Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
239004000 | Vibratory or magneto-strictive projecting | 70 |
20080197208 | MEMBRANE ACTUATOR BASED ON FERROMAGNETIC SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY COMPOSITE FOR SYNTHETIC JET ACTUATOR - A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would be achievable with non-SMA-based materials. Such a membrane actuator can be beneficially incorporated into a wide variety of devices, including fluid pumps, shock absorbing systems, and synthetic jet producing devices for use in an aircraft. The membrane/diaphragm can be formed from a ferromagnetic SMA, or a ferromagnetic material can be coupled with an SMA such that the SMA and the ferromagnetic material move together. A hybrid magnetic trigger, including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, is preferably used for the magnetic trigger, as hybrid magnetic triggers are easy to control, and produce larger magnetic gradients than permanent magnets or electromagnets alone. | 08-21-2008 |
20080265051 | Droplet generator for engine system - An engine system includes an intake system, an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust system. The internal combustion engine includes a fuel droplet generator, and a fuel injector configured to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. | 10-30-2008 |
20080265052 | Method of using an ultrasonic spray apparatus to coat a substrate - A method to eject a fluid from a surface. The steps of the method are i.) vibrating a surface of a nozzle in a direction substantially normal to the surface and ii.) providing an amplitude of the vibration that is equal to or greater than about 120 microns. | 10-30-2008 |
20080290185 | Method of dispensing fluid sprayed by a piezoelectric sprayer system, and sprayer system for implementing such a method - A method for dispensing fluid, including flowing fluid from at least one reservoir to a fluid feed chamber of a piezoelectric sprayer device during a spray cycle, and at an end portion of the spray cycle, reversing the direction of flow of the fluid such that the fluid is substantially removed from the fluid feed chamber. | 11-27-2008 |
20080315005 | Active material emitting device and method of dispensing an active material - An active material emitting device includes an ultrasonic atomizer disposed within the device for volatilizing an active material. The device further includes an opening disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting the volatilized active material therethrough. A vent is disposed in the device, wherein the vent creates an air passageway for air to enter the device and exit the device through the opening to carry the volatilized active material away from the device. | 12-25-2008 |
20090065600 | Spray Device Having a Piezoelectric Element, and Use Thereof in Cosmetology and Perfumery - Spray device comprising a piezoelectric element, a sonotrode having a base coupled to the piezoelectric element, and a tube extending as far as a horn, a drive circuit for vibrating the piezoelectric element, and a feed device for bringing the product to be sprayed up to the front face of the horn. The sonotrode mainly vibrates in a mode parallel to the tube, the horn being dimensioned so as not to flex along the longitudinal axis, without flexing when the drive circuit vibrates the piezoelectric element. This spray device is applicable in cosmetology and in perfumery. | 03-12-2009 |
20090084866 | Vibration balanced synthetic jet ejector - A synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises (a) an LED ( | 04-02-2009 |
20090134235 | Vibration Systems and Methods - In one or more embodiments, a vibration system comprises a vibratable plate, a support member surrounding the vibratable plate, and a vibration-inducing member surrounding the support member, wherein the vibration-inducing member is configured to radially expand and contract against the support member so as to produce axial vibration of the vibratable plate. In one embodiment, the vibratable plate has an outer circumference; a tubular member is concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the plate, and an annular vibration-inducing member is concentrically disposed about the outer circumference of the tubular member. The vibration-inducing member is preferably a piezoelectric ring that is radially expandable and contractable against the wall of the tubular member to cause the plate to vibrate in the axial direction. In another embodiment, an aerosol generating system comprises an piezoelectric ring that is radially expandable and contractable upon actuation thereof; a tubular member disposed within the center hole of the piezoelectric ring, and a circular vibratable aperture plate disposed across the internal lumen of the tubular member. The piezoelectric ring is radially expandable and contractable against the tubular member to cause the aperture plate to vibrate in the axial direction, and a reservoir of liquid is coupled to the tubular member so as to supply the liquid to the vibratable aperture plate and produce an aerosol upon vibration thereof. | 05-28-2009 |
20090140067 | Devices and Methods for Atomizing Fluids - One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a fluid. This apparatus includes an atomizing nozzle assembly. The atomizing nozzle assembly includes: a spray applicator enclosure having a fluid entry zone, a flow shape profiler region, a transducer, and a cavitation enhancer module, wherein the cavitation enhancer module includes a residence modulation zone and the residence modulation zone includes a backward facing step region. The apparatus is configured such that fluid can enter the fluid entry zone to the nozzle profiler, the transducer and the cavitation enhancer module. Other embodiments relate to methods for atomizing fluids. | 06-04-2009 |
