JP2016500414A - Vacuum ejector with multi-nozzle drive stage - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a multi-stage ejector for generating a vacuum across a first drive stage comprising a drive nozzle array for generating a drive flow of air from a compressed air source in order to reduce its size, The drive nozzle array comprises two or more nozzles, the two or more nozzles causing air in a space around an air jet to be taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the drive stage. And each air jet is disposed substantially directly together into a common outlet of the first drive stage, the outlet of the drive stage being a second stage focus-diffusion nozzle. And the focusing-diffusion nozzle causes air in the space around the second stage air jet to be taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the second stage. Serial are arranged air so as to substantially direct into the outlet directly the second stage, to provide an ejector.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vacuum ejector driven by compressed air.

  Vacuum pumps are known that use a compressed air source (or other high pressure fluid source) to generate a negative pressure or vacuum in the surrounding space. A compressed air driven ejector operates by accelerating high pressure air through the drive nozzle, causing it to be ejected at high speed as an air jet across the gap between the drive nozzle and the outlet flow path or outlet nozzle. The fluid medium in the surrounding space between the drive nozzle and the outlet nozzle is taken into the high velocity stream of compressed air, and the jet of air from the entrained medium and the compressed air source is ejected through the outlet nozzle. This ejection of fluid in the space between the drive nozzle and outlet nozzle creates this fluid or medium in the space around the air jet previously occupied by negative pressure or vacuum.

  For any given source of compressed air (sometimes referred to as driving fluid), the nozzle of the vacuum ejector produces a high volume flow but does not obtain a high negative pressure (ie the absolute pressure does not drop accordingly) Or to obtain a higher negative pressure (i.e. lower absolute pressure) but not to achieve a higher volumetric flow rate. As such, any individual pair of drive nozzle and outlet nozzle will be adapted to produce a high volume flow rate or to achieve a high negative pressure.

  A high negative pressure is desirable to generate a maximum pressure difference from atmospheric pressure, such as for lift applications, thereby generating a maximum suction force that can be applied by the negative pressure. At the same time, the high volume flow rate allows the space to be evacuated in a vacuum conveyor application to be fast enough to allow repeated operation of the associated vacuum device or to carry a sufficient volume of material. It is necessary to ensure that it can be emptied equally.

  In order to achieve both a high ultimate vacuum level and a high total volume flow, a so-called multistage ejector has been devised, comprising three or more nozzles arranged in series in the housing, each having a series of adjacent pairs. The nozzles define each stage for generating a negative pressure in the gap between two adjacent nozzles. Also, in general, each series of any pair of nozzles can be adjusted to produce a high volume flow rate or to achieve a high negative pressure for a given source of compressed air.

  In such a multi-stage ejector, the front stage produces the highest level of negative pressure, i.e., the lowest absolute pressure, while the rear stage provides a continuously lower negative pressure level, i.e., higher absolute pressure, but the volume of the ejector device. Increase overall throughput. To apply the vacuum generated between multiple stages to the desired vacuum device or to the space to be evacuated, successive stages are typically connected to a common collection chamber while the valves are Being provided for each successive stage at least after the first drive stage, the latter stage collects when the negative pressure in the collection chamber drops below the negative pressure that can be generated by the second and subsequent stages. It can be shut off from the chamber.

  The drive stage is the only stage connected to a source of compressed fluid (compressed air), so that the compressed fluid flow through all subsequent stages and nozzles before the drive and entrained fluid is ejected from the vacuum ejector. So called from carrying.

  To achieve fluid entrapment between each successive stage, the series of nozzles have through channels with progressively increasing cross-sectional open areas to capture air or other media in the surrounding space into the high velocity jet stream. A high velocity fluid stream is sent through the through channel. The nozzles between each stage form an outlet nozzle for one stage and an inlet nozzle for the next stage, continuously accelerating the flow of air and other media to direct a high-speed jet of fluid across each successive stage. Configured to let

  Although various compressed fluids can be used as the drive fluid, this type of multi-stage ejector is typically driven by compressed air and most commonly is a medium that will be discharged from the space surrounding the jet stream Is used to take in air over each stage through each gap of a series of nozzles.

  One design of a multi-stage ejector that has gained commercial success is a series of nozzles in an axial arrangement within a substantially cylindrical housing that incorporates a series of intake ports in communication with each stage of the ejector. Is to have. These intake ports include a valve member suitable for selectively communicating each stage with the air in the surrounding space. With such a configuration, the cylinder is formed as a so-called ejector cartridge, which is used to evacuate the surrounding chamber when installed inside a housing module or in a suitably sized bore hole. Can be used. The surrounding chamber is further fluidly coupled to a vacuum device, and a negative pressure will be applied to the vacuum device.

  Such a device is disclosed in the following patent document 1 in the name of PIAB AB and is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the present application.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the ejector cartridge 1 includes four jet-shaped nozzles 2, 3, 4, and 5 that define a through channel 6 having an increasing cross-sectional opening area. These nozzles are arranged in series with the ends connected, with each slot 7, 8, and 9 in between.

  The nozzles 2, 3, 4, and 5 are formed in the form of nozzle bodies designed to be combined together to form an integral nozzle body 1. A through opening 10 is disposed in the wall of the nozzle body to provide fluid communication with the outer surrounding space.

  Referring to FIG. 15, it is shown how the ejector cartridge 1 can be mounted in a bore hole or housing. The outer peripheral space corresponds to the chamber V to be exhausted. Each through-opening 10 can include a valve member 11 to selectively allow airflow or other fluid from the surrounding space V to flow into the space or chamber between each adjacent pair of nozzles. As shown in FIG. 15, the ejector cartridge 1 is mounted in a machine component 20 in which bore holes are drilled or otherwise formed. The ejector cartridge 1 extends from the inlet chamber i to the outlet chamber u and is arranged to evacuate three separate chambers that constitute the outer peripheral space V. Each chamber is isolated from an adjacent chamber by an O-ring 22. Although not shown, each chamber constituting the outer surrounding space V is connected to a common collection chamber or intake port to apply a negative pressure generated against an associated vacuum driven device such as an intake cup. .

  Such a multi-stage ejector device is advantageous in that it provides both a high volume flow rate and a high level of negative pressure, but in order to achieve the overall desired performance characteristics for the entire multi-stage ejector, There is still some compromise on stage design. Therefore, it has been proposed to further include a so-called booster nozzle provided in parallel with the drive nozzle of the multistage ejector. This booster nozzle is specifically designed to achieve the highest possible vacuum, but does not form part of the series of coaxially arranged nozzles that make up the multi-stage ejector. In this way, booster nozzles can be configured to achieve the highest level of vacuum possible, while a series of juxtaposed multi-stage ejector nozzles can tolerate high negative pressures (low absolute pressures) for a short period of time. And can be arranged to achieve a high volumetric throughput that can be realized in the space to be evacuated.

  Such a configuration is disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, as shown in FIG. In this configuration, ejector nozzles 12, 13, 14 arranged sequentially to evacuate the associated chambers 5, 6, 7 that are in communication with the vacuum collection compartment 16 through each port 18, 19, 20. , 15 sets are provided. Valves 21, 22, and 23 are provided for ports 18, 19, and 20, respectively.

  An additional pair of nozzles 24 and 25 are placed in a separate booster chamber 4 provided in parallel with the drive nozzle 12 of the multistage ejector and connected to the collection chamber 16 via a port 17. The booster stage is composed of a pair of nozzles 24 and 25, and the inlet nozzle 24 is connected to the inlet chamber 3 to which compressed air is supplied together with the drive nozzle 12 of the multi-stage ejector. The nozzle pairs 24 and 25 between the booster stages serve to generate the highest vacuum (lowest negative pressure) possible in the booster chamber 4. The compressed air jet generated by the nozzle 24 is ejected from the booster stage through the nozzle 25 into the same chamber 5, and in this chamber 5, the drive nozzle 12 propels the compressed air drive jet. In this way, the air released from the booster stage is taken into the drive jet stream that will be released from the multistage ejector. Furthermore, the vacuum generated by the drive stage of the multistage ejector is applied to the outlet of the nozzle 25, thereby increasing the pressure difference between the booster stages, so that the vacuum level that can be generated by the booster stage can be increased, i.e. realized. The absolute pressure you get decreases.

  In the operation of the vacuum ejector, the series of nozzles 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the multi-stage ejector causes the fluid from each chamber 5, 6, and 7 and the collection chamber 16 to flow into the jet stream formed by each successive stage of the ejector. By taking in, it is possible to generate a high volume flow rate in order to quickly generate a vacuum to a low absolute pressure in the collection chamber 16 within a short period of time. The booster stage functions in parallel with the multi-stage ejector, but typically provides a low volume flow rate and therefore does not contribute significantly to the initial vacuum formation process. As the vacuum level in the collection chamber 16 increases (ie, the absolute pressure decreases), the associated valve members 23, 22, and 21 are associated with each chamber 7, 6, 5 associated with the pressure in the vacuum collection chamber 16. It closes in order by dropping below the pressure inside. Eventually, the pressure in the collection chamber 16 will drop below the lowest pressure that any stage of the multistage ejector can generate, thereby closing all valves and then all further exhaust to the intake port 17. Through a booster stage that applies a suction force to the collection chamber 16 via

  Multi-stage ejectors and ejector cartridges such as those described above are commercially available in a variety of different industries and in particular in the manufacturing industry where such vacuum ejectors are connected to an intake cup and can be used to pick up and place components during the assembly process. Has been successful.

  Due to the ever-increasing demand for high vacuum levels (low absolute pressure) in processes such as degassing, dehumidification, hydraulic system filling, forced filtration, etc., high levels of negative pressure to perform these and other processes There is a growing demand for vacuum ejectors that can repeatedly supply (ie low absolute pressure).

  In this connection, at a remote location on the machine without negatively affecting the overall dimensions of the machine (ie at the end of the machine arm and at a significant distance from the final source of compressed air). There is an increasing trend towards smaller ejectors that can achieve the desired exhaust performance. In particular, there is a need for an ejector device that can apply a vacuum to a work area that has a small footprint and is thus becoming increasingly compact.

