Microfluidic-based apparatus and method for vaporization of liquids
US10612770B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F8/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.