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US 10,946,407 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for atomization of fluid
OwnerDavid B. Go, Michael J. Johnson +2inventors
InventorsDavid B. Go, Michael J. Johnson, Zeinab Ramshani, Massood Z. Atashbar
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Abstract
Various apparatus and methods for the atomization of fluid are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an apparatus for atomization of fluid includes a piezoelectric transformer comprising an electrode which is in communication a source of alternating current (AC) voltage at a proximate end of the piezoelectric transformer. A wick which is capable of absorbing a liquid is in contact with the piezoelectric transformer at the distal end, and the piezoelectric transformer is capable of inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end.
Claims31
An apparatus for atomization of liquid comprising:
- a piezoelectric transformer comprising an electrode which is in communication with a power source that provides an alternating current (AC) voltage at a proximate end of the piezoelectric transformer;
- a second piezoelectric transformer adjacent to the piezoelectronic transformer;
- a wick capable of absorbing a liquid in contact with the piezoelectric transformer at a distal end of the piezoelectric transformer;
- a support member in contact with the piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end;
- a second support member in contact with the second piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer;
- wherein the piezoelectric transformer is capable of inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end;
- wherein the wick is in contact with the second piezoelectric transformer at a distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer;
- and
- wherein the second piezoelectric transformer is capable of inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer.
6 more elements
A method of atomizing liquid comprising:
- applying an alternating current (AC) voltage to a proximate end of a piezoelectric transformer to induce a standing wave that propagates from the proximate end of the piezoelectric transformer to a distal end of the piezoelectric transformer, wherein the piezoelectric transformer is supported by a support member in contact with the piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end of the piezoelectric transformer;
- applying a second alternating current (AC) voltage to a proximate end of a second piezoelectric transformer to induce a second standing wave that propagates from the proximate end of the second piezoelectric transformer to a distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer, wherein the second piezoelectric transformer is supported by a second support member in contact with the piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer;
- absorbing liquid through a wick that is in contact with the distal end of the piezoelectric transformer and the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer, wherein the wick is capable of absorbing a liquid;
- and
- atomizing the liquid into drops by way of the piezoelectric transformer inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end of the piezoelectric transformer and the second piezoelectric transformer inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer.
2 more elements
An apparatus for atomization of liquid comprising:
- a piezoelectric transformer comprising an electrode which is in communication with a power source that provides an alternating current (AC) voltage at a proximate end of the piezoelectric transformer;
- a wick capable of absorbing a liquid is in contact with the piezoelectric transformer at a distal end of the piezoelectric transformer;
- a support member in contact with the piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end;
- a second a piezoelectric transformer adjacent to the piezoelectric transformer;
- and
- a support member in contact with the second piezoelectric transformer between the proximate end and the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer;
- wherein the wick is in contact with the second piezoelectric transformer at a distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer;
- and
- wherein the piezoelectric transformer is capable of inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end, and the second piezoelectric transformer is capable of inducing an electrospray of the liquid at the distal end of the second piezoelectric transformer.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.