Patent · US Expired

Oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizer inhaler

US4790479A · kind A · utility

127Cited by
8References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 1988
Grant dateDec 13, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 8, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S261/48
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

This oscillating construction for an ultrasonic atomizing inhaler includes an oscillation element which is excited to vibrate ultrasonically, and this oscillation element has two adjoining regions which have substantially different vibrational characteristics. Liquid supply is made to one of the regions, and the oscillation for atomization takes place in the other region, according to the particular frequency of ultrasonic excitation of the oscillation element which is appropriately chosen. The region to which liquid is supplied has a resonance frequency which is different from that of the region for atomization, and substantially no atomization takes place in the liquid supply region. Therefore, even when the load imposed on the oscillation element by liquid thereon changes, as for example if the amount of the liquid thereon has changed, oscillation of a constant frequency continues in the atomization region, and thereby proper atomization is maintained. Thus, there is provided an ultrasonic atomizer which effects proper supply of liquid to be atomized, which does not cause oversupply or undersupply of liquid to be atomized, and which further can handle fluids of various different…

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