IPR 2016-01794
`American Vehicular Sciences
`Exhibit 2027
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`Nov. 24, 1964
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`3,153,314
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`p. H. YOUNG ETAL
`INFLATING DEVICES FOR INFLATABLE OBJECTS
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`ATTORNE)’
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`Filed Feb. 21, 1962
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`2 Sheets-Sheet 2'
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`IA/l/EN TORS
`mwo H.YouNG
`JOHN G. MARSH
`DERRICK M. PoHLER
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`‘ 3,158,314
`Patented Nov. 24, 1964
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`3,158,314
`INFLATING DEWCEfl FDR INFLATABLE
`OBJECTS
`David H. Young, Eastcote, Middlesex, John 0. Marsh,
`Chalfont St. Peter, and Derrick M. Poitier, Harrow,
`Middlesex, England, assignors to Specialties Develop-
`ment Corporation, Believille, N..l., a corporation of
`New Jersey
`Filed Feb. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 174,900
`6 Claims.
`(Cl. 230—95)
`
` United States Patent Office
`
`The present invention relates to aspirator devices in-
`tended for installation in inflation bags, such as inflatable
`dinghies.
`It is well-known to employ Such devices in conjunction
`with inflation by means of the release of a compressed
`gas from a storage container. By the use of an aspirator
`device, the energy of the stored compressed gas can be
`utilised to aspirate a volume of air several times greater
`than the volume of the stored gas in its expanded condi-
`tion into a low pressure inflation bag, such as an inflatable
`dinghy.
`'
`A number of different forms of aspirator device have
`already been tried with varying degrees of success. One
`particular drawback with known types of aspirator device
`is that if they are to provide efficient entrainment of air
`they must be rather long to provide a desirable long
`venturi passage. The result of this is to make it rather
`difficult to stow a dinghy, for example, fitted with such
`an aspirator device. Furthermore, a long, thin aspirator
`device itself is relatively fragile if its weight is kept low,
`as is required for aircraft use.
`'
`‘
`The present invention is based on an appreciation that
`an aspirator device of generally circular construction and
`whose axial length is low as compared with its diameter
`can be produced with a long venturi passage and could
`be made much more robust and light
`in weight,
`than
`known types, and could at the same time be more com-
`pact than known devices having a comparable efficiency of
`aspiration, thus overcoming some of the objections with
`regard to the dimensions and fragility which arises with
`existing high efficiency aspirators.
`Basically, the aspirator device of the present invention
`depends upon setting up a rapid stream of gas in a rotary
`or helical direction between an inner and an outer cylin-
`drical body.
`If this is achieved, gas can be entrained not
`only from the passage end, away from which the stream
`of gas is directed, but also through inlets, such as louvres
`in particular, formed in the wall of the inner cylindrical
`member.
`.
`According to the present invention, there is provided
`an aspirator device for installation in inflation bags, such
`as inflatable dinghies and life rafts, comprising a rounded
`outer body, a rounded inner body arranged within the
`outer body, so as to define a curved path between the
`inner and outer bodies extending obliquely to the length of
`the bodies, one or more nozzles placed in the space be-
`tween the inner and outer bodies and arranged to direct
`a stream of gas along the curved path, air inlet means
`at one end of the curved path, outlet means at the other
`end of the curved path and sealing means for shutting
`oif the passage of air through the device.
`According to a further aspect of the present invention
`an aspirator device for installation in inflation bags, such
`as inflatable dinghies and life rafts, comprises a rounded
`outer body, a rounded inner body arranged within the
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`outer body, diffuser inlets arranged in the side wall of
`the inner body, means permitting the entry of atmospheric
`air into the interior of the inner body from the outer end
`thereof, one or more nozzles placed in the space between
`the inner and outer bodies and arranged to direct a stream
`of gas in a direction generally tangential to the wall of
`the outer body so as to set up a swirling stream of gas
`in such space, means for directing air and gas to travel
`towards the inner end of the device and sealing valve
`means for shutting oif the passage of air thrOugh the
`device.
`Air and gas are preferably caused to travel in a sub-
`stantial helical path in the passage between the outer
`body and the inner body by providing end plates over
`the outer and inner ends of the passage, in which port
`apertures are formed, and arranging a part-helical baffle
`. to direct the stream of air and gas to the outlet port aper-
`ture in the inner end plate.
`,
`.
`The sealing valve preferably is or includes a valve of
`the positive type, i.e. one which does not depend on gas
`pressure for maintenance in a closed condition.
`It is
`preferably placed at the inlet end, upstream of the nozzles,
`so as to shut off both the inlet end of the inner body
`and the inlet end of the passage space between the inner
`and outer bodies from atmosphere. These bodies are
`preferably arranged eccentrically ,in relation to each
`other, so that there is in effect a throat between them to
`act as a venturi, the inlet aperture in the outer cover plate
`being positioned in such event over a relatively wide por-
`tion of the space between the two bodies and the diffuser
`apertures at a position downstream of the throat.
