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US 12,589,405 B2Granted
Ultrasonic atomizer with acoustic focusing device
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsWanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
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Abstract
An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.
Claims11
An atomizer for applying a coating comprising:
- at least one micro-applicator, each micro-applicator of the at least one micro-applicator comprising:
- a nozzle plate defining a plurality of apertures;
- an actuator configured to oscillate a liquid to form a pressure wave in the liquid;
- and
- at least one acoustic lens disposed between the actuator and the nozzle plate, wherein a speed of sound through each acoustic lens of the at least one acoustic lens varies throughout that acoustic lens to focus the pressure wave toward at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures,
- wherein the speed of sound through the at least one acoustic lens varies throughout that acoustic lens do to a different density of the at least one acoustic lens to cause the speed of sound to focus the pressure wave toward a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures, the at least one acoustic lens includes a planar surface facing the actuator and extending parallel to the actuator.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.