Patent ID: 6116030
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: F02K,F04F

Abstract:
A vacuum pump, comprising:a first chamber defining an exit nozzle;a hydrogen injector for injecting hydrogen into said first chamber;an oxygen injector for injecting oxygen into said first chamber, for generating a combustible mixture which, during combustion, produces pressure within said chamber and ejects combustion products from said exit nozzle;a second chamber surrounding said exit nozzle, said second chamber defining an exit region and a vacuum port, such that when said combustion products are ejected from said exit nozzle, a vacuum is generated at said vacuum port, said second chamber being made from a material which is subject to degradation at the temperature of said combustion products; anda water injector for injecting water into said first chamber, for cooling said combustion products, said water tending to be vaporized by the energy of said combustion so as to increase the mass flow through said exit nozzle, for thereby increasing the capacity of said vacuum pump and also tending to reduce said degradation.