing effect is produced in the fluid within the mixing region 51 of the flow passage for greater mixing and turbulence. The deflector 32 causes decreased fluid pressure and creates a unique flow mixing pattern and greater flow rates while reducing back pressure. Fluid exiting the outlet hole 48 of the deflector 32 has rifling striations to create greater turbulence. In addition, suction or vacuum at the suction inlet 28 is increased. The fluid is discharged from the outlet 50 of the fluid ejector pump as atomized or air-entrained water.

[0028] A modified fluid ejector pump according to the present invention is shown at 110 in FIG. 5. Fluid ejector pump 110 is similar to fluid ejector pump 10 except for Venturi tube inlet 120. Venturi tube inlet 120 differs from Venturi tube inlet 20 in that Venturi tube inlet 20 comprises Venturi tube member 121 without a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the downstream end of the Venturi tube member 121. In addition, the Venturi tube member 121 differs from Venturi tube member 21 in that Venturi tube member 121 has a shorter first cylindrical section 127 formed as an annular flange in abutment with the downstream end of longitudinal segment 131 and defining the entry opening 122 for fluid ejector pump 110 opening directly into the tapered section 125 of Venturi tube inlet 120.

[0029] Another modified fluid ejector pump according to the present invention is illustrated at 210 in FIG. 6. Fluid ejector pump 210 is similar to fluid ejector pump 10 except that the suction inlet 228 for fluid ejector pump 210 comprises a plurality of air entry slots or ports 230 formed in the cylindrical wall of body 212 defining the flow passage 214. Slots 230 are formed in a longitudinal segment 231 of body 212 which does not have a transverse segment extending therefrom. The downstream end of longitudinal segment 231 receives the tapered section 225 of Venturi tube member 221 and the upstream end of longitudinal segment 231 receives the downstream end of transition member 235 as described above for longitudinal segment 31. The air entry openings or slots 230 are disposed in longitudinal segment 231 at spaced radial locations about a central longitudinal axis of the flow passage 214. The slots 230 are parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the flow passage and the exit opening 124 is aligned with the slots 230 in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the flow passage.

[0030] An additional fluid ejector pump according to the present invention is illustrated at 310 in FIGS. 7 and 8. Fluid ejector pump 310 includes an elongate body 312 attached to a handle 352. The body 312 is shown attached or assembled to a housing 353 of the handle 352 in FIG. 7, and the body 312 may be removable or detachable from the handle 352 as shown by FIG. 8. The handle 352 may comprise a pistol grip or any other suitable configuration for grasping. The housing 353 of handle 352 has a through bore in coaxial communication with the flow passage through body 312, and the housing 353 is connectible with a source of fluid to be supplied to the flow passage of body 312. The body 312 may be designed as depicted in FIG. 8, wherein the body 312 is similar to the body 212 for fluid ejector pump 210 except that deflector 332 differs from deflector 232. Deflector 332 is solid and has downstream end 334 of convex or partial spherical configuration, intermediate section 336 of cylindrical configuration extending in the upstream direction from downstream end 334, and upstream section 338 of frustoconical configuration extending in the upstream direction from the intermediate section 336. The intermediate section 336 is of considerably greater length than the intermediate section 236, and the upstream section 338 is of considerably shorter length than the upstream section 238. Struts 340 extend from intermediate section 336 into engagement with the wall of body 312 for centering the deflector 332 coaxially in the flow passage 314. In a preferred embodiment, the flow passage 314 has a diameter of or substantially of 1.6 inches; the deflector 332 has an overall length of or substantially of 5.7 inches; the upstream section 338 has a length of or substantially of 0.5 inch; and the intermediate section 336 has a diameter of or substantially of 0.8 inch. The external surface of upstream section 338 extends angularly outwardly in the upstream direction from the external surface of intermediate section 336 at an angle B which, in a preferred embodiment, is or is substantially 45 degrees. The upstream section 338 of deflector 332 extends in the upstream direction beyond the upstream end of outlet member 337. In addition, the circumferential edge of the outlet member 337 at its upstream end is angled or beveled to extend in parallel spaced relation to the upstream section 338 of deflector 332. An outer tubular collar 355 of body 312 is disposed concentrically over the outlet member 337 and extends in the upstream direction beyond the upstream end of the outlet member 337 and the upstream section 338 of the deflector 332. Accordingly, fluid flowing upstream around and past the deflector 332 enters the larger diameter region of flow passage 314 defined by collar 355, and the upstream end of collar 355 defines the outlet 350. A hood 354, shown in FIG. 7, having an outwardly flared configuration may be coupled with the outlet end 318 of the body 312.

