Patent Abstract:
The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein is for use in a venturi pump. The automatically deformable nozzle regulator automatically adjusts its output area as needed to provide an increased suction force at a venturi pump inlet. The nozzle regulator includes an outer tubular cylinder and an inner tubular cylinder, concentrically arranged, and an inlet section join the two cylinders at one end. The nozzle regulator is constructed of a flexible material, such that when a constricting force is applied an output area of the nozzle regulator is decreased. Fluid backpressure at the nozzle regulator caused by obstructions at the pump inlet or the head at the outlet cause backpressure and the resultant constricting force. Because the nozzle is deformable, the output area is reduced, thereby increasing suction force at the inlet to remove the obstruction and increased velocity at the outlet to increase the head at the outlet.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates in general to nozzle regulators and more particularly to a nozzle regulator constructed of a deformable material and for use in a venturi pump that automatically adjusts its output area as needed to provide an increased suction force at an inlet of the venturi pump. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Venturi pumps are useful devices that are utilized in a myriad of situations and applications. For example, venturi pumps are used in industrial applications and on construction sites to pump an assortment of fluids. In home applications, venturi pumps are used to drain pools, fountains, ponds, aquariums, sinks and in innumerable other applications. 
   Venturi pumps make use of a venturi to pump fluids from one area to another. In general, a venturi is a short tube having a tapering constriction (or throat) at or near the middle of the tube. This constriction causes the velocity of the fluid at the throat to increase and a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure. The low-pressure area created at the throat is particularly useful in measuring fluid flow and for creating a suction force. This suction force is used in many applications, such as for driving aircraft instruments and for drawing fuel into the flow stream of a carburetor. 
   One type of venturi pump that makes use of a venturi to create a suction force and draw fluid into the pump is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,073 by Tash et al. entitled, “Water Pressure Operated Water Pump”. Disclosed therein is a convenient, easy-to-use and inexpensive pump for pumping water. The device uses water pressure from a standard garden hose connection as the power to pump the water. The device has a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, and an outlet nozzle. The primary inlet is for inputting liquid (such as water from a garden hose tap) at a high velocity through a venturi. This high-velocity flow creates a low-pressure area at the throat and generates the motive power necessary to drive the pump. The secondary inlet is positioned at the throat and opens into the venturi at the throat. The fluid being pumped is drawn into the venturi through the secondary inlet. The output nozzle is for outputting the fluid combination from the primary and secondary inlets. 
   When the water from the garden hose tap flows under pressure into the primary inlet, the velocity of the water is greatly increased by a venturi that is positioned in the pumping chamber. The increased velocity of the water through the venturi causes a corresponding drop in pressure. This drop in pressure causes the pressure in the pumping chamber to be less than the pressure of the fluid to be pumped. This causes the fluid being pumped to be drawn through the secondary inlet into the pumping chamber and be ejected through the outlet nozzle. 
   In existing venturi pumps, the cross-sectional areas of the primary inlet, secondary inlet, throat, and outlet nozzle are fixed. This means that the inlet-to-throat area ratio and the throat-to-outlet nozzle area ratio are fixed. This leads to at least three problems with existing venturi pumps. 
   First, when a column of fluid (or head) at the outlet nozzle is high enough, the pump will be unable to pump the fluid any higher. This is because the motive force pumping the fluid through the outlet nozzle is in equilibrium with the weight of the fluid head at the outlet nozzle. A second problem with conventional venturi pumps is that if debris or other contaminants (such as leaves or rocks) block the secondary inlet the flow rate decreases and the pump performance suffers. In addition, viscous fluid (such as oil or a combination of water and mud) requires greater suction in the pumping chamber than a less viscous fluid (such as water). A third problem is that a rigid foreign object in the fluid being pumped (such as a rock) may be sucked through the secondary inlet and lodge in the outlet nozzle. In extreme situations, the foreign object may completely block the outlet nozzle, thereby effectively shutting down the pump. Therefore, what is needed is an improved venturi pump that overcomes the aforementioned problems to provide increased performance and usefulness without undue cost and complexity. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein is designed for use in a venturi pump. The nozzle regulator is constructed of a deformable material and automatically decreases its output area as needed to decrease the pressure at an inlet of the venturi pump and provide increased suction force. This increased suction force allows a venturi pump utilizing the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems and provide increased performance and usefulness without undue cost and complexity. 