20090152372 | FUEL COMBUSTION CATALYST DELIVERY APPARATUS - Efficient and effective fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus is disclosed. A fuel combustion catalyst delivery apparatus may include a receptacle containing a material such as a liquid. The liquid may include one or more catalytic materials. The apparatus may further include a vibration pump configured to convert the liquid to an aerosol to be delivered into an intake air of a combustion zone, a pressure equalizer configured to maintain the pressure level of the receptacle at about the same pressure level as that of the intake air of the combustion zone, and a liquid delivery device configured to deliver the liquid to the vibration pump. The apparatus may further include an electronic control module and a mounting bracket or a docking station. The electronic control module may be used to control the vibration pump. The apparatus may further include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure level of the intake air of the combustion zone so that the vibration pump can regulate the delivery rate of the liquid into the intake air as the aerosol based on the pressure level of the intake air. The vibration pump may be also configured to regulate the delivery rate of the liquid into the intake air as the aerosol, based on an actual fuel consumption rate in the combustion zone. | 06-18-2009 |
20090200390 | ULTRASOUND ATOMIZATION SYSTEM - An ultrasound atomization apparatus including an ultrasound transducer, a horn attached to the distal end of the transducer, a chamber within the horn that receives a fluid to be atomized, a radiation surface, and a channel leading from the chamber to the radiation surface. Vibrations produced by the transducer travel down the horn to the radiation surface. The vibrations induce the release of energy into the fluid to be atomized as it travels through the horn's internal chamber and exits the horn at the radiation surface. Controllably increasing the kinetic energy of the fluid, energy emitted into the fluid assists and/or drives fluid atomization. Assisting and/or driving fluid atomization by utilizing vibrations to increase the kinetic energy of the fluid, the ultrasound atomization apparatus can preserve a desired spray pattern when changing environmental conditions would otherwise destroy the spray pattern and/or reduce atomization. | 08-13-2009 |
20090206171 | CONCENTRATION AND DISPERSION OF SMALL PARTICLES IN SMALL FLUID VOLUMES USING ACOUSTIC ENERGY - A method of manipulating particles suspended within a fluid droplet using a microfluidic system including a piezo-electric substrate ( | 08-20-2009 |
20090230208 | Method And Device for Nebulising High-Viscosity Liquids with Minimal Fallback - A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, fluid interface means for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, ultrasound generating means for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and electronic control means for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating means. | 09-17-2009 |
20090236437 | Metering device - The invention relates to a metering device ( | 09-24-2009 |
20090277971 | Economical, dripless, reciprocating atomizer - An economical, dripless, reciprocating atomizer comprised of a piezo bender ( | 11-12-2009 |
20090289127 | DEVICE FOR EMITTING VOLATILE COMPOSITIONS WHILE REDUCING SURFACE DEPOSITION AND IMPROVING SCENT NOTICEABILITY - A device for emitting volatile compositions comprising a capillary element, a channel in fluid communication with the capillary element, an emitting orifice having a forward tilt from about +5 degrees to less than about +90 degrees, and a decoupled piezoelectric actuator for emitting the volatile composition through the emitting orifice. In some embodiments, the device is a plug-in air freshener and reduces surface deposition and improves scent noticeability through improved containment of perfumes during the rest period. | 11-26-2009 |
20090308945 | LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS USING A PASSIVE LIQUID METERING METHOD - A liquid dispensing device using a piezoelectric member in connection with an atomizing head and a passive metering method to supply liquid to the atomizing head. Preferably, the device is used to but not limited to dispensing of fragrances, insecticides or other aromatic solutions. The piezoelectric member does not vibrate the nozzle plate through which the liquid is dispensed. The passive metering method relies only on surface tension forces within the supply passageway. The device can work with a wider range of liquid properties than existing piezoelectric devices of this type. The passive metering method is robust and consistent, enabling larger and more varied liquid reservoirs because the reservoir height is not a factor in determining the performance of the device. The atomizing head functions with a wider range of liquids than atomizers whose nozzle plates are directly excited. | 12-17-2009 |
20100001090 | Liquid Particle Emitting Device - A liquid particle emitting device comprising a first reservoir formed of a perforated top plate comprising at least one aperture; and a base plate opposite said perforated top plate, wherein said perforated top plate and said base plate form the first reservoir comprising an inner volume. Within the inner volume of the first reservoir is at least one deflecting member. | 01-07-2010 |
