Abstract:
A cyclonic elevator tube comprising a manifold which supplies fluid under pressure via an annular transition ring with multiple, circumferentially spaced jet orifices. These orifices are set at inwardly and circumferentially directed compound angles for ejecting vortex jets of pressurized fluid through the elevator, to ultimately cause transportation of fluid material through the tubes. This apparatus comprises: a cylindrical chamber; a plurality of helically shaped venturi tubes spaced around the internal circumference of the chamber; a manifold connected to the inlet ends of the venturi tubes; and a high pressure gas supply connected to the manifold. The helix can be right or left handed and preferably the venturi tubes extend for less than one turn of the helix. The angle that the tangent of the helix makes with the longitudinal axis of the chamber is between 1° and 89°. The internal circumference of the chamber may be larger at the inlet end than at the outlet end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/066629, filed 21 Dec. 2011 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/427,036, filed 23 Dec. 2010. The entire specification, claims and drawings of Application No. PCT/US2011/066629 and Application No. 61/427,036 are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for an improved cyclonic elevator. More particularly, this cyclonic elevator includes helical venturis and will be primarily used for pumping fluid. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     The closest prior art to this invention is U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,651 to Bruno Dec. 31, 1974 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,606 to Bruno, Jan. 31, 1967. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,651 discloses coaxial pumping units for cylindrical cyclonic elevator tubes in which a manifold circumscribing the latter for supplying fluid under pressure thereto has communication therewith via an annular transition ring provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced jet orifices set at inwardly and circumferentially directed compound angles for ejecting vortically directed jets of fluid under pressure through the tubular elevator to effect transportation of comminuted and/or fluid material through such tubes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,606 relates to a cyclonic elevator device wherein particulate material is raised by means of a rotating, pulsing air column. It comprises a tube for lifignt the material, at least one chamber surrounding the tube, a plurality of passages leading from the chamber to the interior of the tube arranged about the tube in a spiral pattern, and means for introducing compressed air to the chamber and through the passages to impart a swirling motion to the material being lifted through the tube. 
     This invention is a great improvement over the Bruno patents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a cyclonic elevator comprising: a cylindrical chamber; a plurality of helically shaped venturi tubes spaced around the internal circumference of the chamber; a manifold connected to the inlet ends of the venturi tubes; and a high pressure gas supply connected to the manifold. 
     The helix can be right or left handed and preferably the venturi tubes extend for less than one turn of the helix. The angle that the tangent of the helix makes with the longitudinal axis of the chamber is between 1° and 89°. The internal circumference of the chamber may be larger at the inlet end than at the outlet end. 
     A nozzle may be attached to the inlet end of the chamber. The nozzle circumference may larger at the nozzle inlet end than at the nozzle outlet end. Preferably there are openings in the side wall of the nozzle. 
     Two or more of these chambers may be connected together in series with tubing to form a high capacity pump. 
     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates venturi effect. 
         FIG. 2  shows the helix (cos t, sin t, t) from t=0 to 4π. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view from the inlet end of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is an end view of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective, off center view of the segments comprising the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the three stage version of this invention showing some of its internal structure. 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross section along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 8A  is a side, partially cut away view of the outlet tube of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is an end view of the outlet tube of the invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a side, partially cut away view of the uppermost venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is an end view of the uppermost venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 9C  is an end view of the uppermost venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention from the other end. 
         FIG. 9D  is a view along the lines D-D of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 9E  is an enlargement detail E on  FIG. 9D . 
         FIG. 10A  is a side, partially cut away view of the upper manifold section of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a view of the upper manifold section of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 11A  is a side, partially cut away view of the middle connection tube of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a view of the middle connection tube of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 12A  is a side, partially cut away view of the middle venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is view of the middle venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 12C  is view of the middle venturi chamber of the three stage version of this invention from the other end. 
         FIG. 12D  is a view along the lines D-D of  FIG. 12A , 
         FIG. 12E  is an enlargement of detail E on  FIG. 12D . 
         FIG. 13A  is a side, partially cut away view of the middle manifold section of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a view of the middle manifold section of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 14A  is a side, partially cut away view of the lower connection tube of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 14B  is a view of the lower connection tube of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 15A  is a side, partially cut away view of the lower Venturi section of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 15B  is a side, partially cut away view of the lower Venturi section of the three stage version of this invention from one end. 
         FIG. 15C  is a view of the lower Venturi section of the three stage version of this invention from the other end. Some detail is omitted for clarity. 
         FIG. 15D  is an enlargement of the detail shown at D on  FIG. 15C . Some detail is omitted for clarity. 
         FIG. 16  is a side, partially cut away view of the lower manifold section of the three stage version of this invention. 
         FIG. 17A  is a side, partially cut away view of the inlet nozzle for this invention. 
         FIG. 17B  is a view of the inlet nozzle for this invention from one end 
         FIG. 17C  is a view of the inlet nozzle for this invention from the other end. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water move through the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water are diametrically distributed across the cross section in the lower section of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water are diametrically distributed across the cross section at the junction of the middle and upper sections of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water are diametrically distributed across the cross section in the outlet tube section of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water are longitudinally distributed across the cross section in the outlet tube section of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility. 
     There are two principles that must be grasped to fully understand this invention and how it works. These are the venturi effect and helices. 
     According to the laws governing fluid dynamics, a fluid&#39;s velocity must increase as it passes through a constriction to satisfy the conservation of mass, while its pressure must decrease to satisfy the conservation of energy. Thus any gain in kinetic energy a fluid may accrue due to its increased velocity through a constriction is negated by a drop in pressure. An equation for the drop in pressure due to the Venturi effect may be derived from a combination of Bernoulli&#39;s principle and the continuity equation. 
     The limiting case of the Venturi effect is when a fluid reaches the state of choked flow, where the fluid velocity approaches the local speed of sound. In choked flow the mass flow rate will not increase with a further decrease in the downstream pressure environment. 
     However, mass flow rate for a compressible fluid can increase with increased upstream pressure, which will increase the density of the fluid through the constriction (though the velocity will remain constant). This is the principle of operation of a de Laval nozzle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , using Bernoulli&#39;s equation in the special case of incompressible flows (such as the flow of water or other liquid, or low speed flow of gas), the theoretical pressure drop (p1−p2) at the constriction would be given by: 
     