   In particular, the present invention helps alleviate the problem of debris blocking an inlet of the venturi pump. In this situation, as the resistance at the inlet increases, the output velocity of the fluid exiting the deformable nozzle regulator decreases, leading to a pressure increase (or fluid backpressure) around the nozzle regulator. This fluid backpressure imposes a constricting force on the nozzle regulator and reduces its output area. This in turn increases the venturi effect and provides an increased low-pressure area (or suction force) at the inlet such that any debris is dislodged, fragmented or disintegrated. 
   The present invention also alleviates the situation where the head is so great that the venturi pump is unable to pump fluid any higher. The increase in backpressure caused by the increased head causes the nozzle regulator to constrict or shrink, thereby increasing fluid velocity through the nozzle regulator. This often is enough to increase the height to which the venturi pump can raise the fluid. Moreover, the deformable nozzle regulator is better able than rigid nozzle regulators to deal with hard obstructions that may enter the venturi pump. The present invention is able to pass these obstructions more easily than fixed and rigid outlet nozzles. Once the obstruction has passed, the nozzle regulator returns to its original shape. 
   In general, the nozzle regulator contains three sections. Namely, an outer tubular section or cylinder, an inner tubular section or cylinder, and an inlet section. The outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are concentric. The nozzle regulator also contains an output nozzle. This output nozzle is formed by the offset to an outlet side of the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder projects a distance from the outer cylinder. This projection of the output nozzle aids the nozzle regulator in taking full advantage of the backpressure effect. 
   The inlet section is a ring or disc having a convergent cross-sectional shape that joins the outer cylinder and the offset inner cylinder at an inlet side. The convergent cross-sectional shape of the inlet section can be a convex curve or a straight line. The nozzle regulator also includes a nozzle regulator cavity formed by the junction of the three above sections. Specifically, the cavity is formed by the space between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and bounded on the inlet side by the inlet section, while remaining open at the outlet side. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can be further understood by reference to the following description and attached drawings that illustrate aspects of the invention. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a venturi pump containing the automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein being used in a fluid-pumping environment and is shown for illustrative purposes only. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the venturi pump and the automatically deformable nozzle regulator shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway side view of the venturi pump and the automatically deformable nozzle regulator shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of the outlet side of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an end view of the inlet side of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the dimensions of an exemplary embodiment of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific example whereby the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   I. General Overview 
   The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein is designed to operate in a venturi-type pump. One such pump in which the invention may be used is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,073 by Tash et al. entitled, “Water Pressure Operated Water Pump”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Throughout this specification, this venturi pump will be used to illustrate the operation of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator. It should be understood, however, that the automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein may be used with other venturi-type pumps. 
   When incorporated into the venturi pump described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,073, the automatically deformable nozzle regulator transforms the venturi pump into an outlet side regulated venturi pump. This is achieved because the nozzle regulator of the present invention is made from a deformable material (such as rubber). Because the nozzle regulator is deformable, the throat-to-outlet area ratio is capable of being changed. In particular, the area of the outlet nozzle can be decreased by deformation of the nozzle regulator such that the throat-to-outlet area ratio is increased. From Bernoulli&#39;s equation, it follows that an increase in the throat-to-outlet area ratio leads to a decrease in pressure at the throat. 
   Once incorporated into the venturi pump described above, the automatically deformable nozzle regulator automatically determines when additional suction force (or low pressure) is needed at the throat and decreases its output area accordingly. As explained in detail below, this automatic determination is a physical phenomenon based on backpressure that the nozzle regulator experiences. Because the nozzle regulator is deformable, an increase in backpressure constricts the nozzle regulator and decreases its outlet area, thereby lowering the pressure at the throat and creating additional suction force. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a venturi pump containing the automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein being used in a fluid-pumping environment and is shown for illustrative purposes only. In general, the fluid-pumping environment  100  includes the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105  that is incorporated into a venturi pump body  110 . This combination of the nozzle regulator  105  and the venturi body  110  creates an outlet side regulated venturi pump  115 . The pump  115  is disposed in a fluid (such as water) and is used to draw the fluid into the pump and output the fluid at another location. 