[0031] Water discharged from Venturi tube inlet 320, which is similar to Venturi tube inlets 20 and 220, is combined with air entering through the suction inlet 328, which comprises air entry openings 330. As this fluid continues to flow upstream through the flow passage 314, it encounters the deflector 332. The flow is separated by the deflector 332 and a highly unstable vortex is created in the fluid. Greater turbulence is imparted to the fluid flow causing natural Bernoulli eddies which produce greater mixing of the fluid and greater suction at the air entry openings 330 of suction inlet 328. The mixture of air into the jet stream of water causes a natural air break to eliminate recoil felt at the handle 352. Less motive force is required for fluid flow through the flow passage 314 while eliminating undesirable backflow pressure. The fluid is discharged from a discharge outlet 357 of hood 354 as finely atomized or air-entrained water.

[0032] The fluid ejector pump 310 is particularly useful as a fire nozzle, and a fire hose can be coupled with the housing 353. The atomized or air-entrained water significantly reduces the thermal swing of a fire allowing a fire to be extinguished faster due to the water bursting to cold steam. Consequently, a fire is suffocated faster utilizing less water for greater effectiveness. If desired, a fire-suppressing biodegradable foam can be added to the fluid flowing through the flow passage 314.

[0033] Another body 412 for the fluid ejector pumps according to the present invention is illustrated at 412 in FIG. 9. The body 412 is similar to the body 312 except that the Venturi tube inlet 420 for body 412 is similar to the Venturi tube inlet 120 while the Venturi tube inlet 320 for body 312 is similar to Venturi tube inlets 20 and 220.

[0034] The fluid ejector pumps of the present invention can be used in many various applications including as a pump for irrigation for increased discharge flow using less energy, as a vacuum scrubber for high dust environments in woodworking, coal-dust retention, airborne glass particles or paint-spraying booths using the vacuum created by the suction inlet to draw airborne particles into a fluid bypass trap and enable the particles to be concentrated into a holding or containment area, as a relay pump to maintain water pressure between fire trucks, as a vertical pump to move water vertically such as in high-rise buildings to maintain pressure to upper floors, as a pump for aqua, shrimp and/or fish farming to oxygenate or aerate a body of water, and as a pump for pesticides allowing pesticides to be sprayed from a sprinkler system in hard to access areas.

[0035] The fluid ejector pumps can accept extreme high pressure fluid flows without a recoil effect. The size of the Venturi tube inlet can be varied to increase or decrease total flow output. The fluid ejector pumps may include click-stop water adjustments and flow meter labeling. The fluid ejector pumps may be made from materials selected to reduce weight.

[0036] Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid ejector pump comprising an elongate body defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a central longitudinal axis, an open inlet end and an open outlet end upstream of said inlet end; a Venturi tube inlet at said inlet end coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and including an entry opening for being supplied with a source of pressurized fluid and an exit opening upstream in said flow passage, said entry opening having a first diameter, said exit opening having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter; a suction inlet in said body comprising an air entry port in communication with said flow passage adjacent said exit opening; and a shaped deflector in said flow passage coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and having a downstream end of partial spherical configuration spaced longitudinally in an upstream direction from said exit opening, an intermediate section of cylindrical configuration extending in the upstream direction from said downstream end, and an upstream section of frustoconical configuration extending angularly outwardly in the upstream direction from said intermediate section, said deflector being axially aligned with said entry opening and said exit opening of said Venturi tube inlet, and said flow passage defining an annular space along said deflector between said deflector and said body.

2. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 1 wherein said deflector is solid.

3. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 1 wherein said deflector has a lumen extending entirely therethrough coaxial with said central longitudinal axis.

4. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 3 wherein said flow passage includes a mixing region upstream of said deflector.

5. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 4 wherein said lumen of said deflector has an entry hole at said downstream end and an outlet hole at said upstream section in communication with said mixing region, said lumen having a downstream segment of uniform diameter extending from said entry hole to an upstream segment of continuously increasing diameter extending from said downstream segment to said outlet hole, said entry hole having a diameter the same as said diameter of said downstream segment, and said outlet hole having a diameter corresponding to a maximum diameter for said upstream segment.

6. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 5 wherein said first diameter is substantially 1.6 inches, said second diameter is substantially 0.7 inch, said diameter of said downstream segment is substantially 0.4 inch, said diameter of said outlet hole is substantially 0.8 inch, said intermediate section has an external diameter of substantially 0.8 inch, said upstream section has a maximum external diameter of substantially 1.2 inches and said flow passage has a diameter of substantially 1.6 inches.