20100001091 | Piezoelectric atomizer comprising a fragrancing liquid composition; fragrancing method - The invention relates to a cosmetic assembly comprising: | 01-07-2010 |
20100044452 | ULTRASONIC LIQUID TREATMENT AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AND PROCESS - In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets. | 02-25-2010 |
20100078496 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ULTRASONIC SPRAY SHAPING - New and improved ultrasonic spray shaping assemblies, components thereof, and methods for using the assemblies. An ultrasonic spray shaping assembly includes jet block and impact jet components to receive and redirect a single gas stream, whereby to use the single gas stream to shape an ultrasonic spray plume in a desired shape, particularly into a desired width of the plume. Modifications to the components, such as relative positioning, can be used to alter the shape of the spray plume. The present invention can be fabricated in a compact, lightweight design. It has many applications, including but not limited to, the deposition of flux onto a printed circuit board. | 04-01-2010 |
20100084484 | INTEGRATED, ESSENTIAL-OIL ATOMIZER - An atomizer provides a control of duty cycle or a motor driving a diaphragm pump. By providing precise, high-speed flow through an eductor nozzle, improved atomization occurs. However, to control the total volume of atomized liquid discharged, the delay time between operational time periods may also be controlled. Thus, a very effective atomizer provides economical use of essential oils by control duty cycle. Precision modeling provides highly integrated subsystems providing superior performance and reliability. | 04-08-2010 |
20100108775 | Multi-Element Ultrasonic Atomizer - A multi-element ultrasonic atomizer and method for atomizing liquids is described, having a power generator, a converter, an ultrasonic horn coupled to the converter, and at least two atomizing probes coupled to the ultrasound horn, each atomizing probe including at least one liquid passage extending longitudinally along the atomizing probe and terminating at an atomizing tip at a distal end of the atomizing probe. The atomizing probes are made to vibrate at same frequency. A liquid is delivered to an atomizing surface through the liquid passage and through an opening at the atomizing tip. | 05-06-2010 |
20100237161 | DUAL VOLTAGE ELECTROMAGNET MOTOR FOR AIRLESS FLUID SPRAYER - The present disclosure generally relates to systems and devices for spraying fluid materials such as paints, stains, and the like, and more specifically, but not by limitation, to a dual voltage electromagnet motor for an airless fluid sprayer. In one example, a dual-voltage electric airless fluid sprayer is provided and includes a fluid reservoir and a pump configured to receive fluid from the fluid reservoir. An electric motor is operably coupled to the pump and includes a plurality of windings. The plurality of windings include a first winding portion having a first wire gauge and a first number of windings and a second winding portion having a second wire gauge and second number of windings. A power-module receiving portion is configured to receive a power module to couple one of the first or second winding portions to a source of electrical power. | 09-23-2010 |
20100258648 | ULTRASONIC ATOMIZING NOZZLE WITH CONE-SPRAY FEATURE - A nozzle assembly that produces a cone-shaped spray pattern of entrained liquid droplets is disclosed. The nozzle includes an ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid on an atomizing surface located at the end of an atomizing stem. The nozzle assembly is supplied pressurized air that is directed to the atomizing surface by intercommunicating ports, chambers and/or channels. To provide the cone-shaped spray pattern, the ports, chambers and/or channels cause or direct the pressurized gas to rotate about the atomizing stem. When the rotating pressurized gas exits the nozzle assembly via proximate the atomizing surface, atomized liquid droplets become entrained in the gas. The rotating pressurized gas propels the droplets forward and moves at least some droplets circumferentially outward in the cone-shaped spray pattern. In various embodiments, the pressure of the gas can be adjusted to control the size and shape of the cone-shaped pattern and the distribution of droplets. | 10-14-2010 |
20100258649 | Spray Electrode - An electrostatic spraying device comprises a capillary spray electrode having a spraying end, a reference electrode, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the spray electrode. In use, the electrodes are connected across a generator in order to establish an electric field between the electrodes and cause fluid in the reservoir to be sprayed from the spray electrode. The spray electrode has a focus that defines a point at which the electric field is focused on the spraying end. | 10-14-2010 |
20100308125 | Liquid Spray Dispenser - The present invention provides a compressible spray dispensing container which includes a quantity of a liquid treatment composition contained therein, and a dispensing means which dispensing means includes a fluidic oscillator which provides for oscillation of the liquid exiting the dispensing means, and particularly via a nozzle. | 12-09-2010 |
20100327072 | Method for Transporting a Liquid for Atomization and a Method and Devices for Atomizing the Same - Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are comprised of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface. | 12-30-2010 |
