WO2024184458A1 - Système modulaire d'éjecteurs à vide - Google Patents

Système modulaire d'éjecteurs à vide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024184458A1
WO2024184458A1 PCT/EP2024/056013 EP2024056013W WO2024184458A1 WO 2024184458 A1 WO2024184458 A1 WO 2024184458A1 EP 2024056013 W EP2024056013 W EP 2024056013W WO 2024184458 A1 WO2024184458 A1 WO 2024184458A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vacuum
ejector pump
vacuum ejector
stage
pump
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2024/056013
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel Onishi
Original Assignee
Onishivacuum Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Onishivacuum Ab filed Critical Onishivacuum Ab
Publication of WO2024184458A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024184458A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/14—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being elastic fluid
    • F04F5/16—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being elastic fluid displacing elastic fluids
    • F04F5/20—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being elastic fluid displacing elastic fluids for evacuating
    • F04F5/22—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow the inducing fluid being elastic fluid displacing elastic fluids for evacuating of multi-stage type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • F04F5/466—Arrangements of nozzles with a plurality of nozzles arranged in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/46—Arrangements of nozzles
    • F04F5/467—Arrangements of nozzles with a plurality of nozzles arranged in series
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/44—Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04F5/02 - F04F5/42
    • F04F5/48—Control
    • F04F5/52—Control of evacuating pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F5/00—Jet pumps, i.e. devices in which flow is induced by pressure drop caused by velocity of another fluid flow
    • F04F5/54—Installations characterised by use of jet pumps, e.g. combinations of two or more jet pumps of different type

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of vacuum ejector systems for generating a vacuum using a source of compressed gas.
  • the present invention also relates to a method of generating a vacuum with comparably high vacuum volume flow rate and/or vacuum level so that the vacuum ejector system can be used for specific and various applications.
  • Ejector vacuum pumps which use a source of compressed gas, typically air, in order to generate a vacuum and thus a negative pressure in a cavity or space are known.
  • Gas driven ejectors function by accelerating a high-pressure gas provided at an inlet via a drive nozzle or ejector nozzle. The gas is ejected at the ejector nozzle into a vacuum cavity that comprises a gap through which the gas travels at high speed from the outlet of the ejector nozzle to an inlet of an expansion nozzle or outflow passage across the gap.
  • Gas that is within the vacuum cavity where the gap is positioned is entrained in the high-speed flow of compressed gas and the flow or jet of high-speed gas drags the gas from within the vacuum cavity into the expansion nozzle or outlet nozzle thereby generating a vacuum in the vacuum cavity and any space that is fluidically connected to the vacuum cavity such as for example a vacuum collecting compartment.
  • vacuum ejector pumps with several stages in order to generate a vacuum comparably fast by emptying spaces of gas using comparably large nozzles and combining stages with comparably small nozzles to generate a deep or low vacuum and thus a high negative pressure.
  • the small nozzles and expansion nozzle combinations are thereby arranged close to the inlet where the compressed gas is provided and thus upstream as seen in a flow direction of highspeed gas along the multistage vacuum ejector pump.
  • the vacuum provided by such ejector pumps is typically collected in a vacuum collecting compartment that is in fluid connection with each vacuum cavity of each stage.
  • the vacuum collecting compartment is used to collect the generated vacuum of all the stages and from the vacuum collecting compartment a vacuum can be generated in a target volume.
  • Valves can be used in order to close off stages that have served their purpose when certain vacuum levels and thus negative pressure levels are achieved.
  • Such valves are typically no-return valves, and they ensure that higher vacuum levels (higher negative pressures) than the one provided by the stage at hand, typically a stage with a rather big drive- and expansion nozzles, can be achieved.
  • Stages with comparably bigger drive- and expansion nozzles compared to the first drive - or ejector nozzle typically generate a higher vacuum flow rate while stages close to the inlet or compressed gas source generate a high vacuum level (high negative pressure).
