U.S. patent application number 11/465928 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for in-line jet pumps and methods of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to WALKER-DAWSON INTERESTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Richard F. Dawson, Richard R. Dawson.
Application Number | 20080044294 11/465928 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39101557 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080044294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dawson; Richard F. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
IN-LINE JET PUMPS AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
A jet pump comprising (A) a housing which defines at least a
suction chamber, a suction inlet and a suction outlet; (B) a nozzle
assembly disposed within the housing which nozzle assembly is sized
and configured to receive at least a pressurized fluid and eject
the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow into a portion of the suction
chamber; and (C) a discharge conduit extending from the suction
outlet away from the suction chamber, the discharge conduit being
configured for fluid communication with the suction chamber and
being disposed to receive the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly,
wherein the discharge conduit defines at least a first inner
diameter along a portion of its length and a second inner diameter
along another portion of its length, the first inner diameter being
less than the second inner diameter. The housing is configured so
that the suction inlet provides a flow of suctioned material into
the suction chamber which has a predominant direction of flow of
suctioned material which is substantially parallel to a predominant
direction of flow of the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly when
the jet pump is in use.
Inventors: |
Dawson; Richard F.;
(Clinton, LA) ; Dawson; Richard R.; (Clinton,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIEBERTH & PATTY, LLC
4703 BLUEBONNET BLVD
BATON ROUGE
LA
70809
US
|
Assignee: |
WALKER-DAWSON INTERESTS,
INC.
Clinton
LA
|
Family ID: |
39101557 |
Appl. No.: |
11/465928 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04F 5/463 20130101;
F04F 5/10 20130101; F04F 5/54 20130101; E02F 3/8825 20130101; F04F
5/02 20130101; E02F 3/9243 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/151 |
International
Class: |
F04F 5/00 20060101
F04F005/00 |
Claims
1. A jet pump comprising: (A) a housing which defines at least a
suction chamber, a suction inlet and a suction outlet; (B) a nozzle
assembly disposed within the housing which nozzle assembly is sized
and configured to receive at least a pressurized fluid and eject
the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow into a portion of the suction
chamber; and (C) a discharge conduit extending from the suction
outlet away from the suction chamber, the discharge conduit being
configured for fluid communication with the suction chamber and
being disposed to receive the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly,
wherein the discharge conduit defines at least a first inner
diameter along a portion of its length and a second inner diameter
along another portion of its length, the first inner diameter being
less than the second inner diameter; wherein the housing is
configured so that the suction inlet provides a flow of suctioned
material into the suction chamber which has a predominant direction
of flow of suctioned material which is substantially parallel to a
predominant direction of flow of the fluid flow from the nozzle
assembly when the jet pump is in use.
2. The jet pump according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle assembly is
sized and configured to receive the pressurized fluid and a gas and
eject the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow into the suction
chamber while feeding the gas into proximity with the periphery of
the fluid flow.
3. The jet pump according to claim 2 wherein the gas is air or an
inert gas.
4. The jet pump according to claim 2 wherein the nozzle assembly
and housing are sized and configured so that, during use of the jet
pump to suction solids-containing material, the fluid flow and
suctioned solids-containing material form a mixture and wherein the
rate of movement of suctioned material is at least about 50 tons
(4.5.times.10.sup.4 kg) per hour when the second inner diameter of
the discharge conduit is about 4 inches (10.2 cm), the first inner
diameter of the discharge conduit is about 3 inches (7.6 cm), the
diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point of ejection of the
pressurized fluid is about 0.625 inch (1.59 cm), the pressurized
fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and the flow rate of
the pressurized fluid is about 140 gallons (530 L) per minute.
5. The jet pump according to claim 1 wherein the housing, the
discharge conduit and a pressurized fluid supply conduit for
supplying the pressurized fluid to the nozzle assembly are attached
to or integral with an arm of an excavator so that the suction
inlet is positioned in proximity to an end of the arm.
6. The jet pump according to claim 2 wherein the housing, the
discharge conduit, a pressurized fluid supply conduit for supplying
the pressurized fluid to the nozzle assembly and a gas supply
conduit for supplying the gas to the nozzle assembly are attached
to or integral with an arm of an excavator so that the suction
inlet is positioned in proximity to an end of the arm.