20110089251 | Ultrasonic Waterjet Apparatus - An ultrasonic waterjet apparatus ( | 04-21-2011 |
20110114744 | Method and Apparatus for an Improved Aerosol Generator and Associated Uses and Equipment - The invention is an apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance and protecting one or more aerosol generating transducers from deterioration while operating in a chemically reactive aqueous solution by utilizing one or more protective barrier techniques to eliminate chemical interaction between the aqueous solution and the transducers, among other features of the generator including these transducers. The method of the present invention produces an aerosol producing transducer with the transducer housing and assembly to be constructed in such a way as to assure its efficient and effective long-term and problem free operation in an aqueous solution that is chemically reactive. | 05-19-2011 |
20110114745 | METHOD AND PULVERISATION HEAD, ASSOCIATED METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANUFACTURE A PRODUCT IN POWDER FORM - A pulverisation head of an apparatus includes a motor whose vertical hollow shaft is integrally linked, at its lower end, to a centrifugal ejection disc. The substance to be pulverised, coming from a tank via a proportioning pump, crosses the hollow shaft to be spread in a thin layer on the lower surface of the disc forming the centrifugal ejection face. Elements are designed to vibrate the peripheral edge of the disc and control the pulverisation of the substance. A fan and a distributor produce a treatment gas flow which meets and draws droplets towards a collection zone, solidifying them by drying or freezing. Typically, the substance is a mixture of at least one active ingredient and a microencapsulation constituent. For use to obtain very fine and/or very homogeneous particle size, to manufacture powders for food processing, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications. The head is useful to produce aerosols. | 05-19-2011 |
20110147476 | Synthetic Jet Actuator System and Related Methods - Systems and methods for controlling fluid flow utilizing a synthetic jet actuator, are provided. An example of a synthetic jet actuator system includes a synthetic jet actuator including a dual bimorph subsystem to provide low, medium, and high synthetic jet velocities and/or fine flow control response, and an arc-forming subsystem to provide enhanced pressure, velocity, and mass flow performance, enhanced flow control response, and/or heating of the fluid within the bimorph chamber to extend the performance or operating margin of the dual bimorph subsystem of the synthetic jet actuator. The arc-forming subsystem includes a pair of electrodes interfaced with inner surface walls of the dual bimorph subsystem. Various configurations of power supplies can be utilized to provide simultaneous function to both the subsystem and the arc-forming subsystem to allow selective activation. | 06-23-2011 |
20110192909 | Fine droplet atomizer for liquid precursor vaporization - The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a droplet aerosol for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The apparatus includes a mechanism to control the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus, the mechanism including a piezoelectric actuator to adjust the rate of liquid flow and an atomizing mechanism drawing gas from a compressed gas source such that when the gas source conjoins with the liquid, the liquid is atomized to form droplets suspended in the gas thereby forming a droplet aerosol suitable for subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The method includes drawing a gas from a compressed gas source and drawing a liquid from a liquid source. The liquid and gas are conjoined in either a coaxial flow relationship or a radial flow relationship or an angular relationship between radial and coaxial flow wherein the gas engages the liquid to faun droplets suitable for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. | 08-11-2011 |
20110240752 | Self-pumping structures and methods of using self-pumping structures - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for self-pumping structure, methods of self-pumping, and the like. | 10-06-2011 |
20120012665 | AEROSOL GENERATORS WITH ENHANCED CORROSION RESISTANCE - An apparatus for generating an aerosol that includes a support member having a first face and a second face and defining an opening therethrough, where the support member includes a first material having a first galvanic potential, and an aerosolization element mounted on the support member and disposed substantially over the opening and defining at least one aperture therethrough. The aerosolization element may include a second material having a second galvanic potential that is substantially equal to the first galvanic potential of the first material. Also, a method of aerosolizing a liquid medicament by providing an aperture plate made of a first material and having a top surface and a bottom surface. The aperture plate is mounted on a support member that includes a second material that has an opening such that the aperture plate covers the opening, and where the first and second materials have similar galvanic potentials. | 01-19-2012 |
