JPS6012095B2 - Method and spray device for turning fluid liquid into ultrafine particles in propellant gas - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for ultrafinely and stably dispersing a fluid liquid in a gas, and an improved pneumatic fogging device including a fuel burner, a carburetor, etc. used to carry out the method. Regarding.

A pneumatic atomizer is a device that uses a gas stream to disperse a fluid, such as a liquid, into microscopic particles.

The ideal pneumatic atomizer for liquid dispersion would disperse the liquid into the smallest particles possible, '2) minimize the amount of gas required, and '3) use the lowest possible pressure. It is an apparatus that operates on low gas and can be adjusted to produce liquid dispersions of various concentrations. Traditionally,
It is well known that the higher the flow rate of the gas impinging on the liquid filament or film, the more it will disperse the liquid filament or film into smaller particles, and the thinner the liquid filament or film, or the faster the gas flow against the liquid filament or film. It is also well known that the higher the flow rate, the smaller the dispersed liquid particles.

Accordingly, many pneumatic atomizers consist of a means for producing a thin liquid filament or film and then subjecting the liquid filament or film to a high velocity gas flow. Conventional atomizing devices for air atomizing liquids as described above include devices that eject thin liquid filaments or films into a high velocity gas stream.

Examples of such devices include the following devices. [a} A device for supplying liquid to a nozzle whose outlet has a small orifice located in or adjacent to a high-velocity gas stream (standard automotive carburetor).

'b) Apparatus for supplying a liquid under pressure between two members supported at a fixed small distance, the space between said means facing a high-velocity gas flow (Howell)
(see U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,842).

{c - Apparatus in which a liquid under pressure is supplied between two members supported at an adjustable distance, the air between them facing a high-velocity gas flow ( Parker (P
(see U.S. Pat. No. 1,307,875 to Arke [)].

{d} The point where the liquid enters the high-speed gas flow is partially a vacuum, and because the partially vacuum sucks the liquid, the liquid is not supplied under pressure. The same device as above [c} except that Holmbe, U.S. Pat. No. 2,213, 522
(See statement).

Such conventional pneumatic Kiribishitaka has drawbacks. That is, the thickness of the liquid filament or film ejected or drawn into the high-velocity gas stream is approximately the same width of the nozzle orifice or the constant spacing of said members. The liquid is not stretched into a thinner filament or film after exiting the nozzle or between the members before being exposed to the high velocity gas flow. Therefore, the liquid filament or film is not the thinnest possible liquid filament or film when it collides with the gas stream. The devices [a} and 'd above, in their basic configuration, function accurately only within a narrow range of liquid flow rates for the designed working liquid flow rate. The 'c' device and the comparable type 'd} device have the following drawbacks. This means that these devices must be manufactured to be adjustable and must be adjusted from time to time, and the pressure variations that they produce can render them unadjustable and, in addition, can contaminate the components with a liquid film, impairing their functionality. In other words, the elasticity of the member is impaired due to expansion and contraction due to temperature rise or fall. Other conventionally known pneumatic atomizers that form a liquid into a film, expose the liquid film to a high-speed gas flow, atomize the liquid with air, and avoid the drawbacks of the aforementioned pneumatic atomizers include:
These include devices that spread a liquid over a surface as a thin filament or film and then expose the thin liquid filament or film to a high velocity gas flow.

Some pneumatic fogging devices use this method,
For example, there are the following devices. (a) Liquid is supplied to the top of a downwardly sloping surface, and the gas orifice is located at the bottom of the surface.

Due to gravity and adhesive forces between the surface and the liquid, the liquid flows downward across the surface, spreads over the surface like a thin film, and then contacts the gas exiting the gas orifice (typical See, for example, the apparatus described in Babington, US Pat. No. 3,421,692). {b} The liquid is supplied to the base of the upward surface, and the gas orifice is located at the top of the surface. The liquid is'
1) The attraction between the liquid molecules and the molecules on the surface (this attraction is hereinafter referred to as ``adhesive force'' or, in some cases, ``capillary force'') and the liquid molecules removed by the gas orifice. Due to the attractive force between adjacent liquid molecules (this attractive force between liquid molecules is hereinafter referred to as "cohesive force", and sometimes referred to as "surface tension" in academic terms), the surface moves against gravity. is pulled upward. The liquid on the surface becomes thinner as it moves up the liquid supply. With careful adjustment, the gas orifice can be positioned above the liquid supply so that it is exposed to a thin liquid film (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,792 to Johnson for a representative example). . {c) Supplying liquid at the base of a narrow conduit, the gas orifice being adjacent to the top of the conduit.

Capillary forces pull liquid up through narrow conduits against gravity. Cohesive forces between the liquid being removed at the gas orifice and the adjacent liquid will force the liquid away from the narrow conduit (if there is an intervening surface between the top of the narrow conduit and the gas orifice). , across the intervening surface) to the gas orifice. 'd} A horizontal confining surface with orifices for gas in the vertical direction (
(for example, the base of a cup) through the horizontal surface.

The liquid gradually covers the horizontal surface and then comes into contact with the gas exiting the gas orifice (a typical example is Urbanowicz U.S. Pat. No. 3).
473$ (see statement).

None of these conventional film forming apparatuses can be operated by being tipped over, and they are all affected by strong vibrations, which limits their use.

Additionally, these devices have the following drawbacks. That is, these devices produce very thin liquid films (
Either the liquid is dispensed at a sufficiently low velocity to be adjacent to the gas orifice (i.e., under tension as described below), or the liquid film is so thin that it is adjusted to be adjacent to the gas orifice. If so, even slight irregularities and vibrations will cause the very thin liquid film to break at some distance from the gas orifice. A portion of the very thin liquid film between the rupture part and the gas orifice is sucked into the gas orifice. In devices that utilize a downwardly sloping surface, the very thin film on top of the fracture is stretched together to form a trickle flowing downwardly on the surface. In devices that use an upwardly sloped surface or a thin capillary tube, the very thin film section behind the breaking section will recede and the atomizer will cease operating until the film is ready to form again. In devices that utilize a horizontal surface, the portion of the very thin film behind the rupture section may recede or recede into place until enough liquid accumulates behind the rupture section to make the liquid film thicker and spread into the gas orifice. will stay. Therefore, it is not possible to operate continuously and without interruption with very thin liquid films by any of the devices described above. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a continuous, uninterrupted, very thin liquid filament or film and subjecting the liquid filament or film to a high velocity gas flow.

Because the liquid filament or film is very thin when exposed to a high velocity gas flow, one embodiment of the invention allows for the production of very small liquid particles even at low gas flows and associated low gas pressures. A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved pneumatic atomization device capable of directly and uniformly producing an ultrafine mist of liquid particles, preferably having a geometric diameter of about 3 microns or less, in a propellant gas. It is about providing. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for generating ultra-fine mist in a propellant gas, which apparatus allows the total weight of liquid particles relative to the weight of the propellant gas supplied to be reduced by the pressure of the propellant gas. can be very tightly varied and controlled independently of the

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved fogging device which allows any liquid to be delivered as a thin stretched film to a liquid orifice means, dispersed and further dispersed as an ultra-fine, stable mist. In particular, by using the device, no liquid buildup occurs in the gas orifice, and no liquid leakage or drippage from the orifice means or other parts of the atomizing device occurs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic fogging device in which the liquid supply is confined.

Due to the confined liquid supply, the Akebono misting device will not disrupt the uniform supply of liquid to the propellant gas even if it is moved, tossed, tipped over, or subjected to vibrations during use. It cannot be changed or changed or prevented from uniform fog radiation. Yet another object of the invention is to comprise at least one fixed liquid orifice and passageway and at least one fixed gas orifice and passageway, preferably with a rimmed gas orifice. However, the relative sizes of the liquid passageway and the gas passageway are predetermined, and the liquid orifice and the gas orifice are kept at a constant spacing by a coating surface that has an affinity for the liquid. a mixing member, which is preferably interchangeable with one for different liquids, and (
or) to provide a pneumatic fogging device that can be replaced if it becomes damaged or contaminated.

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing each element of an embodiment of the spray device of the present invention, FIG. IA is an explanatory view of the disk 19 shown upside down for explanation, FIGS. 2 and 3 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the spray device of FIG. 1 with its elements assembled and in operation; and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mixing section suitable for the spray device of FIG. 1 or 5. , FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a mist burner according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the baffle plate of the counterfeit burner shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from line 6-6. , 7-13 are perspective and side views of various mixing elements suitable for use in further embodiments of the invention.

The present invention produces a continuous, uniform, stable and fog-like product in which the entrapped liquid is dispersed in a propellant gas to form a continuous, uniform, stable and It is based on the discovery that ultrafine dispersions can be produced. This is accomplished by subjecting the liquid to three different forces that work together to force the liquid out of the confinement container and pull it into the thinnest continuous film possible. It is dispersed into ultrafine dispersions in the bellant gas, and at this time, the liquid supply rate and dispersion rate are in a normal state, and this equilibrium is maintained by gravity,
Not affected by vibration or other external forces. The fog bag counterfeit of the present invention includes at least one narrow liquid passageway adapted to force the liquid therethrough as a thin liquid stream and from the liquid passageway opening onto the coating surface. A mixing member having a liquid orifice or outlet.

The mixing member also has an orifice for propellant gas, which makes an acute angle with the film forming surface, and the thin liquid flow that exits the liquid orifice and adheres to the film forming surface overflows the film forming surface, so that the liquid spaced sufficiently from the gas orifice, thinner than the thin liquid stream exiting the liquid orifice, and as thin as possible but continuous where it contacts the edge of the coating surface consisting of the gas orifice. Forms a continuous liquid film. At this point, the thin liquid film is sucked into the propellant gas stream which exits through the gas passageway with gas orifices. At the time of the present invention, the three independent forces acting on the liquid in the fogging device are: 1) the force exerted on the liquid upstream (behind) the liquid orifice in order to cause the liquid to pass through the liquid orifice; Pressure, '2) Adhesive force between the liquid and the film forming surface (due to this adhesive force, the liquid flow flowing out from the liquid orifice adheres to the film forming surface and spreads), {3} Cohesive force (due to this cohesive force, { a) The thin liquid film maintains its continuity as the liquid is pulled onto the coating surface, and 'b) The liquid is sucked into the propellant gas stream from the edge of the coating surface through the gas orifice and forms the film. The liquid on the surface is pulled to the edge of the film forming surface).

In order to maintain the liquid on the coating surface in the form of a continuous film extending from the liquid orifice to the gas orifice, the rate at which the liquid is deposited and the rate at which the liquid is removed from the coating surface are balanced. in a state. The thinnest continuous film on the coating surface as possible provides the finest uninterrupted flow, and the above-mentioned good equilibrium condition is achieved by making the liquid film as thin as possible, as evidenced by the cessation or pulsation of the mist emission. This is accomplished by reducing the liquid mochikosha velocity or increasing the gas flow rate until destruction occurs. Thereafter, the liquid feed rate is increased slightly or the gas feed rate is decreased slightly until continuous emission begins again. If a very thin film is drawn from the deposition surface into a gas stream substantially simultaneously with the dispersion of the gas stream into a large container or open space, gas diffusion will disperse the thin liquid film into fine particles. This can prevent fine particles of the liquid from coalescing into large droplets.

The invention includes three important elements.

The first important element is the lumbar surface between and connecting the liquid orifice and the gas orifice, which are spaced apart from each other. The film-forming surface has an affinity for the specific liquid used, and as a result, the liquid adheres to the film-forming surface due to the adhesive force between it and the film-forming surface, and spreads over the film-forming surface to wet it. As long as the amount of liquid on the film-forming surface is kept sufficiently small, the adhesive force can prevent the liquid from dripping or flowing away from the film-forming surface. The second important element is the extremely small liquid orifice.

This is because if the liquid orifice is very small, the capillary forces will hold the liquid in the liquid passageway until the combined pulling and pushing effects of various other forces acting on the liquid outweigh the capillary forces. by. The smaller the liquid orifice, the greater the capillary forces and the greater the combined pulling and pushing effects of the various other forces acting on the liquid must be to pull the liquid out of the liquid orifice. No. Also, if the liquid orifice is very small, the force required to force the liquid out of the liquid orifice is: (a) the cohesive force that pulls the liquid across the film forming surface; The tensile adhesive force exerted on the liquid within the liquid orifice consists of (c) the gravity of the liquid in the liquid orifice, and {d) the pressure difference between the liquid pressure behind the liquid orifice and the ambient pressure at the liquid orifice throat. The net effect of the combined pull and pressure can be greater than the strength of the capillary forces that hold the liquid in a small liquid orifice, which consists of adhesive forces, cohesive forces, gravity, and pressure differences. Liquid will not flow out of the liquid orifice if the net effect of the combined pressure and pull on the independent of the cohesive pull force and/or independent of the adhesive pull force and/or by simply controlling the rate at which the liquid is fed into and forced through the orifice. It is possible to supply the film surface with a stable and very low flow rate that can adjust the liquid independently of the pressure around the mouth.If the liquid orifice is not critically closed as described above, It has been impossible to supply liquid to the coating surface at a stable, low flow rate that can be adjusted by simply regulating the rate at which liquid is supplied to the liquid orifice. The cohesive force between the liquid removed from the coating surface by the gas orifice and the liquid on the coating surface is (
The cohesive force, along with the adhesive force, pulls the liquid from the liquid orifice across the film forming surface to the gas orifice, and together with gravity, pulls the liquid from inside the liquid orifice. This is because the interior of the liquid orifice empties at short intervals as liquid is fed into the liquid orifice at a controlled low rate, causing the liquid to flow through the liquid orifice. Liquid is drawn from the liquid orifice slot at a faster rate than it is being supplied to the liquid orifice until flow is interrupted.The liquid orifice is then refilled with liquid flowing into the liquid orifice at a controlled, slow rate. and finally add the liquid to the liquid OJ
It flows out from the fiss to the film forming surface. When the liquid on the coating surface comes into contact with the gas exiting the gas orifice, the liquid on the coating surface re-establishes the tensile force between the liquid being removed from the coating surface and the liquid on the coating surface. As it builds up, it is pulled by the gas flowing out of the gas orifice, and the cycle repeats. In this way, the pneumatic dawn mist device operates. In addition, the critically small liquid orifice allows liquid to be delivered to the coating surface at a stable, continuous, and adjustable low flow rate, regardless of the spatial arrangement of the liquid orifice or the strength of adhesion and cohesive forces. Due to the fact that the gas flow rate can be set lower than the rate at which the cohesive forces between the liquid being diffused in the gas orifice and the liquid on the coating surface can pull the liquid out of the liquid orifice. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, the liquid is supplied onto the film-forming surface at a stable rate where the cohesive force between the liquid diffused by the gas orifice and the liquid on the film-forming surface is smaller than the speed at which the liquid can be pulled out of the liquid orifice. The fact that the membrane is wet allows the liquid on the coating surface to be pulled into a stable, very thin liquid film. In the present invention, the net effect of the pushing and pulling forces of various forces other than capillary force acting on the liquid in the liquid orifice is smaller than the capillary force, i.e., stopping the flow of liquid in the liquid orifice. It is critical that the liquid orifice be small enough to be adjustable.

In any embodiment of the invention, the critical dimensions of the liquid orifice are determined by the relationship between the size of the liquid orifice and the strength of the capillary forces within the liquid orifice of the cohesive forces that pull the liquid across the deposition surface. The strength of the tensile effect on the liquid in the liquid orifice, the adhesive force between the liquid and the film forming surface, the strength of the tensile effect on the liquid in the liquid orifice, and the force of gravity acting on the liquid in the liquid orifice. The positive or negative magnitude along the axis depends on the positive or negative magnitude of the pressure difference between the pressure of the fluid remaining in the fluid orifice and the ambient pressure at the mouth of the fluid orifice. Also, the fact that the liquid orifice is sufficiently small that it can be adjusted such that the net effect of the various forces other than capillary forces acting on the liquid within the liquid orifice are smaller than the capillary forces. The spray device of the present invention can be operated in any direction, such as directly downward, and can also be operated in a vibrating state.

Furthermore, the liquid orifice of the present invention mist device is at or below the aforementioned critical size so that liquid does not exit the liquid orifice at a rate greater than the controlled feed rate. Due to this fact, in conjunction with the fact that the liquid on the coating surface adheres to the coating surface due to the adhesive force between the liquid and the coating surface, the liquid supply rate is No liquid will drip from the misting device, regardless of its orientation or vibration in the space, unless the speed at which it is removed is exceeded. The third important factor is the rate at which the flow rate of the liquid through the liquid orifice is determined by the rate at which the cohesive force between the liquid being diffused in the gas orifice and the liquid on the coating surface can pull the liquid out of the liquid orifice. It is a means of adjusting to

The thickness of the liquid film at the end of the gas orifice is kept very thin by adjusting the velocity of the liquid through the liquid orifice to the lowest velocity that results in continuous atomization. In the method of atomizing a liquid by air according to the present invention, the essential requirements are: a very small liquid orifice having the above-mentioned critical size or smaller, passing through the film forming surface and the liquid orifice. Up to now, there has been no report on the use of means for controlling and supplying liquid. For example, Johnson's U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,793 discloses that Johnson's device has a gas orifice located above the liquid supply surface, and that the liquid cannot pass through the surface that is higher than the gas orifice. The liquid orifice is relatively large, as evidenced by the fact that the gas orifice axis cannot be oriented below the horizon. Also, the principle that Johnson is based on is that gravity, together with the pressure difference between the liquid supply pressure and the pressure at the liquid orifice, suppresses the upward flow of the liquid, as shown in the example. . Furthermore, according to Johnson, stressed liquid films are characterized by adhesive forces, cohesive forces, capillary forces, and differential pressure acting on the liquid on the film forming surface (pressmed).
This is achieved by carefully and slightly changing the balance between the effect of pulling the liquid upward (iferential) and the downward force of gravity acting on the liquid. In the misting device of the present invention, the size of the exit orifice can vary depending on the density and viscosity of the liquid being dispersed and the desired result, but is generally 0.01 inch or less, preferably 0.01 inch or less. Orifices having a diameter or spacing of 0.003 inches or less. This degree of diameter or spacing represents the smallest distance between opposing outlet orifices. Larger orifice opening
The capillary forces of the liquid within the orifice are insufficient to overcome the cohesive, adhesive, and gravitational forces acting on the liquid, so no liquid remains within the orifice, which is essential in the present invention. In the present invention, the thickness of the liquid filament or film is determined to the maximum extent possible without destroying the continuity of the filament or film by controlling the relative rates of liquid supply and removal from the coating surface. Can be kept thin. If the liquid orifice is not too small or the length of the film forming surface between the liquid and gas orifices is too small or too large, the liquid film thickness should be adjusted as described above. It becomes impossible to control. If the length of the coating surface is too small, the liquid will not have enough surface area to form a stretched filament or film of the desired thickness before contacting the gas orifice, thus making it possible to However, it is not possible to generate as fine a fog as possible. If the length of the film forming surface between the liquid orifice and the gas orifice is too large, it is difficult to maintain a continuous film on the film forming surface without destroying or collapsing the liquid film. However, if the film forming surface between the small liquid orifice and the gas orifice is of appropriate length, the liquid can be formed into a film by adjusting the liquid supply V rate and/or the gas supply rate. It is usually possible to generate a fog. Other discoveries of interest in completing the present invention are the amount of liquid that is diffused into the gas, and thus the amount of mist that is generated, by varying the rate at which the liquid is fed to the coating surface to transfer it to the gas stream. can be varied and controlled fairly closely, with virtually no relation to the pressure or volume of the gas.

Yet another related discovery is that a thin film of liquid does not drip from or form drops on a suitably sized coating surface that has an affinity or adhesive force for the liquid. That is, the adhesive force is stronger than the gravity of the liquid film, so that the liquid film and the atomizing device containing it can be used in any orientation in space without compromising the uniformity of the liquid drip or spray. That's what it means. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a single mist device adapted to be coupled with liquid and gas sources to atomize the liquid into an ultra-fine, stable mist form.