International Publication No. 99/49216 US Pat. No. 4,395,202

  First, the present invention is a multi-stage ejector for generating a vacuum over a first drive stage including a drive nozzle array for generating a drive flow of air from a compressed air source. And the two or more nozzles together with each air jet so that air in the space around the air jet is taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the drive stage. Arranged to feed substantially directly into a common outlet of the first drive stage, wherein the outlet of the drive stage is the inlet of a second stage focusing-diffusion nozzle; A diffusion nozzle substantially directly directs the air so that air in the space around the second stage air jet is taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the second stage. Previous It is arranged so as to direct into the outlet of the second stage, to provide an ejector.

  Alternatively, the present invention is a multi-stage ejector, preferably a cartridge, for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, the drive nozzle chamber for generating a vacuum therein, A driving nozzle chamber having an inlet and an outlet at both ends; an outlet channel disposed at the outlet of the driving nozzle chamber; and two or more driving nozzles disposed at the inlet of the driving nozzle chamber. A drive nozzle array comprising: a drive nozzle array, wherein the two or more drive nozzles are aligned in common with the outlet flow path.

Furthermore, the present invention is a method for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, wherein the compressed air is supplied to a drive nozzle array having at least two drive nozzles, so that each air jet from each of the drive nozzles. And directing the plurality of air jets together from each of the drive nozzles substantially directly into the focus-diffusion nozzle inlet, wherein the focus-diffusion nozzle inlet is A step located as a common outlet flow path for air jets from the drive nozzles downstream of the drive nozzle array, and by taking air into the jet stream from the surrounding space, Generating a vacuum upstream of the inlet; generating a jet of air at the focus-diffusion nozzle; and Some jet stream from, by taking air from the surrounding space, said focusing the steps of: - generating a vacuum downstream of the diffusion nozzles,
A method comprising:

  A further inventive method is a method of manufacturing an ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, comprising providing a drive nozzle array having at least two drive nozzles and providing a drive nozzle chamber. Providing a driving nozzle chamber having an inlet and an outlet at both ends of the driving nozzle chamber, and providing a second stage chamber as an outlet channel of the driving nozzle chamber, Providing the second stage chamber having an inlet of the second stage chamber connected to an outlet, such that at least two drive nozzles are aligned in common with the inlet of the outlet flow path; Attaching the drive nozzle array to the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber. The law can be considered.

  Finally, as one of the original methods, a method of manufacturing an ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, the step of providing a drive nozzle chamber, wherein an inlet is provided at both ends of the drive nozzle chamber. And providing a driving nozzle chamber having an outlet, providing a driving nozzle array having at least two driving nozzles at the inlet of the driving nozzle chamber, providing a focusing-diffusion outlet channel, and the outlet channel. Attaching the focus-diffusion outlet channel to the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber such that the inlet of the nozzle is commonly aligned with each of the at least two drive nozzles.

  Adopting the drive nozzle array in the multistage ejector is advantageous because the size of the ejector can be reduced first. Compared to a conventional ejector of equivalent performance, the present invention can reduce the length by up to 50% without increasing other dimensions.

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention and to illustrate the manner in which it may be practiced, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:
1 is a longitudinal axial cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an ejector cartridge according to the present invention as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector cartridge. FIG. 1B is a perspective side view of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 1A from the same direction as FIG. 1A. The present invention is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector cartridge, but with a separate flap valve instead of the single valve member of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal axial sectional view of a second embodiment of an ejector cartridge according to the present invention. Longitudinal axial cross section of a single ejector housing body defining the second stage and outlet nozzle of the ejector cartridge of FIGS. 1A and 2 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector cartridge FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal axial cross-sectional view of a single drive stage housing piece comprising the second stage nozzle of FIGS. 1A and 2 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector cartridge. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal axial sectional view of the drive nozzle piece of FIGS. 1A and 2 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow through the ejector cartridge. Enlarged partial longitudinal direction detailing one form of drive nozzle that may be used in the drive nozzle array of an ejector disclosed herein as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the drive nozzle It is an axial sectional view. 5B is a longitudinal axial sectional view of a second embodiment of an ejector cartridge according to the invention, shown along the parting line AA in FIG. 5B. FIG. 5B is an axial end view of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A as viewed from the outlet end of the cartridge. FIG. The ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector, showing the relationship between the ejector array nozzle group and the inner diameter of the second stage focusing-diffusion nozzle. It is a longitudinal direction axial sectional view similarly shown in detail. The longitudinal axial direction of the single ejector housing body defining the drive stage, the second stage, and the outlet nozzle of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector. It is sectional drawing. Longitudinal axial cross-section when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow passing through, and axial direction from the outlet end of the second stage nozzle piece of FIG. 5A incorporating an integral valve member It is an end view. FIG. 5B is a longitudinal axial sectional view when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow passing through, and an axial end view from the outlet end of the drive nozzle piece of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A. The longitudinal axis of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A, parallel to the direction of the air flow passing through, shows in detail how the second stage nozzle piece and the drive nozzle piece are mounted in the ejector housing body. FIG. An alternative embodiment of a unitary ejector housing body that is similar to the unitary ejector housing body of FIG. 5A but has a modified diffusing nozzle section that can be used in place of the ejector housing of FIG. 5A, for the flow of air through the ejector. It is a longitudinal direction axial sectional view when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction. FIG. 6 shows a schematic comparison of flow development through a series of multi-stage nozzles with a single drive nozzle and flow development through a series of multi-stage nozzles with a drive nozzle array with four drive nozzles. . 1B shows an embodiment of an ejector with the ejector cartridge of FIG. 1A mounted in an ejector housing module and coupled to a mounting plate, showing an ejector housing module in detail showing an inlet port, an outlet port, and an intake port It is a bottom view. 1B illustrates one embodiment of an ejector having the ejector cartridge of FIG. 1A mounted in an ejector housing module and coupled to a mounting plate, detailing how the cartridge of FIG. 1A is mounted in the housing module It is a longitudinal direction axial sectional view of an ejector housing module when it sees in the direction perpendicular | vertical to the direction of the airflow which passes an ejector shown in FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of an ejector having the ejector cartridge of FIG. 1A mounted in an ejector housing module and coupled to a mounting plate, including the location of mounting holes for coupling the housing module to the mounting plate; It is an upper surface top view of an ejector housing module. 11A-11C has an ejector housing module similar to that of FIG. 11A, except that the ejector cartridge of FIG. 5A is mounted in place of the ejector cartridge of FIG. 1A and further includes a booster ejector module mounted between the mounting plate and the ejector housing module. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal axial sectional view of the ejector having a longitudinal direction when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of airflow passing through the ejector cartridge. FIG. 2 shows a prior art ejector unit comprising a booster stage incorporated in a common housing in parallel with a series of multi-stage ejector nozzles in line. It is sectional drawing of the ejector cartridge of a prior art. It is sectional drawing of the ejector cartridge of a prior art, and is a figure which shows the cartridge attached in the housing unit of an ejector.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals have been used throughout the description of various embodiments to refer to like features.

  1A and 1B show a first embodiment of an ejector according to the present invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B is configured as an ejector cartridge 100. Such a cartridge is intended to be installed in an ejector housing module or a bore or chamber formed in an associated piece of equipment that defines the space to be evacuated by the ejector cartridge.

  Although the most preferred embodiment of an ejector as shown in the figure is designed to operate with air as the drive fluid and as the fluid to be exhausted, this ejector can be used with any gas as the drive fluid and with any exhaust target. Applicable to any gas as a fluid. The driving fluid has a main direction of movement or flow through the ejector. This direction is shown horizontally in the figure and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ejector starting from the inlet 114. In the following, this direction is called the air flow direction.

  The ejector cartridge 100 is a multistage ejector having a first drive stage 100A and a second stage 100B for generating each vacuum between the stages.

  The drive stage includes a drive nozzle array 110 that directs a high velocity air jet flow into the inlet of the second stage nozzle 132 by accelerating the compressed air supplied to the inlet 114 of the drive nozzle array 110. Are arranged as follows. The second stage nozzle 132 is similarly arranged to launch an air jet stream into the outlet nozzle 146 of the ejector cartridge.

  Unlike the ejector cartridge shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the present application having a single drive nozzle, the ejector cartridge 100 includes a drive nozzle array 110 having a plurality of drive nozzles 120. The drive nozzle 120 is configured to generate an air jet of high-speed air over the drive stage of the ejector cartridge 100, and each jet flow generated by each drive nozzle 120 is in the inlet 131 of the second stage nozzle 132. Grouped together to be sent together.

  In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 111 denotes a view of the nozzle array 110 when viewed from the second stage drive nozzle 132. The view 111 is illustrated within the second stage nozzle 132, but this was done solely for illustration purposes. As schematically shown in FIG. 1A, the drive nozzle array 110 includes four drive nozzles 120, which have four drive nozzle outlets viewed axially along the central axis CL of the ejector cartridge 100. In some cases, they are grouped together in a 2 × 2 matrix so that they lie within a boundary perimeter substantially equal to the minimum inner diameter of the second stage nozzle 132. This is illustrated in FIG. 1A by a circle drawn partially along the length of the second stage nozzle 132, which is a second stage nozzle perpendicular to the central axis CL. And has four smaller circles drawn in the outer periphery thereof, the small circles of which the outlet positions of the four drive nozzles 120 are of the second stage in the direction of the central axis CL. Figure 3 shows how any of the nozzle inlets can be arranged to align. This larger circle and the four smaller circles do not represent structural features partially along the second stage nozzle 132, but are grouped with respect to the cross section of the second stage nozzle. It will be appreciated that the projection of the nozzle array is created to show the relative concentric and coaxial alignment of these components along the central axis CL. The same is true for similar circle groups shown partially along the second stage nozzle of FIGS.

