Abstract:
An improved fluid flow system for enhancing fluid flow through an opening. The first embodiment uses a first extension member for extending an opening through a perpendicular surface and a second extension member with a generally converging introductory section secured in a sealed overlapping relationship to the distal end of the first extension member. A second embodiment uses a pair of conduits of equal cross-section with a bulbous section therebetween with one of the conduits inserted into the bulbous section. A third embodiment with unequal cross-sections with the smaller diameter conduit inserted into the larger diameter conduit and sealed thereto for forming a continuous conduit.

Description:
This is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 07/847,872 filed on Mar. 9, 1992 now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 07/711,376 filed on Jun. 6, 1991 now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 07/571,824 filed on Aug. 24, 1990 now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 07/496,055 filed on Mar. 16, 1990 now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 07/264,001 filed on Oct. 24, 1988 now abandoned, which is a continuation of copending application(s) Ser. No. 06/494,874 filed on May 16, 1983 now abandoned, which is a continuation in part of copending application Ser. No. 06/283,996 filed on Jul. 16, 1981 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to the maintaining of a smooth one-way (uni-directional) flow of fluids through openings through a surface of various configurations and specifically to enhance the fluid flow. 
     A continuing effort is being extended to improve the efficiency of fluids taken into and expelled from internal combustion engines, compressors, pumps and the like. 
     This invention is an improvement to my previous invention covered in U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,600 issued Jun. 10, 1980. 
     M. Kadenacy teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 2,168,528 the use of a nozzle extending from an engine exhaust part into a single expanded necked down area then into a conventional exhaust system. This system has undesirable draw-backs in that the necking down of the engine exhaust flow in this manner creates back pressure and the large expansion area or pocket, compared to nozzle diameter, would cause the immediate formation of a severe negative pressure wave which would then return to the cylinder space at other than the optimum time. 
     French Patent Number 818,457 teaches a first tubular member extending from the exhaust part of an internal combustion engine into the first one of a plurality of overlapping conic neck down sections in a series relationship. The large volume into which the tubular member empties will act similarly as if the nozzle emptied directly into the atmosphere and will produce an immediate negative wave detrimental to engine operation. 
     Other patents directed to exhaust gasses and their control are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,147,200; 3,520,270; 3,772,887; 3,946,558; 3,983,696 and 3,716,992. 
     At the present time, much work is being done to provide fluid flow systems for automobiles for use with both intake and exhaust gas flow which will reduce fuel consumption of that engine while maintaining or improving output power. There is, therefore a need for new and improved fluid flow systems for internal combustion engines and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above problems, and others not mentioned, are overcome by the flow systems of the instant invention which comprise generally conduit means of equal or different cross-sections with a form of expansion chamber therebetween. In one embodiment a first extension member of uniform cross-sectional area for extending a fluid flow opening through a surface to a position away from the surface and a second extension member connected to the first extension member. The second extension member has a generally converging introductory section. The larger inlet end of which surrounds the free end of the first extension member and is secured thereto in a sealed overlapping relationship forming a pocket therebetween. The pocket cross-sectional area may be in the range of from 120 to 300% of the cross-sectional area of said first extension member. An ideal range is approximately 150-200%. 
     In another embodiment first and second conduits are joined by a bulbous area into which the distal end of one conduit is inserted into the bulbous area a selected distance related to the conduits and bulbous area diameters. The inserted end is in the direction of fluid flow. 
     In another embodiment the conduits are of different diameters and the smaller diameter conduit is inserted into the larger diameter conduit. The larger diameter conduit is reduced in size at one end and is sealed to the smaller inserted conduit. The larger conduit acts as the expansion chamber as well as a conduit. The fluid flows in the direction of the larger conduit. 
     In dynamometer and fluid flow tests it has been found that this novel system provides improved performance. While the manner in which this system produces improved results over known systems it is not fully understood it is believed that the system entrance configuration serves to dampen or cancel the positive or opposing pressure wave returning toward the fluid source. 
     An object of this invention is to effectively eliminate adverse pressure waves occurring in internal combustion engine exhaust systems. 
     Another object of this invention is to effectively eliminate adverse pressure waves occurring in internal combustion engine air intake systems. 
