US 5,490,632 A · Venting device and method

Abstract

A device and method for venting a conduit and allowing fluid flow through the vented conduit includes an upstream conduit, downstream conduit, and a support for holding the upstream and downstream conduits with their upstream and downstream passageways aligned and maintaining a gap between the adjacent ends of the conduits. The upstream passageway includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow so that the pressure exerted by the fluid on the walls of the upstream passageway is substantially reduced and the reduced pressure is maintained across the gap. The downstream conduit includes a downstream passageway which maintains the accelerated velocity of the primary fluid and which conducts accelerated fluid to a deceleration nozzle. A plurality of the devices may be connected in series and/or multiple gaps may be created between the conduits using intermediate conduits in order to create multiple gaps. When the device is depressurized and/or inactive, the gap(s) function as vents which will drain fluid from the conduits and/or prevent the creation of a vacuum or low pressure at the fluid supply which could siphon fluid from the fluid user to the fluid supply.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A device for venting a conduit and allowing fluid flow through the conduit, comprising:

(a) an upstream conduit having a first end connectable to a fluid source, a second end, and a fluid passageway extending through the first and second ends, the upstream conduit comprising:
an acceleration nozzle disposed in the fluid passageway for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow;
and
an upstream throat, extending between the acceleration nozzle and the second end of the upstream conduit, for maintaining the accelerated velocity of the fluid flow from the acceleration nozzle;
(b) a downstream conduit having a first end connectable to a fluid user, a second end, and a fluid passageway extending through the first and second ends, the downstream conduit comprising:
a deceleration nozzle disposed in the fluid passageway for decelerating the velocity of the fluid flow;
and
a downstream throat, extending between the deceleration nozzle and the second end of the downstream conduit, for receiving the accelerated fluid from the upstream throat and maintaining the accelerated fluid at substantially the same velocity as the fluid exiting the upstream throat;
and
(c) support means for holding the upstream and downstream conduit with the upstream and downstream throats aligned and for maintaining a gap between the upstream and downstream conduit and between the upstream and downstream throats.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Venting device and method

Life of this patent

Venting device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29