HIGH EFFICIENCY ASPIRATOR FOR INFLATABLE EMERGENCY SLIDES

Abstract

An aspirator assembly for inflating an emergency slide. The aspirator assembly includes a bell housing, a mixing chamber, and a nozzle assembly. The bell housing includes a ring defining an inlet port at which a check valve is located and into which ambient air can flow. The mixing chamber has an outlet port, The nozzle assembly is located in the mixing chamber and includes plural passageway sections defining concentric rings and cross bars. The passageway sections include internal passageways in communication with plural nozzle jets through which a compressed air is introduced into the mixing chamber to mix with the ambient air. The passageway sections are of an airfoil shape cross-section having a rounded leading end directed towards the inlet port and a trailing end is directed toward the outlet port to reduce air turbulence within the mixing chamber.

Claims

1. An aspirator assembly for inflating inflatable devices, comprising: a mixing chamber having a distal portion comprising an outlet port, said mixing chamber being configured for connection to a bell housing that includes an ambient air inlet port and a check valve configured to enable ambient air to enter the ambient air inlet port when the check valve is open, said aspirator assembly defining a gas flow path between the inlet port and said outlet port, said gas flow path extending along a central longitudinal axis, said outlet port being configured to be coupled to an emergency evacuation inflatable device; and a nozzle assembly located in said mixing chamber and comprising a primary gas inlet port and a plurality of passageway sections, said passageway sections having internal passageways in fluid communication with said primary gas inlet port, said passageway sections including plural nozzle jets extending in a direction toward said outlet port, said passageway sections being of a generally symmetrical cambered top and bottom airfoil shaped cross-section comprising a rounded leading end and a tapering trailing end, said leading end being directed towards said inlet port, said trailing end being directed toward said outlet port, whereupon pressurized primary gas introduced into said primary gas inlet port flows through said internal passageways to said nozzle jets from which it exits, thereby producing a venturi effect and partial vacuum adjacent said nozzle assembly within said mixing chamber to thereby cause the check valve to open, whereupon ambient air is drawn into said mixing chamber and around said nozzle assembly to said outlet port, said generally symmetrical cambered top and bottom airfoil shaped cross-sectional shape of said passageway sections serving to reduce turbulent flow of ambient air around said nozzle assembly.

2. The aspirator assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said nozzle jets is a tubular member and wherein each of said tubular members includes an open free end and a sidewall tapering in thickness toward said free end.

3. The aspirator assembly of claim 2, wherein plural ones of said passageway sections conjoin with each other to form at least one ring-like structure.

4. The aspirator assembly of claim 1, wherein plural ones of said passageway sections conjoin with each other to form a first elongated linear structure, and plural ones of said passageway sections form a second elongated linear structure, said first elongated linear structure extending perpendicularly to said second elongated linear structure.

5. The aspirator assembly of claim 4, wherein plural ones of said passageway sections conjoin with each other to form a first elongated linear structure, and plural ones of said passageway sections form a second elongated linear structure, said first elongated linear structure extending perpendicularly to said second elongated linear structure.

6. The aspirator assembly of claim 5, wherein said passageway sections are located in a plane extending perpendicularly to said central longitudinal axis.

7. The aspirator assembly of claim 4, wherein said first elongated linear structure includes an end portion at which said primary gas inlet port is located.

8. The aspirator assembly of claim 1 additionally comprising a bell housing, wherein said bell housing comprises a ring, a pair of resilient flap sections, and a support member, said ring having an outer surface and a generally planar undersurface, said undersurface forming a valve seat, said support member mounting said flap sections immediately adjacent said ring so that said flap sections are normally in engagement with said valve seat, but which flex upon the existence of said partial vacuum within said mixing chamber to move off of said valve seat.

9. The aspirator assembly of claim 8 wherein said outer surface of said ring is a rounded convex surface.

10. The aspirator assembly of claim 9, wherein said resilient flap sections comprises a unitary base member of circular profile and a pair of almost semi-circular sections, said base member having a pair of grooves, each of said grooves forming a respective flexure line, each said almost semi-circular sections having a linear edge and being secured to said base section, with said linear edge being located immediately adjacent a respective one of said flexure lines.

11. The aspirator assembly of claim 10, wherein said ring includes a central opening and wherein said support member comprises a bar-like member secured within said opening, said base member being fixedly secured to said support member between said flexure lines.

