초록 ▼

Apparatus, for example an inhaler, is disclosed in which a spray is formed electrostatically from an outlet 6 to achieve uniform droplet size. The spray is then discharged for its intended use－in the example inhaling. The spray is discharged completely by corona produced by a sharp discharge electro

Apparatus, for example an inhaler, is disclosed in which a spray is formed electrostatically from an outlet 6 to achieve uniform droplet size. The spray is then discharged for its intended use－in the example inhaling. The spray is discharged completely by corona produced by a sharp discharge electrode 16 which is charged to a polarity opposite that of the liquid. In order to prevent the corona from spoiling the formation of the spray itself, the liquid of the outlet 6 is protected by a neutral shield electrode 8. The spray issues through a hole 14 in the shield electrode. The hole is sufficiently small to prevent corona getting through, yet sufficiently large to allow the spray through.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for producing a spray of droplets of a liquid, comprising: a spraying edge; means for supplying the liquid to the spraying edge; a shield electrode spaced from the spraying edge and having an orifice through which liquid sprayed from the edge can issue; means for producing a charge to a hi

Apparatus for producing a spray of droplets of a liquid, comprising: a spraying edge; means for supplying the liquid to the spraying edge; a shield electrode spaced from the spraying edge and having an orifice through which liquid sprayed from the edge can issue; means for producing a charge to a high potential of one polarity relative to the shield electrode in liquid at the spraying edge, to define an electric field between the edge and the shield electrode sufficient to cause the liquid to issue from the edge as at least one cone from which electrostatic forces repel through the orifice a ligament which breaks up into a spray of charged droplets; a sharp discharge electrode located on the other side of the shield electrode from the spraying edge and directed toward the orifice of the shield electrode; means for charging the discharge electrode to a high potential of the other polarity relative to the shield electrode, such as to produce a corona to discharge the spray, the shield electrode being of sufficient overall dimensions and having a sufficiently small orifice to shield the edge and the cone of liquid from the corona.