WO1997037087A1

WO1997037087A1 - Liquid jet gas pump shower water delivery device

Info

Publication number: WO1997037087A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/005051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Melvyn L. Henkin; Jordan M. Laby
Original assignee: Henkin Melvyn Lane; Laby Jordan M
Priority date: 1996-03-29
Filing date: 1997-03-27
Publication date: 1997-10-09
Also published as: AU2592897A

Abstract

A shower water delivery device (10, 110, 300, 500, 600) configured for improved operation at a low water inflow rate to produce a high momentum air/water outflow for providing an enhanced shower effect. The device is configured to create an increased pressure in a discharge cavity (54, 140, 460, 530) to propel an air/water shower stream outwardly at a high velocity through small shower openings (66, 146, 440, 528) in the cavity. The device utilizes a liquid jet gas (LJG) pump for pumping large amounts of air, drawn via one or more air inlets (32, 136, 323, 582, 640), into the discharge cavity (54, 140, 460, 530).

Description

TITLE LIQUID JET GAS PUMP SHOWER

WATER DELIVERY DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to low flow shower devices (e.g.,

shower heads) and the like for delivering a high momentum shower water stream

to a user.

The prior art is replete with various shower devices intended for discharging

a satisfactory shower stream even when supplied with a low rate of water inflow.

For example only, U.S. Patents 5, 1 1 1 ,994 and 5, 1 54,355 teach devices which

utilize a water flow from a converging nozzle to aspirate air into a "mixing

chamber" . The "turbulent mixture" of air and water flows from the chamber to an

essentially conventional shower head for producing an increased velocity outspray.

Two types of mixing chambers are described. Patent 5, 1 1 1 ,994 shows a mixing

chamber including a divergent section, which when combined with the converging nozzle, forms an aspirating venturi. Such an aspirating venturi is limited in its ability to introduce a large amount of air into the nozzle water flow when working

against a high discharge pressure, e.g., 10 p.s.i.. Patent 5, 1 54,355 shows a mixing chamber including a relatively short tube (i.e., having a length to diameter

ratio of about 5, including the nozzle to throat distance) which is also quite limited

in its ability to introduce air into the nozzle water flow when working against a high

discharge pressure. Liquid jet gas (LJG) pumps have been used in various industrial applications such as for chlorinating water supplies, removing the gas phase from condensers,

and adding gas in biochemical reactions. These applications are mentioned in

published technical papers which discuss performance aspects of LJG pumps, e g ,

see

( 1 ) "Jet Breakup and Mixing Throat Lengths For the Liquid Jet Gas

Pump", by Cunningham and Dopkin, Transactions of the ASMI , September 1 974.

(2) "The Performance and Modeling of Liquid Jet Gas Pumps", by Neve, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, June 1 988

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a shower water delivery device configured for improved operation at a low water inflow rate (e.g., 2.5 g.p.m.) to

produce a high momentum air/water outflow for providing an enhanced shower

effect.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention is configured to create an

increased pressure in a shower device discharge cavity to propel an air/water

shower stream outwardly at a high velocity through small shower openings in the cavity. More particularly, the invention is directed to a shower device utilizing a

liquid jet gas (LJG) pump operating at a low water inflow rate for pumping large

amounts of air, drawn via one or more air inlets, into the discharge cavity The

ability to pump a large ratio air/water flow into the cavity against a high back pressure without backflooding through the air inlets enables a high momentum shower stream to be propelled from the shower device. The high momentum

shower stream provides a greater impact on the user and produces a feeling of being showered with considerably more water than prior art units operating at the

same water inflow rate.

Shower device embodiments in accordance with the invention include, inter

alia, shower heads, shower arms, and hand-held shower units. Such embodiments can variously include mechanisms for selectively discharging a pulsating shower

outflow and/or a massage outflow. The massage outflow can be discharged from an orifice either fixedly mounted or mounted for movement along a travel path.

Moreover, adjustment controls can be incorporated for adjusting characteristics of such shower, pulsating, and massage outflows to, for example, vary intensity.

Apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a (1 ) housing

enveloping a substantially closed discharge cavity defined in part by a wall containing at least one shower opening and (2) at least one LJG pump for pumping

a large amount of air (i.e., a high air/water ratio) into the cavity to increase the

pressure therein. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, air in excess of 2.5

g.p.m. is pumped by a water inflow to the LJG pump driving nozzle of 2.5 g.p.m. or less achievable against a cavity back pressure in excess of 10 p.s.i.. The high

pressure created in the cavity acts to propel air/water droplets out through multiple

small shower openings to provide an enhanced shower effect for the amount of

water consumed. An LJG pump in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by:

( 1 ) A driving nozzle (preferably a square edge or sharp edge nonconverging

nozzle formed by a thin plate orifice) for discharging a water jet of cross section

area (A_j);

(2) A tubular throat axially aligned with the driving nozzle and having a cross

section area (A_τ) and a length (L_τ);

(3) A suction chamber between the driving nozzle and throat having an axial

length (L_s) ; and wherein the nozzle, throat and chamber are dimensioned such that (L_τ + L_s) is greater than V32(A _τ ) .