20120018526 | METHOD OF CREATING SALT AEROSOL FOR BREATHING BY NEBULIZING AN AQUEOUS SALINE SOLUTION - The present invention concerns a method for nebulizing an aqueous saline solution comprising sodium chloride, the method comprising the steps of: placing a quantity of the aqueous saline solution having a salt concentration ranging between 0.5 mg/mL and the NaCl solubility in water at 25° C. into a chamber of an ultrasonic nebulizer, the ultrasonic nebulizer having at least one ultrasonic cell used for nebulizing the saline solution; operating the ultrasonic nebulizer to generate droplets of the aqueous saline solution between 0.1 microns and 5 microns in size and in a quantity between 1 ml and 200 ml per hour; and forcing the nebulized saline solution droplets to leave the chamber through at least one opening of the ultrasonic nebulizer such as to place the nebulized saline solution droplets into the indoor air. The invention further concerns a method of treatment of respiratory ailments. | 01-26-2012 |
20120061485 | Ultrasonic Waterjet Apparatus - An ultrasonic waterjet apparatus has a mobile generator module and a high-pressure water hose for delivering high-pressure water from the mobile generator module to a hand-held gun with a trigger and an ultrasonic nozzle. An ultrasonic generator transmits high-frequency electrical pulses to a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducer which vibrates to modulate a high-pressure waterjet flowing through the nozzle. The waterjet exiting the ultrasonic nozzle is pulsed into mini slugs of water. The ultrasonic waterjet apparatus may be used to cut and de-burr materials, to clean and de-coat surfaces, and to break rocks. The ultrasonic waterjet apparatus performs these tasks with much greater efficiency than conventional continuous-flow waterjet systems because of the repetitive waterhammer effect. A nozzle with multiple exit orifices or a rotating nozzle may be provided in lieu of a nozzle with a single exit orifice to render cleaning and de-coating large surfaces more efficient. | 03-15-2012 |
20120111964 | FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INJECTING HYDROCARBON FUEL INTO A FUEL REFORMER - A fuel injection system and method for injecting hydrocarbon fuel into a fuel reformer for generating hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel are provided. The hydrocarbon fuel is injected into the fuel reformer as spray having a pulsating pressure. | 05-10-2012 |
20120187209 | MICROFLUIDIC APPARATUS FOR THE ATOMISATION OF A LIQUID - An apparatus ( | 07-26-2012 |
20120325925 | SAMPLE INTRODUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY - A method of introducing a sample into an atomic spectrometer utilizes a spray head including a vibratable mesh. A liquid sample is conducted to one face of the mesh and the mesh is vibrated to expel sample droplets from the other face of the mesh into the proximal end of a flow passage axially spaced from the mesh. Also, a low pressure gas as flowed into the proximal end of the flow passage to mix with the droplets to form an aerosol in the flow passage. The vibrating of the mesh is controlled to provide in the aerosol a selected total volume of monodisperse droplets while the flow of the carrier gas is independently controlled to provide a selected rate of flow of the aerosol along the flow passage thereby to optimize consumption of the sample. Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130068850 | DRIVING DEVICE OF LIQUID-JET HEAD, LIQUID-JET DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING LIQUID-JET HEAD - Disclosed is a driving device of a liquid-jet head having a piezoelectric device arranged for each of nozzles and having mutually facing electrodes. The driving device includes switching devices connected in parallel to each other, one of the electrodes being connected to first ends of the switching devices for selectively ON/OFF controlling the switching devices while the other electrode is connected to a reference potential, a driving signal source to generate a driving signal connected to second ends of the switching devices, and a control unit to switch the driving signal to ON or OFF control the switching devices. At least one of the switching devices has electrically conducting properties for not ejecting a liquid drop from the nozzle with a driving signal being applied to the switching device in an ON-controlled status, and the switching devices are all ON-controlled for causing the nozzles to eject liquid drops. | 03-21-2013 |
20130146677 | Method for Transporting a Liquid for Atomization and a Method and Devices for Atomizing the Same - Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are comprised of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface. | 06-13-2013 |
20130161407 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR NEBULISING OR ATOMISING FREE-FLOWING MEDIA - The invention relates to a device and a method for nebulizing flowable media by means of low-frequency high-energy ultrasound. According to the invention, the device comprises an ultrasound system ( | 06-27-2013 |
20130206857 | PIEZOELECTRIC DISPENSER WITH A LONGITUDINAL TRANSDUCER AND REPLACEABLE CAPILLARY TUBE - Systems, devices and methods are provided, for acquiring and dispensing predetermined volumes of liquids and, in particular, to a unique piezoelectric dispenser for acquiring and dispensing of small volumes of fluid in an automatic or manual production of DNA arrays and assays, wherein droplets are dispensed in a single drop format with volumes that may range from about a few picoliters to several nanoliters. The dispenser can advantageously utilize a disposable capillary tube assembly while desirably retaining the piezoelectric actuator for subsequent further uses, thereby mitigating the possibility of cross contamination of fluids and providing an economical and cost effective approach with reuse of the piezoelectric actuator for further operation such as with a variety of liquids to be dispensed and transferred. A unique longitudinal transducer can transmit radial tube displacement into controlled axial motion of the tube. | 08-15-2013 |
