(under the class definition) Apparatus comprising intake means described for use in an ambient gaseous medium to gather a portion of that medium, said incoming medium moving at a relatively high speed with respect to the intake means, said intake means comprising a flow passage for the incoming medium, said flow passage disclosed as having at least (1), a portion which converges in the direction of flow or (2), a portion which diverges in the direction of flow or (3), an enlarged portion downstream of the intake end.
(1) Note. Many of the patents herein disclose the intake means as being used to convert a portion of the kinetic energy of the incoming gas into static pressure energy.
(2) Note. A claim to merely recite the wall structure of a tubular member, or to a mere tubular member with a restricting or baffle means for facilitating or restricting flow of fluid is classifiable in Class 138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits. For classification in Class 137, some additional fluid handling features must be claimed. See the reference to Class 137 under "SEARCH CLASS" in the definition of subclass 37 in Class 138.
(3) Note. A claim with a nominal recitation of the apparatus to which the incoming gaseous medium is being
delivered, (e.g., jet engine, pump), in combination with the intake means, does not preclude classification in Class 137.