12. A nozzle assembly for use in an aspirator assembly for inflating inflatable emergency evacuation devices, the aspirator assembly having a proximal end including an ambient air inlet port and a check valve, a mixing chamber, and a distal end having an outlet port, the mixing chamber defining a gas flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port, said nozzle assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a primary gas inlet port; and a plurality of passageway sections, said passageway sections having internal passageways in fluid communication with a primary gas inlet port for receipt of a pressurized primary gas therein, said passageway sections including plural nozzle jets extending in a first direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said passageway sections being of a generally symmetrical cambered top and bottom airfoil shape cross section comprising a rounded leading end and a tapering trailing end, said leading end being directed in a second direction opposite to said first direction, said trailing end being directed in said first direction, said nozzle assembly being configured whereupon pressurized primary gas introduced into said primary gas inlet port flows through said internal passageways to said nozzle jets from which it exits.

13. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein each of said nozzle jets is a tubular member.

14. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein each of said tubular members includes an open free end and a sidewall tapering in thickness toward said free end.

15. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein plural ones of said passageway sections conjoin with each other to form at least one ring-like structure.

16. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein plural ones of said passageway sections conjoin with each other to form a first elongated linear structure, and plural ones of said passageway sections form a second elongated linear structure, said first elongated linear structure extending perpendicularly to said second elongated linear structure.

17. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein said passageway sections are located in a plane extending perpendicularly to said central longitudinal axis.

18. The nozzle assembly of claim 12, wherein said first elongated linear structure includes an end portion at which said primary gas inlet port is located.

19. A bell housing for use in an aspirator assembly for inflating inflatable emergency evacuation devices, the aspirator assembly having a mixing chamber, a nozzle assembly, and a distal end having an outlet port, the mixing chamber defining a gas flow path between an inlet port and the outlet port, said nozzle assembly being configured to introduce a pressurized primary gas into the mixing chamber, said bell housing being configured to form a check valve for an inlet port of the aspirator assembly and comprising: a ring having an outer surface and a generally planar undersurface, said undersurface forming a valve seat; a support member; and a pair of resilient flap sections mounted immediately adjacent said ring by said support member, whereupon said flap sections are normally in engagement with said valve seat, but which flex upon the existence of a partial vacuum within said mixing chamber to move off of said valve seat.

20. The housing of claim 20, wherein said outer surface of said ring is a rounded convex surface, wherein said resilient flap sections comprises a unitary base member of circular profile and a pair of almost semi-circular sections, said base member having a pair of grooves, each of said grooves forming a respective flexure line, each said almost semi-circular sections having a linear edge and being secured to said base section, with said linear edge being located immediately adjacent a respective one of said flexure lines, and wherein said ring includes a central opening and wherein said support member comprises a bar-like member secured within said opening, said base member being fixedly secured to said support member between said flexure lines.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0031] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of an aspirator assembly for inflating an inflatable emergency slide, e.g., an aircraft evacuation slide;

[0032] FIG. 2 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 from the opposite side;

[0033] FIG. 3 is an is isometric view similar to FIG. 1, but with a portion of the aspirator assembly omitted so that a nozzle assembly which is located within the aspirator assembly can be readily seen;

[0034] FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 3;

[0035] FIG. 5 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 4, but taken from the opposite side of the nozzle assembly:

[0036] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional isometric view of the nozzle assembly taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0037] FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of the nozzle assembly shown in FIGS. 3-6;

[0038] FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a slightly reduced side elevational view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a slightly reduced side elevational view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 7;

[0041] FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 7;

[0042] FIG. 12 is an enlarged isometric view of the proximal end of the aspirator assembly shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the ingress of ambient air into the bell housing of the aspirator assembly during its operation;

[0043] FIG. 13 is an enlarged exploded isometric view of the components making up the bell housing shown in FIG. 12;

[0044] FIG. 14 is an enlarged exploded isometric view of the components making up the bell housing shown in FIG. 12, but taken from an opposite direction; and

[0045] FIG. 15 is another enlarged exploded isometric view of the components making up the bell housing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, with some of those components shown in their assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like parts there is shown at 20 in FIG. 1 one exemplary embodiment of an aspirator assembly constructed in accordance with this invention. The aspirator assembly 20 is configured so that it can be used in a similar manner to prior art aspirator assemblies to effect the rapid inflation of emergency evacuation slides, life-rafts or other inflatable emergency evacuation devices. However, the aspirator assembly of the subject invention is more efficient than prior art aspirator assemblies due to the construction of various of its components. Like prior art aspirator assemblies, the aspirator assembly 20 of this invention basically comprises an aspirator body 22, a bell housing 24 and a nozzle assembly 26 (FIG. 3). The aspirator body is very similar to that of the prior art, whereas the bell housing and the nozzle assembly are considerably different, as will be described later.

