Patent ID: 6817837
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: F04F

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising:(a) a jet pump in fluid communication with a passageway for a material to be suctioned, the jet pump being sized and configured to create a vacuum in the passageway when the jet pump is in use; (b) a motive fluid pump sized and configured to supply a motive fluid to the jet pump; and (c) a motive fluid reservoir downstream from the jet pump, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the jet pump and the motive fluid pump so that during use the motive fluid pump recirculates at least a portion of the motive fluid through a passageway which, together with the motive fluid reservoir, the motive fluid pump and the jet pump, forms a closed loop with respect to the motive fluid; wherein the jet pump is comprised of (1) a nozzle assembly which is sized and configured to (A) receive the motive fluid and a gas, and (B) eject the motive fluid as a fluid flow while feeding the gas into proximity with the periphery of the fluid flow.