The driving nozzle and throat are oriented in axial alignment spaced by the suction chamber therebetween. An air inlet communicates with the suction

chamber permitting large amounts of air to be pulled into the chamber by a water

jet discharged from the driving nozzle into the throat. Air and water mixing

primarily occurs in the throat resulting in the delivery of a mixture of finely

dispersed compressed air bubbles and water to the discharge cavity, to create a high positive pressure therein. The pressure propels the mixture out through

multiple shower openings, forming large water droplets as the compressed air

escapes, thus producing greater impact against a user than is otherwise achievable

at a low water inflow rate of 2.5 g.p.m. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, in order to achieve a

sufficient throat length within the permissible dimensions of a shower device,

multiple small LJG pumps are utilized in parallel.

In various preferred embodiments, a flow regulator, either inline or bypass,

is used to assure a substantially constant water inflow rate of 2.5 g.p.m. regardless

of supply pressure variations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, 1 g depict various views of a first

embodiment of the invention comprising a shower head incorporating an inline flow regulator and wherein:

Figure 1 a is a vertical cross-section;

Figure 1 b is a horizontal cross-section taken substantially

along the plane 1 b-1 b of Figure 1 a and showing four jet pump nozzles;

Figure 1 c is a horizontal cross-section taken substantially

along the plane 1 c-1 c of Figure 1 a and showing four jet pump throats;

Figure 1 d is a bottom plan view of the shower head of Figure

1 a;

Figure 1 e is an exploded isometric view of the shower head of Figure 1 a;

Figure 1 f illustrates a square edge nozzle; and

Figure 1 g illustrates a sharp edge nozzle; Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d depict various views of a second embodiment of the invention comprising a shower head incorporating a bypass flow regulator and wherein:

Figure 2a is a vertical cross-section;

Figure 2b is a horizontal cross-section taken substantially along the plane 2b-2b of Figure 2a and showing four jet pump nozzles;

Figure 2c is a horizontal cross-section taken substantially

along the plane 2c-2c of Figure 2a and showing four jet pump throats; and

Figure 2d is a bottom plan view of the shower head of Figure

2a;

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c depict a third embodiment comprising a shower head

selectively operable in a continuous shower stream discharge mode and a pulsating

shower stream discharge mode and wherein:

Figure 3a is a vertical cross-section;

Figure 3b is a horizontal cross-section taken substantially

along the plane 3b-3b of Figure 3a;

Figure 3c is a vertical cross-section identical to Figure 3a but

depicting the water flow for both operational modes; and

Figure 3d is an exploded isometric view of the shower head

of Figure 3a;

Figure 4 comprises a sectional view depicting a hand held shower

device intended to be coupled to a flexible water supply hose; and

Figure 5 depicts a fifth embodiment comprising a shower arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

EMBODIMENT 1 - SHOWER HEAD WITH INLINE REGULATOR

The shower head 10 of Figures 1 a-1 g is comprised of a housing 1 2 including

a cup shaped member 1 4. The member 14 includes a cylindrical wall 1 6

depending from a first end wall 1 8. A cylindrical nipple 20 extends from the first end wall 1 8 in a direction opposite to the cylindrical wall 1 6. The nipple 20 is

externally threaded at 22. The nipple 20 further defines a central bore 24 having an entrance portion 26, a shoulder 28, and a reduced bore portion therebelow 30.

Radially oriented air passages 32 extend through the nipple 20 and communicate with the bore portion 30. When assembled as shown in Figure 1 a, the shoulder 28

supports a thin plate 40 which has four apertures 41 extending therethrough, each

defining a square edge 42 (Figure 1 f) or sharp edge 44 (Figure 1 g) to form a

nonconverging nozzle 45. The thin plate 40 is oriented to respectively align the nozzles 45 with tubular throat passages 46 formed in boss 48 extending axially

from end wall 1 8. Each throat passage 46 extends between a slightly flared entrance 50 and an exit 52 which opens into a cavity 54 surrounded by the

cylindrical wall 1 6. The free end of cylindrical wall 1 6 is reduced to define a shoulder 56.