       
         
           
             
               p 
               2 
             
             ⁢ 
             
               ( 
               
                 
                   v 
                   2 
                   2 
                 
                 - 
                 
                   v 
                   1 
                   2 
                 
               
               ) 
             
           
         
       
     
     where is the density of the fluid, v1 is the (slower) fluid velocity where the pipe is wider, v2 is the (faster) fluid velocity where the pipe is narrower. This assumes the flowing fluid (or other substance) is not significantly compressible—even though pressure varies, the density is assumed to remain approximately constant. 
     A helix is a type of space curve, i.e. a smooth curve in three-dimensional space. It is characterized by the fact that the tangent line at any point makes a constant angle with a fixed line called the axis. 
     Helices can be either right-handed or left-handed. With the line of sight along the helix&#39;s axis, if a clockwise screwing motion moves the helix away from the observer, then it is called a right-handed helix; if towards the observer then it is a left-handed helix. A right-handed helix cannot be turned or flipped to look like a left-handed, and vice versa. 
     The pitch of a helix is the width of one complete helix turn, measured parallel to the axis (Z in  FIG. 2 ) of the helix. 
     A circular helix, (i.e. one with constant radius) has constant band curvature and constant torsion. 
     The following parameterization in Cartesian coordinates defines the helix illustrated in  FIG. 2 :
 
 x ( t )=cos( t ),
 
 y ( t )=sin( t ),
 
 z ( t )= t.  
 