  • the term small nozzle and big nozzle refers to the diameter or cross-sectional area of such a nozzle.
  • a high-level vacuum (high negative pressure) can be achieved at the drawback of having a low vacuum volume flow rate and a high vacuum volume flow can typically be achieved at the drawback of having a comparably low absolute vacuum (low negative pressure).
  • the nozzles and therewith the vacuum ejector pumps may either be tailored to achieve a high-level vacuum or a high vacuum flow rate depending on the application.
  • a high negative pressure is usually required in order to generate a high suction force and thus a maximum pressure difference with ambient pressure.
  • such high negative pressures can be used with robots to lift heavy objects that do not let gas pass through at the point of contact with the vacuum adapter, which is typically a suction cup or the like.
  • the vacuum ejector pump may even be turned off once the object is connected at the vacuum adapters, since the object do not let pass gas through their surface that is sucked onto the vacuum adapter.
  • a high vacuum volume flow rate is also desirable when quick turnarounds are needed, for example when a packaging robot needs to lift a certain number of objects per time period.
  • the high-volume vacuum flow allows thereby to generate a vacuum quickly for picking up the object and to release the object quickly once it is placed where it is supposed to be.
  • the series of ejector nozzles and expansion nozzles are provided along a continuous channel, the flow direction of the highspeed gas stream, whereby the cross-sectional area of the nozzles are increasing from the first stage to the last stage, thereby successively accelerating the air flow along each stage.
  • multistage ejector pumps that provide both a high vacuum volume flow and a high vacuum level.
  • Such multistage ejector pumps typically comprise three or more nozzles arranged in series within a housing, each neighbouring pair of nozzles in the series defining a respective stage across which a negative pressure is generated in the gap between outlet and inlet of neighbouring nozzles and within a vacuum cavity.
  • the first stages typically provide a high-level vacuum while the subsequent stages provide a high- level vacuum flow.
  • No-return valves at the subsequent stages ensure that a high- volume vacuum flow can be provided in the beginning of an evacuation process while when these no-return valves close a high-level vacuum can be achieved later on at the cost of having a comparably lower vacuum volume flow rate.
  • figure 1 shows a typical vacuum flow versus vacuum level curve that can be achieved with multistage ejector pumps according to the prior art.
  • Figure 1 illustrates well how the vacuum flow rate is rather high in the beginning of the evacuation process while it then flattens out towards higher vacuum levels, since the no-return valves of the subsequent stages are closing one after the other, which is illustrated by the change of inclinations 100 in the curve.
  • the curve illustrated in figure 1 has some drawbacks in particular when a robot is lifting porous material using a vacuum.
  • a robot When lifting porous material such as cement bags, cardboard, Styrofoam, insulation boards and so on, at least some multistage ejector vacuum pumps reach their limit and it is not possible to lift and move porous material with them since the vacuum volume flow rate is not sufficient at the relevant vacuum level.
  • the same or a similar situation can occur when material with comparably rough surfaces have to be lifted using vacuum for example on a robot.
  • the suction cup will not close tightly on the rough surface in such a situation, which means that not tight and stable vacuum can be established, which in turn means that the vacuum pump needs to be constantly on to keep on generating the vacuum.
  • a higher vacuum volume flow rate for various vacuum levels may of course be achieved by using a higher initial gas pressure at the inlet and/or a higher gas flow and/or a bigger ejector pump but many industries require energy saving vacuum ejector systems that are versatile and comparably small so that they can be placed close to the position, for example a suction cup on a robot, where the vacuum is needed.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum ejector system that is versatile, efficient and economic.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling vacuum volume flow rate and vacuum strength (vacuum level) in a modular vacuum ejector system that allows to adjust and configure the modular vacuum ejector system for various purposes while saving energy and thus gas pressure, while at the same time providing a comparably small modular vacuum ejector system.