[0047] Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, the details of the aspirator body 22 will be discussed. As can be seen the body 22 is a hollow tubular member having a central longitudinal axis X and is composed of a main section 28 and an extension section 30. The main section 28 comprises a sidewall of cylindrical shape and constant diameter. The extension section 30 is fixedly secured to the main section and is also of cylindrical shape. However, the section 30 includes three portions 30A, 30B and 30C, whose respective sidewalls are of different shapes. In particular, the sidewall of the proximal end portion 30A is cylindrical and configured to be received within the distal end of the sidewall of the main section 28 to secure the extension section to the main section. The sidewall of the intermediate portion 30B of the extension section is also cylindrical, but flares outward at a slight angle with respect to the longitudinal axis X in the distal direction from the portion 30A. The sidewall of the distal end portion 22C of the extension section is also cylindrical, but flares outward at a greater angle with respect to the longitudinal axis X in the distal direction from the intermediate portion 30B. The free end of the section 30C is open and forms the outlet port 32 of the aspirator assembly 22. As is conventional, the outlet port 32 is configured to be located within an inflatable slide (not shown), life-raft (not shown), or other inflatable emergency evacuation device to effect the rapid inflation thereof.

[0048] The bell housing 24 is mounted at the proximal end of the main section 28 of the aspirator body 22. The details of the bell housing 24 will be described later. Suffice it for now to state that the bell housing forms the inlet port 34 of the aspirator assembly 20. A check valve 36 (FIGS. 1 and 5), which forms a portion of the bell housing, and which includes a pair of flap sections 38A and 38B, is located at the inlet port 34. The check valve is configured such that when it is opened it enables ambient air to flow through the inlet port into the interior of the aspirator body. A portion of the interior of the aspirator body forms a mixing chamber in which a compressed gas, e.g., air, is introduced to mix with ambient air drawn through the inlet port such that the mixed gas exits the outlet port 32 to effect the inflation of the evacuation device.

[0049] Turning now to FIGS. 4-11, the details of the nozzle assembly 26 will now be described. The nozzle assembly 26 serves as the means for injecting the compressed gas into the mixing chamber. The nozzle assembly basically comprises a concentric ring-like, cross-braced member made up of plural conjoined passageway sections including internal passageways and plural nozzle jets in fluid communication with the internal passageways. In particular, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 the nozzle assembly comprises an outer ring 40, an inner ring 42, a linear section 44, and a linear section 46. The inner ring 42 is located centered within the outer ring 40. The linear sections 44 and 46 intersect and extend perpendicularly to each other to serve as a cross brace for mounting the nozzle assembly within the main section 28 of the aspirator body. To that end, the linear section 44 is composed of two coplanar half passageway sections 44A and 44B which are conjoined to each another. In a similar manner, the linear section 46 is composed of two coplanar half passageway sections 46A and 46B which are conjoined to each other. The outer ring 40 composed of four coplanar quarter ring passageway sections 40A, 40B, 40C and 40D which are conjoined with one another. Similarly, the inner ring 42 is composed of four coplanar quarter ring passageway sections 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D which are conjoined with one another.

[0050] As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 all of the passageway sections 40A-46B of the nozzle assembly lie in a common plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. Each of the passageway sections 40A-46B includes an internal passageway 48 extending therethrough, with the passageways of each of those passageway sections being in fluid communication with each other. The end of the passageway 48 in the passageway section 46B forms the primary gas inlet port of the nozzle assembly. In particular, the end portion of the passageway section 46B is in the form of an enlarged head 50 having an internally threaded opening 52 which is internally threaded and is configured to be connected via a conventional threaded connector (not shown) to a source of compressed primary gas (not shown). Thus, the compressed primary gas introduced into the gas inlet port 52 will flow down through all of the interconnected internal passageways 48 to all of the nozzle jets.