The cavity 54 is enclosed by a second end wall 58 comprised of a plate 60 having a reduced diameter portion 62 and enlarged diameter portion 64. One or

more shower opening slits 66 extend radially inwardly from the circumferential

edge of plate portions 62, 64. A compressible washer 68 is received between shoulder 56 of wall 1 6 and plate portion 64 when the plate 60 is mounted across

cylindrical wall 1 6 held by screw 70 threaded into boss 48.

The housing 1 2 is intended for mounting on a rigid tubular conduit, e.g. , a conventional externally threaded shower arm 71 which supplies pressurized water,

typically utility supplied tap water at a pressure between 30 and 80 p.s.i.. Figures

1 a and 1 e show a plurality of mounting components including a coupling ball 72

having an internally threaded collar 74 formed integral therewith. The collar 74 defines an internal central bore 76 communicating with a central passageway 78

through the ball 72. An elastomeric cylindrical washer 80 is interposed between

the ball 72 and the thin plate 40 as depicted in Figure 1 a. An internally threaded conical collar 90 is provided for bearing against the ball 72 for threaded engagement with the externally threaded nipple 20 formed integral with housing

1 2.

A conventional pressure regulator 92 is mounted within bore 76 of ball collar 74. The regulator 92 is comprised of an elastomeric regulator element 94 having

a small central aperture 96 extending therethrough. The regulator element 94 is

seated on shoulder 98 above the central bore 78 extending through ball 74. A rigid

washer 100 is seated above the regulator element 94 sandwiched between the element and a conventional flexible washer 102. As is well known, the function

of the regulator 92 is to limit water flow therethrough to a preferred flow rate, e.g.,

2.5 g.p.m. over a range of supply pressure, e.g., 30-80 p.s.i. .

In accordance with a significant aspect of the present invention, each of the nozzles 45 formed in the thin plate 41 , together with the downstream throat 46 aligned therewith, and an air inlet defined by air passageway 32, forms a true liquid jet gas (LJG) pump. More particularly, water flow from the ball passageway 78 will

be pressed through each nozzle 45 to produce a higher velocity, lower pressure

water jet having a cross section of area A_j. Each water jet will be discharged at

a high velocity through a suction chamber 1 04 into an aligned throat 46 having a cross section of area A_τ where A_τ > A_j. The resulting suction produced in suction

chamber 104 pulls in air through air passageway 32.

A properly designed and dimensioned LJG pump enables large amounts of air to be pumped through the tubular throat to increase the pressure in the discharge cavity 54 without back flooding via the air passageways 32. Thus, in

accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, long throats 46 are

provided such that the throat length L_τ plus suction chamber length L_s is equal to at least 5 times the throat diameter, and is preferably greater than 10 times. Since the throat need not be circular in cross section, the throat length (L_τ) plus suction chamber length (L_s) can be more appropriately expressed as being greater than

v 32(A _τ ) where A_τ represents the throat cross section area. By providing a

sufficiently long throat length, large amounts of air can be pumped which can in fact exceed in volume the water flow through the pump driving nozzle 45. Thus,

in embodiments of the invention as depicted in Figures 1 a-1 f, a constant water

flow rate of 2.5 g.p.m. through the four driving nozzles 45 can pump in excess of

2.5 g.p.m. of air. The large volume of pumped air creates a high back pressure in

cavity 54 which typically might exceed 1 0 p.s.i.. The back pressure created in

cavity 54 is attributable in part to the dimensions of shower openings 66; i.e. the smaller the shower openings, the greater the resulting pressure build up in the

cavity 54. As a consequence of the high cavity pressure, air/water droplets are

propelled outwardly through the shower openings 66 at a high velocity and momentum to produce for the user a feeling of being showered with considerably

more water than in known prior art units operating at the same water inflow rate.

Exemplary dimensions for an embodiment as depicted in Figures 1 a-1 g

include: nozzle aperture 41 diameter .072" plate 40 thickness .016" suction chamber 104 length .062" throat 46 diameter .091 "

throat 46 length 1 .4 "

air passage 32 .060" high; .140" wide air passage length .4 " shower opening 66 45 slots.

.030" wide x .040" long

radially

EMBODIMENT 2- SHOWER HEAD WITH BYPASS REGULATOR

Attention is now directed to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d which illustrate a shower

head 1 1 0 embodiment similar to that described in connection with Figures 1 a-1 g,

but utilizing a bypass flow regulator in lieu of the inline regulator 92. The

showerhead 1 10 includes a ball 1 1 2 and coupling collar 1 14, analogous to the

aforediscussed elements 72, 74. A thin plate 1 20, analogous to previously

described plate 40, is mounted below the ball 1 1 2. Four apertures or nozzles 122,

either square edge or sharp edge, are formed in the plate 1 20. Each aperture 1 22 is axially aligned with a different throat passage 1 26 having an entrance 1 28 and an exit 1 30. A suction chamber 1 32 is formed between each nozzle 1 22 and its

associated throat 126. An air inlet passageway 1 36 extends to the suction

chambers 1 32.