20130214055 | ULTRASONIC LIQUID TREATMENT AND DELIVERY SYSTEM AND PROCESS - In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets. | 08-22-2013 |
20130277446 | ELECTRONIC SPRAY DEVICE IMPROVEMENTS - An electronic spray device comprising a spray generator and a spray controller for providing a drive signal to the spray generator, wherein the spray generator includes a perforate membrane which vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signal, said vibration causing liquid droplets to be ejected from one side of the perforate membrane, wherein the spray controller is adapted to modulate the drive signal sent to the spray generator, wherein such modulation of the drive signal is arranged to set the mean power level supplied to the spray generator to a target level. | 10-24-2013 |
20130292484 | DELIVERY SYSTEM COMPRISING IMPROVED VOLATILE COMPOSITIONS - Delivery systems comprising improved volatile compositions are provided. The delivery system comprises an electromechanical actuator for emitting the improved composition into the air, whereby scent longevity, perfume character, room fill, and/or functional benefits (e.g. odor elimination) are provided. | 11-07-2013 |
20130334335 | LAMINAR FLOW DROPLET GENERATOR DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - A piezoelectric ejector device is provided which is designed to minimize the intake of air into the device upon actuation by providing for laminar flow of the fluid. In an ejector mechanism that includes a generator plate and a piezoelectric actuator operable to directly or indirectly oscillate the generator plate, at a frequency to generate a directed stream of droplets of fluid, the generator plate includes a fluid facing surface, a droplet ejection surface, and a plurality of holes formed through its thickness between the surfaces. The plurality of holes are configured so as to minimize airflow through the plurality of openings from the droplet ejection surface to the fluid facing surface during generation of the directed stream of droplets by configuring the shape of the holes to minimize turbulence. | 12-19-2013 |
20130334336 | Scent Producing Apparatus - A scent producing apparatus constituted of: a control circuitry; a plate exhibiting at least one release port extending from a first face of the plate to a second face of the plate opposing the first face; at least one scent reservoir in communication with the first face of the plate; a controllable scent release mechanism associated with each scent reservoir and arranged to release a controlled quantity of the contents of the associated scent reservoir through a release port to the second face of the plate; and a vibrator responsive to the control circuitry and in communication with the plate, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: control each controllable scent release mechanism to release a controlled quantity of the contents of the associated scent reservoir through the release port to the second face of the plate; and vibrate the plate to thereby atomize the released contents. | 12-19-2013 |
20140091155 | HIGH FREQUENCY UNIFORM DROPLET MAKER AND METHOD - There is disclosed a piezoelectric droplet maker that is driven at high frequency and energized with high power and high frequency Operational Amplifier (OP-AMP) electronics. The droplet maker implements a method of producing jets of uniform droplets of solution precursors (or any other homogeneous liquids). The formation of droplets results from stream break up due to the disturbance of liquid jets by the piezo actuator as they leave an orifice. This disturbance can be electronically tuned to produce uniform droplets with high repeatability. In another aspect, the droplet maker can be used to inject axially uniform diameter solution precursor droplets into process gas flow of a microwave plasma apparatus. | 04-03-2014 |
20140124589 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING ACOUSTICAL NOISE IN SYNTHETIC JETS - Apparatus and method are provided for reducing acoustical noise when cooling a device, such as a lamp system. The apparatus includes at least a set of a first synthetic jet and a second synthetic jet. The first and second synthetic jets are responsive to respective actuating signals having a phase difference (e.g., 180°) between one another chosen to reduce acoustic noise produced by the first and second synthetic jets when cooling the device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140151457 | EJECTOR DEVICES, METHODS, DRIVERS, AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR - In a piezoelectric ejector assembly, a piezoelectric actuator is attached to an ejector mechanism, while a drive signal generator and a controller are coupled to the actuator. The drive signal generator is configured to generate a drive signal for driving the actuator to oscillate the ejector assembly. The controller is configured to control the drive signal generator to drive the actuator at a resonant frequency of the ejector assembly, and an auto-tuning circuit is provided to define the optimum drive signal frequency. | 06-05-2014 |
20140151458 | ULTRASONICALLY ENHANCED FUEL-INJECTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Fuel injectors of varying modes, shear or thickness, and megahertz are used to reduce the size of fuel droplets. The fuel injector has an expansion chamber and an orifice-containing face plate with a porous PZT material arranged adjacent to the face plate. The fuel passes through the porous PZT material as the PZT material is energized to realize reduced fuel particle size. | 06-05-2014 |
