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US 11,872,583 B2Granted
Counterflow mixer and atomizer
AssigneeRegents of the University of Minnesota
InventorsPaul John Strykowski, Alison Hoxie, Vinod Srinivasan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nozzle assembly including a primary tube and an outer housing, and configured to generate a counterflowing stream to break up another fluid into small droplets.
Claims13
A method of mixing fluid flows, the method comprising:
- conveying a first fluid flow along a first flow passage of a primary tube from an inlet end of the tube toward an outlet end of the primary tube, the outlet end of the primary tube being open to an end wall defining an exit orifice, the exit orifice defining a central axis and a primary flow direction of the first fluid flow along the first flow passage being substantially parallel with the central axis;
- while conveying the first fluid flow along the first flow passage, conveying a second fluid flow along a second flow passage;
- altering a flow direction of the second fluid flow from the second flow passage to a plurality of nozzle openings in an injection cap mounted to the outlet end of the primary tube such that the second fluid flow mixes with the first fluid flow within the first flow passage to generate a mixed fluid flow;
- and
- dispensing the mixed fluid flow through the exit orifice.
2 more elements
A nozzle assembly comprising:
- an end wall defining an exit orifice, the exit orifice defining a central axis;
- a first flow passage for a first fluid flow, the first flow passage defined by a primary tube having an outlet end, wherein the first flow passage is fluidly open to the exit orifice and defines a primary flow direction that is substantially parallel with the central axis;
- a second flow passage for a second fluid;
- an injection cap mounted to the outlet end of the primary tube, the injection cap defining a plurality of nozzle openings;
- wherein the nozzle assembly establishes a redirected flow direction for the second fluid flow from the second flow passage to the injection cap and then through the nozzle openings for mixing of the first and second fluid flows within the first flow passage.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.