7. The jet pump according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises
a pipe which pipe has an imaginary center line which is co-linear
with an imaginary center line of the discharge conduit.
8. The jet pump according to claim 1 wherein the nozzle assembly is
disposed within the housing.
9. A method of moving material comprising: (1) injecting a motive
fluid as a fluid flow from a nozzle assembly into a housing which
defines at least a suction chamber, a suction outlet, and a suction
inlet, the suction inlet being configured for fluid communication
with a material to be suctioned, so as to form a vacuum at the
suction inlet; (2) placing the suction inlet of the housing in
proximity to the material to be suctioned so that a flow of
suctioned material through the suction inlet of the housing has a
predominant direction of flow into the suction chamber which is
substantially parallel to a predominant direction of flow of the
fluid flow from the nozzle assembly; and (3) directing the
suctioned material and fluid flow into a discharge conduit
extending from the suction outlet away from the suction chamber,
the discharge conduit being configured for fluid communication with
the suction chamber and being disposed to receive the fluid flow
from the nozzle assembly, wherein the discharge conduit defines at
least a first inner diameter along a portion of its length and a
second inner diameter along another portion of its length, the
first inner diameter being less than the second inner diameter.
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising feeding a
gas to the nozzle assembly in proximity to the periphery of the
fluid flow so that the fluid flow is surrounded by the gas.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the gas is air or an
inert gas.
12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the nozzle assembly
and housing are sized and configured so that, during use of the
assembly to suction solids-containing material, the fluid flow and
suctioned solids-containing material form a mixture the rate and
wherein the rate of movement of suctioned material is at least
about 100 tons (9.1.times.10.sup.4) kg) per hour when the second
inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 6 inches (15.24
cm), the first inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 4
inches (10.2 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point
of ejection of the pressurized fluid is about 0.875 inch (2.22 cm),
the pressurized fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and the
flow rate of the pressurized fluid is about 280 gallons (1060 L)
per minute.
13. The method according to claim 9 wherein the housing, the
discharge conduit and a motive fluid supply conduit for supplying
the motive fluid to the nozzle assembly are attached to or integral
with an arm of an excavator so that the suction inlet is positioned
in proximity to an end of the arm.
14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the housing, the
discharge conduit, a motive fluid supply conduit for supplying the
motive fluid to the nozzle assembly and a gas supply conduit for
supplying the gas to the nozzle assembly are attached to or
integral with an arm of an excavator so that the suction inlet is
positioned in proximity to an end of the arm.
15. The method according to claim 9 wherein the housing comprises a
pipe which has an imaginary center line which is co-linear with an
imaginary center line of the discharge conduit.
16. The method according to claim 9 wherein the nozzle assembly is
disposed within the housing.
17. A suction system comprising: (I) a jet pump comprising: (A) a
housing which defines at least a suction chamber, a suction inlet
and a suction outlet; (B) a nozzle assembly disposed within the
housing which nozzle assembly is sized and configured to receive at
least a pressurized fluid and eject the pressurized fluid as a
fluid flow into a portion of the suction chamber; and (C) a
discharge conduit extending from the suction outlet away from the
suction chamber, the discharge conduit being configured for fluid
communication with the suction chamber and being disposed to
receive the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the
discharge conduit defines at least a first inner diameter along a
portion of its length and a second inner diameter along another
portion of its length, the first inner diameter being less than the
second inner diameter; wherein the housing is configured so that
the suction inlet provides a flow of suctioned material into the
suction chamber which has a predominant direction of flow of
suctioned material which is substantially parallel to a predominant
direction of flow of the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly when
the jet pump is in use; (II) control means for controlling at least
the position of the suction inlet relative to a material to be
suctioned.
18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the nozzle assembly is
sized and configured to receive the pressurized fluid and a gas and
eject the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow into the suction
chamber while feeding the gas into proximity with the periphery of
the fluid flow and wherein the control means is configured to
control alignment of (a) the discharge conduit, (b) a pressurized
fluid supply conduit for supplying pressurized fluid to the nozzle
assembly and (c) a gas supply conduit for supplying the gas to the
nozzle assembly; whereby (a), (b) and (c) are maintained in a
substantially close-fitting relationship while the system is in
use.