7. A fluid ejector pump comprising an elongate body defining a longitudinally extending flow passage entirely therethrough having a central longitudinal axis, an open downstream end and an open upstream end; a Venturi tube inlet at said downstream end coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and defining a flow channel entirely therethrough, said Venturi tube inlet including an entry opening for being supplied with a source of pressurized fluid, said Venturi tube inlet extending from said entry opening to terminate at an exit opening upstream in said flow passage, said entry opening having a first diameter and said exit opening having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said flow channel including a downstream portion extending from said entry opening to an intermediate portion and an upstream portion extending from said intermediate portion to said exit opening, said downstream portion being uniformly of said first diameter, said upstream portion being uniformly of said second diameter and said intermediate portion being continuously tapering in diameter from said first diameter to said second diameter, said intermediate portion having a length and said upstream portion having a length less than said length of said intermediate portion; a suction inlet in said body comprising at least one air entry port in communication with said flow passage adjacent said exit opening, said at least one air entry port being aligned with said exit opening in a direction perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis; and a shaped deflector in said flow passage coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and having a downstream end of partial spherical configuration spaced longitudinally in an upstream direction from said exit opening, an intermediate section of cylindrical configuration extending angularly outwardly in the upstream direction from said downstream end, and an upstream section of frustoconical configuration extending in the upstream direction from said intermediate section, said deflector being axially aligned with said entry opening and said exit opening of said Venturi tube inlet, and said flow passage defining an annular space along said deflector between said deflector and said body.

8. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 7 wherein said suction inlet has a central axis perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis of said flow passage and said exit opening is located upstream of said central axis of said suction inlet.

9. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector further includes a plurality of struts extending radially outwardly from said intermediate section into engagement with said body to center said deflector in said flow passage.

10. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 7 and further including a handle attached to said body.

11. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 10 wherein said handle is removably attached to said body.

12. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector is solid and said upstream section of said deflector is angled outwardly from said intermediate section by an angle of substantially 45 degrees.

13. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 7 wherein said deflector has a lumen extending therethrough and said upstream section of said deflector is angled outwardly from said intermediate section by an angle of substantially 13 degrees.

14. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 13 wherein said lumen has an entry hole at said downstream end of said deflector and an outlet hole at said upstream section, said lumen having a downstream segment of uniform diameter extending from said entry hole to an upstream segment of continuously increasing diameter extending from said downstream segment to said outlet hole.

15. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 14 wherein said flow passage includes a mixing region upstream and adjacent said outlet hole.

16. A fluid ejector pump comprising an elongate body defining a longitudinally extending flow passage entirely therethrough having a central longitudinal axis, an open downstream end and an open upstream end; a Venturi tube inlet at said downstream end coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and defining a flow channel entirely therethrough, said Venturi tube inlet including an entry opening for being supplied with a source of pressurized fluid, said Venturi tube inlet extending from said entry opening to terminate at an exit opening upstream in said flow passage, said entry opening having a first diameter and said exit opening having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said flow channel including a downstream portion extending from said entry opening to an intermediate portion and an upstream portion extending from said intermediate portion to said exit opening, said downstream portion being uniformly of said first diameter, said upstream portion being uniformly of said second diameter and said intermediate portion being continuously tapering in diameter from said first diameter to said second diameter; a suction inlet in said body comprising at least one air entry port in communication with said flow passage adjacent said exit opening, said air entry port being aligned with said exit opening in a direction perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis, said flow passage being uniformly of said first diameter from said suction inlet to said upstream end; and a shaped deflector in said flow passage coaxial with said central longitudinal axis and having a downstream end of partial spherical configuration spaced longitudinally in an upstream direction from said exit opening, an intermediate section of cylindrical configuration extending in the upstream direction from said downstream end of said deflector, and an upstream section of frustoconical configuration extending angularly outwardly in the upstream direction from said intermediate section, said deflector being axially aligned with said entry opening and said exit opening of said Venturi tube inlet, and said flow passage defining an annular space along said deflector between said deflector and said body.

17. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 16 wherein said suction inlet comprises a tubular extension of said body perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis and defining said at least one air entry port through said tubular extension.

18. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 16 wherein said air entry port comprises a plurality of slots in said body extending parallel to said central longitudinal axis at spaced radial locations about said central longitudinal axis.

19. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 16 wherein said deflector includes a lumen extending entirely therethrough coaxial with said central longitudinal axis, said lumen has an entry hole at said downstream end of said deflector and an outlet hole at said upstream section, said lumen having a downstream segment of uniform diameter extending from said entry hole to an upstream segment of continuously increasing diameter extending from said downstream segment to said outlet hole.

20. The fluid ejector pump recited in claim 19 wherein said first diameter is substantially 1.6 inches, said second diameter is substantially 0.7 inch, said downstream segment of said lumen has a diameter of substantially 0.4 inch, said upstream segment of said lumen has a maximum diameter of substantially 0.8 inch, said intermediate section of said deflector has an external diameter of substantially 0.8 inch, and said upstream section of said deflector has a maximum external diameter of substantially 1.2 inches.