  • the inventor of the present invention has discovered that it is possible to use at least two multistage vacuum ejector pumps, a fist vacuum ejector pump and a second vacuum ejector pump, the first vacuum ejector pump comprising at least two stages and the second vacuum ejector pump comprising at least one stage arranged so that at least one stage of the first vacuum ejector pump can be connected to at least one stage of the second vacuum ejector pump in order to enhance vacuum volume flow at specific vacuum levels or to adjust vacuum levels at various vacuum volume flow rates.
  • the firstand the second vacuum ejector pump may use the same source of compressed gas and the vacuum volume flow may be controlled and adjusted by guiding the vacuum flow within the at least two vacuum ejector pumps according to the specific need of the present application by using some of the stages of the second vacuum ejector pump and by sealing of other stages of the second vacuum ejector pump, depending on the specifications of the task at hand.
  • the inventor of the present disclosure has further discovered that is possible to increase vacuum flow rate by opening later stages of the second vacuum ejector pump and by sealing off earlier stages of the second vacuum ejector pump and that is possible to adjust vacuum level by opening early stages of the second vacuum ejector pump and sealing off later stages of the second vacuum ejector pump.
  • a modular vacuum ejector system comprising a first vacuum ejector pump having a vacuum collecting compartment, an inlet for pressurized gas, a first stage and a second stage arranged in series, the first stage comprising at least one ejector nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet, at least one expansion nozzle and a vacuum cavity.
  • the second stage comprises at least one expansion nozzle and a vacuum cavity, the vacuum cavity of the first stage and the vacuum cavity of the second stage being fluidly connected to the vacuum collecting compartment.
  • the vacuum cavities each comprise a feed through connected with one end to the vacuum collecting compartment and each of the feed throughs having an open end.
  • An outlet of the at least one ejector nozzle of the first stage is directed into the vacuum cavity of the first stage and an inlet of the expansion nozzle of the first stage is arranged in the vacuum cavity of the first stage.
  • An outlet of the expansion nozzle of the first stage is arranged in the vacuum cavity of the second stage and an inlet of the expansion nozzle of the second stage is arranged in the vacuum cavity of the second stage. Between the inlets and outlets of the ejector and expansion nozzles a gap is present.
  • the modular vacuum ejector system further comprises a second vacuum ejector pump having an inlet for pressurized gas, a vacuum collecting compartment comprising a channel, a first stage comprising at least one ejector nozzle having an outlet, at least one expansion nozzle having an inlet and a vacuum cavity in which the outlet and inlet are arranged leaving a gap between one another.
  • the vacuum cavity of the second vacuum ejector pump comprising an opening for connecting the vacuum cavity to the vacuum collecting compartment of the second vacuum ejector pump and from the vacuum collecting compartment via the channel to the open end of one of the feed throughs of the first vacuum ejector pump.
  • the modular vacuum ejector system further comprises at least one blocking element being designed to seal the open end of the other of the feed throughs of the first vacuum ejector pump.
  • a vacuum ejector system allows to control and steer vacuum volume flow rate and/or vacuum level. Connecting the first vacuum ejector pump and the second vacuum ejector pump so that at least one stage of the first vacuum ejector pump can be connected to at least one stage of the second vacuum ejector pump can improve vacuum depth or vacuum volume flow.
  • first vacuum ejector pump and the second vacuum ejector pump each comprise a plurality of stages.
  • the stages and therewith the diameter of the nozzles increase in size along a flow direction of a highspeed gas stream. This means that the vacuum volume flow rate of each stage increases along the flow direction while the vacuum level that can be provided is lower the longer downstream the highspeed gas stream it is positioned.
  • the second vacuum ejector pump has at least two stages each of them comprising a vacuum cavity with an opening into the vacuum collecting compartment, the channels of the at least two stages of the second vacuum ejector pump being connectable the open ends of the feed throughs of the two stages of the first vacuum ejector pump and whereby at least one open end of one of the feed throughs of the first vacuum ejector pump is sealable using the blocking element.
  • Providing two stages in the second vacuum ejector pump increases the flexibility and adjustability of the modular vacuum ejector system.
  • each of the first vacuum ejector pump and the second vacuum ejector pump may comprise multiple stages and wherein any of the stages of any of the first - or second vacuum ejector pump can be sealed using a suitable number and type of blocking elements either prior or after the vacuum collecting compartment of the second vacuum ejector pump.
  • the above embodiment provides even more flexibility and adjustability in controlling and guiding vacuum volume flow rate and vacuum flow.
  • first vacuum ejector pump and the second vacuum ejector pump may share a compressed gas source.
  • the shared compressed gas source may a compressor, a pressure chamber or just a line providing gas pressure.
  • the gas used may be air.
  • They may also each have a separate compressed gas source in order to increase capacity of the vacuum ejector system.
  • the size and therewith the vacuum volume flow rate of the first stage, the second stage and so on of each of the first vacuum ejector pump and the second vacuum ejector pump continuously increase along a flow direction of a highspeed gas stream.
  • Disclosed herein is also a method for controlling vacuum flow and vacuum level in a modular vacuum ejector system comprising a first vacuum ejector pump and a second vacuum ejector pump.
  • the first vacuum ejector pump comprising at least two stages and the second vacuum ejector pump comprises at least one stage, the method comprising the steps of:
  • This method allows to adjust vacuum volume flow rate and/or vacuum level in the modular vacuum ejector system, which provides a high flexibility and adjustability for the use case.
  • the method may be used to adjust a modular vacuum ejector system comprising a first vacuum ejector pump and a second vacuum ejector pump, whereby each comprise a plurality of stages to further adjust and control the vacuum flow at different vacuum levels.
  • a method may further comprise the steps of
  • the number of provided blocking elements may match the number of stages of the second vacuum ejector pump.
  • the method may comprise the step of increasing the vacuum volume flow rate of the modular vacuum ejector system by removing blocking elements from the channels or feed throughs of at least two of the stages with a greatest size of the second vacuum ejector pump, which stages are arranged downstream along a flow direction of the highspeed gas stream, preferably farthest away from an ejector nozzle of the first vacuum ejector pump.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vacuum diagram that is achieved by multistage vacuum ejector pumps according to the prior art
  • Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a vacuum ejector system according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a vacuum ejector system according to the invention
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a vacuum ejector system according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment of figure 4 in a different configuration
  • Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiments of figures 4 and 5 in still a different configuration
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a diagram that can be achieved using the vacuum ejector system according to the present invention in light of figure 1 , which shows the prior art;
  • Figure 2 illustrates a vacuum ejector system 1 comprising a first vacuum ejector pump 2 and a second vacuum ejector pump 4.
  • the first vacuum ejector pump 2 comprises a first stage 8 and a second stage 10 and may thus be called a two- stage vacuum ejector pump 2.
  • the first vacuum ejector pump 2 and the second vacuum ejector pump 4 may be designed as modular pumps, which means that stages may be added or taken away depending on the specifications of the work to be performed or the job at hand.
  • the first vacuum ejector pump 2 comprises a vacuum collecting compartment 12 having an inlet 13 that can be connected to a vacuum hose or a suction cup or the like.
  • the first vacuum ejector pump 2 further comprises an inlet 6, which received pressurized gas, and which is arranged prior to the first stage 8.
  • Each of the first and second stages 8, 10 comprise a vacuum cavity 24, 32 and a feed through 42, 44. From the inlet an ejector nozzle 20 or drive nozzle 20 extends into the vacuum cavity 24 of the first stage 8 (S1 ). From the vacuum cavity 24 of the first stage 8 an expansion nozzle 22 having an expanding cross-sectional area extends into the vacuum cavity 32 of the second stage 10 (S2).
  • An outlet of the ejector nozzle 20 and the inlet of the expansion nozzle 22 are arranged at a distance from one another generating a gap in the vacuum cavity 24 so that surrounding gas can be entrained into the highspeed gas flow generated in the ejector nozzle 20 and the expansion nozzle 22.
