Patent US4241877A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4241877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stable vortex generating device
Assignee: VORTECH SCIENCES Inc A CORP OF DE
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Filing: 1978-10-16
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1998-10-16
Abstract
Abstract Exceptional atomization of liquids is achieved by combining shock wave formation and vortex generation in a gas stream. In a vortex generating device, a flow passage is aligned with a flow axis connected between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a plurality of tornado-like gas vortices are generated in the flow passage. In one embodiment, a restriction is formed in the fluid inlet, and a source of gas under sufficient pressure to cause sonic velocity at the restriction is connected to the inlet. In another embodiment, a restriction is formed in a downstream portion of a flow passage, and a pair of auxiliary flow passages connect an upstream portion of the flow passage to the restriction. In an embodiment, a fluid outlet has a concave semispherical surface opening into an ambient region. In another embodiment, a first annulus is formed in the flow passage by a rod, and a second annulus is formed in the flow passage by the rod and a reduction in cross-sectional area of the flow passage; a source of atomizing gas under pressure and a source of liquid under pressure to be atomized are both connected to the fluid inlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathaniel Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:38
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B05B17/06; B05B17/0692; B05B7/00; B05B7/02; B05B7/10; F; F02; F02M; F02M19/00; F02M19/03; F23; F23D; F23D11/00; F23D11/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48; Y10S261/78; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a flow passage having a cylindrical upstream section, a cylindrical downstream section, and a cylindrical intermediate section interconnected together and aligned with a flow axis, the downstream section forming an outlet restriction in the flow passage, the cross-sectional area of the intermediate section being substantially larger than that of the downstream section, and the cross section of the upstream section being larger than that of the intermediate section; a rod aligned with the flow axis, the rod extending completely through the upstream section and through only part of the intermediate section; and an inlet opening into the upstream section, the inlet opening being aligned with an inlet axis at an angle to the flow axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a flow passage having a cylindrical upstream section, a cylindrical downstream section, and a cylindrical intermediate section interconnected together and aligned with a flow axis, the downstream section forming an outlet restriction in the flow passage, the cross-sectional area of the intermediate section being substantially larger than that of the downstream section, and the cross section of the upstream section being larger than that of the intermediate section; a rod aligned with the flow axis, the rod extending completely through the upstream section and through only part of the intermediate section; and an inlet opening into the upstream section, the inlet opening being aligned with an inlet axis at an angle to the flow axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1, in which the angle is 90°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2, in which an inlet restriction is formed at the inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 3, additionally comprising a concave semispherical outlet section to which the intermediate section is coupled by the downstream section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 4, additionally comprising a source of atomizing gas under pressure and a source of liquid under pressure to be atomized, the liquid source and the gas source being connected to the inlet to cause the gas and the liquid to pass through the inlet together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, additionally comprising a source of gas under pressure connected to the inlet opening, the gas pressure being sufficiently large to cause the gas to pass through the inlet opening at sonic velocity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure; a main flow passage having a flow axis, the main flow passage having aligned with the flow axis an upstream portion adjacent to the inlet and a downstream portion adjacent to the outlet; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; a restriction in the downstream portion; at least one auxiliary flow passage connecting the upstream portion to the restriction; and means for generating in the upstream portion a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas arranged in a ring about the flow axis, the vortices rotating about the flow axis and flowing through the passages to meet at the restriction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure; a main flow passage having a flow axis, the main flow passage having aligned with the flow axis an upstream portion adjacent to the inlet and a downstream portion adjacent to the outlet; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; a restriction in the downstream portion; at least one auxiliary flow passage connecting the upstream portion to the restriction; and means for generating in the upstream portion a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas arranged in a ring about the flow axis, the vortices rotating about the flow axis and flowing through the passages to meet at the restriction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 7, additionally comprising another auxiliary flow passage connecting the upstream portion to the restriction, the flow passages opening into the restriction from diametrically opposite directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 8, in which the auxiliary flow passages open into the restriction from diametrically opposite directions transverse to the flow axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 9, in which the auxiliary flow passages open into the upstream portion in directions parallel to the flow axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 10, in which the restriction is a cylindrical section, additionally comprising a conical votrex collecting section coupling the upstream portion to the conical section, the auxiliary flow passages opening into the upstream portion through the conical vortex collecting section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 11, additionally comprising a concave semispherical outlet section to which the conical vortex collecting section is coupled by the cylindrical section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 12, in which the inlet is aligned with an inlet axis that intersects the flow axis at an angle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 13, in which the angle is 90°.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 14, in which the generating means comprises a rod aligned with the flow axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 15, in which the rod ends at the conical vortex collecting section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15, in which the generating means additionally comprises a frustum mounted on the rod, the frustum having a base facing upstream.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 17, in which the rod has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cylindrical section, extends through the flow passage beyond the semispherical outlet section, and is hollow, additionally comprising a source of liquid to be atomized connected to the hollow interior of the rod to deliver liquid from the source through the hollow rod beyond the semispherical outlet section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 17, in which the rod ends at the conical vortex collecting section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9, in which the generating means comprises a rod aligned with the flow axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 20, in which the inlet is aligned with an inlet axis that intersects the flow axis at an angle of 90°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 21, in which the end of the rod lies upstream of the restriction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 21, in which the end of the rod lies in the restriction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 21, in which the end of the rod lies downstream of the restriction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 21, in which the pressure of the gas from the source is sufficiently larger than the ambient pressure to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 7, in which the gas pressure is sufficiently larger than the ambient pressure to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 7, in which the generating means comprises a rod aligned with the flow axis, the rod having an end lying in the restriction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 27, in which the end of the rod lies partially in the path of the auxiliary passage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7, in which the generating means comprises a rod aligned with the flow axis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a fluid inlet; a concave semispherical fluid outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow passage having in alignment with a flow axis an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a cylindrical outlet restriction formed in the downstream portion, and a conical diverging section formed in the downstream portion between the cylindrical restriction and the semispherical outlet; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; and means for generating a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas arranged in a ring about the flow axis, the vortices rotating about the flow axis.