     As the parameter t increases, the point (x(t), y(t), z(t)) traces a right-handed helix of pitch 2π and radius 1 about the z-axis, in a right-handed coordinate system. 
     This invention  10  will be illustrated with a three stages  46  version. It will be obvious to those familiar with the art to which this invention pertains, that this invention  10  could have more that three stages  46 . In the following description and the attached drawings, unless otherwise obvious, elements without a suffix are of similar design and function in each section  46 . Reference numbers without a suffix will refer to that element generically. An “a” suffix to a reference number will, unless otherwise obvious, be used to designate elements of the first or lowest stage  46   a  of this invention  10 ; a “b” suffix to a reference number will, unless otherwise obvious, be used to designate elements of the second or middle stage  46   b  of this invention  10 ; and a “c” suffix to a reference number will, unless otherwise obvious, be used to designate elements of the third or upper stage  46   c  of this invention  10 . 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 A,  4 B,  5  and  6  show various views and features of the three stage  46  version of the invention  10 . The three stages,  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c  are connected together in series. Each stage  46  includes a manifold section  78 , a venturi section  14  and a connecting tube  94 . Each of these is tubular or annular in overall shape.  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E,  10 A,  10 B,  11 A,  11 B,  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D,  12 E,  13 A,  13 B,  14 A,  14 B,  15 A,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D,  16 ,  17 A,  17 B and  17 C are detail views of all the components of this invention  10 . 
     In each stage  46  the venturi section  14  fits inside the manifold section  78  and the front or lower flange  90  of the tubular section mates with the upper or rear surface of the venturi section  14  and the upper or rear surface  54  of the manifold section  78 . The outside diameter of the venturi section  14  is slightly less than inside diameter of the manifold section so that it will fit snugly inside. Gaskets and bolts, O-rings and seals (not illustrated) are used between components in normal fashion in order to ensure a gas and liquid tight fit. Alternatively, a sealant may be used to join the sections and ensure a gas and liquid tight fit. 
     Each manifold section  78  has at least one radial hole  76  through it. It is through this hole that pressurized gas is introduced. Typically a fitting  80  is fitted to each hole  76 . This fitting  80  is used to connect with a high pressure gas line (not illustrated). 
     Of course, the upper or rear flange  91   b  of the middle segment  46   b  is mated with front or lower surface  50   c  of the upper manifold section  78   c . Also, there are one or more radial holes  72  in the lower manifold section  78   a . These may be covered by a fluid inlet tube  74 . 
     There may additionally be a nozzle  58  fitted to the lower surface  50   a  of the lower manifold section  78   a . The outside and inside diameters of the nozzle  58  are larger at the inlet end  66  than at the outlet end  62 . Further the outside of the nozzle  58  is shaped so that it fits inside and mates with the lower manifold section  78   a  and the lower venturi section  14   a . Again, gaskets and bolts, O-rings and seals (not illustrated) are used between the nozzle  58  and the lower manifold section  78   a  and venturi section  14   a  in normal fashion in order to ensure a gas and liquid tight fit. 
     As has previously been described, each stage  46  of this invention  10  includes a Venturi section  14 . A plurality of Venturi tubes  18  are spaced around the internal circumference of each Venturi section  14 . Each of the Venturi tubes  18  has a helical shape, an outlet internal diameter at the outlet end  30   a  and an inlet internal diameter at the inlet end  26   a . The outlet ends  30   a  of the Venturi tubes  18  are located adjacent the outlet ends  34  of the sections  14 , and the inlet ends  26   a  are located adjacent the outlet ends  38   a  of the sections  14 . In addition, the inlet diameters are larger than the outlet diameters. 
     Further, in each venturi section  14  there are a plurality of air inlets  22  running at an angle between the outside of the section  14  and the venturi tubes  18 . Such tubes  22  are best illustrated in  FIGS. 12A ,  12 D and  12 E. 
     In each Venturi section  14 , the internal diameter  40  at the inlet  34  is larger than the internal diameter  41  at the outlet end  38 . The path described by each Venturi tube  18  in each Venturi section is a helix. Also, each tube  18  decreases in diameter as it increases in displacement. The tubes  18  can have a right hand or left hand helical shape and preferably the tubes extend for less than one turn of the helix. The angle that the tangent  42  of the helix makes with the longitudinal axis  44  can be anywhere between 1° and 89°. 
     The internal configuration of each manifold section  78  and the external configuration of each corresponding venturi section  14  are designed to channel the high pressure gas from each high pressure inlet  76  to the inlet  26  of each venturi tube  18 . To operate this invention  10 , it is immersed in a fluid and pressurized gas is introduced into the inlet ends  26  of the tubes  18 . Venturi action of the gas forces the fluid to move from the inlet ends  50  to the outlet ends  91  of each section. Preferably the fluid is water and the gas is compressed air. 
     The primary use for this invention is pumping or dredging of materials from the ocean floor. The high pressure gas will typically be provided by an air compressor. Tubing (not illustrated), preferably flexible tubing will be connected from the air compressor to each fitting  80 . In addition there will be another flexible tube (not illustrated) connecting the uppermost flange  91   c  to a location where it is desired to deposit the material to be pumped. 
     When everything is ready the pump will be lowered into the water to the desired depth and the air compressor activated. The compressed air will flow through the venturi tubes  18  and the air inlets  22 . The venturi effect of the gas on the water will suck the water etc. in to the inlet end of the invention, preferably the inlet end  66  of the nozzle  58 , and expel it from the outlet end  91   c . From here the material will move through the long tube and be deposited at the desired location. The gas tends to stay close to the inner walls of the tubes  94  and venturi sections, thus reducing friction and providing protection from the material being pumped. If the inlet end  66  of the invention gets plugged with material, lifting it slightly to allow the side wall openings  72  to clear the material will allow clear water to be sucked into the pump thus clearing it. 
     The preferred design parameters for the pump version of this invention  10  are as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 No. of 
                 Internal 
                 Internal 
                 Angle of 
               