     Another object of this invention is to effectively eliminate adverse pressure waves occurring in any fluid flow system where the fluid flow is temporarily interrupted. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the drawings, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical section taken along the centerline of one embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is one configuration of a showing of FIG. 1 taken along line  2 — 2 ; 
     FIG. 2 b  is a second configuration of a showing of FIG. 1 taken along line  2 — 2 ; 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along the centerline of a second embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a showing of FIG. 3 taken along line  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken along the centerline of a third embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a showing of FIG. 5 taken along line  6 — 6 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken along the center line of a second embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a showing taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 1 showing four conduits enclosed by one overlapping chamber; 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken along the center line of a third embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a showing taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9 or FIG. 11; and 
     FIG. 11 is a vertical section taken along the center line of a fourth embodiment of the fluid flow enhancing apparatus of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The theory of the operation of the hereinafter discussed device is the same as that theory set forth in my issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,600 issued on Jun. 10, 1980 and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a portion of a fluid flow tube  10  which has an opening aperture  12  terminating at a surface or bulkhead  14 . The fluid flowing through the flow tube  10  either flows into or out of the aperture  12  along arrows  16 ,  18  respectively. The fluid flowing therethrough can be either gaseous or liquid, examples of fluids for the purpose of explanation and not by way of limitation are internal combustion exhaust gasses which would flow in the direction of arrow  18 ; internal combustion intake air which would flow in the direction of arrow  16 ; air compressor intake air which would flow in the direction of arrow  16 ; liquid pumps wherein the input flow would be along arrow  16  and output flow along arrow  18 ; hydraulic systems where flow could be in either direction  16  or  18  or in both directions at different times. These are but a few examples where this invention can be usefully employed for energy conservation. It should be understood that both the input and output of a fluid flow system could or would employ one of the devices of the invention. The device of this invention may be employed on any device that transfers a fluid in only one direction through an opening to enhance that flow particularly when the flow is subject to pressure changes. 
     The device comprises a first orifice extension  20  which is attached to bulkhead  14  in an abutting relationship with fluid flow tube  10 . Any convenient means may be used to attach extension  20  to bulkhead  14 . A flange  22  is shown attached by end threads  25  of cap screws  24  engaging threads  26  within the bulkhead in a conventional threaded engagement. A gasket  27  is generally included between flange  22  and bulkhead  14  to insure a fluid-tight seal. 
     In most applications the bulkhead adjacent end of the extension  20  will be configured to substantially mate with the configuration of the orifice  12 . That is when orifice  12  is rectangular in cross-section the adjacent end of extension  20  will likewise be rectangular in cross-section, when the orifice  12  is circular in cross-section the adjacent end of extension  20  will be circular in cross-section, etc. 
     In some applications, such as for example and not by way of limitation, internal combustion exhaust systems, the adjacent end of extension  20  may be less in cross-sectional area than the aperture  12 . This slightly reduced cross-sectional area at extension  20  will slightly increase the pressure of the fluid traveling through fluid flow tube  10  as it travels through extension  20 . An example would be where the speed of fluid flow in tube  10  is 250 feet per second and the ideal or desired speed of fluid flow through extension 20 is 300 feet per second. It should be understood that fluid flow speeds leaving flow tube  10  may be increased by selecting the cross-sectional area of extension  20  in a range of from 60% to 100% of the cross-sectional area of fluid flow tube  10  and aperture  12  while successfully practicing this invention. 
     The extension  20  may take varied and different cross-sectional configurations along its length, that is it may be tubular along its entire length, as shown in FIG. 2 a , it may be rectangular along its entire length as shown in FIG. 2 b , it may be rectangular at one end and circular at the opposite end as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it may be rectangular at each end and substantially square at its other end as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The critical requirement is that it maintains the same or substantially the same cross-sectional area, along its entire length. The extension  20  may be formed from a section or length of tube stock into various end to end configurations to insure substantially the same cross-sectional area along its entire length regardless of selected end cross-sectional configurations. 
     A second extension  28  with a divergent end  30  is attached to extension  20  in a sealed overlap relationship. Second extension  28  is attached to a generally circular tube  32  of finite length which has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of extension  20 . The cross sectional area of the extension  20  overlapped diverging portion  30  of second extension  28  is selected so that the speed of flow through tube  32  is in the range of 60% to 100% of the flow speed through extension  20 . The cross-sectional configurations of the end of extension  20  will generally have the same general configuration of the divergent end of extension  28 ; however, this is not a critical requirement and these cross-sectional configurations may vary one from the other. The cross-sectional area of the space between the distal end of extension  20  and the adjacent inner side walls of divergent section of second extension  28  is in the range of from 120% to 300% of the cross-sectional area of the distal end of extension  20 . Ideally, the cross-sectional area of the space between the distal end of extension  20  and the adjacent inner side walls of the divergent section of the second extension  28  is 150%-200% of the cross-sectional area of the distal end of extension  20  or extensions  20 . 