  Following the drive nozzle array in the direction of airflow through the ejector is a second stage nozzle 132 and outlet nozzle 146. These nozzles are each provided as a single focusing-diffusion nozzle provided in series with the drive nozzle array 110 along the central axis CL. Thus, when compressed air is supplied to the inlet 114 of the drive nozzle piece 112 at the inlet of the ejector cartridge 100, a high-speed air jet is generated by each nozzle 120 and the drive air jet is a second stage nozzle 132. A jet stream is formed along with the inside of the inlet 131. In this way, air or other in the space between the drive nozzle array 110 and the inlet 131 of the second stage nozzle 132, particularly in the space around each drive jet generated by each drive nozzle 120. Fluid medium is entrained in the jet stream and driven into the second stage nozzle 132.

  The amount of compressed air supplied and the delivery pressure can vary depending on the size of the ejector and the desired exhaust characteristics. For smaller ejectors, a consumption range of about 0.1 to about 0.2 Nl / s (normalized liters per second) at a delivery pressure of about 0.1 to about 0.25 MPa is usually sufficient. Thus, large ejectors typically consume about 1.25 to about 1.75 Nl / s at about 0.4 to about 0.6 MPa. Intermediate ranges for intermediate sizes are possible and general. While not wishing to be bound by these specific ranges, compressed air as used herein should be understood as having such properties.

  The fluid in the jet stream exiting the drive stage is then accelerated in the second stage focus-diffusion nozzle 132 to generate an air jet across the second stage 100B, which is then passed through the outlet nozzle 146. Head into the entrance. Similarly, air or other fluid medium in the space around the air jet generated by the second stage nozzle 132 is taken into the jet stream and ejected from the ejector cartridge 100 through the outlet nozzle 146. .

  As fluid is entrained in each jet stream in the first stage 100A and the second stage 100B, the circumference of the body of the respective ejector cartridge 100 associated with each of the first stage 100A and the second stage 100B A suction force is generated that tends to draw additional fluid medium from the ambient environment into the ejector cartridge 100 through the intake ports 142 and 144 disposed in As described above, the driving stage 100A generates a higher negative pressure (that is, a lower absolute pressure) than the second stage 100B. Accordingly, a valve member 135 is provided to selectively open and close the intake port 144 of the second stage 100B. The valve member 133 blocks the intake port 144 when the negative pressure generated in the surrounding space exceeds the negative pressure that can be generated in the second stage 100B. By closing these ports, the backflow of air exhausted by drive stage 100A is prevented. The backflow occurs as a result of this air re-entering the space to be evacuated from the second stage 100B through the intake port 144 under backflow conditions.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the valve member 135 is provided as a single body extending over the entire inner periphery of the second stage 100B of the vacuum ejector cartridge 100, and the negative pressure generated in the second stage 100B and the surroundings are provided. The intake port 144 is selectively opened and closed according to the pressure difference with the external vacuum condition in the space. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, a single member having a plurality of individual flap valve members or a plurality of individual valve flaps 135 may be provided, each associated with each intake port 144.

  As is apparent from FIG. 1B, the ejector cartridge 100 is formed as a substantially rotationally symmetric body that forms a rotating body about the central axis CL, except for the drive nozzle array 110 and the intake ports 142 and 144. The Strictly speaking, the portion provided with the drive nozzle array 110 and the intake ports 142 and 144 does not form a rotating body, but they can be arranged in rotational symmetry about the rotation axis CL, and therefore the central axis CL. It has only a very slight discontinuity in what is to be a rotating body centered on.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the ejector cartridge 100 is substantially along a length in a plane perpendicular to the central axis CL, ie perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the ejector cartridge 100. A substantially cylindrical ejector cartridge having a generally circular cross-sectional shape. However, it is not essential that the ejector cartridge 100 or its components be formed with a circular cross-section, and it is understood that various nozzles may be formed with a square or other non-circular cross-section, especially when suitable for a particular application. Let's do it. However, a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape is preferred for the ejector cartridge 100. Because, this allows the ejector cartridge 100 to be most easily installed in a bore hole or other ejector housing module using a suitable seal such as the O-rings 112a and 140a shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It is.

  With reference to the particular configuration of the ejector cartridge 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, it can be seen that the ejector cartridge is comprised of a two-part housing comprised of a second stage housing piece 140 and a drive stage housing piece 130. . A drive nozzle piece 112 defining a drive nozzle array 110 is mounted in the inlet end of the drive stage housing piece 130. In this embodiment, the valve member 135 is formed as a separate member and is mounted in a corresponding and preferably circumferential groove formed in the housing relative to the drive stage housing piece 130 to thereby provide the drive stage. When the housing piece 130 is inserted into the inlet end of the second stage housing piece 140, it is assembled to the ejector cartridge 100.

  3A to 3C, the components of the ejector cartridge 100 will be described in more detail.

  The second stage housing piece 140 includes an inlet portion having a receiving structure 145 configured to receive the drive stage housing piece 130, and the drive stage housing piece 130 receives the drive nozzle array 110. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the valve member 135 engages the receiving structure 145 and the second when the drive stage housing piece 130 is mounted within the inlet end of the second stage housing piece 140. It serves to form a seal between the second stage housing piece 140 and the drive stage housing piece 130.

  The second stage housing piece 140 defines a focusing-diffusion nozzle 146 that constitutes the outlet nozzle of the ejector cartridge 100. The focusing-diffusion nozzle 146 includes a focusing inlet section 147, a straight section 148, and a diffusion section 149. The straight section 148 can also be slightly diffuse. The second stage housing piece 140 also defines a second stage intake port 144. Air or other fluid medium in the surrounding space is drawn into the second stage through the intake port 144 and is ejected from the ejector cartridge 100 through the outlet nozzle 146.

  A special feature of the outlet nozzle 146 is that the diffusive section 149 is formed in part along the diffusion section 149 at a location closer to the outlet end of the nozzle 146 than the inlet of the diffusion section 149 in this example. It is a point provided with the shape expansion part 150. In the illustrated embodiment, this extension is located near the outlet end of outlet nozzle 146. The first section 149a of the diffusing nozzle section 149 extends from the straight section 148 with a divergence angle that can be substantially constant up to the point where the diametric stepped extension is formed at the acute angle 151. Preferably, the acute angle 151 is defined by an undercut in the diffusion section 149 of the nozzle 146. In the diametrically stepped extension 150, the wall of the diffusion section changes direction to form an acute angle 151, and the wall diffuses while extending axially toward the outlet end of the ejector cartridge 100. The state changes from a state in which it is diffused while extending in the axial direction toward the inlet end of the ejector cartridge 100 over a short distance, and then extends in the axial direction toward the outlet end of the cartridge 100. However, it returns to the diffusion state again. The second portion 149b as shown in the figure continues at the initial portion, i.e., immediately downstream of the acute angle portion, returning to the cylindrical linear wall shape, and then in a diffuse shape slightly before the outlet end of the cartridge 100. Since it may continue, the final inversion to the diffuse shape is arbitrary. The shape of the nozzle 146 serves to provide the desired characteristics of the ejector, keeping in mind that its shape serves to change the flow and pressure conditions within the nozzle to a less rapid expansion of the flow into atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it will be selected. In this way, the outlet end design of the cartridge 100 can be advantageously utilized to affect the pressure and flow conditions at the drive nozzle. As a result, those skilled in the art will have a higher degree of freedom in the design of the drive nozzle.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the diametrical step change is the diameter Di immediately before the step expansion at the acute angle portion 151 and the point 151 on the second diffusion portion 149b of the diffusion section 149, which is aligned with the point 151 in the radial direction. It can be measured by comparing the diameter Do immediately after the step expansion at 152. The diametrical step change creates a turbulent outlet flow along the nozzle wall by tripping the fluid flow in the diffusion section 149b of the nozzle 146, thereby reducing and correspondingly reducing friction at the outlet of the nozzle 146. Thus, the ejector cartridge 100 serves to improve the efficiency with which a vacuum can be generated from a given compressed air source.

  Preferably, the ratio of Di to Do is between 6 to 7 to 20 to 21, and most preferably about 94 to 105.

  Referring to FIG. 3B, a drive stage housing piece 130 that defines an inlet section in which an intake port 142 is formed is illustrated. Through this intake port 142, air or other fluid medium can be drawn into the drive stage that will be ejected through the second stage nozzle and outlet nozzle of the ejector cartridge 100. The drive stage housing piece 130 includes an annular groove 139 for receiving the valve body 135. On the other hand, the annular groove 139 may be provided as a series of individual grooves for receiving each valve member 135 for each intake opening 144.

  The drive stage housing piece 130 also forms a nozzle body that defines a focusing-diffusing second stage nozzle 132 having a focusing inlet section 136, a straight intermediate section 137, and a diffusion outlet section 138. The second stage nozzle defines an inlet 131 and an outlet 133. Further, the second stage nozzle piece 130 defines a receiving structure 134, such as in the form of an annular groove, for mounting the drive nozzle piece 112 within the inlet end of the drive stage housing piece 130. In this way, a notch or equivalent engagement structure may be provided on the drive nozzle piece 112 to engage the groove 134 or an annular O-ring seal 112b may be provided on the drive nozzle piece 112. And a drive stage housing piece 130 may be provided to be coupled together by being received within each of the grooves of these two components.

  Referring to FIG. 3C, the drive nozzle piece 112 with such an O-ring 112b to form a sealed interconnect with a receiving structure such as an annular groove 134 at the inlet end of the drive stage housing piece 130. Is illustrated. The drive nozzle piece 112 includes a drive nozzle array 110, and the drive nozzle array 110 includes a plurality of drive nozzles 120. The drive nozzle piece 112 includes an inlet 114 provided with a compressed air supply source for supplying compressed air to the drive nozzle 120 in order to generate each air jet of high-speed air from each drive nozzle 120. The fluid stream generated by the drive jet and any fluid medium entrapped therein can be generally referred to as a jet stream or a drive jet stream.

  FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the drive nozzle 120. In this case, the drive nozzle 120 is formed to have a circular cross-section when viewed in the axial direction of each nozzle, although non-circular cross-sections with equivalent fluid dynamic effects are also possible.

