Vibration induced atomizers
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsMarc K. Smith, Ari Glezer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of an atomizing apparatus incorporates a source of heat transfer fluid and an atomizing surface adapted to receive a droplet of the heat transfer fluid thereon. A driver also is provided which is configured to control a vibration of the atomizing surface at a frequency less than ultrasonic so that the atomizing surface forms a spray of atomized droplets from the droplet of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the vibration is configured to form, on the droplet, surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of the droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling the atomized droplets from the droplet. Methods also are provided.
Claims17
A method of transferring heat from a heated body, comprising the steps of:
- providing a chamber having a first wall and a second wall spaced therefrom, the chamber containing a heat transfer fluid;
- arranging at least a portion of the first wall in a heat transfer relationship with the heated body, the heated body being located externally of the chamber;
- placing a discrete quantity of the heat transfer fluid into contact with the second wall;
- and
- vibrating the second wall at a frequency less than ultrasonic to disintegrate the liquid droplets into smaller secondary droplets.
An atomizing apparatus comprising:
- a source of heat transfer fluid;
- a sealed chamber having a first wall, a second wall and at least one side wall extending therebetween, said first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior surface being configured to engage a heated surface, the heated surface being arranged externally of said sealed chamber, said interior surface being arranged inside said sealed chamber, said first wall being configured to conduct heat from the heated surface and transfer at least a portion of the heat to said interior surface, said first wall opposing said second wall, said second wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface arranged inside said sealed chamber, said interior surface of said second wall being a cool surface relative to the heated surface and being adapted to receive a droplet of said heat transfer fluid;
- a driver configured to control a vibration of said interior surface of said second wall at a frequency less than ultrasonic such that said atomizing surface forms a spray of atomized droplets from said droplet of said heat transfer fluid, the vibration being configured to form, on said droplet, surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of said droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling said atomized droplets from said droplet.
An atomizing apparatus comprising:
- a source of heat transfer fluid;
- a sealed chamber having a first wall, a second wall and at least one side wall extending therebetween, said first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior surface being configured to engage a heated surface, the heated surface being arranged externally of said sealed chamber, said interior surface being arranged inside said sealed chamber, said first wall being configured to conduct heat from the heated surface and transfer at least a portion of the heat to said interior surface, said first wall opposing said second wall, said second wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface arranged inside said sealed chamber, said interior surface of said second wall being a cool surface relative to the heated surface and being adapted to receive a droplet of said heat transfer fluid;
- and
- means for controlling a vibration of a droplet of said heat transfer fluid received on said interior surface of said second wall, the vibration of the droplet being at a frequency less than ultrasonic such that a spray of atomized droplets is formed from said droplet of said heat transfer fluid, the vibration being configured to form, on said droplet,
- surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of said droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling said atomized droplets from said droplet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.