The throat exit 1 30 opens into a discharge cavity 140 defined by housing portion 142 and removably mounted end wall 144. Small shower openings 1 46

are formed in the end wall 144 to enable the air/water mixture supplied to cavity

140 to be propelled therethrough to produce a shower stream.

It can be noted in Figure 2b that the pump nozzles 1 22 are arranged within an essentially crescent shaped envelope as contrasted with what might be referred

to as a cruciform shaped envelope in Figure 1 b. This arrangement of the nozzles

1 22 permits the inclusion of a bypass entrance aperture 1 50 in plate 20 leading to

a bypass flow regulator 1 52. The regulator 1 52 communicates with a downstream

bypass exit aperture 1 54 opening into cavity 140. The function of the bypass

regulator 1 52 is to assure a substantially constant water flow rate, i.e. , 2.5 g.p.m. into the cavity 140 over a range of supply pressure Thus, at the low end of the

range, e.g. 30 p.s.i., the flow regulator 1 52 will open to supply water into the cavity 140 in parallel with the water flow through the pump throats 1 26 At the high end of the pressure range, e.g. 80 p.s.i., the regulator 1 52 will close, thus

limiting the water flow into cavity 140 to that provided via the throats 1 26. The

bypass flow regulator 1 52 can be configured in various manners. As depicted, it includes a spring 1 60 which urges a valve element 1 62 to its uppermost fully open position (Figure 2a) in the absence of applied pressure. As the water supply

pressure increases, it moves the valve element 1 62 downwardly against the spring

1 60 to progressively seal one or more valve openings. In the preferred embodiment, full sealing is set to occur at about 80 p.s.i. so that at this pressure,

the supply water inflow passes exclusively through the throats 1 26.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 a-1 g, the water flow rate into the discharge

cavity 54, in the absence of the pressure regulator 92, is determined primarily by

the dimensions of the nozzle apertures 41 and the water supply pressure; i.e., flow rate increases as a function of supply pressure. The inline regulator 92 keeps the

pressure constant upstream of the nozzle apertures 41 to maintain the flow rate at

2.5 g.p.m. or less. In the embodiment of Figures 2a-2d, as the supply pressure

increases, water flow increases through the nozzles and decreases through the

bypass regulator 92 to maintain the total flow into the discharge cavity

substantially constant at 2.5 g.p.m. or less. EMBODIMENT 3- SHOWER HEAD SELECTIVELY OPERABLE IN

CONTINUOUS AND PULSATING MODE

Attention is now directed to Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d which illustrate a

third embodiment 300 of the invention comprising a shower head capable of

selectively operating in a first mode to discharge a continuous shower stream or a second mode to discharge a pulsating shower stream. The embodiment 300 is

basically comprised of a housing 302 supported on a mounting subassembly 304.

The mounting subassembly 304 is intended for mounting on a conventional

externally threaded shower arm (not shown) which supplies pressurized water. The subassembly 304 includes a coupling ball 306 having an internally threaded collar

308 formed integral therewith. The collar 308 defines an internal central bore 310

communicating with a central passageway 31 2 through the ball 306. The ball 306 extends through an opening 31 4 formed in a swivel member 31 6 mounted to swivel on the surface of ball 306. An annular flange 31 8 is formed integral with

the member 316 and extends radially outward therefrom. An annular skirt 320

extends axially from the flange 31 8 concentric with a central boss 321 having an

internally threaded central bore 322. An air inlet aperture 323 is formed in flange

31 8 and communicates with an annular air manifold 324.

A retainer 326 having an externally threaded nipple 328 is threaded into the

bore 322. The retainer 326 defines a central bore receiving an elastomeric washer

330 which seals against the outer surface of ball 306. The retainer 326 also

includes an annular radially extending flange 340 having an axial skirt 342

supporting a ring seal 343. Thus, the mounting subassembly 304 is primarily comprised of the elements

thus far recited in Figure 3a including ball 306, swivel member 31 6, and retainer 326. Additionally, the mounting assembly 304 includes a selector valve element

350 comprised of a central circular disk 352 having multiple tabs 354A, 354B,

354C, 354D extending radially outward therefrom. The tabs 354 extend into corresponding keyways 356 formed in retainer 326 so as to be fixed in position

relative thereto. The circular disk 352 includes an aperture 360 extending therethrough. Additionally, note that open annular areas 362A, 362B, 362C, and

362D are respectively formed between the radially extending tabs 354.