   In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the pump  115  is set in a tank  120  that contains water  125 . It should be noted that in this particular example the fluid contained in the tank  120  is water  125 , but could easily be another type fluid or even a combination of fluids (such as water and oil). A fluid pressure source  130  (such as a garden hose) is connected to a primary inlet  135  of the pump  115  to provide a motive force. As shown by the arrows, water under pressure is displaced from the fluid pressure source  130  through the pump  115 . A secondary inlet  140  is in fluid communication with a throat  145 . The velocity of the water  125  through the primary inlet  135  and the throat  145  creates a low-pressure area at the throat (and secondary inlet  140 ). This low-pressure area draws up the water  125  in the tank  120  into the secondary inlet  140  and into the throat where the incoming water mixes with water entering through the primary inlet  135 . The combination of water then passes through the flexible nozzle regulator  115 . 
   An outlet line  150  is connected to the outlet side of the pump  115  containing the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105 . The height of the output water (“h”) within the outlet line  150  is known as the “head.” Water output from the pump  115  is pushed through the outlet line  150  and at an outlet line end  155  to an area outside of the tank  120 . In this manner, the water  125  is removed from the tank  120  by the pump  115 . 
   II. Incorporation of the Automatically Deformable Nozzle Regulator 
   The automatically deformable nozzle regulator of the present invention is designed to be incorporated into the outlet area of a venturi pump.  FIG. 2  shows the incorporation of the regulator into the venturi pump discussed above. Specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the venturi pump and the flexible nozzle regulator shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pump  115  includes the primary inlet  135 , the secondary inlet  140 , and an outlet area containing the flexible nozzle regulator  105 . An inlet line (not shown) attaches to the primary inlet  135 . The outlet line  150  attaches to an outlet portion  200  of the pump body  110 . Within the outlet portion  200  is housed the flexible nozzle regulator  105 . The nozzle regulator  105  may be held in place by being press fitted into the outlet portion  200 . Alternatively, the nozzle regulator  105  may be secured in place by means of a locking collar (not shown). The pump  115  also contains a plurality of feet  210  and notches  220  that are designed to elevate the pump  115  slightly and allow water to be admitted into the secondary inlet  140 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway side view of the venturi pump  115  and the flexible nozzle regulator  105  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The primary inlet is in fluid communication with a venturi  300 . The smallest radius portion of the venturi is the throat  310 . The secondary inlet  140  is in fluid communication with the throat  310  as the inlet  140  opens into the throat  310 . Downstream from the venturi  310  and within a cavity of the outlet portion  200  is disposed the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105 . 
   III. Structural Details of the Automatically Deformable Nozzle Regulator 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The nozzle regulator is made of a deformable material (such as rubber) so that when acted upon by a force the nozzle regulator easily deforms but when the force is removed the nozzle regulator returns to its original shape. The nozzle regulator  105  is formed into the shape shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The details of the shape of the nozzle regulator  105  will now be discussed. In general, the nozzle regulator  105  contains three sections: (1) an outer tubular section or cylinder  400 ; (2) an inner tubular section or cylinder  410 ; and, (c) an inlet section  420 . In particular, the outer tubular cylinder  400  has a first radius, r outer , and the inner tubular cylinder  410  has a second radius r inner , with r outer &gt;r inner . The outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  are concentric about a longitudinal axis, shown in  FIG. 4  as imaginary dashed line a-a. At one end of the nozzle regulator  105 , along the longitudinal axis, is an inlet side  430  and at the other end is an outlet side  440 . In the longitudinal direction (along line a-a), the inner cylinder  410  is offset to the outlet side  440  such that inner cylinder  410  projects a distance, x, from the outer cylinder  400  in the longitudinal direction to create an outlet nozzle  445 . As explained in detail below, this projection helps the nozzle regulator automatically deform based on backpressure in the venturi pump  115 . 
   The inlet section  420  smoothly connects the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  at the inlet side  430 . The inlet section  420  essentially is a ring or disc having a convergent cross-sectional shape (along the longitudinal axis a-a) that joins the outer cylinder  400  and the offset inner cylinder  410  at the inlet side  430 . In other words, moving from the inlet side  430  to the outlet side  440  the cross-sectional shape of the inlet section  420  converges. This convergence can be seen by referring to  FIG. 4 , where the first radius, r outer , at the inlet section  420  is greater than the second radius, r inner , at the inlet section  420  (i.e., r outer &gt;r inner ). 
   In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the convergent cross-sectional shape of the inlet section  420  is a convex curve that smoothly connects the outer cylinder  400  with the inner cylinder  410 . In an alternative embodiment, convergent cross-sectional shape of the inlet section  420  is linear such that the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  are smoothly connected by a straight line. This embodiment is shown by the dashed convergent lines  460  connecting the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  at the inlet side  430 . 