19. The system according to claim 17 wherein the control means is
comprised of a mechanical arm affixed to or integral with the
discharge conduit and/or the jet pump.
20. The system according to claim 17 wherein the housing comprises
a pipe which pipe has an imaginary center line which is co-linear
with an imaginary center line of the discharge conduit.
21. The system according to claim 17 wherein the nozzle assembly is
disposed within the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to hydraulic nonmechanical
pumping devices for transferring material, and specifically, to jet
pumps for moving solid, semi-solid, slurried and/or liquid
materials, as well as related methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When materials such as silts, sand and/or mud located at the
bottoms of water bodies need to be removed, the equipment for
accomplishing the removal is typically massive, heavy and difficult
to maneuver. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus of
relatively small dimensions and lighter weight which can be
manipulated in areas which present logistical problems for larger
equipment such as drag lines, large excavators, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present inventions meet this need, amongst others by
providing an in-line jet pump for suctioning material, which can be
attached to an arm of a piece of equipment such as a backhoe and
which can be manipulated so that the suction inlet is in very close
proximity to the material to be suctioned. The novel configuration
of the in-line jet pump of this invention enables close-in work in
such locations as, for example, marinas, boat slips and small
sediment ponds.
[0004] The present invention provides a jet pump assembly
comprising: (A) a housing which defines at least a suction chamber,
a suction inlet and a suction outlet; (B) a nozzle assembly
disposed within the housing which nozzle assembly is sized and
configured to receive at least a pressurized fluid and eject the
pressurized fluid as a fluid flow into a portion of the suction
chamber; and (C) a discharge conduit extending from the suction
outlet away from the suction chamber. The discharge conduit is
configured for fluid communication with the suction chamber and is
disposed to receive the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly. The
discharge conduit defines at least a first inner diameter along a
portion of its length and a second inner diameter along another
portion of its length, the first inner diameter being less than the
second inner diameter. The housing is configured so that the
suction inlet provides a flow of suctioned material into the
suction chamber which has a predominant direction of flow of
suctioned material which is substantially parallel to a predominant
direction of flow of the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly when
the jet pump is in use.
[0005] By predominant direction of flow of the suctioned material
it is to be understood that most of the suctioned material moves or
flows into the jet pump through the suction inlet in one general
direction. By predominant direction of flow of the fluid flow it is
to be understood that most of the pressurized fluid, as it leaves
the nozzle assembly as a fluid flow, moves or flows into and
through a portion of the suction chamber in one general direction.
By substantially parallel it is meant that the predominant
direction of flow of the suctioned material and the predominant
direction of flow of the fluid flow are parallel to each other
within the pathways of movement of the respective suctioned
material and fluid through the jet pump so that the parallel nature
of the directions of flow is maintained with very little
deviation.
[0006] Another embodiment of the invention provides a nozzle
assembly which is sized and configured to receive the pressurized
fluid and an gas and to eject the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow
into the suction chamber while feeding the gas into proximity with
the periphery of the fluid flow. Pursuant to another embodiment of
the invention, the gas is air. In another embodiment of the
invention the gas is an inert gas. Without being bound by theory,
it is believed that the fluid flow (or liquid jet) created by
passage of pressurized fluid through the nozzle assembly has
minimal deflection of direction of flow as it exits the nozzle
assembly because of an a gas bearing surrounding the liquid jet.
Consequently, the in-line jet pump has improved efficiency and load
capacity.