  • the highspeed gas flow is indicated with the flow direction fd.
  • the process and vacuum generation continues in the second stage 10 where an outlet of the expansion nozzle 22 is entering into the vacuum cavity 32 of the second stage 10 and then into an inlet of a further expansion nozzle 30, which is bigger than the previous expansion nozzle 22 as measured in cross sectional area.
  • the outlet and inlets in the vacuum cavity 32 of the second stage 10 are again arranged at a gap from one another so that surrounding air in the vacuum cavity 32 of the second stage 10 is entrained in the highspeed gas flow before it is ejected from the expansion nozzle 30 of the second stage 10.
  • the feed through 44 of the second stage comprises a no-return valve or valve 34 that closes once a certain negative pressure is reached so that the first stage can continue to reduce the (negative) pressure to an even lower level. It is to be noted that the no-return valve 34 is only needed when a tight or sealed vacuum application is present for lifting porous material or material with a rough surface this no-return valve 34 is not needed.
  • Figure 2 further illustrates how the second vacuum ejector pump 4 may comprise an inlet valve 23 at the gas pressure source or inlet.
  • Such an inlet valve 23 may even be provided at the first vacuum ejector pump 2 depending on configuration and need.
  • the inlet valve may allow to steer and control the vacuum volume flow and vacuum depth even further.
  • Any other subsequent vacuum ejector pump arranged after or connected to a stage of the second vacuum ejector pump 4 may comprise such an inlet valve 23.
  • each embodiment may comprise such an inlet valve 23 at the inlet of the gas pressure source in any of the first-, second or third vacuum ejector pump 2, 4 or any other subsequent vacuum ejector pump.
  • the ejected gas from the last or latest stage may be collected and subjected to pressure again by adding energy so that it can be used to drive the vacuum generating process again.
  • the feed throughs 42, 44 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 extend with one of their respective ends into the vacuum collecting compartment 12 and with their other ends into open ends at bottom of the first vacuum ejector pump 2.
  • a vacuum collecting compartment 18 of the second vacuum ejector pump 4 can be connected.
  • the second vacuum ejector pump 4 is illustrated as having one stage 16 (S1 ).
  • the second vacuum ejector pump 4 comprises similarly to the first vacuum ejector pump 2 an inlet 14 to receive pressurized gas, which inlet 14 is connected via an ejector nozzle 36 or drive nozzle 36 to a vacuum cavity 40 of the one stage 16.
  • the outlet of the ejector nozzle 36 is arranged in the vacuum cavity 40 and an inlet of an expansion nozzle 38 is also arranged in the vacuum cavity 40 of the one stage 16 at gap from the outlet of the ejector nozzle 36.
  • the vacuum cavity 40 is fluidically connected to the vacuum collecting compartment 18 via a feed through46 and the vacuum collecting cavity 18 is further fluidically connected to the feed through 44 of the second stage 10 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2.
  • the other open end of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 of the feed through 42 of the first stage 8 is sealed off using a blocking element 5.
  • the open end of the second vacuum ejector pump 4 is sealed using a blocking element 5.
  • This open end of the second vacuum ejector pump 4 may however be open if a third vacuum ejector pump (not shown) is connected to the open end of the second vacuum ejector pump 4.
  • the second vacuum ejector pump 4 helps therewith to increase vacuum volume flow in the second stage 10 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 using one and the same compressed gas source through the respective inlets 6, 14.
  • the second vacuum ejector pump 4 can also be connected to the first stage 8 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 while sealing off the feed through 44 of the second stage 10 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 in order to generate a deeper vacuum (higher vacuum level) and thus a higher negative pressure still using one and the same compressed gas source.
  • the vacuum ejector system 1 comprising the first vacuum ejector pump 2 and the second vacuum ejector pump 4 and the blocking element 5 is thus versatile and highly flexible in its use as it can be adapted and adjusted to various specific applications, especially if the first vacuum ejector pump 2 and/or the second vacuum ejector pump 4 both comprise several stages. This is now explained referring to figure 3.
  • FIG 3 illustrates the first vacuum ejector pump 2 in the same configuration as figure 2 and is herewith not further explained in detail.
  • the same reference numbers refer to the same parts as under figure 2.
  • the difference in this configuration is that the second vacuum ejector pump 4’ comprises two stages 16, 19, (or S1 , S2) the first stage 16 being capable of providing a deeper vacuum while the second stage 19 is design to provide a higher vacuum volume flow rate due to bigger diameter of the corresponding ejector nozzle 38 and expansion nozzle 50.
  • the second stage 19 also comprises a no-return valve 56 at the opening 54 that leads into the vacuum collecting compartment 18’.
  • the vacuum collecting compartment 18’ is fluidically connected to the feed throughs 42, 44 of the first vacuum ejector pump 4 while the feed through 42 of the first stage 8 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2 is sealed using the blocking element 5. Also, the open ends of the second vacuum ejector pump 4’ are sealed off using blocking elements 5. These blocking elements 5 or sealing elements 5 may however be removed if a third vacuum ejector pump (not shown) is connected to the second vacuum ejector pump 4’. This means that the configuration of figure 3 illustrates a higher vacuum volume flow rate than could be achieved with the first vacuum ejector pump 2 alone.
  • the ejector nozzles 20, 36 and the expansion nozzles 22, 38 30, 50 may each comprise a compression part a straight or continuous part and then an extensional part so that the air is first compressed after each stage S1 , S2 before the air is then expanded and therewith accelerated again. This is also visible in figures 4 to 6, where each nozzle comprises a compression part, a continuous or straight part and then an expansion part into the next vacuum cavity.
  • FIGS 4 to 6 illustrate a vacuum ejector system 1 comprising a first vacuum ejector pump 2’ and a second vacuum ejector pump 4” arranged in parallel.
  • Each of the first vacuum ejector pump 2’ and the second vacuum ejector pump 4” comprising four stages S1 , S2, S3 and S4.
  • Stage S1 is designed to provide a deep vacuum (high vacuum level) with a comparably low vacuum volume flow while successive S2, S3, S4 provide a lower vacuum (lower vacuum level) but a greater vacuum volume flow rate.
  • the arrows A in figure 4 illustrate the vacuum flow in the vacuum ejector system 1.
  • the stages S1 , S3 and S4 of the second vacuum ejector pump 4” are sealed using blocking elements 5”, 5’ at the feed throughs 42’, 43, 45 of the first vacuum ejector pump 2’.
  • Each stage S1 , S2, S3, S4 comprises two ejector nozzles 20’, 36’ in the cross-sectional view and four ejector nozzles 20’, 36’ in total per stage S1 , S2, S3, S4.
  • the expansion nozzles may also be adapted accordingly in numbers.
  • the present disclosure encloses any number of ejector- and expansion nozzle number and combination even non-matching number combinations.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates how only the blocking element 5” of the first stage S1 is installed in the vacuum ejector system 1. This means that the vacuum flow is changed to the one illustrated in figure 5 in which the vacuum flow is going through stages S4, S3 and S2 in both vacuum ejector pumps 2’, 4” and only through S1 in the first vacuum ejector pump 2’. The effect of such a changed vacuum flow distribution is that the vacuum flow rate is increased. It is to be noted that each of the stages S2, S3 and S4 in both the first vacuum ejector pump 2’ and the second vacuum ejector pump 4” comprise no return-valves 34’, 56’ so that these stages S2, S3 and S4 are automatically closed when specific negative pressures (vacuum levels) are reached.
  • the exemplary configuration in figure 5 allows to steer and control the vacuum flow rate at specific vacuum levels (negative pressures), as is illustrated in figure 6.
  • the flow direction fd of the highspeed gas stream is further indicated.