  Each drive nozzle 120 may be formed in the drive nozzle piece 112 to have a straight wall inlet flow section 122 and a diffusion outlet flow section 124 as shown in FIG. The straight wall inlet flow section does not converge or diffuse and has a rounded, rounded or chamfered edge at the inlet 121. The diffusion outlet flow section 124 extends from the outlet end of the straight wall section 122 so as to exhibit a gradual diffusion along its length towards the outlet end of the drive nozzle. In other words, the diffusing section 124 diffuses most at the inlet end of the outlet flow section 124, where it extends from the straight wall portion 122, and diffuses the least at the outlet end of the section 124. The diffusion section 124 may also include a further straight wall section 126 at the outlet end of the diffusion outlet flow section 124. When viewed in cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the drive nozzle 120, the diffusion section 124 is positioned with a focal point on the longitudinal central axis of the straight wall inlet flow section 122. And extending from the maximum diffusion end of the diffusion nozzle section 124 to the minimum diffusion end.

  If a straight wall section 126 is provided at the outlet of the drive nozzle 120, this section preferably has a length le of not more than 12%, preferably not more than 10% of the total length LN of the entire drive nozzle. .

  In contrast to the rounded, rounded or chamfered end of the inlet 121 of the drive nozzle 120, the outlet of the drive nozzle 120 is the end face of the nozzle body 112 where the drive nozzle 120 is formed. With an acute angle of substantially 90 °. This serves to assist in generating a coherent jet of high velocity air exiting the drive nozzle 120 when compressed air is supplied to the drive nozzle inlet 121 and accelerated through the drive nozzle 120.

  Such acceleration is primarily achieved in the diffusion section 124 of the nozzle 120 resulting in a diameter expansion from the inner diameter di at the outlet of the inlet flow section 122 to the inner diameter do at the outlet of the diffusion outlet flow section 124. The ratio of the inner diameter di of the outlet end of the inlet flow section 122 to the inner diameter do of the outlet of the nozzle 120 will be selected according to the desired characteristics of the ejector. If the ejector is designed for what is commonly referred to as “high flow”, do will be smaller than di, eg, do≈1.3 · di. If the ejector is designed for what is commonly referred to as “high vacuum”, do will be larger than di, eg, do≈2 · di. Thus, a typical range between the inner diameter di of the outlet end of the inlet flow section 122 and the inner diameter do of the outlet of the nozzle 120 is between 1: 1 to 1.2 to 2.2 (1/1 .2 ≦ di / do ≦ 1 / 2.2).

  Regardless of whether the straight wall section 126 is present and regardless of the axial length selected for the diffusion outlet flow section 124, the axial length of the straight wall inlet flow section 122 is preferably Can be about 5 times the inner diameter di at the outlet end of the inlet flow section 122. Preferably, the axial length of the diffusion outlet flow section 124 is for the straight wall inlet flow section 122 either on its own or, if provided, with the straight wall section 126. Regardless of the selected axial length, it can be at least twice the inner diameter do of the outlet of the nozzle 120. Alternatively, the axial length of the straight wall inlet flow section 122 is about five times the inner diameter di of the outlet end of the inlet flow section 122 and includes a straight wall section 126. The axial length of 124 may be at least twice the inner diameter do of the outlet of the nozzle 120.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2, and 3 C, the drive nozzles 120 are aligned substantially parallel to each other, ie, the longitudinal central axis of each nozzle 120 is parallel to the central axis CL of the ejector cartridge 100. Are arranged in the drive nozzle array 110 so as to be axially aligned with each other. Of course, the drive nozzles 120 in the drive nozzle array 110 may have some diffusion or adjustment to adjust the shape of the conformal jet stream fired from the nozzle array 110 toward the inlet 131 of the second stage nozzle 132. Focusing may be accompanied as well, with some focusing being preferred over some spreading.

  Similarly, these figures show a nozzle array 110 composed of four drive nozzles arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix, but this is not a limitation on the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the drive nozzle array 110. Any number of drive nozzles 120 may be provided, such as two, three, four, five, or six drive nozzles, arranged in appropriate groups within. For example, three nozzles may be arranged at triangular points, four nozzles may be arranged at square corners as shown, and five nozzles may be one at the pentagonal corner or at the center of the square. One and a square may be arranged, and the six nozzles may be variously grouped including hexagonal corners.

  Of course, more drive nozzles 120 are possible and anticipated for the drive nozzle array 110 depending on the purpose. Also, the design of each drive nozzle can be shared, such as in a group where the central nozzle has multiple peripheral nozzles, where the central nozzle can be configured to provide a high velocity air jet having a lower volumetric flow rate than each peripheral nozzle. It is anticipated that it can be modified to control the shaped drive jet flow.

  Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6, 7A-7C, and 8, a second embodiment of an ejector according to the present invention is shown. 5A, 5B, 6, 7 </ b> A to 7 </ b> C, and FIG. 8 are configured as an ejector cartridge 200.

  The ejector 200 is similar in configuration and operation to the ejector 100, and the features, components, operation, and use of the ejector 100 described above are similar to those of the ejector 200, except where additional features or modifications are specifically described. The same applies to. The ejector cartridge 200 includes a first drive stage 200A and a second stage 200B.

  FIG. 5B is an axial end view facing the outlet end of the ejector 200, grouped into and along the axial passage defined by the second stage nozzle 232 and the outlet nozzle 246. FIG. The outlet of the arranged drive nozzle 220 is clearly shown. FIG. 5A shows a cross section AA of FIG. 5B including the central axis CL of which the ejector cartridge 200 substantially forms a rotating body. The main body of the ejector cartridge 200 is substantially cylindrical except for the intake ports 242 and 244 and the diffusion section of the outlet nozzle.

  The structure of the ejector cartridge 200, except for the main exception, is that the ejector cartridge 200 is formed with a single housing piece 240 that constitutes both the drive stage 200A and the second stage 200B. The structure is substantially the same. The second stage nozzle is formed as a separate second stage nozzle piece 230, which is inserted into the housing 240 from the inlet end of the housing 240 before the drive nozzle 212 is inserted into the inlet end of the housing piece 240. 240 is configured to be inserted.

  The second stage nozzle body 230 is simply press-fitted into the second stage 200B portion of the housing 240, while the drive nozzle piece 212 is in an annular groove 234 provided as a receiving structure at the inlet of the housing piece 240. It will be apparent that an interengaging annular ridge 212b is configured to engage.

  As shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7C, the drive nozzle piece 212 includes rods or posts 216 that extend forward from a radially outward flange section of the drive nozzle piece 212. Then, the second stage nozzle piece 230 is held in a fixed position in the axial direction in the ejector housing 240 by abutting engagement with the rear side of the second stage nozzle piece 230. These posts or rods 216 secure the second stage nozzle piece 230 in place within the ejector housing piece 240 and also the outlet of the ejector nozzle 220 of the ejector nozzle array 210 and the second stage focus-diffusion. It serves to maintain a desired distance from the inlet 231 to the nozzle 232.

  The ejector cartridge 200 is configured to operate in the same manner as the ejector cartridge 100, and compressed air is supplied to the inlet 214 of the drive nozzle array 210 at the inlet of the ejector cartridge 200, and the drive nozzle 220 of the drive nozzle array 210. It will be appreciated that each appears as a driving air jet that is accelerated through and into the inlet 231 of the second stage nozzle 232 together. This array of drive air jets will also draw ambient fluid through the intake port 242 formed in the housing 240 of the first drive stage 200A by taking fluid in the surrounding space into the drive jet stream. Generate suction force. The compressed air and entrained fluid medium are then accelerated within the second stage nozzle 232 and emerge as a second stage air jet that then travels into the outlet nozzle 246. Outlet nozzle 246 is also defined by housing piece 240 as a focus-diffusion nozzle. As before, the high velocity air jet passing through the second stage 200B entrains air or other fluid medium in the space around the second stage air jet into the second stage jet stream, It is ejected from the ejector 200 through the outlet nozzle 246. This creates a suction force at the intake port 244, thereby drawing the fluid medium from any surrounding space. A valve member 235 is also provided to selectively open and close the second stage intake port 244 regardless of the relative negative pressure level in the second stage 200B and the surrounding space. In this embodiment, the valve member 235 is formed as an integral component of the second stage nozzle piece, and the second stage nozzle piece together with the valve member 235 forms an integral molded body. The valve member 235 opens when the pressure in the second stage 200B is less than the pressure in the surrounding space, and closes when the pressure in the surrounding space drops below the pressure in the second stage 200B.

  Also, as can be seen from FIG. 6, the drive nozzles 220 are arranged in groups that allow the air jets from all the drive nozzles 220 to go into the inlet 231 of the second stage nozzle 232. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 by a drive nozzle group, which is arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix inside each of two adjacent great circles corresponding to the inner diameter of the second stage nozzle 232. Shown as a small circle. The left hand group of FIG. 6 corresponds to the arrangement of drive nozzles 220 as shown in FIG. 6, but the right hand group is the second stage even when the nozzle is rotated through a 45 ° angle. It shows how the nozzle 232 stays within the outer periphery. In this way, it can be seen how the plurality of nozzles of the drive nozzle array 210 can direct each drive jet into the common inlet 231 of the second stage nozzle 232. As described above, the two adjacent circles containing the drive nozzle group depicted in the middle channel of the second stage nozzle of FIG. 6 are structural features partially along the second stage nozzle 132. FIG. 4 is a projection of a possible drive nozzle array group to a cross section of a second stage nozzle, created to illustrate the relative arrangement of these components along the central axis CL.