[0007] Another embodiment this invention provides a jet pump which
is sized and configured so that, during use of the assembly to
suction solids-containing material, the rate of movement of the
suctioned material is maximized. While performance of the jet pump
is greatly impacted by the character of the material to be
suctioned, under certain conditions, where the material to be
suctioned is a slurry of a solid and a liquid such as water, in an
embodiment of the invention, the rate of movement of suctioned
material is at least about 50 tons (4.5.times.10.sup.4 kg) per hour
when the second inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 4
inches (10.2 cm), the first inner diameter of the discharge conduit
is about 3 inches (7.6 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at
the point of ejection of the pressurized fluid is about 0.625
inches (1.59 cm), pressurized fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034
kPa), and the flow rate of the pressurized fluid is about 140
gallons (530 L) per minute. In another embodiment of the invention,
the rate of movement of suctioned material is at least about 100
tons (9.1.times.10.sup.4) kg) per hour when the second inner
diameter of the discharge conduit is about 6 inches (15.24 cm), the
first inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 4 inches
(10.2 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point of
ejection of the pressurized fluid is about 0.875 inch (2.22 cm),
the pressurized fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and the
flow rate of the pressurized fluid is about 280 gallons (1060 L)
per minute.
[0008] In order to more readily provide access to material to be
suctioned, which is often in somewhat inconvenient locations, in an
embodiment of this invention, components of the jet pump are
attached to or integral with an end of a excavator arm. In one
embodiment of the invention the housing, the discharge conduit and
a pressurized fluid supply conduit for supplying the pressurized
fluid to the nozzle assembly are attached to or integral with an
arm of an excavator so that the suction inlet is positioned in
proximity to an end of the arm. In another embodiment a gas supply
conduit for supplying the gas to the nozzle assembly is also
attached to or integral with an arm of an excavator so that the
suction inlet is positioned in proximity to an end of the arm. By
the term excavator, it is to be understood that excavator can
encompass a number of types of excavation equipment having
articulated arms, such as, but not limited to, backhoes, track
hoes, ditch witches, mini-excavators, drag lines and the like.
[0009] An embodiment of the invention provides that the housing
comprises a pipe which pipe has an imaginary center line which is
co-linear with an imaginary center line of the discharge
conduit.
[0010] An embodiment of the invention provides a method of moving
material comprising: (1) injecting a motive fluid as a fluid flow
from a nozzle assembly into a housing which defines at least a
suction chamber, a suction outlet, and a suction inlet, the suction
inlet being configured for fluid communication with a material to
be suctioned, so as to form a vacuum at the suction inlet; (2)
placing the suction inlet of the housing in proximity to the
material to be suctioned so that a flow of suctioned material
through the suction inlet of the housing has a predominant
direction of flow into the suction chamber which is substantially
parallel to a predominant direction of flow of the fluid flow from
the nozzle assembly; and (3) directing the flow of suctioned
material and fluid flow into a discharge conduit extending from the
suction outlet away from the suction chamber, the discharge conduit
being configured for fluid communication with the suction chamber
and being disposed to receive the fluid flow from the nozzle
assembly. The discharge conduit defines at least a first inner
diameter along a portion of its length and a second inner diameter
along another portion of its length, the first inner diameter being
less than the second inner diameter.
[0011] In yet another embodiment of the invention the method
further comprises feeding a gas to the nozzle assembly in proximity
to the periphery of the fluid flow so that the fluid flow is
surrounded by the gas. In one embodiment the gas is air and in
another embodiment the gas is an inert gas.
[0012] The methods of this invention provide that the nozzle
assembly and housing are sized and configured so that, during use
to suction solids-containing material, in an embodiment of the
invention the rate of movement of suctioned material is at least
about 50 tons (4.5.times.10.sup.4 kg) per hour when the second
inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 4 inches (10.2
cm), the first inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 3
inches (7.6 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point
of ejection of the pressurized fluid is about 0.625 inches (1.59
cm), pressurized fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and
the flow rate of the pressurized fluid is about 140 gallons (530 L)
per minute. Another embodiment of a method of this invention
provides that the nozzle assembly and housing are sized and
configured so that, during use to suction solids-containing
material, the rate of movement of suctioned material is at least
about 100 tons (9.1.times.10.sup.4) kg) per hour when the second
inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 6 inches (15.24
cm), the first inner diameter of the discharge conduit is about 4
inches (10.2 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point
of ejection of the pressurized fluid is about 0.875 inch (2.22 cm),
the pressurized fluid pressure is about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and the
flow rate of the pressurized fluid is about 280 gallons (1060 L)
per minute.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention a method provides that the
housing, the discharge conduit and a motive fluid supply conduit
for supplying the motive fluid to the nozzle assembly are attached
to or integral with an arm of an excavator so that the suction
inlet is positioned in proximity to an end of the arm. In another
embodiment of the invention the housing, the discharge conduit, a
motive fluid supply conduit for supplying the motive fluid to the
nozzle assembly and a gas supply conduit for supplying the gas to
the nozzle assembly are attached to or integral with an arm of an
excavator so that the suction inlet is positioned in proximity to
an end of the arm.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention a method provides
that the housing comprises a pipe which has an imaginary center
line which is co-linear with an imaginary center line of the
discharge conduit.
