# US 12,110,911 B1 · Ejector with integrated isolation valve

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- Number: US 12,110,911 B1
- Document ID: US12110911B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/850,839
- Filed: 2022-06-27
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2021-02-08
- Assignees: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
- Applicants: United Launch Alliance, L.LC.
- Inventors: Joel Cy Scott; Jeffrey J. Rogers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12110911B1

## CPC

- F04F 5/10: displacing liquids, e.g. containing solids, or liquids and elastic fluids
- F04F 5/02: the inducing fluid being liquid
- F04F 5/24: displacing liquids, e.g. containing solids, or liquids and elastic fluids
- F04F 5/46: Arrangements of nozzles
- F04F 5/48: Control
- F04F: PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED {(evacuating by sorption F04B)}; SIPHONS {(conveying materials in bulk by flows of gas, liquid of foam B65G53/00)}

## Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods for pumping fluids, including for the purpose of controlling temperature and pressure in a propellant tank include a type of novel ejector, consisting of a typical ejector and an isolation valve integrated on the inlet of secondary fluid to an ejector, or suction chamber. The inlet valve is actuated by the application of the primary motive fluid pressure to a motive nozzle. The ejector is configured to operate when submerged in the secondary fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly for pumping fluids, comprising:
a. an ejector having a body, the body defining a suction chamber having a suction chamber inlet, and a nozzle extending from the ejector body, the ejector body configured to operate when the ejector body is submerged in a liquid volume;
b. the suction chamber inlet disposed within a liquid volume;
c. a valve disposed within the ejector body and in fluid communication with the liquid volume via the suction chamber, the valve having an open position that permits passage of the liquid volume to the suction chamber and a closed position that isolates the suction chamber from the liquid volume;
d. a motive fluid in fluid communication with the ejector, wherein transmission of the motive fluid at or above a threshold pressure causes an actuator of the valve to mechanically translate from the closed position to the open position by application of a motive fluid pressure to the valve and which motive fluid also causes a suction effect when passing through the nozzle which draws a portion of the liquid volume into the suction chamber, and the actuator is mechanically translated to the closed position by reducing the motive fluid pressure below the threshold pressure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the motive fluid is pressurized above the threshold pressure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the motive fluid and configured to pressurize the motive fluid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator of the valve comprises a mechanical actuator movable between a first position and a second position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a valve body connected to the mechanical actuator, wherein when the mechanical actuator is in the first position, the valve is closed and when the mechanical actuator is in the second position the valve is open.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises a piston movable between the first position and the second position and a stem interconnecting the piston with the valve body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, further comprising a biasing member that biases the piston to the first position and biases the valve to the closed position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a poppet valve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a globe valve.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a syphon tube having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the valve inlet and the second end is configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid propellant.