The housing 302 is comprised of an assembly of parts supported on the mounting subassembly 304. More particularly, the housing 302 is comprised of

a mounting ring 400 supported on the flange 340 of retainer 326 for rotation with

respect thereto. An O ring 402 is supported between the surfaces of the retainer

326 and mounting ring 400. The mounting ring 400 is externally threaded at 406

and engaged with the internal threads 408 of an interior housing body 410. The housing body 410 defines an internal upper recess which accommodates the

mounting ring 400 and retainer 326. The floor of the recess is defined by an annular upper surface 41 2 which supports a thin nozzle plate 414 beneath an 0

ring 41 6. The thin plate 414 is keyed to the inner housing body 410 and rotates

therewith relative to the selector valve element 350. In one rotational position, the

selector valve aperture 360 is aligned with orifice 41 8 in thin plate 414. When

aperture 360 and orifice 41 8 are aligned, supply water can flow from the ball

central bore 31 2 through aperture 360 and orifice 41 8 into interior chamber 420 in housing body 41 0. The chamber 420 has an exit orifice 422 through which the water can exit in a direction having a tangential component for rotating a pulsator

or paddle wheel 424 mounted for rotation around central stud 425 of removable

end wall 426. The pulsator wheel 424 intermittently interrupts the flow path from

exit orifice 422 to pulsator discharge orifices 428 formed in end wall 426. Thus, when the selector valve opening 360 and thin plate entrance orifice 41 8 are

aligned, supply water from the ball central bore 31 2 will be intermittently

discharged via discharge orifice 428 to produce a pulsating shower stream.

In addition to being operable in a pulsating mode, the embodiment 300 is also operable in a continuous mode to discharge a shower stream similar to that

discussed for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. In this mode, water flow from

ball central bore 31 2 is discharged through radially oriented shower opening slits 440. More particularly, in addition to the entrance 41 8, the thin plate 414 defines four nozzle orifices 444A, 444B, 444C, 444D. The nozzle orifices 444 are

arranged relative to each other similarly to the tabs 354 of selector valve plate 352.

In a certain rotational position of the housing interior body 41 0 relative to the mounting subassembly 304, the nozzle orifices 444 will all be blocked by the tabs 354, as depicted in Figure 3b and the selector valve aperture 360 and entrance

41 8 will communicate to permit operation in the pulsating mode. When, however,

the housing body 410 is rotated to move the thin plate 414 relative to the selector

valve element 350, nozzle orifices 444 will align with open annular areas 362

permitting water flow therethrough. This rotation will simultaneously move orifice

41 8 out of alignment with aperture 360 to block, i.e., close the flow path to interior chamber 420. Rotation of the housing body 41 0 is accomplished by the

user by manually rotating outer housing shell 446 which is keyed to body 41 0 at

448.

Each nozzle orifice 444 is aligned with an elongate throat 450 extending

axially through housing body 410. A suction chamber 452 is formed between each

nozzle orifice 444 and its corresponding throat 450. Each suction chamber 452

is open to an air source via a radially oriented air passageway 456 which communicates via axial passageway 458 with aforementioned air manifold 324.

The elongate throats 450 exit at 459 into a discharge cavity 460 which

communicates with the shower opening slits 440 peripherally formed in end wall

426. The dimensions of the shower opening slits 440 are determined in part by the axial position of an annular ring seal 464 carried by the housing outer shell 446.

Note that the shower opening slits 440 are defined by an oblique wall 470 such that the clearance between the wall 470 and the ring seal 464 varies as the ring

seal 464 is moved axially. The ring seal 464 can be moved axially by rotating the

shell 446 relative to the mounting subassembly 304. Note that the shell 446

includes a coarse internal screw thread 474 at its upper end which is engaged with

corresponding threads formed on skirt 320 depending from flange 31 8 of the

swivel member 31 6. By rotating the shell 446 relative to member 31 6, thin plate

414 will rotate (as a consequence of key 448, engaging in keyway 449 in housing

body 41 0) , relative to selector valve element 352 to enable a user to select the

operating mode. Further rotation of shell 446 will cause it to move axially with

respect to body 41 0 to vary the spacing between seal 464 and oblique wall 470. This enables the user to vary the size of shower openings 440. By so doing, the

back pressure in the discharge cavity 460 can be adjusted. In this manner, the

user can vary the shower discharge stream between a larger drop size of slower velocity and a smaller drop size of higher velocity.

