Dental apparatus
US4973246A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1988 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B9/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dental apparatus is provided which includes a handle having a hollow interior and an end portion which is slightly curved to facilitate insertion in the oral cavity of a dental patient. Within the hollow interior, an air heater system is provided consisting of an air vortex tube. Air is delivered to one end of the vortex tube in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube causing the air to rapidly spin within the tube. The spinning air impinges upon an air flow control member at the opposite end of the tube which causes a portion of the air to deflect rearward toward its point of entry. This air is cool in temperature, and expelled from the rear of the tube. The non-deflected air is warm and directed out of the curved end portion of the handle. The invention further includes an adjustment system to control the temperature of air leaving the vortex tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.