Ejector utilizing a vortex flow

摘要

An improved ejector utilizing a vortex flow for pumping a fluid. The ejector includes a funnel shaped fluid chamber circumscribing a longitudinal axis and converging from a wide end to a narrow end. A venturi-like throat circumscribing the longitudinal axis is in fluid communication with the narrow end of the funnel shaped chamber. A pair of diametrically opposed fluid inlets are disposed in the wide end of the chamber for directing a driver fluid tangentially into the wide end of the funnel shaped chamber. The chamber and throat are configured to form the driver fluid into a swirling flow which advances toward the throat in the form of a vortex flow having a low pressure region. A secondary fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the low pressure region of the vortex flow. A deflector member is disposed in the funnel shaped chamber radially inward of the venturi throat. The deflector includes a surface which diverges away from the longitudinal axis. The vortex flow draws the fluid through the secondary fluid inlet and the deflector guides the fluid radially outwardly toward the throat as the fluid is drawn into the chamber, whereby the fluid is mixed with the driver fluid to form a swirling flow of mixed fluid which advances through the venturi-like throat and into a diffuser as a swirling flow. The diffuser guides the swirling flow of mixed fluids from the throat along a path of increasing radius to compress the mixed fluids to ambient pressure at the diffuser outlet and blocking flow of fluid at ambient pressure through the diffuser to the throat.