  Referring to FIG. 7A, a housing piece 240 having an inlet end with a receiving structure 234 in the form of an annular groove for receiving the drive nozzle piece 212 is shown. A first drive stage intake port 242 and a second stage intake port 244 are also shown and are provided as openings in the body of a housing piece 240 that is otherwise substantially cylindrical. The housing piece 240 defines at its distal end a focusing-diffusion outlet nozzle 246 of the ejector cartridge 200 comprising a focusing inlet section 247, a straight wall section 248, and a diffusion outlet section 249. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A, the diffusing portion 249 of the outlet nozzle 246 includes a diametrical stepped extension 250 near the outlet end so that each of the diffusing sections 249 is a first one. Are divided into a second diffusion section 249a and a second diffusion section 249b. The diametric stepped extension 250 is formed with an undercut at which the wall of the diffusion section 249 is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the outlet nozzle 246. In this case, the state is reversed from the state of diffusing while extending in the axial direction toward the outlet of the ejector cartridge 200 to the state of diffusing while extending in the axial direction toward the inlet of the ejector cartridge 200, and then the ejector It returns to the diffusion state again while extending in the axial direction toward the outlet end of the cartridge 200. Due to this change in direction of the wall portion of the diffusion section 249, an acute angle portion 251 is formed in the stepped extension portion 250. This diametrical step extension may have the same dimensional relationship as the diametric step extension 150 for the outlet section 149 of the outlet nozzle 146 for the ejector cartridge 100 described above.

  It is also possible for the diffusion section 249 to comprise more than one diametrical step extension. Referring to FIG. 9, an ejector housing piece 270 is shown, which represents an alternative form of the ejector housing piece 240 and can be used in place of the ejector housing piece 240 of the ejector cartridge 200. Similar to the ejector housing piece 240, the ejector housing piece 270 receives the inlet end receiving structure 234 for receiving the ejector nozzle piece 212, the intake ports 242 and 244, and the second stage nozzle piece 230. And a receiving structure 245 between the intake ports. The ejector housing piece 270 also defines a focus-diffusion nozzle 246 at its outlet end to provide the outlet nozzle 246 to the ejector cartridge 200. The outlet nozzle 246 includes a focusing inlet section 247, a straight wall middle section 248, and a diffusion outlet section 249. However, in this example, the diffusion outlet section 249 is partitioned into a first diffusion section 249a, a second diffusion section 249b, and a third diffusion section 249c. Diametric stepped extensions 250 and 255 are provided at two locations along the length of the diffusion section 249 so that the diffusion section comprises a first diffusion section 249a, a second diffusion section 249b, and Divided into a third diffusion section 249c. The diametric stepped extension 250 is formed near the exit end of the diffusion section 249 as in FIG. 7A. A diametric intermediate step extension 255 is further provided and is also formed by an undercut in the wall of the diffusion section 249 of the outlet nozzle 246. The undercut portion forms an acute angle portion 256 at the position of the stepped extension at the end of the first section 249a, at which the nozzle wall portion is perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the nozzle. When viewed in a cross-section in a different direction, the state reverses from a state of diffusing while extending in the axial direction toward the outlet of the nozzle, and a state of diffusing while extending in the axial direction toward the inlet of the nozzle, and Thereafter, it returns to the diffusion state while extending in the axial direction toward the outlet of the nozzle.

  The angle of the diffusion wall of the outlet nozzle 246 of the diffusion section 249 is substantially the same in all three sections 249a, 249b, and 249c, although larger or smaller diffusion angles are relative to the nozzle outlet end. It will be appreciated that it can be used. Also, the purpose of the diametrical step extensions 250, 255 in the diffusion section 249 of the outlet nozzle 246 is to provide a turbulent air flow by adding a trip to the air flow so that air passing through the outlet nozzle 246 is covered by the nozzle wall. Reducing the friction at the section, thereby affecting the resistance to the air flow through the ejector cartridge 200 as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate step extension 255 is not designed to provide a diametrical increment similar to the step extension 250 provided near the outlet end of the nozzle 246. Thus, the diametric increment between the acute angle portion 256 and the point 257 on the inner wall of the nozzle 246 that is aligned with the acute angle portion 256 in the radial direction but in the second diffusion section 249b is the second It is smaller than the diametrical step between the acute angle portion 251 of the diametrical stepped extension 250, the acute angle portion 251 on the wall of the third diffusion nozzle section 249c, and the points 252 aligned in the radial direction.

  Referring to FIG. 7A, it can be seen that the ejector housing piece 240 further comprises a receiving structure 245 in the form of a shoulder for receiving the second stage nozzle piece 230. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second stage nozzle piece 230 includes a radially outward flange at its inlet end that abuts a corresponding shoulder formed in the receiving structure 245 of the nozzle piece 240.

  The second stage nozzle piece 230 shown in FIG. 7B further defines a focus-diffusion type second stage nozzle 232 comprising a focus inlet section 236, a straight wall middle section 237, and a diffuse outlet section 238. . The second stage nozzle 232 extends between the inlet 231 and the outlet 233 of the second stage nozzle 232. In the second stage nozzle piece 230 of FIG. 7B, the valve member 235 is integrally formed with the nozzle piece 230 to provide the second stage intake port 244 of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 of the ejector cartridge 200. Allows selective opening and closing. To facilitate the flexibility of the valve member 235, an opening 260 may be provided near the base of the valve member 235, thereby enabling the valve member 235 to be more easily opened and closed with respect to the intake port 244. Good.

  FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle piece 230 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the nozzle piece 230 in one view, and the axis when viewed from the outlet end 233 of the nozzle piece 232. In the directional end view, the nozzle piece 230 is shown. In this latter view, a plurality of teeth 262 are further shown, which are formed near the base of the valve member 235 on the exterior of the second stage nozzle body 230. The teeth 262 are arranged to engage corresponding teeth that may be provided on the engagement structure 245 of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270. These teeth are provided to facilitate rotational alignment of the second stage nozzle body 230 relative to the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 of the ejector cartridge 200. Such alignment is often not required, especially when the ejector cartridge 200 is rotationally symmetric. However, in some embodiments, the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 may comprise a second stage intake port 244 that is not evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the ejector housing, or the second stage The stage nozzle piece 230 may include an individual valve member 235 corresponding to each intake port 244, in which case each intake port that is selectively opened and closed by the valve member 235 and the valve member 235. Alignment with 244 is required.

  It will be appreciated that no seal member is provided to prevent air leakage around the second stage nozzle piece 230 between the first drive stage 200A and the second stage 200B. This is made from a relatively soft and compliant rubber or plastic in which the second stage nozzle piece 230 conforms to the inner dimensions of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 to form an airtight seal therewith. It depends on the intended point. This is accomplished by cooperating with a post or rod 216 provided on the drive nozzle piece 212 that holds the second stage nozzle piece 230 in place in the axial direction, thereby providing an inlet for the second stage nozzle piece 230. Provides a tight seal around the edges.

  Referring to FIG. 7C, the drive nozzle piece 212 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the drive nozzle piece 212, and an axial view as viewed from the exit end of the drive nozzle 220. Is also shown in The drive nozzle piece 212 has an inlet 214 for receiving compressed air from a compressed air supply and for supplying compressed air to the plurality of drive nozzles 220 of the drive nozzle array 210. The drive nozzle 220 of the drive nozzle array 210 can be formed in the same manner as the drive nozzle 120 shown in FIG.

  The drive nozzle piece 212 is formed with an annular ridge 212b (or a series of protrusions arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the drive nozzle piece 212), and the annular ridge 212b is formed by the ejector housing piece 240 or 270. The drive nozzle piece 212 is sized to engage the annular groove 234 in the receiving structure at the inlet end of the ejector cartridge 200 within the housing piece 240 of the ejector cartridge 200. Instead of the annular ridge 212b, the drive nozzle piece 212 can be provided with an annular groove, and an elastomer O-ring is provided in the groove of the drive nozzle piece so that the ejector housing when the drive nozzle piece 212 is fitted. It will be appreciated that by engaging the groove 234 of the piece 240 or 270, the two pieces can be secured together. Also, the necessary seal between the ejector cartridge 200 and the external space to be evacuated is obtained through the use of an elastomeric seal 212a (as can be understood with reference to FIG. 12, which will be discussed further below). Thus, it will be understood that it is not necessary to provide an airtight seal on the receiving structure 234. On the other hand, the ridge 212b may be formed as a groove, and the ridge may be provided in place of the groove of the receiving structure 234 of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 so that the ridge is received in the groove of the drive nozzle piece 212.

  A firm snap fit of the drive nozzle piece 212 into the inlet end of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 further secures the second stage nozzle piece 230 in place. Because the rod or post 216 extending in the forward axial direction from the drive nozzle piece 212 is pressed against the backside surface of the second stage nozzle piece 230, the receiving structure of the ejector housing piece 240 or 270 This is because the rod or the post 216 is arranged to be fixed to the shoulder provided on the H.245. Accordingly, the second stage nozzle piece 230 is fixed in place in the axial direction and is spaced from the drive nozzle array 210 by a desired axial distance. In addition to providing the necessary structural stability, the use of the rod or post 216 allows air or other fluid medium around the ejector cartridge 200 to flow unimpeded through the intake port 242 and into the drive stage 200A. It will be easy to understand what makes this possible.

  Referring to FIG. 9, how the second stage nozzle piece 230 and the drive nozzle piece 212 are mounted within the ejector housing piece 240 and generated by the drive nozzle 220 and the second stage nozzle 232 and the outlet nozzle. A cross-sectional perspective view of the ejector cartridge 200 is shown, showing details of how it is arranged to provide an axial flow of high velocity air continuously through 246. FIG. 9 also shows that the air flow passing through the intake ports 242 and 244 is generated by the air nozzles generated by the drive nozzles 220 and the second stage nozzles 232 of the first drive stage 200A and the second stage 200B, respectively. Shows how it can be incorporated into the jet stream generated by

  Referring to FIG. 10, this figure shows a single drive jet flow that can be expanded into an axially continuous flow generated by a single drive nozzle and in parallel through a second stage nozzle and an outlet nozzle. A comparison with multiple drive jets as may be generated by ejector cartridges 100 and 200 having four drive nozzles 120, 220 in each drive nozzle array 110, 210 is shown. As can be seen from this representative figure, the development of the fluid flow through the second stage nozzle and the outlet nozzle for the multiple drive jet flow example is that of a single drive jet flow of a conventional ejector. This is substantially the same as in the example.