  • the size of the stages 8, 10, 16, 19, S1 , S2, S3, S4 and therewith the diameter of the expansion and ejector nozzles increase continuously along the flow direction fd of the high-speed gas. This means that stages downstream the flow direction fd generate a higher vacuum volume flow while the stages upstream the flow direction generated a higher vacuum level (higher negative pressure).
  • Figure 6 illustrates a similar vacuum ejector system T as the one in figures 4 and 5 but in a different configuration.
  • the vacuum collecting compartment 12’ of the first vacuum ejector pump 2’” and the vacuum collecting compartment 18” of the second vacuum ejector pump 4’” are configured to collect the vacuum generated in the respective pumps.
  • the second stage S2, third stage S3 and the fourth stage S4 of the second vacuum ejector pump 4’” are sealed using blocking elements 5’” prior to the vacuum collecting compartment 18” of the second vacuum ejector pump 4’”.
  • a sealing plate 57 may be used and installed in any embodiment disclosed herein.
  • the blocking elements 5, 5’, 5”, 5”’ disclosed and illustrated herein may be used and embodiment prior to or after a corresponding vacuum collecting compartment of a first - 2, 2’, 2”, 2”’ or second vacuum ejector pump 4’, 4”, 4”’.
  • feed throughs may be sealed using blocking elements or sealing plates depending on industry needs and requirements, likewise these feedthroughs may be sealed prior to or after a corresponding vacuum collecting compartment of the vacuum ejector pump.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a similar curve as figure 1 but this time the change in the curve using the vacuum ejector system 1 according to the invention is shown.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the curve of a conventional multistage vacuum ejector pump indicated with reference number 70.
  • the curve 70 illustrates how the vacuum flow rate continuously decreases the higher vacuum level becomes and thus the higher the negative pressure becomes.
  • Curve 71 illustrates how the vacuum flow rate can be changed and in particular increased using a vacuum ejector system 1 according to the invention.
  • the configuration of the vacuum ejector system 1 according to figure 5 allows to increase the vacuum flow rate according to the curve 71 and therewith generate substantially higher vacuum flow rates at 20% to 50% vacuum level, which is about -180mbar to -500mbar.
  • the vacuum flow rate can be increased substantially up to 3 times the rate of a common multistage ejector system using the same compressed gas source and thus saving a substantial amount of energy. This improves for example the handling capabilities of porous materials via a robot.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a method according to the present disclosure using a vacuum ejector system 1 disclosed herein.
  • the method is related to configuring a modular vacuum ejector system 1 having at least a first vacuum ejector pump 2, 2’ and at least a second vacuum ejector pump 4, 4’, 4”.
  • the method is designed for controlling vacuum flow and vacuum level in a modular vacuum ejector system comprising a first vacuum ejector pump 2, 2’ and a second vacuum ejector pump 4, 4’, 4” the first vacuum ejector pump 2, 2’ comprising at least two stages 8, 10, S1 , S2 and the second vacuum ejector pump 4, 4’, 4” comprising at least one stage 16, S1 , the method comprising the steps of:
  • the method may also comprise the step of increasing the vacuum volume flow rate by opening/unplugging or moving the active stages S3, S4 towards the later stages S3, S4 as seen a along a flow direction fd of the highspeed gas stream, as shown in figures 4, 5 or 6.
  • the method may further comprise the step of configuring the modular vacuum ejector system 1 so that it can increase the vacuum level output via the vacuum collecting compartment by sealing the later stages S3 and/or S4 of the second vacuum ejector pump 4, 4’, 4” using the blocking elements 5, 5’, 5”. It is to be noted that the 1 , 2, 3 or more of the later stages may be sealed depending on the requirement at hand.
  • the modular vacuum ejector system may further comprise blocking elements (not shown) that are designed to be controlled from open to closed or partially closed positions remotely. This means the vacuum flow may be adjusted via a computer without physically positioning the blocking elements. This may also mean that each channel comprises a blocking element that can be remotely or electrically controlled.