     Referring now specifically to FIG. 7, this embodiment has the same features used for the same purposes as the embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment the extension  20  is not required as the conduit  110  serves the same purpose. Divergent conduit  128  serves the same purpose as second extension  28 , pocket  130  is the same as the pocket formed by divergent end  30  of second extension  28  overlapping the first extension  20  and the opening  112  lies between the convergent end of conduit  128  and tube  32 , rather than between first extension  20  and convergent end  30  of second extension  28 . The gasket flange  22 , connectors, etc., generally remain substantially the same. The embodiment of FIG. 7 allows the various features to be cast into the housing  114  so that the system can conveniently be attached to an existing extender tube  32 , especially when the extender tube  32  is a portion of a conventional intake or exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. It should be understood that the various elements of this embodiment can take the various shapes of corresponding elements of FIG. 1 as hereinbefore discussed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, this embodiment is utilized for the same purposes as the other embodiments hereinbefore defined. In this embodiment conduits  220  and  232  have substantially equal diameter. One end of conduit  232  includes an enlarged bulbous area  228 . The ends  236  and  240  of the bulbous area  228  taper down to the diameter of conduits  220  and  232 . The end  240  connects to conduit  220  at location or end  238  in a sealed relationship therewith. This connection may be formed, by way of example and not by way of limitation, by welding or the like one to the other. Any other conventional connecting means may be utilized to practice the invention. The distal end  221  of conduit  220  which is inserted into the bulbous area  228  may extend a selected distance therein between locations  231  and  234 . For the diameter size ratios of the conduit  220  and bulbous area  228  as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the length of the inserted distal end of conduit  220  is approximately equal to the diameter of conduit  220 . It has been found that for different size ratios of the conduit and bulbous area diameters that the length of the inserted conduit distal end may be required to vary from 50% to 110% of the inserted conduit diameter to successfully practice the invention. The diameter of conduits  220  and  232  is shown to be approximately 75% of the diameter of the bulbous area. This seems to be ideal for the diameter size ratios of the elements on the insertion length of the embodiment shown in FIGS.  9  and  10 . Ends  236  and  240  are shown to taper at an angle toward the conduits. This tapered angle shown at approximately 20° appears to be ideal for end  236  and end  240 ; however, it has been found that different configured slopes of end  240  may be utilized to successfully practice the invention. It can be readily seen in FIG. 10 that conduits  220  and  232  have the same diameter. The direction of fluid flow in this embodiment is from conduit  220  through the bulbous section  228  and out conduit  232 . 
     Referring now specifically to FIGS. 10 and 11, in this embodiments conduits  220  and  232  have unequal diameters. The distal end  221  is inserted into conduit  232  and sealed thereto at location  238  by means hereinbefore mentioned. In this embodiment conduit  220  is approximately 75% of the diameter of conduit  232  and the insertion distance of distal end  221  is approximately equal to the diameter of conduit  220 . As discussed above, the insertion distance may vary according to the size ratios of conduits  220  and  232 . 
     It should be clearly understood that although the detailed discussion, for the purpose of clarity, teaches a single flow through, a flow tube  10  or conduits  110 ,  220  a plurality of like flow tubes  10 , or conduits  110 ,  220  as shown in FIG. 8, may terminate into a single convergent second extension  28  or conduit  128  connected to and sealed by a back plate  21  while practicing this invention. For the purpose of example, and not by way of limitation, it is not uncommon for internal combustion engines or other devices having fluid flow to have eight or more separate conduits or first extension means terminating into a single second extension  28  or conduit  128 . This invention will easily accommodate any number of flow tubes  10 ,  110  or  220 , terminating into a single convergent chamber  28 ,  128 , or enlarged conduit  232 . 
     While certain specific proportions and arrangements have been described in the above description, these may be varied, where suitable, within the limits described above. 
     Other variations, ramifications and applications of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. These are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the amended claims. 
     Having thus described the invention, which is claimed as new and useful and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent.