Patent · US Expired

Piezoelectric mist generation device

US7195179B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
9References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 2004
Grant dateMar 27, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 11, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B17/0615
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus of the present invention includes: a container operable to hold a liquid; circuitry operable to provide an electrical stimulus; and a piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the circuitry. The piezoelectric element includes a first face positioned beneath the liquid when the liquid is placed in the container, the piezoelectric element being responsive to the electrical stimulus to produce acoustic energy that causes droplets to form from the liquid. The piezoelectric element has a focal length along a focal axis intersecting the first face. The piezoelectric element and the container are structured in relation to one another to form an oblique angle between the focal axis and an axis generally parallel to a surface of the liquid when the liquid is at rest in the container.

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