`One form of apparatus is hereinafter described with
`reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIGURE 1 is a section of the device.
`FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the body
`of the device without thevalves.
`FIGURE 3 is a section of an associated flow control
`device.
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`The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a main
`casing 1 preferably formed as a metal spinning which has
`a cylindrical or rounded body or wall portion 1’. At one
`end this main casing is provided with an outwardly turned
`flange 2, which is provided with apertures at intervals to
`permit it to be bolted or riveted to a base plate 3 through
`a gasket 4. The material of the dinghy or other inflation
`bag is clamped to the flange 2, by means of bolts 5, which
`engage a metal ring 6' (FIGURE 1). The base plate 3
`itself is in the form of a circular disc having apertures in
`it to permit the passage of gas. At its outer end the main
`casing 11 is turned inwardly and provided with an inwardly
`turned terminal lip 7, which acts as a support for a valve
`seating washer 8 surrounding a relatively large axial entry
`to the main casing.
`'
`Supported within the main casing and upon the base
`plate is a lower vortex former 9 which comprises an aper-
`tured disc having a cylindrical or rounded body or wall
`portion 10 secured eccentrically to it and eccentrically
`disposed with respect to the body 1’. This lower vortex
`former 9 has louvres 11 around part of the periphery of
`its cylindrical portion, and when such cylindrical portion"
`is inserted into the main casing, it will be appreciated that
`the cylindrical portion 10 is eccentric. The lower vortex
`former has a partly annular piece pressed out of it to form
`an inlet aperture 13.
`'
`An upper vortex former 12 consists of a flat disc with
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`3,153,314
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`an eccentric aperture 14 therein adapted to fit over the
`cylindrical portion 10 of the lower vortex former 9. The
`upper vortex former has a partly annular piece pessed
`out of it to form an inlet aperture 15 positioned above the
`aperture 13 and below which a helical bafile 16 is secured.
`The lower free end of this baflie rests upon a correspond-
`ingly inclined member 17, secured to the lower vortex
`former 9. A nozzle block 18 is secured in the side of
`the main casing 1 at a position over the helical baflie 16
`and is adapted to draw gas from a pressure source. The
`nozzle block has nozzles 19 which are arranged to direct
`gas substantially along the face of the baflie 16.
`An enclosed cylinder 20 is clamped to the base plate 3
`for support thereon by a screw 21 and is mounted axially
`of the device. ‘The‘cylinder 20 has a connection 22 to the
`nozzle block 18 so that during inflation gas at supply
`pressure is admitted to the cylinder 20. A piston 24
`mounted in the cylinder 2t) has a stem 25 which projects
`through a gland 25’ in the top .end of» the cylinder and
`has a fluted head 26, which is guided in the cylinder. The
`projecting end of the piston stem 25 carries a valve mem-
`ber 27, which is adapted to, and normally does,-seat upon
`the rubber seating washer 8 bonded on the outer surface
`of the main casing 1. The piston head 26 is acted upon
`by a compression spring 28, which presses the valve mem-
`ber 27 upon its seating washer, but the spring force is
`overcome on admission of gas under pressure to the
`cylinder 20 so as to unseat the valve'member 27. The
`spring loaded valve may be supplemented by an annular
`flap valve 29 which is supported on the exterior of the
`cylinder 20 and is adapted to be pressed upwardly against
`a seat lip 39 at the mouth of theaperture in the top of
`the casing when the gas pressure in the body exceeds at-
`mospheric pressure. The flap valve 29‘ is, however, an
`optional feature.
`' An apertured guard member 31 is positioned over the
`top of the movable valve member 27 and is provided
`with an axial aperture 32 to permit a test tool to be
`screwed into a bolt 33 having a threaded axial hole 33' in
`it, the bolt 33 being secured in the top end of the project-
`ing part of the piston 24 to secure the value member 27
`thereto. This permits the piston to be tested for freedom
`in its cylinder.
`In operation, when gas is admitted under pressure to
`the nozzles 19 the spring loaded valve 27 is simultaneously
`lifted. The stream of gas emitted from the nozzles 19 is
`given a downwardly inclined direction by means of the
`helical baffle 16 and the general directing of the nozzles,
`and this causes a sufficient reduction of pressure in «the
`upper part of the casing 1 above the vortex former 12 to
`induce air into it past the annular flap valve 29 (if used).
`The induced air is then free to enter either the space be-
`tween the outer wall of the main casing 1 and the cylin-
`drical part 10 of the lower vortex‘former 9. through the
`aperture 15 in the upper vortex former 12 or to enter the
`interior of the cylindrical part 10 of the lower vortex
`former 9 through its-open upper end.
`Gas from the nozzles 19‘can thus'entrain atmospheric
`air from two diflerent directions, and a venturi effect is
`produced by the eccentricity of the cylindrical part 16 of
`the lower vortex former 9, which produces a throat at 34.
`The louvres 11 formed in the lower vortex former 9 are
`so positioned that they open into the gas path only at
`positions swept by the stream of gas as it expands after
`passing the throat 34 formed at the position where the
`wall of the cylindrical portion 10 and the main casing I
`approach each other most closely.
`When the gas pressure of the gas supply drops to a
`point where it is no longer able to maintain the spring
`loaded valve member 27 in the 'open'condition, the valve
`closes and the remaining gas in the storage cylinders is
`available for inflating the inflation bag to a pressure
`slightly in excess of atmospheric pressure.
`It will thus be seen that the present invention permits
`
`it
`the construction of an aspirator device of compact and
`light construction, in which there is an extended gas path,
`as is necessary for eflicient aspiration.
`It is found that for most eflicient entrainment of air
`it is desirable that the gas inlet pressure should be limited
`to about 300 p.s.i.
`In order to achieve this result a simple
`form of flow controller, shown in FIGURE 3, is placed
`upstream of the inlet to the nozzle block 13. This device
`conveniently consists of a slotted piston 40, having an
`axial aperture 41 through it and located in a bore 42.
`The piston under no flow conditions is pressed against a
`shoulder 43 by a spring 44 which urges the piston away
`from a seating 45. When gas under high pressure is ad-
`mitted, the piston 40 is pressed against its seating 45 and
`the flow takes place only through its axial aperture 41.
`As the gas pressure drops, the piston 40 is pressed away
`from its seating 45 by the spring 44, so that the resistance
`to flow is decreased.
`In an alternative construction of the device, the attach-
`ment of the device to the fabric of the inflation bag is at a
`position near to the outer axial end of the device, as
`opposed to being near to the end, as in the example illus-
`trated in FIGURES 1 and 2. The outlet aperture lead-
`ing into the inflation bag may then be formed in the side
`wall of the casing ll downstream of the louvre apertures.
`As various changes may be made in the form, construc-
`tion and arrangement of the parts herein, without depart-
`ing from the spirit and scope of the invention and with-
`out sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be under-
`stood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illus-
`trative and not in any limiting sense.
`We claim:
`1. An aspirator device for installation in inflation bags
`such as inflatable dinghies and life rafts, comprising a
`rounded outer body, a rounded inner body eccentrically
`arranged within said outer body to define an annular
`space between said bodies, a first member at one end of
`said bodies and a second member at the other end of said
`bodies enclosing said annular space, an air inlet opening
`in said first member, an air outlet opening in said second
`member substantially adjacent said inlet opening, a baffle
`positioned in said annular space between said inlet and
`said outlet for directing air flow from said inlet into a
`curved path extending obliquely to the length of the
`bodies around said annular space to said outlet, gas nozzle
`means placed in the path between said inner and outer
`bodies and arranged to direct a stream of gas along said
`curved path, and valve means at said air inlet means for
`shutting off the passage of air through the device.
`2. An aspirator according to claim 1, wherein diifuser
`inlets are arranged in the side wall of the inner body and
`means are provided for the admission of atmospheric air
`to the interior of the inner body whereby to draw air into
`the curved path through the side wall of the inner body.
`3. An aspirator, comprising an outer circular body, an
`inner circular body arranged eccentrically Within said
`outer circular body to define an annular space between
`said bodies, inner and outer end cover means at the ends
`of said circular bodies, inlet means in the outer end cover,
`outlet means in the inner end cover, said inlet and outlet
`means communicating with the annular space between
`said inner circular body and said outer circular body, an
`inclined bathe plate positioned in said annular space be-
`tween said inlet and said outlet for directing air flow from
`said inlet into a curved path extending obliquely to the
`length of the bodies around said annular space to said
`outlet, gas nozzles arranged over said baffle and arranged
`to direct a gas stream therealong in an inward direction,
`louvre apertures in the side wall of the inner circular body
`at a position downstream of a throat formed between the
`eccentrically arranged inner circular body and the outer
`circular body, inlet means leading into the outer end of
`said inner circular body and valve means adapted to seal
`off the inlet means both in the end cover and in the inner
`circular body.
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`3,158,314
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`5
`4. An aspirator device according to claim 3, wherein
`the outer circular body further includes an outer member
`overlying and spaced from the outer end cover, said outer
`member having an aperture means therein adapted to be
`rendered inefieotive by said valve means.
`5. An aspirator device according to claim 3, including
`‘ a closed cylinder placed in said device co-axially with said
`inlet means of said outer circular body, a piston member
`in said cylinder connected with a movable valve member
`of said valve means, a spring means acting on said piston
`member to draw said valve member against a seating on
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`said outer end cover, and a gas inlet to said cylinder for -
`the admission thereto .of gas under pressure, said gas
`acting on the piston in opposition to said spring force.
`6. An aspirator device according to claim 5, further in-
`cluding an annular flap valve member supported on said
`cylinder and arranged to seal against a seating on the
`inner surface of said outer end cover.
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`10
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`References Cited in the file of this patent
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
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`2,595,218
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`Allen __________________ May 6, 1952
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