Super aspirator with integrated dual flow shut off

Abstract

In one embodiment, an aspirator is provided including a venturi pipe having a converging section including a converging inlet and a converging outlet, and a diverging section having a diverging inlet and a diverging outlet. The converging outlet is in fluid communication with the diverging inlet. A throat is positioned between the converging outlet and the diverging inlet. A shut off valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shut off valve is positioned within the throat when in the closed position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An aspirator comprising:
 a venturi pipe having a converging section including a converging inlet and a converging outlet, and a diverging section having a diverging inlet and a diverging outlet, the converging outlet in fluid communication with the diverging inlet;   a throat positioned between the converging outlet and the diverging inlet;   a shut off valve movable between an open position and a closed position, the shut off valve positioned within the throat when in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The aspirator of  claim 1 , wherein the shut off valve has an aperture extending therethrough, wherein, in the closed position, the aperture is in fluid communication between converging outlet and the diverging inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture has an upstream end position adjacent the converging outlet, the upstream end having a diameter that is approximately the same as a diameter of the converging outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture has a downstream end positioned adjacent the diverging inlet, the downstream end having a diameter that is less than a diameter of the diverging inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture converges from the converging outlet to the diverging inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein, in the open position, a first volume of air flows from the converging outlet to the diverging inlet, and in the closed position, a second volume of air flows from the converging outlet to the diverging inlet, the first volume of air being greater than the second volume of air. 
     
     
         7 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein air leaks trough the aperture when the shut off valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The aspirator of  claim 2 , wherein, in the open position, air flows from the converging outlet to the diverging inlet at a first flow rate, and in the closed position, air flows from the converging outlet to the diverging inlet at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being less than the first flow rate. 
     
     
         9 . The aspirator of  claim 1 , wherein the shut off valve is moved between the open position and the closed position by a solenoid. 
     
     
         10 . The aspirator of  claim 9 , wherein the solenoid includes bumpers that reduce noise when the shut off valve moves between the open position and closed position. 
     
     
         11 . An aspirator comprising:
 a valve body having a first air inlet port;   an air outlet port in air flow communication with the first air inlet port to define an air passageway;   a second air inlet port in air flow communication with the first air inlet port and the air outlet port wherein air is drawn from the second air inlet port towards the air outlet port;   a valve positioned between the air passageway and the second air inlet port for inhibiting air flow from the air passageway through the second air inlet port, wherein the air passageway includes a venturi conduit positioned between the first air inlet port and the outlet port, the venturi conduit constituting means for enhancing air flow through the outlet port with a corresponding enhancement of air drawn from the second air inlet port towards the outlet port, the valve including a valve seat positioned between the first and second inlet ports having an opening communicating with the air passageway;   a flexible seal means positioned in the valve seat for responding to air exiting the second air inlet port under outside vacuum influence and for seating against the valve seat to prevent air flow from the air passageway from exiting through the second air inlet port, the venturi conduit positioned immediately adjacent the valve seat opening to provide maximum vacuum boost through the valve seat; and   a shut off valve movable between an open position and a closed position, the shut off valve positioned within the venturi conduit when in the closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The aspirator of  claim 11  further comprising a third air inlet port in air flow communication with the second air inlet port to define a second air passageway in the valve body, the valve means positioned between the first-mentioned air passageway and the second air passageway. 
     
     
         13 . The aspirator of  claim 12  wherein the valve means includes first and second spaced valve seats, each valve seat including a flexible seal means positioned in the valve seat for responding to air exiting one of the second and third air inlet ports under outside vacuum influence and for seating against its associated valve seat to prevent air flow from the first-mentioned passageway from exiting through its respective second and third air inlet ports. 
     
     
         14 . The aspirator of  claim 13  wherein the venturi conduit has a tapered central portion of narrowed diameter immediately adjacent the valve seat opening. 
     
     
         15 . The aspirator of  claim 11  further comprising a check valve positioned within the valve seat, the check valve having a scalloped diaphragm.