Regenerative Vacuum Generator for Aircraft and Other Vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to regenerative vacuum generators for use on aircraft or other transportation vehicles. Embodiments of the invention further relate to modified regenerative vacuum generators that provide a larger area for air flow, as well as provide larger RPMs than typical regenerative vacuum generators. Further embodiments of the invention relate to modified regenerative vacuum generators for use on aircraft or other transportation vehicles. These features help generate high flow and vacuum in less time, which ensure a good vacuum system, and allow the generators to be much smaller than generators currently used in these applications.

1 . An apparatus for generating vacuum on an aircraft or transportation vehicle, comprising a regenerative vacuum generator comprising a single impeller.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  adapted for use within an aircraft vacuum waste system.  
     
     
         3 . A regenerative vacuum generator, comprising: 
 a housing with a first portion and a second portion secured together; the first portion and second portion collectively defining a central passageway,    a motor assembly coupled to the housing, the motor assembly having a drive shaft; and    a regenerative impeller mounted to the drive shaft of the motor assembly, the impeller being positioned within the housing,    wherein the central passageway has a cross section and the impeller has a cross-section, and wherein the cross-section of the central passageway is about two to about five times the cross section of the impeller.    
     
     
         4 . The regenerative vacuum regenerators of  claim 3 , further comprising a seal positioned within and adjacent the second portion of the housing.  
     
     
         5 . The regenerative vacuum regenerator of  claim 4 , wherein the seal is located between the impeller and second portion of the housing and is positioned on the drive shaft of the motor assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 4 , wherein the seal limits air flow from the housing into the motor assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 4 , wherein the seal helps air flow through motor vent holes into the housing, which reduces the heat generated by the motor.  
     
     
         8 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises an inlet and an outlet, through which air enters and leaves respectively, wherein the diameter of the inlet decreases leading to the central passageway and the diameter of the outlet increases extending away from the central passageway.  
     
     
         9 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 8 , wherein the change in diameter at the inlet and outlet increases the velocity of air in the central passageway and decreases the velocity of air outside the apparatus.  
     
     
         10 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the central passageway cross section is about two times larger than the cross-section of the impeller to provide increased flow rate.  
     
     
         11 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the central passageway cross section is about four times larger than the cross-section of the impeller to provide increased flow rate.  
     
     
         12 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the components are made from a lightweight material.  
     
     
         13 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 12 , wherein the lightweight material is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.  
     
     
         14 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the second portion of the housing includes holes for releasing debris and condensation from the housing.  
     
     
         15 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of straight fins spaced apart around a periphery of the impeller with a rib in between each fin to induce air flow on both sides of the impeller.  
     
     
         16 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the impeller is a single impeller that rotates at about 10,000 RPM to about 60,000 RPM.  
     
     
         17 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the impeller is a single impeller that rotates at up to about 15,000 RPM to about 30,000 RPM.  
     
     
         18 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , wherein the system generates high flow and high vacuum in less time than traditional regenerative vacuum generators in order to provide a good flush in the aircraft vacuum waste system.  
     
     
         19 . The regenerative vacuum generator of  claim 3 , configured for use in a vacuum waste system for an aircraft.