  Nevertheless, due to the multi-drive nozzle configuration, the ejector cartridge is more sensitive to the negative pressure generated and the volume flow through the ejector cartridge than the single drive nozzle multi-stage ejector configured as shown in FIGS. It has been found that it is possible to exhibit excellent performance. In other words, in order to achieve the same performance as the multi-stage ejector of the design of FIGS. 14 and 15, the multi-stage ejector according to the present invention having a plurality of drive nozzles exhibits the same performance using a smaller amount of compressed air. Can result in a higher level of efficiency. In addition, for an ejector of equivalent performance, the ejector of the present invention having a plurality of drive nozzles in the drive nozzle array is shorter and has a smaller footprint than the ejector of the design shown in FIGS. In particular, both ejector designs may have substantially equal diameters for the same performance level, but the ejector cartridges of FIGS. 14 and 15 are of the present invention as illustrated by embodiments 100 and 200 described above. In order to achieve the same performance level that an ejector cartridge can achieve with only a two-stage configuration, a three-stage configuration is required. Thus, for equivalent performance, an ejector cartridge according to the present invention can be made with a smaller size and reduced footprint compared to prior art ejector cartridges.

  Referring to the above embodiments of the ejector cartridges 100 and 200, the second stage nozzle pieces 130, 230 and the drive nozzle pieces 112, 212 may be received in corresponding receiving structures, as shown in the accompanying drawings. Not only by the press-fit or snap-fit configuration, but also by any alternative mating or screwing configuration or even by gluing, welding or other methods of fixing in place It will be appreciated that it can be received within a corresponding receiving structure that is fitted.

  With respect to the manufacture of the components of the ejector cartridges 100 and 200, the ejector cartridge housing pieces 130, 140, 240, or 270 and the drive nozzle pieces 112, 212 are made using suitable plastic materials as is known to those skilled in the art. It is preferably formed by a one-shot molding process.

  In the case of a unitary integrally molded second stage nozzle piece 230, the material provides the necessary flexibility to allow the valve member 235 to open and close the intake port 244, while At the same time, it must have sufficient structural rigidity for the desired flow development to occur through the focus-diffusion nozzle 232. Therefore, preferably, the second stage nozzle piece 230 is either a plastic or rubber, and is preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE) commercially available from BASF under the Elastollan® S-series brand name. (U)) from a suitable thermoplastic elastomer formulation, from a soft thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) such as Santoprene ™ TPV 8281-65 MED, such as that commercially available from ExxonMobil Chemical Europe, from NBR, or others Made from a relatively compliant material made from any suitable material. Ordinary fluoro rubber or FPM rubber is another suitable material.

  The specific material that will be used to mold the second stage ejector piece 230 is actually determined by the application of the ejector cartridge 200. Specifically, for most applications, the use of TPE (U), but E.C. I. It is expected to use a standard type of Viton® A, B or F as commercially available from du Pont de Nemours and Company.

  It is anticipated that the drive nozzles 120 and 220 may be formed in the drive nozzle pieces 112, 212 during the molding process in which the nozzle pieces 112, 212 are formed. On the other hand, the drive nozzles 120 and 220 may be formed in the already formed nozzle pieces 112, 212 by drilling or the like if sufficient dimensional accuracy is not possible when forming the drive nozzle pieces 112, 212. With respect to the second stage nozzles 132, 232 and outlet nozzles 146, 246, these are part of the molding process in which each component 130, 230, 140, 240 is formed without the need for subsequent manufacturing steps. Is expected to be formed.

  Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, an example of how an ejector cartridge 100 (ejector cartridge 200 as an equivalent) can be mounted within a housing module 1000 for use in a vacuum pump or the like. Show.

  FIG. 11B shows the ejector 100 mounted in internal bores 1012, 1040, 1060 formed in the housing module 1000. FIG. O-ring seals 112a and 140b are respectively provided between the drive nozzle piece 112 and the inlet bore 1012 of the housing module 1000 and between the exterior of the second stage ejector housing piece 140 and the interior of the bore defined in the housing module. A bore is separated into the intermediate vacuum chamber 1040 and the outlet chamber 1060 by forming a seal therebetween. The housing module 1000 includes an inlet chamber 1020 to which a compressed air source is coupled to provide a compressed air supply to the ejector cartridge 100. An inlet bore 1012 is connected within the inlet chamber 1020 so that compressed air is supplied to the inlet 114 of the drive nozzle piece 112. In operation, the compressed air creates a high-speed jet stream that passes through the ejector 100, which generates suction at the intake ports 142 and 144 of the drive stage and second stage of the ejector 100, respectively. Thereafter, compressed air and any entrained fluid from the surrounding space are ejected through the outlet nozzle 146 and into the outlet chamber 1060. A muffler or alternative stop member 1100 is provided in the opening of the housing module bore to shut off the outlet chamber 1060 to contain fluid ejected from the ejector 100 and to exit this ejector 100 outlet nozzle 146. Suppresses noise caused by high-speed jet flow. The stop member 1100 includes an arm or rod 1110 arranged to fix the ejector cartridge 100 in place in the axial direction in the bore of the housing module 1000. Stop member 1100 may be fixed in place using a suitable sealing member, such as an elastomeric O-ring 1100a, or threaded and fixed in place to seal off the bore of housing module 1000. , Welded or glued.

  Air ejected from the ejector 100 is delivered from the housing module 1000 through an outlet port 1046 formed in the base of the housing module 1000 instead of being released to the atmosphere when exiting the ejector 100. In this way, compressed air is supplied into the housing module through the inlet port 1014 and compressed air and any entrained fluid exhausted from the surrounding space is discharged from the housing module 1000 through the outlet port 1046. The housing module 1000 further includes intake ports 1042 and 1044 that exhaust the space within the vacuum chamber 1040 surrounding the first stage intake port 142 and the second stage intake port 144 of the ejector 100. It is comprised so that it may connect with the space to be made to do. The space to be evacuated may comprise, for example, one or more suction cups or other suction devices, or any other vacuum driven machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the housing module 1000 is connected to the connection plate 1200 of the vacuum driven device along its base surface, and the connection plate 1200 is connected to the ports 1014 and 1042 formed in the base of the housing module 1000. , And corresponding ports 1214, 1242, 1244, and 1246 are provided. Elastomeric seals such as O-rings 1014a, 1042a, 1044a, and 1046a are provided between corresponding ports of the housing module 1000 and ports 1214, 1242, 1244, and 1246 of the connector plate 1200. Port 1214 of connector plate 1200 is coupled to a compressed air supply for supplying compressed air through inlet port 1014 and into inlet chamber 1020 of housing module 1000. Similarly, air released through the outlet 1046 of the housing module 1000 is carried away through the outlet passage 1246 of the connector plate 1200. Similarly, the ports 1242 and 1244 of the connector plate 1200 connect the vacuum generated by the ejector 100 to the space to be exhausted, and the air or other fluid medium in the space to be exhausted is connected to the connector plate 1200. Are drawn into the vacuum chamber 1040 formed in the bore surrounding the first stage 100A and the second stage 100B of the ejector cartridge 100 through the intake ports 1042 and 1044 of the housing module 1000. It is.

  In the initial stage of vacuum generation, a large differential pressure exists between the second stage 100B of the ejector cartridge 100 and the valve member 135 opens to allow the fluid medium to pass through the intake inlet 144 and the second stage jet flow. And simultaneously through the intake port 142 and into the drive section 100A. However, when a higher negative pressure (i.e., a lower absolute pressure) occurs due to the vacuum in the space to be evacuated, the pressure difference between the valve members 135 decreases until these valve members are closed, When the valve member is closed, only the drive stage 100A provides suction to the chamber 1040 through the intake port 142, which in turn causes the housing module intake ports 1042 and 1044 to connect to the ports 1242, 1244 of the coupling plate 1200. Suction force.

  By mounting the ejector cartridge in the housing module in this way, the vacuum generated by the ejector cartridge 100 can be selectively applied via the connecting plate 1200 to the associated vacuum driven device associated as desired.

  FIG. 11A shows the arrangement of the inlet port 1014, the intake ports 1042, 1044, and the outlet port 1046 of the housing module 100. The positions of the inlet port, outlet port, and intake port in the housing module 1000 do not necessarily correspond to the positions of the inlet 114, the intake ports 142, 144, and the ejector outlet nozzle 146 of the ejector cartridge 100. Instead, the housing module 1000 is mounted. It will be appreciated that this will necessarily correspond to the location of the inlet port 1214, intake ports 1242, 1244, and outlet port 1246 of the connector plate 1200 to be implemented. However, because the intake ports 142, 144 are arranged to evacuate the entire vacuum chamber 1040 that surrounds the first stage 100A and the second stage 100B of the ejector cartridge 100, the elastomeric O-ring 140b depresses the bore of the housing module. If suitable locations where sealing can form the vacuum chamber 1040 and the outlet chamber 1060 are in the bore of the housing module 1000, the intake ports 142, 144 of the ejector cartridge 100 and the intake ports of the housing module 1000 It is not necessary to align 1042, 1044.

  Referring to FIG. 11C, a connector configuration for interconnecting one or more modular housing units together using a bore, such as a threaded bore 1050 provided in the housing module 1000 is illustrated. Each screw bore 1050 includes a recessed area 1055 that surrounds a bore that opens at the upper end so that a connecting member, such as a screw or bolt, can be retracted against the upper surface of the housing module 1000. Also, such connector holes can be used to attach the housing module 1000 to the connector plate 1200 as appropriate.

  One use for such a modular housing configuration is shown in FIG. 12, where the ejector 100 has been replaced by an ejector cartridge 200 within the housing module 1000, by way of example only. However, in this example, the housing module 1000 is not directly connected to the connector plate 1200, but instead is connected on the booster module 2000 that houses the booster ejector 300, and the booster module 2000 is then connected to the connector plate 1200. Is done. In this example, connector plate 1200 includes an inlet port 1214, a single intake port 1242, and an outlet port 1246.

  Alternatively, in the housing module 1000, the intake port 1042 includes a valve member 1350, which enables the intake port 1042 to be selectively opened and closed between the vacuum chamber 1040 of the housing module 1000 and the booster stage of the booster ejector 300. Except for the exceptions, it is as described for FIG.

