Vortex-diode check valve with flexible diaphragm
AssigneeAvco Everett Research Laboratory, Inc.
InventorParam I. Singh
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Abstract
A vortex-diode check valve comprises a short cylindrical working chamber with an axial inlet port entering axially through a first end wall at a short distance from the central portion of a second end wall and a tangential outlet port exiting tangentially through a circular side wall. The ratio of fluid flow resistances, between flows in the reverse and forward directions, is markedly increased by configuring at least one end wall as a flexible resilient diaphragm, permitting relative motion between the second end wall and the axial inlet port.
Claims12
A vortex diode for controlling flow of a fluid and having a circular side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall defining a short cylindrical working chamber, an axial inlet port entering axially through said first end wall of said working chamber, and a tangential outlet port exiting tangentially through said circular side wall of said working chamber, said vortex diode exhibiting, in said fluid in said working chamber, a radial pressure gradient which is of greater magnitude, when said flow of fluid is from said outlet port to said inlet port, than when said flow of fluid is from said inlet port to said outlet port, said vortex diode being further characterized by:
- (a) said axial inlet port through said first end wall of said working chamber being positioned at a short distance from said second end wall of said working chamber;
- (b) at least one end wall, of said first end wall and said second end wall, being a flexible diaphragm, permitting variation of said short distance;
- and
- (c) said flexible diaphragm being responsive to said radial pressure gradient to diminish said short distance when said flow of fluid is from said outlet port to said inlet port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.