The dimensions of the nozzle orifices 444 defined in thin plate 414, and the

throats 450 are selected to form a liquid jet gas pump, as has been described in

connection with the first and second embodiments. The nozzle orifices 444 are formed to define square edge or sharp edge nonconverging nozzles, as has been

previously shown in Figures 1 f and 1 g. The dimensions of the nozzle orifices and

throats are selected such that the throat length (L_τ) plus the suction chamber length

(L_s) is greater than the V32(A _τ ) . As has been previously mentioned, a pump so formed can achieve a high air/water pump ratio which enables higher pressures to

be created in the discharge cavity 460 for propelling water/air droplets out through shower stream openings 440.

EMBODIMENT 4- HAND HELD SHOWER DEVICE

The first, second, and third embodiments thus far described all comprise

shower heads structurally configured for mounting on a conventional, substantially

rigid, shower arm. It should be understood, however, that each could alternatively

be coupled to a flexible water supply hose for use as a hand held shower device.

In such a situation, it would be desirable to shape the housing exterior to better

conform with a user's hand to enhance the user's ability to manipulate the device

and direct the discharge spray.

Attention is now directed to Figure 4 which depicts a fourth embodiment of

the invention configured as a simplified hand held shower device 500. As shown,

the device 500 comprises an elongate housing 502 comprised of a forward section

506 and a rear section 508 threaded together at 51 0. An O ring 51 2 is preferably included at the interface 51 3 between the sections 506 and 508 to prevent leakage. Forward section 506 defines an interior passage 51 6 leading to a reduced

cross section outlet 51 8. Section 506 further includes an internally threaded

recess 520 configured to accommodate an externally threaded nipple 522 of a discharge head 524. Note that the discharge head 524 includes a front face 526

defining a plurality of small shower openings 528. Further note that the discharge

head nipple 522 defines an internal cavity 530 just upstream from the shower

openings 528.

The elongate rear section 508 includes an end wall 540 remote from the

interface 51 3 between the sections 506 and 508. The rear wall 540 defines an

entrance opening 542 to an elongate tubular member 544 which extends forwardly from the end wall 540 into a chamber 546 defined interiorly of section 508. The

tubular member 544 defines a central passage 547 including a slightly flared

entrance region 542, a substantially constant cross section straight wall throat region 550, and an optional diverging region 552 for enhancing pressure build-up

in cavity 530, extending to outlet 554 which discharges into passage 516.

The embodiment 500 further includes a mounting nipple 560 extending

rearwardly and having a reduced externally threaded section 562 for coupling to a flexible water supply hose. The nipple 560 defines a central bore 564 which

preferably accommodates an elastomeric washer 566 and an inline flow regulator

568. A thin nozzle plate 570 is mounted downstream of the flow regulator 568

and immediately upstream of the entrance 542 to throat 550. The thin plate 570 includes a square edge or sharp edge nonconverging nozzle orifice 574 aligned

along the axis of throat 550. A sealing O-ring 576 is preferably mounted between

the flow regulator 568 and the thin plate 570. A suction chamber 580 is formed

between nozzle orifice 574 and the entrance 542 to throat 550. At least one radially extending air inlet passage 582 communicates with the suction chamber 580.

As was the case with embodiments 1 ,2, and 3, the nozzle orifice 574, the suction chamber 580, and the throat 550 are dimensioned such that (L_τ + L_s) is greater than V32(A _T) where L_τ is the axial length of the constant cross section

throat 550, L_s is the axial length of the suction chamber 580, and A_τ is the cross

sectional area of the throat 550. The cross sectional area of the nozzle orifice 574

is chosen to be smaller than that of the throat 550 so that the area (A_j) of the water jet discharged from the nozzle 574 is smaller than the cross section area A_η of throat 550.

With the embodiment 500 configured as thus far described, orifice 574,

acting as the driving nozzle, together with suction chamber 580 and throat 550,

forms an LJG pump capable of pumping large air/water flow ratios into the cavity

51 6 to create a high pressure therein exceeding that typically provided by prior art

shower devices operating at low inflow rates of 2.5 g.p.m.. As has been

discussed, the high pressure created in cavity 51 6 functions to propel water droplets out through shower openings 528 as the compressed air within the air/water mixture escapes. The large amount of highly compressed air produces

a greater impact against a user than is otherwise achievable at such low water

inflow rates.

EMBODIMENT 5- SHOWER ARM

Attention is now directed to Figure 5 which shows an elongate housing 600

incorporating an LJG pump in accordance with the invention intended for use in place of a conventional shower arm. The housing 600 is comprised of a rigid

cylindrical member 602 having a supply end 604 and a discharge end 606. The

supply end 604 is externally threaded at 608 for coupling to a conventional

plumbing supply fitting 610. The discharge end 606 is provided with external threads 61 2 (either integral with member 602 or on a fitting 614 secured to

member 602) for coupling to a substantially conventional shower head 61 5.