  The booster module 2000 includes an inlet chamber 2020 for receiving compressed air from the inlet port 1214 of the connector plate 1200 through the corresponding inlet port 2014. The inlet chamber 2020 of the booster module 2000 is connected to the inlet bore 2012 of the booster module 2000 to which the booster ejector 300 is attached, thereby supplying compressed air to the inlet of the booster ejector 300. This bore, to which the booster ejector 300 is attached, may be formed, for example, by drilling into the booster module 2000 from the side adjacent to the inlet chamber 2020, so that the stop member 2100 seals the bore hole opening. Provided. The inlet chamber 2020 also forms an outlet port 2015 that couples the inlet chamber 2020 to the inlet port 1014 of the housing module 1000 and at the same time supplies compressed air to the inlet of the ejector cartridge 200.

  The booster module 2000 includes an intake port 2042 for applying a suction force from the vacuum chamber 2030 to the intake port 1242 of the connector plate 1200. The vacuum chamber 2030 is similarly connected to the vacuum chamber 1040 of the housing module via the port 2033 of the booster module 2000 and the intake port 1042 of the housing module 1000. In this way, the vacuum generated by the ejector cartridge 200 allows air or other fluid medium to be exhausted to pass through the intake port 1242 of the connection plate 1200, through the intake port 2042, and through the vacuum chamber 2030. , Through ports 2033 and 1042, through vacuum chamber 1040 and into intake ports 242 and 244 of ejector cartridge 200, can be put into the space to be evacuated. In practice, this is because the ejector cartridge 200 can draw substantially more air into the drive stage 200A and the second stage 200B than the booster cartridge 300, so it is compressed into the ejector configuration shown in FIG. Performed in the initial stage of supplying air. However, when the vacuum generated in the space to be evacuated falls below the maximum negative pressure value that can be generated by the ejector 200 (ie, the lowest absolute pressure), the valve 1350 closes the exhaust chamber surrounding the ejector 200. Air backflow from 1040 into the chamber 2030 surrounding the booster ejector 300 is prevented.

  The booster ejector 300 includes a pair of nozzles that are a drive nozzle 320 and an outlet nozzle 346 that together form a booster stage that can obtain a high volume (low absolute pressure). Specifically, the drive nozzle 320 entrains air or other fluid medium in the space around the air jet into the booster jet stream by directing a high velocity air jet into the inlet of the focus-diffusion nozzle 346. , Thereby generating a vacuum at the intake port 342 connected to the chamber 2030 to be evacuated, and the chamber 2030 is then connected to the booster module intake port 2042 sealed against the intake port 1242 of the connector plate 1200. The connected space to be exhausted is exhausted.

  The booster drive nozzle 320 may have a configuration similar to that of the drive nozzles 120 and 220 as described above, but the focus formed by the focus section 347, the straight wall middle section 348, and the diffusion outlet section 349. Specially designed to achieve a high vacuum level (low absolute pressure) in combination with the diffusion nozzle 346. The fluid discharged by the nozzle 346 from the outlet of the booster ejector 300 is discharged into the chamber 2040 in the booster module 2000, and the chamber 2040 is then connected to the intake port 2044 of the housing module 1000 via the outlet port 2045. In this way, the air ejected through the booster ejector 300 is substantially taken into the jet stream of the ejector cartridge 200 via the intake port 242 and / or 244 and then ejected from the ejector cartridge 200 to the ejection chamber. 1060, and through the outlet port 1046 and associated port 2047 of the booster module, through the outlet passage 2060 of the booster module 2000, through the outlet port 2046 of the booster module, and through the outlet port 2046 of the connector plate 1200. .

  As will be appreciated, the booster drive nozzle 320 is formed as part of a nozzle body 312 that is press fit or otherwise secured within a bore 2012 provided in the booster module 2000. The booster outlet nozzle 346 is similarly formed as part of the booster outlet nozzle piece 340, which is also press fit or otherwise secured within a bore formed in the booster module 2000 that defines the outlet chamber 2040. Each elastomeric seal, such as O-rings 340a and 312a, defines an exhaust chamber 2030 that is to be evacuated by the booster ejector 300 by sealing each end of the booster ejector 300. As shown in FIG. 12, elastomeric seals, such as O-rings 1014a, 1042a, 1044a, 1046a, 2014a, 2042a, and 2046a, are provided adjacent to the inlet and outlet ports of the housing module 1000 and booster module 2000. A hermetic seal is formed between the mating port and the connected chamber.

  With the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the ejector cartridge 200 can achieve a high level of vacuum in a short time. This is because the housing module 1000 and the booster module 2000 are connected via the port 1242 of the connector plate 1200. In order to further increase the negative pressure applied to the space to be evacuated (that is, further reduce the absolute pressure), the booster cartridge 300 assists.

  Further, the suction force applied to the intake port 1044 by the ejector cartridge 200 reduces the pressure in the outlet chamber 2040 at the outlet of the booster ejector 300, and the booster ejector 300 between the inlet chamber 2020 and the outlet chamber 2040. Note that the pressure differential is increased. This can then be used to achieve a further increase in vacuum level (ie a further decrease in absolute pressure) that the booster ejector 300 can achieve.

1 Ejector Cartridge 2 Jet Shape Nozzle 11 Valve Member 12 Ejector Nozzle (Drive Nozzle)
13 Ejector Nozzle 14 Ejector Nozzle 15 Ejector Nozzle 21 Valve, Valve Member 22 O-ring, Valve, Valve Member 23 Valve, Valve Member 24 Nozzle, Inlet Nozzle 25 Nozzle 100 Ejector Cartridge 100A First Drive Stage 100B Second Stage 110 Drive Nozzle array 112 Drive nozzle piece 114 Inlet 120 Drive nozzle 121 Inlet 130 Drive stage housing piece 131 Inlet 132 Second stage nozzle, focus-diffusion type second stage nozzle 133 Outlet 134 Receiving structure 135 Valve member, valve Flap 140 Second stage housing piece 145 Receiving structure 146 Outlet nozzle, focusing-diffusion nozzle 200 Ejector cartridge 200A First drive stage 200B Second stage 210 Ejector nozzle array 212 Drive nozzle 214 Inlet 216 Rod or post 220 Drive nozzle 230 Second stage nozzle piece 231 Inlet 232 Second stage nozzle, second stage focus-diffusion nozzle 233 Outlet end 234 Annular groove, receiving structure 235 Valve member 240 Housing piece, ejector housing piece, chamber 245 receiving structure 246 outlet nozzle 270 ejector housing piece 300 booster ejector 312 nozzle body 320 driving nozzle 340 booster outlet nozzle piece 342 intake port 346 focusing-diffusion nozzle, booster outlet nozzle 1000 housing module 1012 inside Bore 1014 Inlet port 1020 Inlet chamber 1350 Valve 2000 Booster module 2020 Inlet chamber 2030 Vacuum chamber, exhaust chamber 2040 Yanba, outlet chamber 2060 outlet passage 2100 stop member

Claims (63)