20140203099 | ULTRASONIC PRODUCED WATER DISPERSION DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ultrasonic dispersion system for dispersing fluid collected from a wellbore during hydrocarbon production is disclosed. The system comprises a holding tank for containing a fluid collection; a fluid intake in communication with the holding tank for input of fluid collected from a wellbore; and an air intake in communication with the holding tank. An ultrasonic generator bank positioned in the holding tank for contact with the fluid collection is used for particlizing the fluid collection to generate an air/particle mixture with the air input into the holding tank. The ultrasonic generator bank comprises an ultrasonic source positioned below the surface of the fluid collection for particlizing at least a portion of the fluid collection; a power source for providing power to the ultrasonic generator bank; and an outlet in an upper region of the holding tank for exhausting the air/particle mixture from the holding tank. | 07-24-2014 |
20140252106 | ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED NEBULIZER - An electronically controlled scent producing element ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140252107 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPPING BORES AND CURVED INNER SURFACES WITH A ROTATING HIGH-FREQUENCEY FORCED PULSED WATERJET - A method of prepping a cylindrical inner surface of a bore using a high-frequency forced pulsed waterjet apparatus entails generating a pressurized waterjet using a high-pressure water pump, generating a high-frequency signal using a high-frequency signal generator, applying the high-frequency signal to a transducer having a microtip to cause the microtip to vibrate to thereby generate the high-frequency forced pulsed waterjet, and rotating the rotatable ultrasonic nozzle inside the bore to prep the inner cylindrical surface of the bore using the high-frequency forced pulsed waterjets exiting from the angled exit orifices of the rotatable ultrasonic nozzle. | 09-11-2014 |
20140263695 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATOMIZING AND VAPORIZING LIQUID - A method and apparatus for atomizing and vaporizing liquid is described. An apparatus having an ejector configured to eject one or more droplets of liquid may be inserted into a reservoir containing liquid. The ejector may have a vibrating device that vibrates the ejector and causes liquid to move from the reservoir up through the ejector and out through an orifice located on the top of the ejector. The one or more droplets of liquid ejected from the ejector may be heated and vaporized into the air. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263696 | APPARATUS FOR RECONFIGURING SPRAY EQUIPMENT, AND METHOD - An apparatus for configuring dispersing equipment for applying liquid solutions to vegetation, comprising: a plurality of nozzles for dispersing liquid in the form of liquid droplets; a plurality of magnets for applying a magnetic field to the liquid droplets; where the nozzles are configured to produce liquid droplets sized less than 400 microns and preferably less than 150 microns and more preferably within the range of 10 microns to 50 microns; where each magnet in the plurality of magnets has a magnetic remanence of at least 0.9 and preferably at least 1.25; where the plurality of magnets are moveably mountable on the spray equipment to vary the field strength and polar orientation to adapt for application conditions and purposes; where the liquid solution includes at least water, and where the nozzles are positionable to produce air turbulence and a spray cloud consisting of liquid droplets impacting target vegetation during spraying. | 09-18-2014 |
20140319237 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING DROPLETS OVER A VARIABLE SPECTRUM OF PARTICLE SIZES - A process for generating droplets with a modulatable droplet size distribution, comprises: making a stream of liquid strike a support with a given relative impact velocity; making said support vibrate at at least one vibration frequency; heating said support to a impact temperature such that the liquid film formed by the impact and made to vibrate is heated to a principal temperature to form in combination what are called principal droplets from said film; and transporting said droplets via a transfer/braking/sorting system to a liquid for precipitating the principal droplets, said transportation being carried out at a transportation temperature, all of these parameters, namely the relative impact velocity, the vibration frequency, the principal temperature and the transportation temperature allowing the droplet size of said formed principal droplets and the velocity of the latter to be modulated. A device allowing the process to be implemented is also provided. | 10-30-2014 |
20140346244 | Control Method For An Injection Valve And Injection System - A control method for a fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein at least one control signal for actuating a drive of the injection valve is generated in recurring injection cycles and as a function of a target stroke height of a closing element of the injection valve, wherein the drive is actuated by the control signal to lift the closing element to the target stroke height and the closing element is lifted to an actual stroke height by means of the drive, wherein at least one measured parameter correlated with the actual stroke height is captured and the actual stroke height is determined as a function of said at least one measured parameter, wherein the control signal is generated in at least one of the subsequent injection cycles as a function of a deviation of the actual stroke height from the target stroke height. | 11-27-2014 |