               
                   
                 Internal 
                 Venturi 
                 diameter 
                 diameter 
                 helix 
               
               
                   
                 diameter 
                 tubes 
                 of tube at 
                 of tube at 
                 tangent 42 
               
               
                 Stage 
                 40 or 41 
                 18 
                 inlet 26 
                 outlet 30 
                 to axis 44 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 I - bottom 46a 
                 20″ 
                 45 
                 1″ 
                 ⅝″ 
                 60° 
               
               
                 II - 
                 12″ 
                 36 
                 ⅜″ 
                 ¼″ 
                 70° 
               
               
                 intermediate 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 46b 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 III - top 46c 
                 10″ 
                 36 
                 ½″ 
                 ¼″ 
                 80° 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       FIG. 18  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water move through the invention. Air is indicated by the darker arrows, water by the lighter arrows. Gas injection is scaled among the different orifice levels in proportion to the inward orifice area as follows: 
     Flow rate at first level venturis  18   a  1.47978 m3/sec 52.26% 
     Flow rate at second level venturis  18   b  2 0.42749 m3/sec 15.10% 
     Flow rate at third level venturis  18   c  0.65585 m3/sec 23.16% 
     Flow rate at third level air inlets  22   c  4 0.26855 m3/sec 9.48% 
     Total air flow rate 2.83168 m3/sec 6000.00 cfm 
       FIGS. 19-21  are perspective, cutaway views showing how air and water are diametrically distributed across the cross sections of the invention  10 .  FIG. 22  is a perspective, cutaway view showing how air and water are longitudinally distributed along the invention  10 . It can be seen from the keys in the drawings that most air flows along the walls of the invention. As the air flows it sucks the water along with it upwards. 
     The pump version of this invention is designed to suck materials off the ocean floor at depths of 10,000′ or more. It will operate without creating turbidity and will produces a fluid flow of 20,000 gals./min. with an air flow of 6,000 cu.ft./min. at sea level. At depth static pressure will have an influence necessitating less air and higher fluid flow, for example 40,000 gals/min or more. 
     The following reference numerals are used on the Figures:
           10  this invention     14  venturi section     18  venturi tube     22  air inlet     26  inlet end of venturi tube     30  outlet end of venturi tube     34  lower or inlet surface of venturi section     38  upper or outlet surface of venturi section     40  internal diameter of inlet end of venturi section     41  internal diameter of outlet end of venturi section     42  tangent of the helix     44  longitudinal axis of helix     46  stage of invention     50  inlet surface of manifold section     54  outlet surface of manifold section     58  nozzle     62  outlet surface of nozzle     66  inlet surface of nozzle     72  side inlet opening     74  fluid inlet     76  gas inlet     78  manifold section     90  lower or inlet flange     91  outlet or upper flange     94  connection tubing       

     The suffix “a” added to a reference numeral indicates first or lowest stage; the suffix “b” the middle or second stage; and the suffix “c” the outlet, third or upper stage. 
     Thus, the present invention  10  has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. 
     It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.