[0051] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end of the internal passageway 48 in the passageway section 46A is in the form of an internally threaded opening 54. The internally threaded opening 54 is configured to receive a threaded fastener (not shown) for mounting the nozzle assembly 22 within the main section 28 of the aspirator body. The ends of the passageways 48 in the passageway sections 44A and 44B are also each in the form of an internally threaded opening 54 that is configured to receive a respective threaded fastener (not shown) for mounting the nozzle assembly 22 within the main section 28 of the aspirator body.

[0052] Each of the conjoined passageway sections 40A-46B includes at least one nozzle jet 56. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 7 the nozzle jets of the outer ring 40 are equidistantly spaced in a circle from one another. The nozzle jets of the inner ring 42 coupled with the nozzle jets of the linear section 44 are also equidistantly spaced in a circle from one another. It should be point out at this juncture that the number and location of the nozzle jets can be modified if desired, depending up the application to which the aspirator assembly of this invention is to be put. Thus, the particular configuration and arrangement of the nozzle jets as shown and described heretofore is merely exemplary of various possible arrangements and configurations.

[0053] In any case, as best seen in FIG. 8, each nozzle jet is a hollow tubular member having a central passageway 58 (FIG. 1ie in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. Each of the nozzle jets 34 is a tubular member having an open free end 58, and a central passageway 60 extending from the passageway 48 in the associated passageway section to the open free end. The nozzle jets extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X and face towards the outlet port 28 of the mixing chamber when the nozzle assembly is mounted within the aspirator body.

[0054] The introduction of the compressed primary gas into the gas inlet port 50 causes that gas to flow through the internal passageways 48 in the passageway sections 40A to 46B and out through the open free ends 58 of the nozzle jets 56. That action creates a venturi effect adjacent the nozzle jets, whereupon a partial vacuum results within the mixing chamber. That partial vacuum is sufficient to cause the check valve 36 to open very quickly, i.e., the ambient air pressure outside of the aspirator assembly is greater than the cracking pressure of the valve, whereupon the check valve's flap sections 38A and 38B flex inward so that ambient air is drawn into the mixing chamber. That ambient air mixes with the compressed air exiting the nozzle jets to create an air flow path from the inlet port 34 to the outlet port 32, whereupon the mixed air exits the outlet port to result in the rapid inflation of the evacuation device.

[0055] As mentioned earlier, the cross sectional shape of the passageway sections 40A-46B of the nozzle assembly is particularly chosen to result in optimal air flow effects adjacent the nozzle assembly as the ambient air is mixed with the compressed air in the flow path. By so doing, the nozzle assembly is able to operate more efficiently than conventional nozzle assemblies. In particular, the cross sectional shape of the passageway sections 40A-46B making up the nozzle assembly are all of identical cross sectional shape. That shape, is best seen in FIG. 11 and is a generally symmetrical cambered top and bottom airfoil shape that comprises a rounded leading end 62 facing the inlet port 34, and a tapering trailing end 64 facing the outlet port 32. Being of an airfoil like shape there will be reduced air turbulence around the nozzle assembly. The effect of reduced turbulence renders the nozzle assembly approximately twenty-three percent more efficient than prior art nozzle assemblies. As will be appreciate by those skilled in the art, such an increased efficiency will result in faster inflation of the inflatable evacuation device to which the aspirator of this invention is connected.

[0056] In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention, the thickness of the sidewall making up each nozzle jet 56 tapers downward at a shallow angle, e.g., 7 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the passageway 60, in the direction toward the free end 58 of the nozzle. This taper results in both increasing the speed at which the compressed primary gas exits the nozzle jets, and also optimizing the amount of gas turbulence in the vicinity of the nozzle jets.

[0057] Turning now to FIGS. 12-15, the details of the bell housing 24 will now be described. The bell housing basically comprises housing comprises a ring 66, the heretofore mentioned pair of resilient flap sections 38A and 38B, and a support member 68. The ring includes a central opening which forms the heretofore identified inlet port 34, curved proximal (outer) surface 70 (FIG. 13) and a generally planar inner or undersurface 72 from which an annular wall 74 projects. The inner surface of the annular wall 74 is flush with the central opening 34. The undersurface 76 of the annular wall forms the valve seat of the check valve 36. The outer surface of the annular wall is configured to fit within the open end of the main body section 28 of the aspirator body to mount the bell housing and the check valve thereon.

