Control system for atomizing liquids with a piezoelectric vibrator

US6296196A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC. · US

Inventors

• Dennis J. Denen · Columbus, US
• Gary E. Myers · Westerville, US
• Leon M. Headings · Hilliard, US
• George A. Clark · Plainsboro, US
• Eric R. Navin · Delaware, US
• Todd L. James · Columbus, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 6, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 2, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 6, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B05B17/0684
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

There is described a battery driven atomizer in which an alternating voltage is applied to a piezoelectric actuation element to cause it to expand and contract and vibrate an atomizing orifice plate. The alternating voltage is controlled to produce a high amplitude vibration during a first portion of a drive period, to initiate atomization, and thereafter to produce a lower amplitude vibration to sustain atomization during the remainder of the drive period. The frequency of the alternating voltage is swept repeatedly during each drive period.