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a fluid inlet; a concave semispherical fluid outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure; a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, the flow passage having in alignment with a flow axis an upstream portion, a downstream portion, a cylindrical outlet restriction formed in the downstream portion, and a conical diverging section formed in the downstream portion between the cylindrical restriction and the semispherical outlet; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; and means for generating a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas arranged in a ring about the flow axis, the vortices rotating about the flow axis.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 30, additionally comprising a conical vortex collecting section in the downstream portion coupling the upstream portion to the cylindrical section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 31, in which the inlet is aligned with an inlet axis that intersects the flow axis at an angle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 32, in which the angle is 90°.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 33, in which the generating means comprises a rod aligned with the flow axis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 34, in which the generating means additionally comprises a bluff body mounted on the rod in the upstream portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 35, in which the buff body is a truncated frustum having a base that faces upstream.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 30, in which the gas pressure is sufficiently larger than the ambient pressure to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 30, in which the flow passage additionally has aligned with the flow axis an upstream portion adjacent to the inlet, a downstream portion adjacent to the outlet, a restriction in the downstream portion and at least one auxiliary flow passage connecting the upstream portion to the restriction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
216 words
A vortex generating device comprising means defining a flow passage having an inlet, an outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure, a flow axis, and side walls aligned with the flow axis; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis a first annulus having first given dimensions, the means defining a first annulus comprising an upstream portion of the side walls and a rod in alignment with the flow axis, the rod having an end lying in the flow passage; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis and spaced downstream from the first annulus a second annulus having second given dimensions; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis a restriction between the means defining a second annulus and the outlet, the first and second given dimensions being selected so the first and second annulae generate a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas, the vortices being arranged in a ring about the flow axis and rotating about the flow axis; characterized in that the end of the rod lies in the means for defining a restriction.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
216 words
A vortex generating device comprising means defining a flow passage having an inlet, an outlet opening into a region at ambient pressure, a flow axis, and side walls aligned with the flow axis; a source of gas under pressure larger than the ambient pressure connected to the inlet to cause the gas to pass through the flow passage; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis a first annulus having first given dimensions, the means defining a first annulus comprising an upstream portion of the side walls and a rod in alignment with the flow axis, the rod having an end lying in the flow passage; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis and spaced downstream from the first annulus a second annulus having second given dimensions; means defining in the flow passage in alignment with the flow axis a restriction between the means defining a second annulus and the outlet, the first and second given dimensions being selected so the first and second annulae generate a plurality of tornado-like vortices in the gas, the vortices being arranged in a ring about the flow axis and rotating about the flow axis; characterized in that the end of the rod lies in the means for defining a restriction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 39, in which the outlet is aligned with the flow axis and the inlet is aligned with an inlet axis that intersects the flow axis at an angle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 40, additionally comprising a source of atomizing gas under pressure and a source of liquid under pressure to be atomized, the liquid source and the gas source being connected to the inlet to cause the gas and the liquid to pass through the inlet together.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 39, additionally comprising a source of gas under pressure connected to the inlet, the gas pressure being sufficiently larger than the ambient pressure to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 39, in which the means for defining a second annulus comprises the side walls and a bluff body mounted on the rod downstream from the first annulus.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 39, in which an inlet restriction is formed at the inlet.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 39, in which the second annulus has a cross section that becomes gradually smaller moving in a downstream direction.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 39, in which the upstream portion of the side walls is cylindrical.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 46, in which the means defining a second annulus comprises a downstream portion of the side walls that is cylindrical and a bluff body mounted on the rod, the upstream and downstream portions being equal in diameter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 46, in which the means defining a second annulus comprises a downstream portion of the side walls that is cylindrical and the rod, the downstream portion being smaller in diameter than the upstream portion.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 46, in which the means defining a second annulus comprises a downstream portion of the side walls that is conical and the rod.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 39, additionally comprising at least one auxiliary flow passage connecting the means defining a second annulus to the means defining a restriction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 39, additionally comprising a source of liquid under pressure to be atmoized, the liquid source being connected to the inlet to cause the gas and the liquid to pass through the inlet together.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 39, additionally comprising a source of liquid under pressure to be atomized and means for delivering liquid from the source to the end of the rod.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a flow passage having a cylindrical upstream section, a cylindrical downstream section, and an outlet restriction aligned with a flow axis, the cross-sectional area of the downstream section being smaller than that of the upstream section; a rod aligned with the flow axis, the rod extending completely through the upstream section and through only part of the downstream section such that the end of the rod lies in the downstream section; an inlet opening into the upstream section, the inlet opening being aligned with an inlet axis at an angle to the flow axis; and a source of gas under pressure connected to the inlet opening, the gas pressure being sufficiently large to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vortex generating device comprising: a flow passage having a cylindrical upstream section, a cylindrical downstream section, and an outlet restriction aligned with a flow axis, the cross-sectional area of the downstream section being smaller than that of the upstream section; a rod aligned with the flow axis, the rod extending completely through the upstream section and through only part of the downstream section such that the end of the rod lies in the downstream section; an inlet opening into the upstream section, the inlet opening being aligned with an inlet axis at an angle to the flow axis; and a source of gas under pressure connected to the inlet opening, the gas pressure being sufficiently large to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 53, in which the gas pressure is sufficiently larger than the ambient pressure to cause the gas to pass through the inlet at sonic velocity.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 53, additionally comprising a source of liquid to be atomized and means for delivering the liquid to the end of the rod.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |