AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Area 55, Inc. Actual Inventors: SABADICCI, Rio NELSON, Larry D. Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000 Invention Title: Improved venturi apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.
C:\NRPonbrDCC\AZM\4585795_1.DOC-4/09/21I2 IMPROVED VENTURI APPARATUS The disclosure of the complete specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2007218017 as originally filed is incorporated herein by reference. 5 The present invention is directed to an improved venturi device, and more particularly, an improved venturi device that is operative to facilitate the mixture of two or more fluids. Venturi-type devices are well-known in the art. Generally, such devices 10 comprise fittings or tubular structures, and in particular pipe structures, that are constricted in the middle and flared on both ends. When a fluid, such as a gas or liquid, is passed through the venturi, the fluid's velocity of flow is caused to increase whereas the fluid's pressure is correspondingly caused to decrease. Such devices are used in a variety of applications, and especially in measuring fluid flow or for creating suction as 15 for driving aircraft instruments or drawing fuel into the flow stream of a carburetor. Along these lines, venturi devices are frequently utilized to mix or combine a second fluid (i.e., a liquid or gas) with a fluid passing through the venturi. In this regard, it is well-known that the constriction point of the venturi creates a vacuum that is operative to draw in a liquid or gas. Exemplary of such devices that rely on this 20 principle include those disclosed in United States Patent Numbers 5,509,349 to Anderson, et al., and 6,568,660 to Flanbaum, the teachings of each of which are incorporated by reference. Despite the well-known principles behind venturi devices, as well as the ability of the same to effectively and selectively facilitate the mixture of two or more fluids, 25 drawbacks currently exist in relation to the inability of such devices to introduce (i.e., draw in) a second fluid to a first fluid passing through the venturi device. In this regard, the velocity of the first or primary fluid passing through the venturi is maximized at the point of tapering, which gives rise to the vacuum enabling the second fluid to be drawn into the fluid flow. However, the venturi's tapered portion, because of its limited size, is 30 operative to reduce the area into which a second fluid can be drawn into the fluid flow. The combined increased speed of the fluid and reduced area can thus preclude the ability of the venturi to draw in a second fluid. While attempts in the art have been made to facilitate the interaction or mixing between two fluids mixed with one another using a vertical flow effect, such as the fluid C:\RPorblDCC\AZM\4585795 DOC-4/09/2012 -2 mixtures disclosed in United States Patent Numbers 6,581,856 to Srinath, incorporated herein by reference, these attempts have failed insofar as those types of devices are designed to introduce a second fluid into a first stream of fluid emitted under pressure at high velocity. By virtue of the effects of high pressure and velocity, the ability to 5 interject a second fluid becomes substantially more difficult and often requires that the second fluid itself be forcibly introduced under pressure. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a liquid and a gas, the apparatus comprising: a. a first funnel section configured to be open to and in fluid 10 communication with the atmosphere, and vertically aligned to receive the liquid due to the liquid being poured and subject to gravity and atmospheric pressure; b. a first cylindrical section fluidly coupled to said first funnel section; c. an intermediate passageway defining a compartment having a ceiling, floor and midsection, said intermediate, passageway having a ceiling diameter greater 15 than a first cylinder diameter of said first cylindrical section, said, first cylindrical section ending at said ceiling; d. at least one sidearm passageway fluidly connected to said intermediate passageway; e. a second cylindrical section fluidly coupled with and extending from 20 said floor of said intermediate passageway; f. a second funnel section fluidly coupled to said second cylindrical section and vertically oriented with the first funnel section, the first and second cylindrical sections, and the intermediate passageway; g. wherein said first funnel section, first cylindrical section, said 25 intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section and said second funnel section are operative to sequentially receive and define a fluid flow path for the liquid; and h. wherein said fluid flow path extending from said first cylindrical section to said ceiling of said intermediate passageway operatively introduces a decrease in pressure to the liquid passing therethrough and said at least one sidearm 30 passageway is operative to introduce the gas into said intermediate passageway when said liquid passes therethrough at said decreased pressure. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of a liquid and a gas, the apparatus C:\NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\4585795_ I DOC-4/A9/2012 -3 comprising: a. a first funnel section having a first cylindrical section fluidly coupled thereto and extending downwardly therefrom, the first funnel section configured to be open to and in fluid communication with the atmosphere, and vertically aligned to 5 receive the liquid due to the liquid being poured and subject to gravity and atmospheric pressure; b. an intermediate passageway defining a compartment having a ceiling, floor and midsection, said ceiling of said intermediate passageway being fluidly coupled to and depending from said first cylindrical section, said ceiling of said intermediate 10 passageway having a ceiling diameter greater than a cylinder diameter of said first cylindrical section; c. at least one sidearm passageway fluidly connected to the midsection of said intermediate passageway; d. a second cylindrical section fluidly coupled to and depending from 15 floor of said intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section having a second funnel section depending therefrom and fluidly coupled thereto; and e. wherein said first funnel section, first cylindrical section, said intermediate passageway, said second cylindrical section and said second funnel section have a vertical orientation and are operative to sequentially receive and define a fluid 20 flow path for the liquid and said at least one sidearm passageway is operative to receive and transfer the gas to said intermediate passageway when said liquid passes therethrough. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method 25 of aerating wine, the method comprising: disposing a venturi apparatus in vertical alignment with a receptacle such that a liquid flow path of the apparatus is substantially vertically aligned; pouring wine from a bottle, the wine flowing vertically downward due to gravity, through an opening in a top of the venturi apparatus exposed to the atmosphere 30 into a reservoir of the venturi apparatus at a beginning of the liquid flow path, the wine being subject to about atmospheric pressure in the reservoir; continuing to dispose the apparatus such that the wine flows vertically downward from the reservoir; decreasing pressure of the wine in a vicinity of an air intake; drawing air C\NRPorb\CC\AZM A585795_l.DOC-U09/2012 -4 through the air intake due to the pressure decrease; mixing the wine with the air drawn through the air intake to form aerated wine; and continuing to dispose the apparatus in vertical alignment with the receptacle 5 such that the aerated wine flows from the apparatus into the receptacle. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide an improved venturi apparatus that modifies the desired flow dynamics of the venturi apparatus to consequently improve the ability of a first fluid passing through the venturi to draw in one or more 10 second fluids such that a resultant mixture is produced having substantially greater homogeneity than conventional venturi devices. Preferred embodiments of the invention also provide a venturi apparatus that is of simple construction, low cost to design and capable of being readily deployed in a wide-variety of applications, and such a device that can be readily utilized with a low or high pressurized fluid flow, and facilitate the 15 mixture of gas with liquid. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide an improved venturi apparatus that is operative to facilitate the assimilation and mixture of two or more fluids in a manner vastly superior to prior art venturi apparatuses, the improved venturi apparatus 20 comprising a plurality of sections defining a fluid passageway, a first said section comprising a generally funnel-type, frusto-conical void for receiving a first fluid, the first funnel section, per conventional venturi design, possessing a tapered configuration operative to define a progressively narrowing passageway to thus accelerate fluid velocity, the first section channeling the fluid to a first cylindrical section, the latter 25 defining a generally straight, cylindrical passageway and being operative to normalize the flow of the first fluid and thus reduce fluid turbulence, and an expanded intermediate cylindrical passageway, fluidly connected to the first cylindrical section, that is configured and dimensioned to be larger in diameter than the first cylindrical section, the intermediate passageway being operative to cause the fluid received from 30 the first cylindrical section to experience a slight decrease in pressure, contrary to conventional venturi design. The improved venturi apparatus may include two diametrically opposed sidearm passageways fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway to thus enable a second fluid to be drawn into and introduced with the first fluid or, alternatively, enable a third fluid to be drawn into and introduced with the first C:\NRPortb\DCC\AZM\S485795_ I DOC-4A9/2012 -5 and second fluids. Preferably, such sidearm passageways will be operative to fluidly interconnect with the intermediate passageway at approximately the medial portion of the intermediate passageway. Along these lines, to facilitate optimal flow dynamics requires that the sidearm passageways introducing one or more additional fluids will 5 interconnect with the intermediate passageway at a point where the first fluid experiences a slight reduction in pressure. Extending downwardly from the intermediate passageway is a second cylindrical section that is preferably smaller in diameter relative to the intermediate passageway and operative to receive the first and second fluids and normalize the flow of the same. Descending from the second 10 cylindrical section is a second funnel-type, frusto-conical void defining an exit pathway that enables the fluids to further mix and exit. The aforementioned sections may be integrated in vertical, horizontal, or angled configurations. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the improved venturi apparatus may be incorporated as part of a housing or otherwise formed of a segment of 15 pipe, tubing and/or fitting to thus enable the same to be integrated for a specific application. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is efficient and effective to facilitate the aeration of wine, especially red wine. A substantial number of other applications will further be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art. 20 The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is an elevated perspective view of a housing incorporating an improved venturi apparatus embodying the present invention; 25 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a chamfer-type transition between adjoining sections of the improved venturi apparatus; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the intermediate passageway of the apparatus and passageways of the apparatus fluidly coupled therewith for facilitating 30 the mixture between a first fluid and a second fluid. The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The C:\NRPodb ADCCAZ,\4585795 I DOC41/9/20 12 -6 description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention. 5 Referring now to the figures, and initially to Figure 1, there is perspectively illustrated an improved venturi apparatus 10 that is operative to facilitate the assimilation and mixture of fluids, particularly a liquid and a gas, in a manner that is exceptionally more effective and efficient than prior art methods. At the outset, it should be understood that the term "fluid" as used herein can comprise any fluid-type substance 10 and should be deemed to expressly encompass any type of liquid or gas, as well as materials caused to assume either a liquid or gaseous state as may be caused by the application of either heat and/or pressure, and thus may encompass condensates and vaporized or melted materials. Accordingly, fluids as used herein should be construed as broadly as possible. 15 The improved venturi apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of sections, namely, a first funnel section 14, first cylindrical section 16, intermediate passageway 18, at least one and preferably two sidearm passageways 24, 26, second cylindrical section 28 and second funnel section 30, all of which are discussed more fully below, that collectively define a sequential path or passageway through which at lease one first fluid is caused 20 to flow through and by which at least one second fluid, via its introduction through passageways 24, 26, is drawn into intermediate passageway 18 and thereafter combine and exit the apparatus via second cylindrical section 28 and second funnel section 30, the latter being operative to facilitate mixing and attaining the desired homogeneity. To achieve the desired effects herein described, there is shown in Figure 2 the 25 arrangement of the various sections of the improved venturi apparatus. As illustrated, first funnel section 14 defines an opening for receiving a first fluid. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the first fluid may comprise either a single fluid or a mixture of fluids. In any event, the fluid introduced into first section 14, per conventional venturi design, creates a narrowing of the fluid flow path, thus creating an 30 increase in the first fluid's velocity and decrease of the first fluid's pressure. The first fluid then passes from the first section 14 to a first straight, cylindrical or tubular section 16 as shown. Such first cylindrical section 16 is operative to normalize the flow of the first fluid passing from the first funnel section 14 and consequently reduces fluid turbulence. In order to attain optimal functioning of the C \NRPortbT\DCC\AZM\4585795_l.DOC-4A)9/2012 -7 venturi, a chamfer or bevel should be provided at the point interconnecting adjacent sections, 14 and 16 of the improved venturi 10, shown as 32 in Figure 2A. In this regard, it is believed that this smooth rounded transitional surface is operative to facilitate fluid flow and minimize turbulence and disruptions. To fabricate .such 5 contoured surfaces will be easily understood by those skilled in the art and that any type of material, whether it be glass, plastic and/or metal can be readily utilized to fabricate the improved venturi devices disclosed herein. The first fluid is then sequentially introduced from first cylindrical section 16 to intermediate passageway 18. As illustrated, intermediate passageway 18 defines a 10 chamber having a diameter greater than that of the first cylindrical section 16, and is provided with a floor and ceiling as well as a mid section having a diameter substantially greater than the first cylindrical section 16 and second cylindrical section 28. As a consequence of having a greater diameter, the first fluid passing from the first cylindrical section 16 to the intermediate passageway 18 experiences a slight decrease 15 in pressure, unlike conventional venturi devices. By virtue of the fluid flow into the intermediate passageway 18, a vacuum force is created that causes a second fluid to be drawn into the intermediate passageway 18 via one or both sidearm passageways 24, 26, as shown. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the improved venturi apparatus 10 need only be provided with one sidearm passageway to allow for the 20 introduction of a second fluid or, alternatively, may be provided with three or more channels to enable either a greater volume of a second fluid to be drawn into the intermediate passageway 18 or, alternatively, can serve as inlets to enable a third, fourth, fifth or more fluids to be selectively introduced into the intermediate passageway 18. Accordingly, although depicted in Figure 2 as having two diametrically opposed 25 sidearm passageways 24, 26, and dedicated openings 20, 22, through which at least one second fluid may be introduced, various design changes and modifications of the passageway design will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one or all of the sidearm passageways 24, 26, will be configured such that the same are fluidly connected to the 30 intermediate passageway 18 at generally the median or mid section thereof. Along these lines, and as more clearly illustrated in Figure 3, sidearm passageways 24, 26, interconnect with intermediate passageway 18 at a point below the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18, represented by "A" and a distance above the floor of the intermediate passageway 18 represented in Figure 2 by "B". In a most highly preferred CANRPonbDCCAZM\455795_1 DOC-4P9/2012 -8 embodiment, distances "A" and "B" will be equal. Currently, however, it is known that some distance must exist between the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18 and the sidearm passageway or passageways 24, 26, utilized to introduce the second fluid in order to achieve optimum intermixing of fluids as discussed more fully herein. To the 5 extent the passageways 24, 26, are aligned with the ceiling of the intermediate passageway 18 (i.e., the distance represented by "A" is 0), it is believed that the ability to optimally draw in a secondary fluid will be suboptimal and hence the ability to attain superior mixing by the improved venturi apparatus will be suboptimal. By so arranging the interconnection between sidearm passageways 24, 26, and 10 intermediate passageway 18, the second fluid is thus drawn into and allowed to mix with the first fluid passing into the intermediate passageway 18 in a manner substantially superior to that of prior art devices. Quite unexpectedly, it is believed that by configuring the intermediate passageway 18 to have a greater diameter relative to both first and second cylindrical sections 16, 28 coupled with the introduction of at least 15 one second fluid at substantially the mid portion of the intermediate passageway 18, a substantially greater volume of at least one second fluid is drawn in to the fluid flow that, as a consequence, produces a substantially more thorough interaction between the fluids to thus create a resultant mixture having a higher degree of homogeneity when the combined fluids pass through the improved venturi relative the mixing of fluids via 20 conventional venturi devices. Following the commingling of the first and second fluids in intermediate passageway 18, the resultant combination is then caused to pass downwardly via second cylindrical section 28 that, similar to first cylindrical section 16, is operative to normalize fluid flow. Thereafter, the combination of fluids is caused to thoroughly 25 intermix and exit via second funnel section 30 per conventional venturi devices. Along these lines, such second flume' section 30 facilitates the. mixture between the fluids as the same undergo a decrease in velocity and an increase in pressure. As will further be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of dimensions can be utilized in each of the various sections of the improved venturi 30 apparatus for use in a given application. In one specific embodiment exceptionally effective in facilitating the aeration of wine, especially red wine, it is believed that the following dimensions are ideal: the first cylindrical section 14 will have a conical shape of any length tapering to 4.9 mm with a sharp reduction in 1.8 mm height to 4.7 mm, known as a chamfer or bevel, shown as 32 in Figure 2A; first cylindrical section 16 will C:\NRPonblDCC\AZM\4585795IDOC-4A)9/2012 -9 have a constant diameter of 4.7 mm and a height of at least 3.6 mm; intermediate passageway 18 will have a diameter of 6.3 mm and a height of approximately 5 mm; two symmetrical, diametrically opposed sidearm passageways, 24, 26 will have lengths of approximately 8.3 mm and diameters of approximately 3.2 mm and fluidly 5 interconnecting with the intermediate passageway 18 at approximately the mid portion thereof; a second cylindrical section 28 will have a constant diameter of 4.7 mm and a height of 6.8 mm; and second exit funnel section 30 will have a height of approximately 64 mm tapering to an exit diameter of approximately 10.5 mm. When so constructed, the improved venturi apparatus is operative to substantially aerate wine, especially red 10 wine, when a flow of liquid wine is merely passed through the venturi apparatus at atmospheric pressure and the consumer need only pour the wine from the bottle through a vertically oriented venturi apparatus and into a wine glass or other receptacle, such as a decanter. Such dimensions, however, are merely one example of how to construct the improved venturi apparatus for a specific application and by no means should be 15 construed as any limitation thereof. Moreover, the improved venturi apparatus 10, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, may be formed as part of a housing 12, as shown in Figure 1, or may otherwise be incorporated as part of a fitting or incorporated as part of a tubular pipe structure. The improved venturi apparatus 10 is further preferably configured to 20 assume a vertical orientation, to thus enable gravitational force to cause fluid to flow sequentially through the sections 14, 16, 18, 28 and 30, as shown. As will be readily understood, however, the improved venturi apparatus 10 may be configured to assume horizontal and angled configurations and further, may be operative to receive fluids that are pressurized. 25 Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention. As should 30 again be reemphasized, the improved venturi apparatus may be operative to be utilized as a stand alone device or otherwise incorporated as part of an integrated process and capable of widespread utilization as would be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill.
C:NRPonbl\DCC\AZM\4585795_LDOC4/09/2012 -10 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 5 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general 10 knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.