Debris blower incorporating flow ejector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A handheld lawn debris blower comprising:
- a housing defining an air outlet, wherein the housing is adapted to produce a primary airflow at the air outlet;
a blower tube comprising an upstream end coupled to the air outlet, and a downstream end, the downstream end defining a blower outlet adapted to deliver a working airflow; and
an ejector associated with the blower tube or the housing, the ejector defining a flow augmenting inlet, wherein the ejector is adapted to move between;
a closed configuration, wherein the flow augmenting inlet is effectively closed such that the working airflow is approximately equal to the primary airflow; and
an open configuration, wherein the flow augmenting inlet is open such that a secondary airflow is introduced into the ejector, via the augmenting inlet, and mixed with the primary airflow to effectively increase the working airflow;
wherein the flow augmenting inlet is defined by a gate pivotally attached to the blower tube, the gate movable between;
a closed position when the ejector is in the closed configuration; and
an open position when the ejector is in the open configuration;
and wherein the gate comprises one or more gate surfaces that are, when the gate is in the closed position, flush with an inner surface of the blower tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held debris blower including a blower tube and an associated ejector. The blower includes an airflow generator adapted to generate a primary airflow that is directed into a blower tube. A flow ejector is operable to selectively increase a working airflow provided by the blower by selectively entraining a secondary airflow within the primary airflow.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A handheld lawn debris blower comprising:
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a housing defining an air outlet, wherein the housing is adapted to produce a primary airflow at the air outlet; a blower tube comprising an upstream end coupled to the air outlet, and a downstream end, the downstream end defining a blower outlet adapted to deliver a working airflow; and an ejector associated with the blower tube or the housing, the ejector defining a flow augmenting inlet, wherein the ejector is adapted to move between; a closed configuration, wherein the flow augmenting inlet is effectively closed such that the working airflow is approximately equal to the primary airflow; and an open configuration, wherein the flow augmenting inlet is open such that a secondary airflow is introduced into the ejector, via the augmenting inlet, and mixed with the primary airflow to effectively increase the working airflow; wherein the flow augmenting inlet is defined by a gate pivotally attached to the blower tube, the gate movable between; a closed position when the ejector is in the closed configuration; and an open position when the ejector is in the open configuration; and wherein the gate comprises one or more gate surfaces that are, when the gate is in the closed position, flush with an inner surface of the blower tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A handheld lawn debris blower comprising:
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a housing defining an air outlet; an airflow generator adapted to produce a primary airflow that is exhausted through the air outlet; a blower tube comprising an upstream end coupled to the air outlet, and a blower outlet formed at a downstream end, wherein the blower provides a working airflow at the blower outlet; an ejector at or near the downstream end of the blower tube, wherein the ejector comprises a mixing portion movable between;
a closed position, wherein a flow augmenting inlet associated with the ejector is effectively closed such that the working airflow is approximately equal to the primary airflow; and
an open position, wherein the flow augmenting inlet is effectively open such that a secondary airflow is introduced into the ejector, via the flow augmenting inlet, and mixed with the primary airflow such that the working airflow is greater than the primary airflow;wherein the flow augmenting inlet is defined by a gate pivotally attached to the blower tube, the gate movable between; a first position corresponding to the mixing portion being in the closed position; and a second position corresponding to the mixing portion being in the open position; and wherein the gate comprises one or more gate surfaces that are, when the gate is in the first position, flush with an inner surface of the blower tube. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A handheld lawn debris blower comprising:
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a housing defining an air outlet, wherein the housing is adapted to produce a primary airflow at the air outlet; a blower tube comprising an upstream end coupled to the air outlet, and a downstream end, the downstream end defining a blower outlet adapted to deliver a working airflow; and an ejector associated with the blower tube or the housing, wherein the ejector is adapted to move between; a closed configuration, wherein the blower outlet defines a first area; and an open configuration, wherein the blower outlet defines a second area different that the first area; and wherein the ejector defines a flow augmenting inlet formed by a gate pivotally attached to the blower tube, the gate movable between; a closed position when the ejector is in the closed configuration; and an open position when the ejector is in the open configuration; and wherein the gate comprises one or more gate surfaces that are, when the gate is in the closed position, flush with an inner surface of the blower tube.
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Specification