A chamber 61 6 opens into the member 602 from the supply end 604. A

filter screen 61 8 and a nozzle 620 are accommodated in the chamber 61 6. The elongation of housing 600 enables it to accommodate a nozzle 620 having a

converging passageway 622 extending from an upstream entrance orifice 624 to

a downstream nozzle exit orifice 626 as depicted in Figure 5. The exit orifice 626 opens into the chamber 61 6 just upstream from the entrance 628 to a throat section 630 depicted as including a constant cross section bore 631 . The throat

section 630 defines a downstream outlet 632 which discharges into passageway

634 leading to an internal cavity 636 in shower head 61 3.

The discharge of a high velocity jet from nozzle orifice 626 into throat

section entrance 628 produces a suction which, as aforedescribed, functions to

draw air from one or more air inlets 640 communicating with chamber 616. The

spacing between the nozzle orifice 626 and the throat entrance 628 defines the

suction chamber axial length L_s as previously described. The axial distance of the throat between the entrance 628 and the outlet 632 defines the throat length L_τ.

The cross section area of throat 630 is defined by A_τ and the cross section area

of the jet discharged from the nozzle exit orifice 626 is defined by A_j where A_τ >

A_j. As is characteristic of embodiments 1 through 4 previously described, the

embodiment of Figure 5 is dimensioned such that (L_τ + L_s) is greater thanV32(A _T ) .

Although a limited number of specific implementations have been disclosed

herein, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations and

modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, it will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that various fabrication processes can be used to produce structural implementations

of the invention.

Claims

1 . A shower water discharge apparatus for use with a pressurized water

source, said apparatus comprising: a housing enveloping a substantially closed cavity defined in part by

a wall containing at least one shower opening communicating with said cavity; and

at least one liquid jet gas pump for delivering a water/air mixture to

said cavity, said gas pump comprising: a nonconvergent nozzle defining an axis and having an inlet and an

outlet spaced along said axis, said nozzle being configured to discharge a water jet

from said outlet in response to pressurized water supplied to said inlet;

a tubular throat defining an axis and having an entrance and an exit spaced along said throat axis;

said nozzle and throat being mounted in axial alignment with said

nozzle outlet proximate to said throat entrance and forming a substantially closed suction chamber therebetween;

an air inlet into said suction chamber; and wherein

said throat exit is in fluid communication with said housing cavity for

discharging a water/air mixture into said cavity at a positive pressure for expelling said mixture out through said shower opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for coupling said

water source to said gas pump for supplying water to said nozzle inlet; and

means for limiting the flow from said water source to 2.5 gallons per

minute.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water source includes a shower

arm comprising a substantially rigid conduit; and

means for mounting said housing to said shower arm for receiving water from said rigid conduit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water source includes a flexible

supply hose; and means for mounting said housing to said flexible supply hose for receiving a water flow therefrom.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said housing is externally configured

for holding in a user's hand.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 including an adjustment member selectively

operable to vary the size of said shower opening.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pulsator mounted in said housing

for intermittently interrupting the discharge through said shower opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of liquid jet gas pumps each comprising a nozzle and a tubular throat axially aligned therewith; and

wherein

said plurality of throats extend substantially parallel to one another.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nozzle is configured to

discharge a water jet of area Aj; and wherein

said throat defines a constant area A_τ along the axial length L_τ thereof; and wherein

said suction chamber defines an axial length L_s; and wherein

said nozzle, throat and chamber are dimensioned such that (1 ) (L_τ +

L_s) is greater than V32(A _τ ) and (2) A_τ > A_j;

1 0. A shower water discharge apparatus for use with a pressurized water

source, said apparatus comprising:

a housing enveloping a substantially closed cavity defined in part by a wall containing at least one shower opening communicating with said cavity; and

at least one liquid jet gas pump for delivering a water/air mixture to said cavity, said gas pump comprising;

a nozzle defining an axis and having an inlet and an outlet spaced along said axis for discharging a water jet of up to 2.5 gallons per minute from said

outlet; a tubular throat defining an axis and having an entrance and an exit

spaced along said throat axis;

said nozzle and throat being mounted in axial alignment with said

an air inlet into said suction chamber; and wherein said throat exit is in fluid communication with said housing cavity for

discharging a water/air mixture into said cavity at a positive pressure for expelling

said mixture out through said shower opening.

1 1 . The apparatus of claim 10 including means for coupling said water

source to said gas pump for supplying water to said nozzle inlet; and a flow regulator for limiting the flow from said water source to 2.5

gallons per minute.