The device 1 consists of a circular base plate 11 having a central opening 12 adapted to be connected to an air conduit 13 and an offset entrance 16 connected to a liquid supply tube 15. The base plate 11 is sealingly connected to the circular top plate 16 by a compressible outer ring gasket 17 and a compressible inner washer gasket 18, which seal between itself and the underside of the top plate 16. Circular spray discs 19 and 20 are hermetically confined therebetween. The four bolts 21 and nuts 22 are the gasket 1
Plates 11 and 16 are connected in such a way that the compressibility of plates 7 and 18 allows the pressure to be adjusted.

The plates 11 and 16 and the gasket 18 are provided with central openings 12, 23 and 24, respectively, and the tamper disc is provided with central closures 25 and 26, which are connected to the opening 25. and 2
4, forming a narrow, sharp green gas orifice through which gas passes from the air conduit 13. The holes 25 in the top disk 19 are substantially larger in diameter than the holes 26 in the disk 20, so that they pass through a recess 28 consisting of a narrow liquid passage, which is quite clearly shown in the inverted view between the disks. The liquid flows through a small liquid orifice 30 in the hole 25 in the top disk 19.
can flow out onto the outer coating surface 29 of the disk 20 below, forming a thin layer on the coating surface 29 of the disk 20 as shown by the fracture as it is pulled to the smaller gas orifice. can be formed. In the assembled device, the five central entrances are coaxial and form a gas passage, with the narrowest orifice 2 being the gas orifice.
6 causes the gas to form a constriction on the orifice 26 at a distance equal to its diameter 1'2 and then diffuse in a pattern as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, the space between the plates 11 and 16 is hermetically sealed by gaskets 17 and 18, and a circular chamber 27 is formed through which the liquid supplied to the atomizer through the supply pipe 15 enters and exits. form. The circular discs 19 and 20 with aligned central gateways 25 and 26 have contoured surfaces for tight engagement except for a shallow conduit between them consisting of a recess 28.

The underside of the upper disk 19 is provided with a narrow, shallow recess 28 formed by etching or grinding to a thickness of approximately 0.01 inch or less, so that a very small recess 28 is provided between the assembled disks 19 and 20. A liquid orifice 28 is provided which extends radially from the circumference of the disks 19 and 20 and communicates with the central opening of the top disk 20 to form a liquid orifice 30 therein; , protrudes above the central coating surface 29 of the lower disk 20, as shown by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. During operation, gas is supplied under pressure through the air conduit 13, so that the gas enters the ports 12, 24, 26, 2.
5 and 23 and exits to the atmosphere forming a constriction and an unobstructed flow pattern as shown in FIG. The liquid is supplied under pressure through the supply tube 15 to the circular chamber 27. The chamber is disk 1
It is sealed and confined except for the outflow through a very narrow grooved liquid passage consisting of a recess 28 between 9 and 20, which passage has an outlet orifice 30 in the central disc inlet 25. As shown in FIG. 3, by pressurizing the liquid, the liquid 1 can be continuously supplied.
As shown, liquid 1 is drawn onto purulent surface 29 between disks 25 and 26 as a very thin liquid film f, less than 0.010 inches thick. The thin liquid film f covers the film forming surface 29 and is attached to the central gas orifice 26.
, where it is exposed to a gas flow from air conduit 13 .

The liquid film f is then immediately reduced to an ultrafine dispersion of liquid particles of about 3 microns or less in diameter, and the dispersion is
As shown in the figure, the propellant gas transports it in the form of a stable mist. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a thin liquid film enters the gas stream at the same time as the gas stream forms a vertical section, and the liquid is reduced to an ultra-fine dispersion. Thereafter, the gas diffuses in the pattern shown, and because of the chamfered structure of the orifice 23 of the top plate 16, it flows out into the atmosphere without any obstruction. If the orifice 23 is not chamfered, the gas flow will impinge on the inner surface of the orifice due to the gas pressure and the thickness of the plate 16. This causes the dispersed liquid particles to wet the fabricated surfaces, flow back into the orifice 25, and create a vacuum in the orifice 23 above the disk 19. Disks 19 and 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are preferably made of stainless steel sickles at least about 0.01 inch thick to avoid sagging inside recess 28.

