Patent ID: 6623352
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B64C,F15D

Abstract:
An apparatus for isolating a volume and controlling the pressure therein comprising:a plurality of duct structures, at least two of said duct structures disposed bilaterally at extreme ends of said volume; a plurality of fan means for generating fluid flow, each of said fan means disposed within each of said plurality of duct structures; and a plurality of vanes, disposed with said plurality of duct structures, to remove rotational components of said fluid flow; wherein said fluid flow, upon flowing through said plurality of duct structures, generates a vortex fluid flow thereby providing a fluidic seal between said volume and the atmosphere; wherein at least one of said ducts is configured such that said vortex fluid flow has a first radius of curvature representing a portion of said vortex fluid flow in contact with said atmosphere and a second radius of curvature representing a portion of said vortex flow in contact with said volume; and wherein said first radius of curvature, said second radius of curvature, and the speed of said vortex flow determine a pressure differential between said atmosphere and said volume.