[0015] In further embodiments of the methods of this invention, the
nozzle assembly is disposed within the housing.
[0016] Another embodiment of the invention provides a suction
system comprising: (I) a jet pump comprising: (A) a housing which
defines at least a suction chamber, a suction inlet and a suction
outlet; (B) a nozzle assembly disposed within the housing which
nozzle assembly is sized and configured to receive at least a
pressurized fluid and eject the pressurized fluid as a fluid flow
into a portion of the suction chamber; and (C) a discharge conduit
extending from the suction outlet away from the suction chamber,
the discharge conduit being configured for fluid communication with
the suction chamber and being disposed to receive the fluid flow
from the nozzle assembly, wherein the discharge conduit defines at
least a first inner diameter along a portion of its length and a
second inner diameter along another portion of its length, the
first inner diameter being less than the second inner diameter;
wherein the housing is configured so that the suction inlet
provides a flow of suctioned material into the suction chamber
which has a predominant direction of flow of suctioned material
which is substantially parallel to a predominant direction of flow
of the fluid flow from the nozzle assembly when the jet pump is in
use; and (II) control means for controlling at least the position
of the suction inlet relative to a material to be suctioned.
[0017] Embodiments of the invention also include a system wherein
the nozzle assembly is sized and configured to receive the a
pressurized fluid and a gas and eject the pressurized fluid as a
fluid flow into the suction chamber while feeding the gas into
proximity with the periphery of the fluid flow and wherein the
control means is configured to control alignment of (a) the
discharge conduit, (b) a pressurized fluid supply conduit for
supplying pressurized fluid to the nozzle assembly and (c) a gas
supply conduit for supplying the gas to the nozzle assembly;
whereby (a), (b) and (c) are maintained in a substantially
close-fitting relationship while the system is in use. In an
embodiment of the invention the control means is comprised of a
mechanical arm affixed to or integral with the discharge conduit
and/or the jet pump.
[0018] The phrase, close-fitting relationship, is understood to
mean that selected components of the suction system such as, the
discharge conduit, the pressurized fluid supply conduit and the gas
supply conduit are attached to each other and/or attached to or
integral with a device or structure serving as the control means.
In this way, the selected components are moved about or manipulated
as a unit. Maintaining a close-fitting relationship among the
selected components together with the jet pump, permits unimpeded
movement of the suction inlet. This avoids problems of poor
positioning when, for example, the pressurized fluid supply conduit
may become bound-up or impinged during use of the suction
system.
[0019] The various embodiments and features of this invention will
now become apparent from the following detailed description, the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a side plan view in partial cross section of an
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows an end plan view of the invention shown in FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a simplified sectional side view of an
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Like numbers and/or letters in the various figures are used
to refer to like parts or components within the group of
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] It will now be appreciated that, while specific embodiments
are described hereinafter, several other applications of the
presently described invention may be contemplated by those of skill
in the art in view of this disclosure. For example, while the
accompanying drawings illustrate the in-line jet pump of this
invention as used for suctioning operations, the jet pump may be
used for virtually any application in which solid particulate
matter, or a slurry comprised of such matter, must be moved from
one location to another. In each of the above examples, small batch
operations as well as large commercial batch, semi-continuous and
continuous operations are possible using pumping methods and
systems of this invention.
