Liquid atomization process
AssigneeAradigm Corporation
InventorsAlfonso Ganan-Calvo, Antonio Barrero Ripoll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The object of the present invention is a liquid atomization procedure that uses appropriate geometric parameters and physical properties to ensure that the liquid to be atomized is discharged as a continuous, steady capillary microjet through a suitable orifice. The procedure relies on the microwithdrawal effect undergone by a liquid-gas interface when the gas is withdrawn from a point (orifice) near the liquid surface. The invented procedure is applicable to any mechanism involving homogeneous atomization of liquids (particularly electronic fuel injection).
Claims13
A method of creating an aerosol, comprising:
- forcing a liquid through a channel of a feeding source in a manner which causes the liquid to be expelled from an exit opening;
- forcing a gas through a pressure chamber in a manner which causes the gas to exit the pressure chamber from an opening positioned in front of a flow path of liquid expelled from the exit opening of the feeding source;
- wherein a stable liquid-gas interface is maintained and the liquid forms a stable capillary jet between the feeding source exit opening and the opening of the pressure chamber;
- wherein fluctuations in dynamic forces exerted by the gas do not exceed the surface tension forces on surface of the liquid in the pressure chamber;
- and
- allowing the microjet to exit the pressure chamber opening and split into drops by effects of instability.
A method of creating an aerosol, comprising:
- feeding liquid through a feeding source to an outlet;
- feeding gas through an orifice positioned in front of the feeding source outlet in a direction parallel to a direction of flow out of the feeding source outlet;
- wherein the feeding of liquid and feeding of gas are each at a rate relative to each other so as to maintain a stable capillary microjet of liquid which exits the orifice and forms aerosolized particles;
- wherein fluctuations in dynamic forces exerted by the gas do not exceed the surface tension forces on surfaces of the liquid;
- wherein gas from the pressure chamber surrounds liquid exiting the feeding source outlet which is drawn into the orifice concentrically;
- and
- allowing the microjet to exit the pressure chamber orifice and split into drops by effects of instability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.