Patent · US Expired

Nozzle method and apparatus

US4749125A · kind A · utility

72Cited by
15References
58Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 1987
Grant dateJun 7, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B5/0255
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A nozzle apparatus and method for electrically charging and dispensing fluids and other flowable materials, comprising a fluid reservoir and a housing. The housing includes walls which define a chamber having an elongated slot at the tip thereof. The slot is resiliently compressible. The reservoir communicates with the chamber such that the fluid is introduced into the chamber at a controlled rate and a low hydrostatic pressure. A shim is placed within the chamber slot partially occluding fluid flow through the slot. The shim and the amount of compression of the slot defines with precision the size and shape of the slot. The shim and fluid are electrically connected to a high voltage source through the housing. The fluid forms a meniscus about the housing slot whereby upon actuation of the high voltage source, the fluid is dispensed as one or more charged fluid paths or a plurality of charged droplets.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.