Fluid amplifier with improved operating range using tapered shim
AssigneeExair Corporation
InventorRoy O. Sweeney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An air amplifier is provided for use in pneumatic control systems that can operate over a wide range of flow and pressure characteristics, and can additionally operate against a back pressure. The air amplifier utilizes a tapered shim that causes the pressurized air to follow a Coanda profile over a wider range (and against a back pressure) than is possible when using only a slotted, non-tapered shim. The shim is ring-shaped with a planar surface and includes inwardly directed tangs that are cut-off to provide an open central area. Some or all of the tangs are tapered along either one or both sides of the tang.
Claims32
A shim used in a fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier having an ambient fluid inlet, a pressurized fluid inlet, a Coanda profile, a throat, and a mixed fluid outlet, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, at least two of said tangs being tapered wherein some of said tapered tangs are dual-tapered tangs and others are single-tapered tangs, and a portion at least of said pressurized fluid being directed along an annular passageway between the tangs of said shim in said passageway to a Coanda profile that turns the pressurized fluid to a throat as it is mixed with the ambient fluid.
A shim used in a fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier having an ambient fluid inlet, a pressurized fluid inlet, a Coanda profile, a throat, and a mixed fluid outlet, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, at least two of said tangs being tapered wherein some of said tapered tangs are dual-tapered tangs and others are single-tapered tangs, the remaining tangs being non-tapered, and a portion at least of said pressurized fluid being directed along an annular passageway between the tangs of said shim in said passageway to a Coanda profile-that turns the pressurized fluid to a throat as it is mixed with the ambient fluid.
A fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier comprising:
- (a) an ambient fluid inlet;
- (b) a pressurized fluid inlet;
- (c) an annular passageway in communication with said pressurized fluid inlet;
- (d) an annular throat in communication with said ambient fluid inlet and said annular passageway, said annular throat including a Coanda profile;
- (e) a mixed fluid outlet in communication with said annular throat;
- and
- (f) a shim positioned in said annular throat, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and .outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, and at least two of said tangs being tapered wherein some of said tapered tangs are dual-tapered tangs and others are single-tapered tangs, whereby said fluid flowing through said pressurized inlet is directed along said annular passageway and a portion at least is directed between the tangs of said shim to a Coanda profile, where said fluid mixes with fluid flowing through said ambient fluid inlet, thereby providing a fluid amplification effect.
A shim used in a fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier having an ambient fluid inlet, a pressurized fluid inlet, a Coanda profile, a throat, and a mixed fluid outlet, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, at least two of said tangs being dual-tapered that end substantially in a point, and a portion at least of said pressurized fluid being directed along an annular passageway between the tangs of said shim in said passageway to a Coanda profile that turns the pressurized fluid to a throat as it is mixed with the ambient fluid.
A shim used in a fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier having an ambient fluid inlet, a pressurized fluid inlet, a Coanda profile, a throat, and a mixed fluid outlet, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, at least two of said tangs being dual-tapered that end substantially in a point, the remaining tangs being non-tapered, and a portion at least of said pressurized fluid being directed along an annular passageway between the tangs of said shim in said passageway to a Coanda profile that turns the pressurized fluid to a throat as it is mixed with the ambient fluid.
A fluid amplifier of the type that operates according to the Coanda principle, said fluid amplifier comprising:
- (a) an ambient fluid inlet;
- (b) a pressurized fluid inlet;
- (c) an annular passageway in communication with said pressurized fluid inlet;
- (d) an annular throat in communication with said ambient fluid inlet and said annular passageway, said annular throat including a Coanda profile;
- (e) a mixed fluid outlet in communication with said annular throat;
- and
- (f) a shim positioned in said annular throat, said shim comprising a thin planar member having an outer annular ring portion having inner and outer edges, said ring portion having a plurality of integral tangs extending radially inwardly from said inner edge of the ring portion, said plurality of tangs being cut-off thereby defining a central open area at the center of said shim, and at least two of said tangs being dual-tapered that end substantially in a point, whereby said fluid flowing through said pressurized inlet is directed along said annular passageway and a portion at least is directed between the tangs of said shim to a Coanda profile, where said fluid mixes with fluid flowing through said ambient fluid inlet, thereby providing a fluid amplification effect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.