   The junction of the three above sections forms a nozzle regulator cavity  450  in the nozzle regulator  105 . This cavity  450  is formed by the space between the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  and bounded on the inlet side  430  by the inlet section  420 . At the outlet side  440  the cavity  450  is open. Within the inner cylinder  410  is a fluid passageway  470  where the fluid being pumped flows through the nozzle regulator  105 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of the outlet side  440  of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Specifically, the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  are shown to be concentric. Moreover, the area between the two cylinders  400 ,  410  is the nozzle regulator cavity  450 . It should be noted that, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the cavity  450  is open on the outlet side  440  but closed on the inlet side. The fluid passageway  470  formed by the inner cylinder  410  and extends through the entire nozzle regulator  105  such that fluid can flow through the passageway  470 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an end view of the inlet side  430  of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown by the dashed lines, the ends of the outer cylinder  400  and the inner cylinder  410  as well as the nozzle regulator cavity  450  are hidden by the 420 inlet section. The fluid passageway  470  allows fluid to enter and pass through the nozzle regulator  105 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the dimensions of an exemplary embodiment of the automatically deformable nozzle regulator  105  as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
   IV. Operation of the Automatically Deformable Nozzle Regulator 
   The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein automatically adjusts its output area as needed to provide an increased low-pressure area at an inlet of the venturi pump. This change in output area is achieved by decreasing the radius of the inner cylinder, r inner , at the outlet side  440  such that the output area is decreased. This decrease in the inner cylinder radius, r inner , is achieved using backpressure from the fluid. Because of the deformable nature of the nozzle regulator  105 , when the backpressure is great enough the inner cylinder radius, r inner , constricts thereby decreasing r inner . Once the backpressure is relieved, the deformable nature of the nozzle regulator  105  causes r inner  to return to its original value. 
   The details will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 . One situation that may occur during the pumping of fluid is where debris (such as a rock or leaves) is blocking the secondary inlet  140 . In this situation, as the resistance at the secondary inlet  140  increases, the output velocity of the fluid exiting the nozzle regulator  105  decreases. This decrease in fluid velocity leads to a pressure increase in the nozzle regulator cavity  450  and around the outside of the outlet nozzle  445 . This pressure increase is caused by fluid backpressure. The inner cylinder  410  is offset from the outer cylinder  400  such that the output nozzle  445  is formed in order to increase the surface area of the inner cylinder  410  exposed to the backpressure and take full advantage of the backpressure effect. 
   The backpressure effect causes the radius of the outlet nozzle  445  to decrease, as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 4 . This in turn increases the venturi effect and provides an increased low-pressure area (or suction force) at the secondary inlet  140  by lowering the pressure at the secondary inlet  140 . The decrease in the radius of the outlet nozzle  445  is shown in  FIG. 4  by the dashed lines. As will be appreciated, the decrease in the radius of the outlet nozzle  445  leads to a decrease in cross-sectional area at the outlet nozzle  445  and a corresponding decrease in pressure at the secondary inlet  140 . Usually this increase in suction force is enough to dislodge, fragment or disintegrate any debris blocking the secondary inlet  140 . 
   Another situation that may occur is the situation where the head, h, in the outlet line  150  is so high that the pump  115  is unable to pump fluid any higher. This occurs when motive force pumping the fluid through the outlet line  150  is in equilibrium with the weight of the fluid in the head. As the head of the outlet line increases, however, the backpressure also increases. The increase in backpressure occurs in the nozzle cavity and around the outside of the output nozzle  445 . This increase in backpressure causes the outlet nozzle  445  to constrict or shrink because of a “backpressure pocket” that develops within the nozzle regulator cavity  450 . The inner cylinder radius at the output nozzle  445  decreases causing an increase in fluid velocity at the output nozzle  445 . This increase in fluid velocity often is enough to increase the height to which the pump  115  can raise the fluid. 
   Yet another situation occurs when a rigid foreign object in the fluid being pumped (such as a rock) is drawn through the secondary inlet  140 . Because the nozzle regulator  105  is constructed of a deformable material, the nozzle regulator  105  is able to pass debris more easily than fixed and rigid outlet nozzles. Due to it deformable nature, the inner cylinder  410  is able open up (expand) to allow the debris to pass easily through the nozzle regulator  105 . The inner cylinder  410  then returns to its original shape once the obstruction has passed. 
   The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description of the invention, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5