# US 8,763,936 B2 · Nozzle assembly and methods related thereto > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,763,936 B2 - Document ID: US8763936B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/426,180 - Filed: 2006-06-23 - Published: 2007-12-27 - Granted: 2014-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-23 - Assignees: Terronics Development Corporation - Applicants: Jennifer Swenson; Edward McKenna - Inventors: Jennifer Swenson; Edward McKenna - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8763936B2 ## CPC - B05B 5/025: Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns - B05B 5/043: using induction-charging - B05B 5/0533: {Electrodes specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of electrodes} - B05B 5/0535: {at least two electrodes having different potentials being held on the discharge apparatus, one of them being a charging electrode of the corona type located in the spray or close to it, and another being of the non-corona type located outside of the path for the material} - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention relate to a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition comprising a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex; and a nozzle body, in contact with the single point nozzle and including a first through bore, a larger second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore; and a cylindrical electrode, at least partially inserted within the first through bore of the nozzle body and in contact with the counter bore of the single point nozzle, the electrode including a bore mating aligned with the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, and inlets positioned at either end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition of a charged fluid, comprising: a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex, the apex including a precision ground flat, cut perpendicular to a centerline of the apex for controlling meniscus size and reducing firing voltage; a nozzle body, in contact with the single point nozzle and including a first through bore, a large second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore; and a metal electrode at least partially inserted within the first through bore of the nozzle body and in contact with the counter bore of the single point nozzle, the electrode including a fluid passageway and a bore mating; wherein the bore mating acts as a fluid inlet and is alignable with the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, and wherein the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, the bore mating of the electrode, the electrode fluid passageway, and the passage of the single point nozzle create a fluid channel for a charged fluid to pass to the apex of the single point nozzle, and the nozzle is configured to electrostatically deposit a fluid at a rate less than about 4 milliliters per hour. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a vapor housing body at least partially surrounding the single point nozzle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle body is cylindrical. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical protrusion comprises grooves capable of holding O-rings. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrode further comprises grooves capable of holding O-rings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the single point nozzle is one-piece manufactured. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly is capable of spraying a target at less than about milliliters per hour flow rate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the single point nozzle comprises a ceramic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the single point nozzle comprises zirconia. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The nozzle assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inductor ring, positioned near the single point nozzle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The nozzle assembly of claim 10, wherein the inductor ring is grounded through a network including one or more of a resistor, capacitor or inductor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The nozzle assembly of claim 10, wherein the inductor ring reduces the firing voltage of the nozzle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The nozzle assembly of claim 10, wherein the inductor ring lessens the electric field between the nozzle and target substrate. ### Claim 14 A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition of a charged fluid, the method comprising: forming a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex, the apex including a precision ground flat, cut perpendicular to a centerline of the apex for controlling meniscus size and reducing firing voltage; forming a nozzle body, including a first through bore, a large second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore; forming a cylindrical metal electrode, the electrode including a bore mating and a fluid passageway; contacting the cylindrical electrode with the nozzle body; and contacting the cylindrical electrode and nozzle body with the single point nozzle; wherein the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, the bore mating of the electrode, the electrode fluid passageway, and the passage of the single point nozzle create a fluid channel for a charged fluid to pass to the apex of the single point nozzle and the nozzle is configured to electrostatically deposit a fluid at a rate less than about 4 milliliters per hour. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein forming a single point nozzle comprises one-piece manufacturing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein forming a single point nozzle comprises forming a ceramic single point nozzle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein forming a single point nozzle comprises forming a zirconia single point nozzle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising forming a vapor housing body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising coupling the vapor housing body with the single point nozzle. ### Claim 20 A method of using a nozzle assembly for electrostatic deposition of a charged fluid, the method comprising: introducing a fluid into a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly comprising: a single point nozzle, the single point nozzle being conically shaped and including an apex and a circular base, the circular base including a smaller diameter cylindrical protrusion including a counter bore which connects to a passage leading to the apex, the apex including a precision ground flat, cut perpendicular to a centerline of the apex for controlling meniscus size and reducing firing voltage; a nozzle body, in contact with the single point nozzle and including a first through bore, a larger second through bore and a cross drilled port into the first through bore; and a metal electrode sealed at least partially inserted within the first through bore of the nozzle body and in contact with the counter bore of the single point nozzle, the electrode including a bore mating aligned with the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, and a fluid passageway; wherein the cross drilled port of the nozzle body, the bore mating of the electrode, the electrode fluid passageway, and the passage of the single point nozzle create a fluid channel to the apex of the single point nozzle; electrically contacting the fluid with the electrode; and dispensing the fluid from the nozzle assembly to a target at a rate less than about 4 milliliters per hour. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the single point nozzle comprises a ceramic. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the single point nozzle comprises zirconia. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein a single point nozzle is one-piece manufactured.