Liquid atomization methods and devices
US6601776B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/896
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention involves controlled atomization of liquids for various applications such as part/droplet seeding for laser-based measurements of flow velocity, temperature, and concentration; flame and a plasma based elemental analysis; nano-powder production; spray drying for generation of small-sized particles; nebulizers in the production of sub-micron size droplets and for atomizing fuel for use in combustion chambers. In these and other atomizer applications the control of droplet and/or particle size is very critical In some applications extremely small droplets are preferred (less than a micron), while in others, droplet diameters on the scale of several microns are required. The present invention has the flexibility of forming droplets within a particular range of diameters, wherein not only the size of the average droplet can be adjusted, but the range of sizes may be adjusted as well. The atomizer (4) itself is in the form of a heated tube (44) having an inlet end (48) and an outlet end (50). As liquid travels through the tube it is heated and upon exiting the tube and entering a reduced pressure area the liquid atomizes to form very fine droplets. By electrically h…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.