Ultrasonic atomizing nozzle with variable fan-spray feature

An air assisted, ultrasonic atomizing nozzle assembly comprising:

• an ultrasonic atomizer including a ultrasonic driver and a cannular atomizer stem extending from said driver, said stem terminating in an atomizing surface, and said cannular atomizer stem providing a liquid passage extending along an axis line for directing liquid to said atomizing surface;
• a nozzle body including a cavity receiving said ultrasonic atomizer such that said atomizer stem extends axially from said nozzle body, said nozzle body further including a first gas inlet port and a second gas inlet port;
• an air cap mounted axially forward of said nozzle body, said air cap including an air chamber and a discharge orifice through which said atomizer stem is received so that said atomizing surface is located axially forward of said discharge orifice, said discharge orifice and said atomizer stem forming an annular-shaped gap communicating with said first gas inlet port;
• and
• said air cap further including opposing first and respective second jet orifices each directed radially inward to impinge upon each other, said first and second jet orifices communicating with said second gas inlet port;
• whereby, a forward-propelling gas stream introduced to said first gas inlet port can be directed to said atomizing surface via said annular-shaped discharge orifice to propel liquid droplets ultrasonically atomized at said atomizing surface;
• and whereby as fan-shaping gas stream introduced to the second gas inlet port can be directed to said first and second jet orifices to impinge upon the forwardly-propelled ultrasonically atomized liquid droplets.