Jet pump
First Claim
1. A method of processing a working fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
- presenting a fluid mover to the working fluid, the fluid mover having a straight-through passage of substantially constant cross section;
applying a substantially circumscribing stream of a transport fluid to the passage through an annular nozzle, the fluid mover further comprising a mixing chamber being formed within the passage downstream of the nozzle, wherein an internal wall of the passage upstream of the mixing chamber is provided with at least one groove that creates turbulence in the working fluid flow prior to any interaction between the working fluid and the transport fluid;
atomising the working fluid to form a dispersed vapour and droplet flow regime with locally supersonic flow conditions;
generating a supersonic condensation shock wave within the passage downstream of the nozzle by condensation of the transport fluid, wherein the nozzle internal geometry and the internal wall of the passage are so disposed and configured to optimise energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid, the position of the condensation shock wave remaining substantially constant under equilibrium flow;
inducing flow of the working fluid through the passage from an inlet to an outlet thereof; and
changing the position of the condensation shock wave to vary the working fluid discharge from the outlet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid mover (1) includes a hollow body (2) provided with a straight-through passage (3) of substantially constant cross section with an inlet end (4) an outlet end (5) for the entry and discharge respectively of a working fluid. A nozzle (16) substantially circumscribes and opens into the passage (3) intermediate the inlet (4) and outlet (5) ends. An inlet (10) communicates with the nozzle (16) for the introduction of a transport fluid and a mixing chamber (3A) is formed within the passage (3) downstream of the nozzle (16). The nozzle internal geometry and the bore profile immediately upstream of the nozzle exit are disposed and configured to optimise the energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid. In use, through the introduction of transport fluid, the working fluid or fluids are atomized to form a dispersed vapor/droplet flow regime with locally supersonic flow conditions within a pseudo-vena contracta, resulting in the creation of a supersonic condensation shock wave (17) within the downstream mixing chamber (3A) by the condensation of the transport fluid. Methods of moving and processing fluids using the fluid mover are also disclosed.
139 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of processing a working fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
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presenting a fluid mover to the working fluid, the fluid mover having a straight-through passage of substantially constant cross section; applying a substantially circumscribing stream of a transport fluid to the passage through an annular nozzle, the fluid mover further comprising a mixing chamber being formed within the passage downstream of the nozzle, wherein an internal wall of the passage upstream of the mixing chamber is provided with at least one groove that creates turbulence in the working fluid flow prior to any interaction between the working fluid and the transport fluid; atomising the working fluid to form a dispersed vapour and droplet flow regime with locally supersonic flow conditions; generating a supersonic condensation shock wave within the passage downstream of the nozzle by condensation of the transport fluid, wherein the nozzle internal geometry and the internal wall of the passage are so disposed and configured to optimise energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid, the position of the condensation shock wave remaining substantially constant under equilibrium flow; inducing flow of the working fluid through the passage from an inlet to an outlet thereof; and changing the position of the condensation shock wave to vary the working fluid discharge from the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A fluid mover comprising:
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a hollow body provided with a straight-through passage of substantially constant cross section with an inlet at one end of the passage and an outlet at the other end of the passage for the entry and discharge respectively of a working fluid; a nozzle substantially circumscribing and opening into said passage intermediate the inlet and outlet ends thereof; an inlet communicating with the nozzle for the introduction of a transport fluid; and a mixing chamber being formed within the passage downstream of the nozzle; wherein an internal wall of the passage upstream of the mixing chamber is provided with at least one groove that creates turbulence in the working fluid flow prior to any interaction between the working fluid and the transport fluid; and wherein the nozzle internal geometry, the bore profile of the passage immediately upstream of the nozzle exit and the internal wall of the straight-through passage are so disposed and configured to optimise the energy transfer between the transport fluid and working fluid that in use through the introduction of transport fluid the working fluid or fluids are atomised to form a dispersed vapour/droplet flow regime with locally supersonic flow conditions within a pseudo-vena contracta, resulting in the creation of a supersonic condensation shock wave within the downstream mixing chamber by the condensation of the transport fluid. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification