Ultrasonic humidifiers, atomizers and the like

An ultrasonic device for atomizing a liquid,

• comprising a vibratory member,
• means for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said vibratory member,
• and a liquid supply conduit for delivering a liquid into contact with said vibratory member for atomization by the ultrasonic vibrations,
• said liquid supply conduit having a discharge end disposed with a close spacing constituting a gap between said discharge end and said vibratory member such that the liquid is transferred in a continuous stream across said gap between said liquid supply conduit and said vibratory member,
• said liquid supply conduit extending to said discharge end from a level below the level of said vibratory member,
• the ultrasonic vibrations of said vibratory member being effective to pump the liquid upwardly along said liquid supply conduit against the force of gravity and also across said gap.

An ultrasonic device for atomizing a liquid,

• comprising a vibratory member,
• means for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said vibratory member,
• and a liquid supply conduit for delivering a liquid into contact with said vibratory member for atomization by the ultrasonic vibrations,
• said liquid supply conduit having a discharge end disposed with a close spacing constituting a gap between said discharge end and said vibratory member such that the liquid is transfered in a continuous stream across said gap between said liquid supply conduit and said vibratory member,
• said close spacing being less than the transverse dimension of the discharge end of said liquid supply conduit,
• said liquid supply conduit extending to said discharge end from a level below the level of said vibratory member,
• the ultrasonic vibrations of said vibratory member being effective to pump the liquid upwardly along said liquid supply conduit against the force of gravity and also across said gap.

An ultrasonic device for atomizing a liquid,

• comprising a vibratory member,
• means for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said vibratory member,
• and a liquid supply conduit for delivering a liquid into contact with said vibratory member for atomization by the ultrasonic vibrations,
• said liquid supply conduit having a discharge end disposed with a close spacing constituting a gap between said discharge end and said vibratory member such that the liquid is transferred in a continuous stream across said gap between said liquid supply conduit and said vibratory member,
• said close spacing being less than the protrusion of the meniscus of the liquid as it emerges from said discharge end so that the meniscus engages said vibratory member as the liquid emerges from said discharge end,
• said liquid supply conduit extending to said discharge end from a level below the level of said vibratory member,
• the ultrasonic vibrations of said vibratory member being effective to pump the liquid upwardly along said liquid supply conduit against the force of gravity and also across said gap.