1 2. The apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein said flow regulator is mounted in

series between said water source and said nozzle inlet.

1 3. The apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein said flow regulator comprises a

bypass regulator mounted between said water source and said housing cavity.

1 4. The apparatus of claim 1 0 wherein said water source includes a

shower arm comprising a substantially rigid conduit; and means for mounting said housing to said shower arm for receiving water from said rigid conduit.

1 5. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said water source includes a flexible supply hose; and

means for mounting said housing to said flexible supply hose for receiving a water flow therefrom.

1 6. The apparatus of claim 1 0 including an adjustment member selectively

operable to vary the size of said shower opening.

1 7. The apparatus of claim 1 0 including a pulsator mounted in said

housing for intermittently interrupting the discharge through said shower opening.

1 8. The apparatus of claim 1 0 including a plurality of liquid jet gas pumps

each comprising a nozzle and a tubular throat axially aligned therewith; and wherein

said plurality of throats extend substantially parallel to one another.

1 9. The apparatus of claim 1 0 wherein said nozzle is configured to

discharge a water jet of area A_j; and wherein

said throat defines a constant area A_τ along the axial length L_τ thereof;

and wherein

said suction chamber defines an axial length L_s; and wherein said nozzle, throat and chamber are dimensioned such that ( 1 ) (L_τ +

L_s) is greater than 32(A _τ ) and (2) A_τ > Aj.

20. A shower water discharge apparatus for use with a pressurized water

source, said apparatus comprising;

a housing enveloping a substantially closed cavity defined in part by

a wall containing at least one shower stream opening communicating with said

cavity; and at least one liquid jet gas pump for delivering a water/air mixture to

said cavity, said gas pump comprising:

a nozzle defining an axis and having an inlet and an outlet spaced along said axis, said nozzle being configured to discharge a water jet of area A_j from said outlet in response to pressurized water supplied to said inlet;

a tubular throat defining an axis and having an entrance and an exit

spaced along said throat axis, said throat having a constant area (A_τ) along the length (L_τ) thereof; said nozzle and throat being mounted in axial alignment with said

nozzle outlet proximate to said throat entrance and forming a substantially closed

suction chamber of length (L_s) therebetween; said nozzle, throat and chamber being dimensioned such that (1 ) (L_τ

+ L_s) is greater than 32(A _τ ) and (2) A_τ > Ay,

an air inlet into said suction chamber; and wherein

said throat exit is in fluid communication with said housing cavity for

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 including means for coupling said water

source to said gas pump for supplying water to said nozzle inlet; and

a flow regulator for limiting the flow from said water source to 2.5 gallons per minute.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said water source includes a shower arm comprising a substantially rigid conduit; and means for mounting said housing to said shower arm for receiving

water from said rigid conduit.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said water source includes a

flexible supply hose; and means for mounting said housing to said flexible supply hose for

receiving a water flow therefrom.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 including a plurality of liquid jet gas pumps each comprising a nozzle and a tubular throat axially aligned therewith; and

wherein

said plurality of throats extend substantially parallel to one another.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said housing includes: (1 ) a shower

arm portion comprising an elongate tubular member having a supply end and a discharge end; and (2) a head portion coupled to said tubular member discharge

end; and wherein

said nozzle and tubular throat are located in said shower arm portion and said closed cavity and wall are located in said head portion.

26. A shower water discharge apparatus for use between a pressurized water source and a shower head defining a substantially closed cavity having a

wall containing at least one shower opening, said apparatus comprising:

an elongate housing having a supply end and a discharge end; at least one liquid jet gas pump mounted in said housing for delivering

a water/air mixture to said discharge end in response to pressurized water supplied

to said supply end, said gas pump comprising;

a nozzle disposed in said housing proximate to said supply end, said nozzle defining an axis and having an inlet and an outlet spaced along said axis for

discharging a water jet from said outlet;

a tubular throat disposed in said housing between said nozzle and said

discharge end, said throat defining an axis and having an entrance and an exit spaced along said throat axis; said nozzle and throat being oriented in axial alignment in said

housing with said nozzle outlet spaced from said throat entrance to form a suction

chamber therebetween; an air inlet into said suction chamber; and wherein

said throat exit is disposed proximate to said discharge end for

discharging a water/air mixture into said shower head for expulsion through said

shower opening.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said nozzle comprises a

nonconvergent nozzle.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 including means for limiting water inflow

to said supply end to 2.5 gallons per minute.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said nozzle is configured to

discharge a water jet of area A_J(- and wherein

L_s) is greater than V32(A _τ ) and (2) A_τ > A_j.