Electrostatic atomizers

An electrostatic atomizer comprising;

• (a) a body having at least one interior space, a first wall bounding said at least one interior space and defining an exterior surface, and a plurality of discharge orifices extending between said exterior surface and said at least one interior space, said body defining at least one fluid inlet communicating with said at least one interior space remote from said orifice;
• (b) a plurality of charge injection electrodes mounted in said at least one interior space and disposed adjacent to said orifices, said first wall and said orifices being disposed downstream of said charge injection electrodes so that said electrodes are completely upstream of said orifices;
• and
• (c) at least one counter electrode disposed adjacent to said orifices.

An electrostatic atomizer comprising:

• (a) a body having at least one interior space, a first wall bounding said at least one interior space and defining an exterior surface, and a plurality of orifices extending between said exterior surface and said at least one interior space, said body defining at least one fluid inlet communicating with said at least one interior space remote from said orifice;
• (b) a plurality of charge injection electrodes mounted in said at least one interior space and disposed adjacent said orifices;
• and
• (c) at least one counter electrode disposed adjacent to said orifices,
• wherein said body includes a second wall extending generally parallel to said first wall and includes an internal structure extending between said first and second walls, said at least one interior space being disposed between said first and second walls, said second wall defining said at least one fluid inlet,
• wherein said internal structure includes a plurality of internal walls extending between said first and second walls, and said at least one interior space includes a plurality of interior spaces, each said interior space being bounded by said first wall, said second wall and some of said interior walls.

An electrostatic atomizer comprising;

• (a) a body defining an interior space, an exterior surface, an orifice extending through said body from said interior space to said exterior surface and a fluid entry port communicating with said interior space remote from said orifice;
• (b) a charge injection structure having a downstream end disposed within said interior space upstream of said orifice;
• and
• (c) a counter electrode disposed in the vicinity of said orifice and electrically isolated from said charge injection structure;
• said body including a dielectric having a portion disposed directly between said counter electrode and said interior space, said portion of said dielectric also being disposed directly between said counter electrode and said downstream end of said charge injection structure,
• said interior space being devoid of exposed electrically conductive surfaces other than at said charge injection structure.