Method and system for controllably releasing solutions
OwnerPaul Groeplerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for releasing active ingredients into the surrounding atmosphere is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersion rate of the active ingredient through the membrane is passively regulated by adjusting the porosity of the membrane. In another embodiment, materials with microfluidic channels of various diameters are interposed together so that the configuration of the channels approximates a venturi, thereby improving the flow of the solution through the microfluidic channels. In another embodiment, heat is applied to the top membrane layer to further accelerate the rate at which fluid is dissipated through the membrane structure. Devices incorporating membranes with the disclosed properties are also presented.
Claims10
A membrane used in dispersing a solution comprising:
- a first membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a first average diameter;
- a second membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a second average diameter;
- a third membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a third average diameter;
- wherein said first membrane layer, said second membrane layer and said third membrane layer are superimposed together to form a single structure;
- and
- said average diameters of said microfluidic channels of said first membrane layer and said third membrane layer are smaller than said average diameter of said microfluidic channel of said second membrane layer.
A method of dispersing a solution comprising:
- a membrane structure comprising:
- a first membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a first average diameter;
- a second membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a second average diameter;
- a third membrane layer having microfluidic channels of a third average diameter;
- wherein said first membrane layer, said second membrane layer and said third membrane layer are superimposed together to form a single structure;
- and
- said average diameters of said microfluidic channels of said first membrane layer and said third membrane layer are smaller than said average diameter of said microfluidic channel of said second membrane layer;
- said membrane structure being placed in or on top of a liquid reservoir containing a solution;
- and
- said solution being transmitted from said liquid reservoir through said membrane to the surrounding atmosphere.
A device for dispersing a fluid comprising:
- a liquid reservoir, said liquid reservoir containing a solution;
- a membrane placed in said liquid reservoir;
- a housing covering said liquid reservoir, said housing containing holes;
- wherein the flow of said solution through said holes in said housing is controlled by increasing or decreasing the porosity of said membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.