Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for atomizing high-viscosity fluids

US6135357A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1998
Grant dateOct 24, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B17/0638
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Apparatus which is selectively operable at low frequencies (less than 5,000 Hz and preferably between about 100 Hz to about 1,000 Hz) breaks up jets of high-viscosity fluid into monodisperse droplets. The apparatus includes a housing having a chamber, a piston disposed in the chamber, a magnetic-coil system operably attached to the housing and to the piston, and an oscillator for driving the magnetic-coil system. The housing and the piston define a reservoir for receiving a supply of high-viscosity fluid which is acted upon by oscillating motion of the piston to impart pressure perturbations on the supply of fluid so that the fluid upon discharge from the reservoir separates and breaks up into a plurality of monodisperse droplets. Also disclosed is a method for optimizing the performance of the apparatus to minimize the power required for droplet formation.

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