Contactless fluid seal

Claim 2

A liquid seal for preventing liquid in a tank from flowing out of said tank wherein an elongate member is moved through at least one wall of said tank, without contact between said member and said wall and said seal structure, said liquid seal comprising: diverging venturi means adapted for mounting to a wall of said tank and having a larger end directly communicating with the inside of said tank and a smaller end for receiving a liquid and said elongate member for movement into said tank. means for applying a liquid under pressure to said venturi means; means for directing said liquid under pressure to said venturi means and including nozzle means coupled to the smaller end of said venturi means and through which said liquid under pressure is applied to said venturi means such that said liquid is caused to flow substantially in a direction from the smaller to the larger end of said venturi means and directly into said tank to provide venturi action and thereby prevent liquid from flowing along said elongate member out of said tank.

Claim 3

A liquid seal according to claim 1 including means for resiliently mounting said venturi means and said housing to the wall of said tank and operative to maintain said venturi means and said housing in stationary disposition even in the presence of vibration of said tank.

Claim 4

A liquid seal according to claim 1 wherein said liquid directing means includes means for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of said liquid applied to the smaller open end of said venturi means to provide intended venturi action.

Claim 5

A liquid seal according to claim 1 wherein said means for applying liquid under pressure includes: a first housing member adapted for mounting to said wall and adapted to support said venturi means; a second housing member cooperative with said first housing member, said first and second housing members defining a supply chamber therebetween in liquid communication with the larger end of said nozzle; and means for applying liquid under pressure to said supply chamber.

Claim 6

A liquid seal according to claim 4 further including deflection means in said supply chamber and operative to divert said pressurized liquid applied thereto to provide substantially uniform flow of said pressurized liquid through said nozzle means.

Claim 7

A fluid seal for preventing fluid in a tank from flowing out of said tank wherein an elongate member is disposed through at least one wall of said tank, said fluid seal comprising: a first housing member having: a surface adapted for mounting to said wall; and diverging venturi means extending from said mounting surface and having a flared tube terminating at a smaller end near said mounting surface and at a larger end directly communicating with the inside of said tank; and a first tapered surface converging to said smaller end of said venturi means; a second housing member cooperative with said first housing member and having: a central section including a tapered end surface cooperative with said first tapered surface to form a nozzle converging toward said smaller end of said venturi means; said central section having an opening therethrough in alignment with said flared tube for disposition of said elongate member; said first and second housing members defining a supply chamber therebetween in fluid communication with the larger end of said nozzle; fluid coupling means attached to said second housing member and communicative with said supply chamber for supplying pressurized fluid thereto; and means on said first and second housing members cooperative to move said second housing member with respect to said first housing member to adjust the orifice of said nozzle to vary the flow of pressurized fluid into said venturi means.

Claim 8

A fluid seal for preventing fluid in a tank from flowing out of said tank wherein an elongate member is disposed through at least one wall of said tank, said fluid seal comprising: a first housing member having: a surface adapted for mounting to said wall; and diverging venturi means extending from said mounting surface and having a flared tube terminating at a smaller end near said mounting surface and at a larger end directly communicating with the inside of said tank; and a first tapered surface converging to said smaller end of said venturi means; a second housing member cooperative with said first housing member and having: a central section including a tapered end surface cooperative with said first tapered surface to form a nozzle converging toward said smaller end of said venturi means; said central section having an opening therethrough in alignment with said flared tube for disposition of said elongate member; said first and second housing members defining a supply chamber therebetween in fluid communication with the larger end of said nozzle; fluid coupling means attached to said second housing member and communicative with said supply chamber for supplying pressurized fluid thereto; and means on said first and second housing members cooperative to move said second housing member with respect to said first housing member to adjust the orifice of said nozzle to vary the flow of pressurized fluid into said venturi means.

Claim 9

A fluid seal according to claim 6 wherein said means for moving said second housing member with respect to said first housing member include cooperating threads on said members and a resilient seal disposed between the relatively moveable portions of said members to maintain a sealed housing.

Claim 10

A fluid seal according to claim 6 further including a deflection means in said supply chamber and communicating with said fluid coupling means and operative to divert said pressurized fluid applied thereto to provide substantially uniform flow of said pressurized fluid through said nozzle.

Claim 11

A fluid seal according to claim 6 further including a plurality of circumferentially arranged position holes arranged in spaced circumferential rotation about the periphery of said first housing member; and a plurality of pins mounted about the periphery of said second housing member and each engaging a respective one of said position holes, whereby said second housing member can be rotationally indexed with respect to said first housing member to adjust said nozzle orifice.