By supporting contact between the disks, the very narrow and shallow liquid passageway 28 maintains its small size regardless of variations in liquid pressure. The fogging device of the present invention combines a number of important features. By supplying a constant amount of liquid through the dark, very narrow and shallow liquid passageway 28 of the first contacting spray discs T9 and 20, the liquid is spread across the coating surface 29 to a thickness of 0.01 inch. It flows out of an orifice 30 in the central disk opening 25 at a constant velocity such that it is pulled as a very filament or film and is broken into a large number of ultrafine liquid particles in a gas orifice 26. A second feature of the fogging device of the present invention is that the gas flow can be caused to flow continuously, forming an angle with the flow direction of the liquid film f on the film forming surface 29, preferably substantially parallel to the flow direction.

The gas flow passes through the central disk entrance 26 and reaches the film forming surface 29.
The upper liquid filament or film f is drawn into a very thin liquid filament or film at the end of the central gas orifice 26, and the pull liquid is dispersed in the form of fine particles p. The liquid film adjacent to the gas orifice 26 is extremely thin, so when it is drawn into the gas flow and struck, it breaks while producing many ultrafine liquid particles p with a diameter of about 3 microns or less, and the liquid particles p
is carried along the gas flow. A third feature of the invention is that the gas flow can be abruptly restricted by the gas orifice 26 in the disk 20, which in turn forms a rimmed gas orifice.

Gas flows from a relatively large area under disk 20 to hole 26.
The gas flow pattern contracts as it passes through a relatively narrow region of the gas. The gas flow pattern continues to contract for a distance beyond disk 20. The greatest contraction is at what is known as the constriction, shown as the narrowest gas flow pattern in FIGS. 2 and 3. Where this maximum contraction occurs, the gas flow reaches its maximum velocity, after which the gas flow pattern spreads out radially. As the gas flow leaves the gas orifice 26 on the disk 20, it carries away everything it comes into contact with, creating a slight vacuum in the orifice 26, which causes the separation between the liquid leaving the gas orifice 26 and the liquid on the coating surface 29. The cohesive forces between them cause the thin liquid film f to be drawn or pulled into the orifice 26 and into the gas stream. The rate at which the liquid film is drawn into the gas stream from the deposition surface 29 depends in part on the properties of the liquid and in part on the rate at which the liquid is supplied to the chamber 28 and passes through the liquid orifice 28 . The finest possible mist is achieved by balancing the rate of liquid removal with the rate at which liquid is delivered to the coating surface 29, i.e. a very thin continuous filament or film of liquid on the coating surface 29 adjacent to the gas orifice. It is generated by maintaining it so that it can be obtained. This is achieved by the cohesive forces and gas flow between the liquid being removed from the coating surface 29 through the conduit 15 at a slow and steady rate and at the gas orifice and the liquid remaining on the coating surface 29. Entrance port 2 where liquid can be drawn across the film forming surface as an extremely thin filament or film by suction
This is achieved by supplying the liquid from the orifice 30 of 5 under slight but sufficient pressure to cause it to flow slowly and stably to the film forming surface. A fourth feature of the device of the invention is that the path for the gas flow that conveys the liquid particles to the atmosphere or to the larger chamber served by it is an unobstructed path. This is accomplished by removing any portion of the device that can be contracted by radially expanding the gas flow pattern from the gas passageway. Therefore, if the device has other elements above the top plate or central disk, the central orifice or other elements of the L top plate must be large enough so that these are constricted by enlarging the passage gas flow. , or the top plate must be sufficiently thin or beveled so that the gas stream does not strike the top plate surface or other elements before exiting to the atmosphere. If the expanding gas flow pattern hits the surface of the plate or some other hard surface near the disk entrance, the dispersed liquid particles will adhere to those surfaces until those surfaces are wetted with liquid and droplets. The liquid particles will increase in size. Many droplets are blown away by the gas stream on the surface on which they form, so that the fine dispersed liquid particles contained in the gas stream are contaminated with relatively large droplets. ``If the expanding gas flow pattern were to strike the central orifice of the top plate, some droplets would flow down the sides of the central orifice and onto the disk 19, occasionally entering the central opening.'' This becomes a second source of large liquid particles in the gas stream, since the liquid flowing into the central disk opening 25 increases and
This thickens the thin liquid filament or film entering the closure 25 into a much larger droplet. If the environment being handled is within a restricted container, for example a car carburetor or a face mask, the aforementioned effectiveness due to the unobstructed path of the gas flow containing the liquid is reduced to some extent. However, in all cases, the liquid is in the form of a very thin filament or film having a thickness of 0.001 inch or less when the gas stream contacts the liquid.

