Parallel path induction pneumatic nebulizer

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for atomizing liquids into a gaseous medium, in a fine, highly consistent, uniform dispersion. This pneumatic nebulizer method is designed to allow a wide range of liquids to be atomized without plugging. The process atomizes liquids directly from the surface of a body of liquid, allowing non-wetting materials to be used for the nebulizer. The liquid path does not require a narrowing of diameter at the exit area, nor along the length of the system, which minimizes plugging. The gas orifice is on or near the edge of the liquid path and may be very much smaller than the liquid path's area. The nebulizer has no suction. The liquid flow is controlled by pumping the liquid to the nebulizer. Most pneumatic nebulizer systems rely on the gas flow surrounding the liquid path, the liquid path surrounding the gas flow, or the gas flow being at right angles to the liquid flow. This nebulization process has the gas and liquid flow independently brought together, commonly alongside each other.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.