[0026] Referring now to the accompanying figures, FIG. 1
illustrates an embodiment of the jet pump enlarged, but not to
scale. A housing 10 is shown to comprise at least a suction chamber
12, a suction inlet 16 and a suction outlet 14. A nozzle assembly
18 is disposed within housing 10. Nozzle assembly 18 receives a
pressurized fluid 20 through pressurized fluid supply conduit 40
and ejects pressurized fluid 20 as a fluid flow 22, shown here as a
liquid flow 22, into a portion of suction chamber 12. Nozzle
assembly 18 also receives a gas 46 and feeds gas 46 into proximity
with the periphery of fluid flow 22 as gas flow 24. It is believed
that fluid flow (or liquid jet) 22, created by passage of
pressurized fluid 20 through nozzle assembly 18, has minimal
deflection of direction of flow as fluid flow 22 exits nozzle
assembly 18 because of a gas bearing, shown as gas flow 24,
surrounding fluid flow 22.
[0027] The jet pump is configured to provide nozzle assembly 18 to
be disposed within housing 10 and thus intermediate between suction
inlet 16 and suction outlet 14. This means that all suctioned
material M flows around nozzle assembly 18 in passing through
housing 10 and into discharge conduit 26.
[0028] Gas 46 is supplied to nozzle assembly 18 via gas supply
conduit 42. In an embodiment of the invention, the gas is air. In
yet another embodiment of the invention the gas is an inert gas.
The gas employed in the jet pump and methods of this invention will
preferably be under no more than atmospheric pressure, to reduce
risk of hazardous operations and extra cost. The gas preferably
will be an inert gas, e.g., nitrogen or argon, when the solid,
fluid, liquid or other material being suctioned could be volatile
in the presence of certain atmospheric gases, e.g., oxygen. When
such volatility is not an issue, the gas employed will be most
conveniently atmospheric air.
[0029] Pressurized fluid 20 is comprised of motive fluid, shown as
a liquid, i.e., water, which is provided from motive fluid tank 34,
although many other configurations for supplying the fluid are with
the scope of this disclosure. For example, the source of fluid
might be a recirculation tank, or water from some naturally
occurring body of water like a pond, stream or lake. Pump P is
typically a centrifugal pump for pressurizing the fluid as a liquid
supplied to nozzle assembly 18, but pump P can be any kind of
pumping means, such as a positive displacement pump or even another
jet pump.
[0030] A discharge conduit 26, configured for fluid communication
with suction chamber 12 through suction outlet 14, is disposed to
receive fluid flow 22 and suctioned material 28,28. Discharge
conduit 26 extends from suction outlet 14 and defines a first inner
diameter D1 which is less than a second inner diameter D2. The
narrow portion of discharge conduit 26 provides a venturi-like
effect so that a vacuum is formed at least at suction inlet 16.
Material M, shown as triangular shapes 28,28 is suctioned into
housing 10 though suction inlet 16. Housing 10 is so configured
that a flow of suctioned material 28,28 has a predominant direction
of material flow 36 which is substantially parallel to a
predominant direction of flow of the fluid flow 22 from nozzle
assembly 18. Direction of fluid flow, shown as arrow 38, is
substantially parallel to direction of material flow 36. Fluid flow
22 is, of course, three dimensional and when directions of flow
(both fluid flow and matter flow) are indicated to be parallel or
substantially parallel it is to be understood that the directions
of flow are parallel in multiple planes. In particular the
directions of flow are parallel at least in multiple planes which
planes are offset to each other.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the jet pump when
viewed from the perspective of suction inlet 16. Nozzle assembly 18
is seen to comprise pressurized fluid supply conduit 40 which
contains pressurized fluid 20 and also gas supply conduit 42 which
contains gas flow 24.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein housing
10, with nozzle assembly 18 disposed therein, discharge conduit 26,
pressurized fluid supply conduit 40 and gas supply conduit 42 are
attached to an arm 32 of an excavator (not shown) at end 44. In
this embodiment of the invention, arm 32 provides control means for
controlling at least the position of suction inlet 16 relative to
material M to be suctioned.
[0033] Attachment of housing 10, discharge conduit 26, pressurized
fluid supply conduit 40 and gas supply conduit 42 is effected by
use of attachment straps 30,30 though it is to be understood that
attachment can be accomplished in some other manner, such as by
having the components of the jet pump assembly configured
integrally with an excavator arm. Though arm 32 will typically be
used, any suitable articulating device can be employed.
