초록 ▼

An atomizer for atomizing a liquid has a gas chamber adapted to be connected to a supply of gas and a liquid chamber adapted to be connected to a source of liquid. A mixing tube extends from the gas chamber in a downstream direction, and atomizing gas flows through the tube at subsonic speed. A liqu

An atomizer for atomizing a liquid has a gas chamber adapted to be connected to a supply of gas and a liquid chamber adapted to be connected to a source of liquid. A mixing tube extends from the gas chamber in a downstream direction, and atomizing gas flows through the tube at subsonic speed. A liquid conduit fluidly connects the liquid chamber with the mixing tube so that liquid from the conduit can be entrained in the gas flow for discharging a mixture of gas and partially atomized liquid from the tube. The mixture then flows through an exit gap to the exterior of the housing. The exit gap has several successive shear steps which contact the mixture as it flows through the gap to thereby substantially fully atomize the liquid as it is being discharged from the atomizer. The atomizer permits variations in the liquid flow rate and therewith variations in the rate at which atomized liquid is discharged from the atomizer by modulating the rate at which the liquid is entrained in the gas streams while maintaining the gas stream flow rate (and pressure) substantially constant.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [17.] An atomizer for atomizing a liquid comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a liquid chamber substantially aligned with the axis and an annular gas chamber substantially concentrically positioned relative to the liquid chamber; a plurality of gas acceleration tub

[ What is claimed is:] [17.] An atomizer for atomizing a liquid comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a liquid chamber substantially aligned with the axis and an annular gas chamber substantially concentrically positioned relative to the liquid chamber; a plurality of gas acceleration tubes each extending in a downstream direction from the gas chamber to an outlet end of the tube and including an upstream section extending from the gas chamber and converging towards the outlet, and a downstream section fluidly coupled to the upstream section, ending in an acceleration tube outlet and having substantially the smallest diameter of the acceleration tube; an annular atomizing chamber in fluid communication with all outlets of the acceleration tubes; a resonant cavity for each outlet, each resonant cavity being in substantial alignment with an associated acceleration tube outlet and located on a side of the atomizing chamber opposite the associated outlet; a continuous, arcuate exit gap in fluid communication with the atomizing chamber and extending to an outside of the housing, the exit gap being defined by opposing walls of the housing which include a plurality of successive, spaced-apart shear steps facing the gap; and a liquid conduit for each acceleration tube extending obliquely with respect to the acceleration tube from the liquid chamber to the downstream section of the tube; whereby liquid from the liquid chamber is entrained in and partially atomized in the gas flow to the acceleration tubes to thereby form a gas/liquid mixture which is further atomized in the atomizing chamber as a result of turbulence therein, and which is still further atomized as the mixture flows from the atomizing chamber through the exit gap as a result of contacts with the shear steps.