  A multi-stage ejector for generating a vacuum over a first drive stage comprising a drive nozzle array for generating a drive stream of air from a compressed air source, the drive nozzle array comprising two or more nozzles; The two or more nozzles substantially directly couple each air jet together so that air in the space around the air jet is taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the drive stage. Arranged to feed into a common outlet of a first drive stage, the outlet of the drive stage being the inlet of a second stage focus-diffusion nozzle, the focus-diffusion nozzle being The air is implemented as a second stage air jet so that air in the space around the second stage air jet is taken into the drive stream to generate a vacuum across the second stage. Arranged in which an ejector to direct into the outlet of and directly said second stage.   The ejector of claim 1, wherein the drive stage is formed as a second stage nozzle piece attached to a nozzle piece receiving structure of the ejector.   The ejector of claim 2, wherein the second stage nozzle piece is press fit or snapped into the nozzle piece receiving structure.   The second stage nozzle piece comprises one or more valve members combined or integrally formed with the second stage nozzle piece for opening and closing the associated one or more valve openings. Item 4. The ejector according to Item 2 or 3.   The ejector according to claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the drive nozzle array is attached to the second stage nozzle piece.   The ejector according to claim 1, further comprising a drive nozzle piece, wherein the two or more drive nozzles are provided in the drive nozzle piece.   7. Ejector according to claim 6, wherein the drive nozzle piece comprises spacer means for maintaining a desired spacing with respect to the outlet of the drive stage.   The ejector according to claim 1, further comprising a focusing-diffusion nozzle at the outlet of the second stage. An ejector cartridge, and
A housing defining at least the drive stage;
One or more openings for fluid communication between the space to be evacuated and the drive stage;
The ejector according to claim 1, comprising: An ejector cartridge, and
A housing defining at least the drive stage and the second stage;
A plurality of openings for fluid communication between one or more spaces to be evacuated and the stage;
The ejector according to claim 1, comprising:   The ejector cartridge of claim 10, wherein the housing defines one or more or all of the plurality of openings.   The ejector according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising one or more valves for controlling the direction of fluid communication between at least the second stage and the space to be evacuated by the second stage. cartridge.   The ejector cartridge of claim 10, 11, or 12, further comprising a focusing-diffusion outlet nozzle formed at an end of the cartridge, wherein the air flow exits the cartridge through the end of the cartridge.   The ejector cartridge of claim 13, wherein the housing defines the focus-diffusion exit nozzle.   15. An ejector cartridge according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the focusing-diffusion outlet nozzle is formed at the outlet of the second stage.   The ejector cartridge according to claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the focusing-diffusion outlet nozzle includes an annular undercut portion in a diffusion section, and the nozzle diameter increases in a stepwise manner in the annular undercut portion. .   17. Ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the housing is formed as a single ejector housing piece that integrally defines the drive stage, the second stage and the outlet nozzle. . The housing is formed of two or more ejector housing pieces joined together for the nozzle and back and forth in the direction of air flow through the cartridge;
The two or more ejector housing pieces are at least
An ejector housing piece of the drive stage that integrally defines the drive stage and the focus-diffusion nozzle of the second stage;
A second stage ejector housing piece integrally defining the second stage and the focus-diffusion outlet nozzle;
The ejector cartridge according to claim 13, comprising:   19. Ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 9 to 18, wherein the housing is formed to be substantially rotationally symmetric about an axis extending in the direction of air flow through the cartridge.   The housing comprises two outer shell pieces, the two outer shell pieces joining together along a line extending along at least a portion of the length of the cartridge in the direction of air flow through the cartridge. 20. The ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 9 to 16, or claim 19, which is combined.   An ejector cartridge mounted in a substantially tubular bore defining a sealed space, wherein the sealed space surrounds the drive stage and at least one further stage and is in a space to be evacuated. 21. Any one of claims 9 to 20, wherein the drive stage and the at least one further stage are connected and arranged to evacuate the same surrounding space and the connected space to be evacuated. The ejector cartridge according to one item.   An ejector cartridge mounted within a substantially tubular bore defining a respective sealed space surrounding the drive stage and at least one further stage, wherein the sealed space allows one or more exhausts to be evacuated. And the drive stage and at least one further stage are arranged to exhaust each of the surrounding spaces and one or more connected spaces to be evacuated. The ejector according to any one of claims 9 to 20.   23. An ejector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive nozzle array is press-fit or snapped into a drive nozzle array receiving structure of the ejector.   The ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the number of nozzles in the drive nozzle array is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.   The two or more nozzles of the drive nozzle array are arranged such that all the nozzles have an outer peripheral portion corresponding to the inner cross-sectional shape of the outlet of the drive stage as viewed in the direction of air flow through the outlet of the drive stage. 25. Ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 24, arranged in groups such as disposed therein.   The ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the plurality of nozzles of the drive nozzle array are arranged substantially parallel to each other.   26. The ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the plurality of nozzles of the drive nozzle array are arranged converging toward each other in the direction of air flow. A multi-stage ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air,
A drive nozzle chamber for generating a vacuum therein, the drive nozzle chamber having an inlet and an outlet at both ends of the drive nozzle chamber;
An outlet channel disposed at the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber;
A drive nozzle array disposed at the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber and comprising two or more drive nozzles, wherein the two or more drive nozzles are aligned in common with the outlet flow path A nozzle array;
Ejector with A housing defining at least the drive nozzle chamber and a second stage chamber, wherein the second stage chamber has an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the second stage chamber; A focusing-diffusion nozzle as the outlet channel of the drive stage, the focusing-diffusion nozzle being disposed at the inlet of the second stage chamber and aligned with the outlet channel of the second stage A nozzle,
The ejector according to claim 28, wherein the ejector cartridge is a multi-stage ejector cartridge.   30. The ejector cartridge of claim 29, wherein the second stage outlet channel is a focusing-diffusion nozzle.   31. The ejector cartridge of claim 30, wherein the housing defines the focus-diffusion nozzle of the second stage outlet channel.   31. The converging-diffusion outlet nozzle of the second stage outlet channel comprises an annular undercut at the diffusion portion, wherein the nozzle diameter increases stepwise at the annular undercut. Or the ejector cartridge of 31.   33. The ejector cartridge of claim 29, 30, 31, or 32, wherein the housing further defines an opening for fluid communication between one or more spaces to be evacuated and the stage.   34. The ejector cartridge of claim 33, further comprising one or more valves for controlling the direction of fluid communication between at least the second stage and the space to be evacuated.   35. Ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the housing is formed as a single piece.   The single piece housing integrally defines at least a drive stage, the second stage and the outlet nozzle, and a second stage nozzle piece and a drive nozzle piece attached thereto. 36. The ejector cartridge according to claim 35, comprising:   35. Ejector according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the housing is formed from two or more ejector housing pieces joined together for the nozzle and back and forth in the direction of air flow through the cartridge. cartridge.   A first piece of the two or more ejector housing pieces integrally defines the drive stage with the second stage nozzle, and a second piece of the two or more ejector housing pieces. 38. The ejector cartridge of claim 37, wherein the ejector cartridge integrally defines the second stage with the outlet nozzle.   39. An ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 38, wherein the housing is formed to be substantially rotationally symmetric about an axis in the direction of air flow through the cartridge.   The housing comprises two outer shell pieces, the two outer shell pieces being joined together along a line that extends along at least a portion of the length of the housing in the direction of air flow through the cartridge. 40. An ejector cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 34, or claim 39.   An ejector cartridge mounted in a substantially tubular bore defining a sealed space, wherein the sealed space surrounds at least the drive stage and the second stage and is to be evacuated. 41. Any one of claims 29 to 40, connected and wherein the drive stage and the second stage are arranged to evacuate the same surrounding space and the connected space to be evacuated. The ejector cartridge as described in the item.   42. Any one of claims 29 to 41, wherein the focusing-diffusion nozzle that is the outlet channel of the drive stage is formed as a second stage nozzle piece attached to a nozzle piece receiving structure of the ejector. Ejector according to item.   43. The ejector of claim 42, wherein the second stage nozzle piece is press fit or snapped into the nozzle piece receiving structure.   The second stage nozzle piece comprises one or more valve members combined or integrally formed with the second stage nozzle piece for opening and closing the associated one or more valve openings. Item 44. The ejector according to Item 42 or 43.   45. The ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 44, further comprising a drive nozzle piece, wherein the two or more drive nozzles are provided in the drive nozzle piece.   The drive nozzle piece is preferably forward in the direction of air flow through the drive nozzle chamber, to maintain a desired spacing with respect to the outlet flow path disposed at the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber. 46. Ejector according to claim 45, comprising spacer means in the form of a bar, rod or post extending towards it.   47. An ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 46, wherein the drive nozzle piece is press-fit or snapped into a drive nozzle array receiving structure of the ejector.   48. The ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 47, wherein the number of nozzles in the drive nozzle array is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.   The two or more drive nozzles of the drive nozzle array are configured such that all the drive nozzles have an inner cross-sectional shape of the outlet flow channel at the outlet of the drive stage, as viewed in the direction of air flow through the outlet flow channel. 49. Ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 48, arranged in groups such that they are arranged in corresponding peripheries.   50. The ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 49, wherein the plurality of drive nozzles of the drive nozzle array are arranged substantially parallel to each other.   50. The ejector according to any one of claims 28 to 49, wherein the plurality of drive nozzles of the drive nozzle array are arranged concentrating towards each other in the direction of air flow. A method of generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air,
Generating each air jet from each of the drive nozzles by supplying the compressed air to a drive nozzle array having at least two drive nozzles;
Directing a plurality of the air jets together from each of the drive nozzles substantially directly into the focus-diffusion nozzle inlet, wherein the focus-diffusion nozzle inlet is downstream of the drive nozzle array. Located as a common outlet channel for an air jet from the drive nozzle;
Generating a vacuum upstream of the inlet of the common outlet channel by taking air into the jet stream from the space around the air jet;
Generating a jet of air at the focusing-diffusion nozzle and generating a vacuum downstream of the focusing-diffusion nozzle by taking air from the surrounding space into the jet flow from the focusing-diffusion nozzle; When,
Including methods.   53. The method of claim 52, further comprising applying a vacuum generated upstream and downstream of the focusing-diffusion nozzle to evacuate the connected space to be evacuated.   In order to evacuate the connected space to be evacuated, the step of applying a vacuum generated upstream and downstream of the focusing-diffusion nozzle first comprises applying both an upstream vacuum and a downstream vacuum to the connected space. 54. The method of claim 53, comprising simultaneously applying to the connected space only the upstream vacuum after the connected space is partially evacuated. A method of manufacturing an ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, comprising:
Providing a drive nozzle array having at least two drive nozzles;
Providing a drive nozzle chamber comprising providing a drive nozzle chamber having an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of the drive nozzle chamber;
Providing a second stage chamber as an outlet flow path for the drive nozzle chamber, the second stage having an inlet of the second stage chamber connected to the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber; Providing a chamber of:
Attaching the drive nozzle array to the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber such that at least two drive nozzles will be commonly aligned with the inlet of the outlet channel;
Including methods.   56. The method of claim 55, wherein providing a drive nozzle chamber comprises providing a housing that defines the chamber.   57. The method of claim 56, wherein the housing further defines the second stage chamber.   58. The method of claim 57, wherein the housing further defines an outlet nozzle at the outlet end of the housing as the outlet of the second stage. Providing a second stage chamber as an outlet channel of the drive nozzle chamber provides a nozzle piece comprising a focus-diffusion nozzle;
59. A method according to claim 57 or 58, comprising inserting the nozzle piece from the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber for attachment to the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber.   60. The method of claim 59, wherein inserting the nozzle piece from the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber comprises simultaneously inserting one or more valve members coupled or integrally formed with the nozzle piece. . The drive nozzle array includes a drive nozzle piece, and the drive nozzle piece includes the drive nozzle provided on the drive nozzle piece;
Attaching the drive nozzle array to the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber such that at least two drive nozzles are aligned in common with the inlet of the outlet flow path, the drive nozzle piece being attached to the inlet of the housing 61. A method according to any one of claims 56 to 60, further comprising the step of inserting from the end and attaching the nozzle piece to the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber.   Attaching the drive nozzle array to the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber such that at least two drive nozzles are aligned in common with the inlet of the outlet channel. 62. A method according to any one of claims 56 to 61, further comprising providing one or more spacer elements to obtain a desired spacing between the inlets. A method of manufacturing an ejector for generating a vacuum from a source of compressed air, comprising:
Providing a drive nozzle chamber comprising providing a drive nozzle chamber having an inlet and an outlet at both ends of the drive nozzle chamber;
Providing a drive nozzle array having at least two drive nozzles at the inlet of the drive nozzle chamber;
Providing a focusing-diffusion outlet channel;
Attaching the focus-diffusion outlet channel to the outlet of the drive nozzle chamber such that the inlet of the outlet channel will be commonly aligned with each of the at least two drive nozzles;
Including methods.

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