  • the skilled person understands that various configurations are possible using and directing vacuum flow in the vacuum ejector system and therewith achieve specific vacuum level and vacuum flow rate combinations depending on the requirement of the job at hand.
  • the herein presented system therewith provides a high rate of flexibility while at the same saving energy (compressed gas) and providing a comparably small sized solution in the form of the vacuum ejector system 1 disclosed herein.
  • vacuum level refers to the negative pressure.
  • a high vacuum level corresponds to a high negative pressure.
  • a low vacuum level corresponds to a comparably low negative pressure.
  • the maximum negative pressure that may be achieved at sea level is minus (-) 1013 mbar.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

Le système modulaire d'éjecteurs à vide divulgué ici (1) est constitué de deux pompes à éjecteurs à vide (2, 4). La première pompe (2) comprend un compartiment de collecte de vide (12), une entrée de gaz sous pression (6), et deux étages (8, 10) avec des buses d'éjecteurs (20), des buses d'expansion (22) et des cavités à vide (24, 32). La seconde pompe (4) comprend une entrée de gaz sous pression (14), un compartiment de collecte de vide (18) avec un canal (39), et un étage (16) avec une buse d'éjecteur (36), une buse d'expansion (38) et une cavité à vide (40). Les cavités à vide des deux pompes sont reliées à leurs compartiments de collecte respectifs par l'intermédiaire de passages (42, 44). Un passage à extrémité ouverte (46) relie la cavité à vide (40) de la seconde pompe à son compartiment de collecte et est lié à l'extrémité ouverte d'un passage (44) en provenance de la première pompe. Un élément de blocage (5) ferme hermétiquement l'extrémité ouverte de l'autre passage (42) de la première pompe, créant ainsi un système à vide modulaire avec des étages reliés entre eux.
PCT/EP2024/056013 2023-03-09 2024-03-07 Système modulaire d'éjecteurs à vide WO2024184458A1 (fr)

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SE2350265-1 2023-03-09
SE2350265A SE2350265A1 (en) 2023-03-09 2023-03-09 Modular Vacuum Ejector System

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WO2024184458A1 true WO2024184458A1 (fr) 2024-09-12

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5205717A (en) * 1991-10-31 1993-04-27 Piab Ab Ejector array and a method of achieving it
US5277468A (en) * 1991-01-30 1994-01-11 John A. Blatt Vacuum control apparatus
KR100433282B1 (ko) * 1999-07-09 2004-05-27 한국뉴매틱(주) 이젝터어레이 및 그 배열방법
US20170152868A1 (en) 2014-06-23 2017-06-01 Onishi Teknik Ab Multi-stage vacuum ejector

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3025525A1 (de) * 1980-07-05 1982-01-28 Jürgen 4477 Welver Volkmann Ejektorvorrichtung
IL67012A (en) * 1982-10-18 1987-03-31 Dan Greenberg Ejector device and method for producing same
SE513897C2 (sv) * 1999-09-15 2000-11-20 Piab Ab Koppling vid ejektor, samt moduluppbyggt aggregat för alstrande av undertryck med hjälp av åtminstone en tryckluftdriven ejektor
WO2014094890A1 (fr) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Xerex Ab Éjecteur à succion avec section elliptique divergente
KR20160027515A (ko) * 2014-09-01 2016-03-10 이우승 진공 이젝터 펌프
CN111779717A (zh) * 2019-04-03 2020-10-16 台湾气立股份有限公司 具扩充功能的大容量真空控制装置

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5277468A (en) * 1991-01-30 1994-01-11 John A. Blatt Vacuum control apparatus
US5205717A (en) * 1991-10-31 1993-04-27 Piab Ab Ejector array and a method of achieving it
KR100433282B1 (ko) * 1999-07-09 2004-05-27 한국뉴매틱(주) 이젝터어레이 및 그 배열방법
US20170152868A1 (en) 2014-06-23 2017-06-01 Onishi Teknik Ab Multi-stage vacuum ejector

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