20140346245 | NEBULIZER, A CONTROL UNIT FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, A NEBULIZING ELEMENT AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A NEBULIZER - There is provided a control unit for controlling the operation of a nebulizer, the nebulizer comprising a reservoir chamber for storing a liquid to be nebulised, an actuator, and a nebulizing element comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to nebulize the liquid upon operation of the actuator; wherein the control unit is configured to obtain an indication of the size of the nozzles in the nebulizing element; and control the operation of the actuator based on the obtained indication to provide nebulised liquid at a required output rate and/or with droplets of a required size. | 11-27-2014 |
20140361095 | ULTRASONIC MICROVALVE ARRAY UNIT FOR PRODUCTION OF MIST - The subject matter discloses an apparatus, comprising an array of micro-valves for dispersing mist, each micro valve of the array of micro-valve comprises a needle and a case; an ultrasonic vibrating element for vibrating the array of micro-valves; a mechanical connector for connecting the needles and cases of the array of micro-valves, thus enabling generation of a secondary movement of the needles relative to the cases while the array of micro-valves vibrates, said secondary movement is generated by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrating element. | 12-11-2014 |
20140374501 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING PRODUCE IN A TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER - An apparatus for maintaining produce stored in a transportation container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing of the shape and size of at least one crate storing the produce, the housing having at least one opening therein; and at least one ultrasonic nebulizer for generating fog from a liquid pesticide, the fog rising through the opening to generate a cloud of micro droplets of the pesticide in the container. | 12-25-2014 |
20150060563 | FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLIES HAVING ACOUSTICAL FORCE MODIFIERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE - The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber. | 03-05-2015 |
20150076245 | DEVICE FOR NEBULIZING A LIQUID - The invention relates to a device ( | 03-19-2015 |
20150097047 | Method for controlling and managing smart atomizer - A method for controlling and managing a smart atomizer involves automatically frequency tracing to rapidly optimize an operating frequency of a piezoelectric element of a spray nozzle when the spray nozzle is assembled to a main machine of the smart atomizer. The main machine performs spray-dosage setting, so that each spray session can operate according a preset spray dosage, so as to provide consistent spray of liquid easily. While the liquid is sprayed, the frequency-abnormality detecting means keeps detecting whether there is any abnormality of the operating frequency of the piezoelectric element. Thereby, whether the spray nozzle works normally can be easily confirmed by whether a frequency-tracing prompter gives out a prompt and what maintenance message is contained in the prompt. The method also includes event recording and external record reading for storing, exporting and leveraging data about usage of the atomizer for improved usage of the atomizer. | 04-09-2015 |
20150298157 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DROPLET PRODUCTION AND MANIPULATION USING ACOUSTIC WAVES - Acoustic waves, including surface acoustic waves, are useful to control fluids. In one aspect, acoustic waves may be applied to a fluid flowing in a channel to control or alter its flow characteristics, e.g., its flow rate or direction. Acoustic waves are typically applied using electrically-controlled acoustic wave generators, and thus, the flow of fluid can be controlled to a surprisingly high degree. If the fluid is caused to form a series of droplets, then acoustic waves may be used to control the volume of fluid in each droplet, to alter the rate droplets are formed, or the like. Acoustic waves may be used to deflect the flow of fluid in a channel, and in some cases, to cause fluid to flow to different locations. | 10-22-2015 |
20160021760 | METHOD FOR EJECTING MOLTEN METALS - The present invention relates to a method for ejecting droplets of a molten metal. In the present invention, the metal is a composition comprising a first metal and a second element, wherein the second element is Si. In jetting operation, the second elements may prevent contaminants present in the composition from precipitating and clogging the orifice. The present invention further relates to the use of such composition. | 01-21-2016 |
20160067368 | NEBULIZER SYSTEM FOR FRESHENING THE AIR - Nebulizer systems to generate a mist of micro-droplets of a liquid for the purpose of freshening the atmosphere. Nebulizer systems having a small size that can be mounted on a sales stall to humidify and freshen fresh products displayed for sale, or in a vehicle to humidify and freshen the air and make it pleasant to breathe. | 03-10-2016 |
20160252034 | Injection Valve And Operation Of An Injection Valve | 09-01-2016 |