Co-axial dual fluids metering system and methods

A metering system for a fluid atomizer, comprising:

• a housing having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, an outlet, a mixing chamber, a plurality of first fluid channels, and a flow channel provided between the first fluid inlet and the plurality of first fluid channels;
• a first fluid flow controller comprising:
• a rearward most surface arranged away from the housing outlet;
• and a forward most surface arranged toward the housing outlet;
• wherein the first fluid flow controller is movable in the flow channel to control a flow of first fluid from the first fluid inlet to the plurality of first fluid channels;
• and
• a second fluid metering device extending through the first fluid flow controller from a location rearward of the rearward most surface of the first fluid flow controller to a location forward of the forward most surface of the first fluid flow controller to deliver the second fluid from the location rearward of the rearward most surface of the first fluid flow controller to the mixing chamber,
• wherein the first fluid flow controller comprises a plurality of pins that move axially between a closed position sealing the plurality of first fluid channels and an open position providing flow communication between the first fluid inlet and the plurality of first fluid channels.

A method of operating a fluid atomizer, comprising:

• providing a first plunger for metering fluid, a second plunger for metering fluid, a mixing chamber, a first fluid inlet, and a plurality of first fluid channels positioned between the mixing chamber and the first fluid inlet, wherein the second plunger extends through the first plunger, and wherein the second plunger extends from a front end to a rear end of the first plunger;
• moving the first plunger to control a first fluid flow through the plurality of first fluid channels to the mixing chamber to create a flow of first fluid into the mixing chamber;
• moving the second plunger independent of movement of the first plunger to control a second fluid flow from an aperture, into the mixing chamber, and onto a conical pedestal, independent of the flow of the first fluid into the mixing chamber, to create a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing chamber, the flow of the second fluid being delivered from a location rearward of the first plunger to the mixing chamber, and wherein the mixing chamber is located between the aperture and the conical pedestal;
• and
• dispensing the mixture out of the fluid atomizer.

A method of operating a fluid atomizer, comprising:

• providing a first fluid metering device, a second fluid metering device, a mixing chamber, a first fluid inlet, and a plurality of first fluid channels positioned between the mixing chamber and the first fluid inlet, the second fluid metering device extending from a front end to a rear end of the first fluid metering device;
• moving the first fluid metering device to control a first fluid flow through the plurality of first fluid channels to the mixing chamber to create a flow of first fluid into the mixing chamber;
• and
• moving the second fluid metering device independent of movement of the first fluid metering device to control a second fluid flow to the mixing chamber to create a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid in the mixing chamber, the flow of the second fluid being delivered from a location rearward of the first fluid metering device to the mixing chamber;
• and
• dispensing the mixture out of the fluid atomizer,
• wherein the first fluid metering device includes a plurality of pins arranged adjacent to the plurality of first fluid channels, and moving the first fluid metering device includes moving the plurality of pins relative to the plurality of first fluid channels.

A fluid mixing device, comprising:

• a mixing chamber;
• at least two first fluid inlets;
• a first plunger for metering fluid, the first plunger being axially movable to control delivery of a first fluid from the at least two first fluid inlets to the mixing chamber;
• a second plunger for metering fluid, the second plunger extending through the first plunger from a front end to a rear end of the first plunger and configured to deliver a second fluid through the second plunger from a location within the second plunger, and rearward of the first plunger, to the mixing chamber at a location forward of the first plunger, and wherein a portion of the second plunger, at the location rearward of the first plunger, is slidably movable relative to the first plunger;
• a first fluid chamber positioned between the at least two first fluid inlets and the mixing chamber, and the first plunger is movable axially within the first fluid chamber to control a flow of the first fluid to the mixing chamber;
• and
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart channels arranged between the first fluid chamber and the mixing chamber, and the first plunger is operable to control the flow of the first fluid into the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart channels.