[0034] Pressurized fluid supply conduit 40 and gas supply conduit
42 are configured to be somewhat flexible, for example, by being
constructed of a material which is strong enough to maintain its
integrity under adverse suction conditions while maintaining
sufficient flexibility to adjust to positioning and re-positioning
of the excavator arm.
[0035] The attachment of the jet pump to the excavator arm works
surprisingly well to position the suction inlet in very close
proximity to the material to be suctioned in order to capture a
degree of versatility and ease of movement heretofore unknown in
the industry. Because there is no long suction intake line, having
the jet pump assembly attached to the excavator arm also provides
savings in construction costs and adaptability to maneuver in
confined spaces. The sizing of the conduits of the invention will
vary depending on the particulate size of the material to be
suctioned and the rate at which the material needs to be
removed.
[0036] It is contemplated that a small excavator, with jet pump
assembly attached could be readily supported on a suitable
flotation device, such as a small barge, to further extend the
reach, and therefore the usefulness, of the invention. A
particularly desirable use for the invention is for removing silt
and clay build up in boat slips and marinas, where larger, bulkier
equipment would be unsuitable.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of
housing 10 and discharge conduit 26 showing housing 10 as a pipe
having an imaginary center line X which is co-linear with an
imaginary center line Y of discharge conduit 26.
[0038] Control means for controlling at least the position of the
suction inlet relative to a material to be suctioned may comprise
any number of devices or apparatuses capable of controlling the
position of the suction inlet. Suitable, non-limiting, control
means includes mechanical arms of excavators (with or without a
bucket at the end of the arm), mechanical arms of back hoes,
mechanical arms of drag lines, mechanical arms of mini-excavators,
and the like.
EXAMPLE 1
[0039] The inline jet pump was demonstrated to have superior
material-moving capabilities of a rate of movement of a slurry of
sand, silt and water of at least about 50 tons (4.5.times.10.sup.4
kg) per hour when the second inner diameter of the discharge
conduit was about 4 inches (10.2 cm), the first inner diameter of
the discharge conduit was about 3 inches (7.6 cm), the diameter of
the nozzle assembly at the point of ejection of the pressurized
fluid was about 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), pressurized fluid pressure
was about 150 psi (1034 kPa), and the flow rate of the pressurized
fluid was about 143 gallons (541 L) per minute.
EXAMPLE 2
[0040] Even better performance of the inline jet pump of a rate of
movement of a slurry of sand, silt and water of at least about 100
tons (9.1.times.10.sup.4) kg) per hour was attained when the second
inner diameter of the discharge conduit was about 6 inches (15.24
cm), the first inner diameter of the discharge conduit was about 4
inches (10.2 cm), the diameter of the nozzle assembly at the point
of ejection of the pressurized fluid was about 0.875 inch (2.22
cm), the pressurized fluid pressure was about 150 psi (1034 kPa),
and the flow rate of the pressurized fluid was about 280 gallons
(1060 L) per minute.
[0041] The present invention can be used in any application
requiring significant suction effect on solid material in a liquid
or gaseous environment. The dimensions of the various component
parts of jet pumps and systems of this invention may vary depending
upon the circumstances in which the jet pump or system will be
employed, so long as the dimensions permit the components to
function as described herein. Except where specifically noted
otherwise herein, the component parts may be fabricated from a wide
variety of materials, the selection of which will depend upon the
circumstances in which the device will be employed. Preferably,
metals, metal alloys or resilient plastics, for example, will be
employed to insure that points of mechanical contact or abrasive
wear in the systems and jet pumps will be resilient enough to
withstand the forces placed upon them during jet pump
operation.
[0042] Except as may be expressly otherwise indicated, the article
"a" or "an" if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and
should not be construed as limiting, a claim to a single element to
which the article refers. Rather, the article "a" or "an" if and as
used herein is intended to cover one or more such elements, unless
the text expressly indicates otherwise.
[0043] It should be appreciated that, while specific embodiments
are described herein, several other applications of the presently
described invention may be contemplated by those of skill in the
art in view of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of this
invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in
detail herein. Rather, what is intended to be covered is as set
forth in the ensuing claims and the equivalents thereof permitted
as a matter of law. As used in this specification,
means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the cited function and
not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
* * * * *