[0058] The check valve is formed of the heretofore two flap sections 38A and 38B, which are mounted on respective portions of a resilient disk-shaped member 78. The disk-shaped member 78 is configured to flex into and out of engagement with the valve seat to close and open the check valve. To that end the disk-shaped member 78 is formed of a resilient material, e.g., metal with a rubberized coating to create the seal with the valve seat, and is of circular profile, the outer diameter of which is equal to the outer diameter of the valve seat 76. The distal surface of the disk-shaped member 78 includes a circular recess 80 configured to receive the two almost semi-circular flap sections 38A and 38B. The undersurface of the disk-shaped member 78 includes a pair of linear grooves 82 extending across a central portion of the disk-shaped member. The grooves 82 form respective flexure or hinge lines about which portions of the disk-like member 78 can flex. The spacing the grooves serves as connection area for mounting the disk-shaped member onto the support member 68. The support member 68 is a bar-like member which includes a planar undersurface 84 which engages the bottom surface of the circular recess 80 between the two linear grooves 82. Plural fasteners (not shown) are provided to extend through holes in the support member 68 and the disk-shaped member to fixedly secure the disk-shaped member to it. Each end of the support member includes a notch 86, which is configured to be received within a correspondingly shaped slot 88 in the ring 66 to mount the support member to the ring, with the movable valve element made up by the disk-shaped member 78 being located within the inlet port 34.

[0059] Each of the two flap sections 38A and 38B is of a profile which is almost semi-circular in shape to fit within respective portions of the circular recess 80 on either side of the support member 68. In particular, each flap member includes a circular portion of less than 180 degrees and a linear section connecting the ends of the circular portion. The flap members are permanently secured within their respective portions of the circular recess 80 by any suitable means, e.g., an adhesive, and are preferably sufficiently thin so that they are flush with the top or proximal surface of the disk-shaped member surrounding the circular recess when they are mounted therein. Due to the natural resiliency of the material making up the disk-shaped member 78, the portion of the upper (proximal) surface of that member which surrounds the circular recess 80 will normally be in engagement with the valve seat and the check valve will thus be normally closed. Preferably, the flap sections 38A and 38B are formed of any suitable material to provide some degree of rigidity to the portions of the disk-shaped member 78 to which they are secured to ensure that there is good engagement of the disk-shaped member with the valve seat when the valve is closed. The disk-shaped member is configured to readily flex along the flexure lines 82 when the cracking pressure of the check valve has been exceeded, whereupon the upper surface portions of the disk-like member surrounding the circular recess 80 move out of engagement with the valve seat and the valve opens. That action occurs, as noted earlier, when the compressed primary gas is introduced into the nozzle assembly. The natural resiliency of the material making up the disk-shaped member 78 will cause it to automatically flex back to its generally planar state, when the air pressure within the mixing chamber is below the cracking pressure of the check valve. This action is important, since once the aspirator assembly of this invention has inflated the inflatable evacuation device and the source of the compressed primary gas shut off, the valve should quickly close to prevent deflation of the inflatable evacuation device.

[0060] As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rounded or arcuate shape of the outer (proximal) surface 70 of the ring 66, and the rounded or arcuate shape of the outer (proximal) surface of the support member, results in less air turbulence at the inlet port. That action also increases the efficiency of the aspirator assembly of this invention. In this regard, those portions of the bell housing enable an increase in efficiency of approximately seven percent. Thus, the bell housing constructed in accordance with this invention, when used in conjunction with a nozzle assembly constructed in accordance with this invention can result in an efficiency improvement of approximately thirty percent as compared to the prior art.

[0061] It should be pointed out at this juncture that the device 20 as described above is merely exemplary of various components and arrangements that can be used to achieve the ends of this invention. Moreover, while the device of this invention has been described in the context of use with inflatable emergency evacuation devices, it should be noted that that is merely exemplary. Thus, the device of this invention can be used with any inflatable device to inflate it. Thus devices other than that specifically described above can be constructed in accordance with the teaching of this invention.

[0062] Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.