The gas then enters a larger area and spreads out with at least some spacing so that a significant proportion of the fine liquid particles can be widely dispersed. Due to the passage of the gas flow from the large space to the restricted space as described above, as the gas flow passes from the space below the fogging disc 20 through the central closure 26,
The gas flow is substantially dispersed while creating a constriction and reducing gas pressure.

A thin liquid filament or film is drawn into the gas stream near the constriction. This means that no longer thin liquid filaments or films are torn apart by the fast gas flow at the constriction, and exceptionally fine liquid particles larger than about 20 microns in diameter, and perhaps even liquid particles larger than about 10 microns in diameter, are clearly removed. liquid particles are generated. The liquid particles are immediately dispersed by the expansion of the gas flow in the vertical direction. The emitted liquid dispersion has the appearance of a fine, stable mist. In the present invention ~ the gas flow is continuous and has a velocity sufficient to blow the liquid film f off the edge of the forming surface 29 so that the liquid is sucked from the orifice 30 across the forming surface 29. It is an essential requirement that the Although gases and liquids are preferably supplied under pressure, this may or may not be necessary if the container or environment in which they are handled is a vacuum, such as the interior of an automobile manifold. The vacuum in the manifold creates a suction in the area of the gas orifice and the liquid orifice, whereby gas, i.e. air, is drawn through the gas orifice and liquid, i.e. gasoline, is drawn through the liquid orifice and dispersed by the air flow. Vaporization and complete combustion take place. Figure 4 shows a single mixed village.

The mixing section includes a top plate 31 and a bottom plate 3.
2, these plates can be replaced with the lower disk 20 and upper disk 19 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to obtain superior results. In use, plates 31 and 32 are folded into intimate surface contact with each other such that holes 33 and 34 are fixed in line, the exposed surfaces adjacent holes 34 being shown in dashed lines. This constitutes the film forming surface 36. Note that in the present invention, the lower disk 20 or plate 32 may be omitted, the gasket 18 may also be relocated on the disk 19 or plate 31, and the plate 11
If the central open portion 12 of the disk has a smaller diameter than the central opening portion of the disk, such as the entrance portion 25 of the disk 19 and the closing portion 33 of the plate 31, the disk 1
9 or plate 31 can be used alone in communication with the top surface of the base plate 11 of the fogging device of FIGS. This means forming a surface.

The mixing section plate 31 of FIG. 4 is provided with a narrow, shallow recess 35 consisting of a liquid passageway which may be formed by grinding or etching the bottom surface of the plate.

The depth of the recess 35 is sufficient as long as it is sufficient to contain the fluid between the folded plates to be discharged onto the film forming surface 36 of the plate 32 shown in broken lines. By adjusting the firmness of the discontinuous close surface contact between the major surfaces of plates 11 and 16 and plates 31 and 32, the contact surfaces of plates 31 and 32 can be adjusted to form disk 19 as shown in FIG. and 20', the mixing member is compressed, so that the depth of the orifice of the recess 35 is stable, ie resistant to changes in the pressure applied to the liquid or gas. By confining the liquid in a very small passageway so as to allow the liquid to flow slowly and stably, the liquid 1 is spread across the film forming surface 29 or 36 in the form of an extremely thin film f. By contacting the liquid with a tensile gas stream through a mechanical orifice, the liquid is reduced to the thinnest possible filaments or films, which are then broken down into small particles at the same time that ultrafine liquid particles are obtained.

No liquid will break up into relatively large particles when the liquid is supplied in larger quantities or in greater thickness, or if the gas flow is interrupted or insufficient. Furthermore, by limiting the amount of liquid and the affinity of the liquid for the film forming surface, the misting device of the present invention can be used in any position in space, such as when scraping upside down, to prevent liquid from spilling. There is no interruption in the dripping or spraying action. Accordingly, the present invention's fogging device is useful as a hand-held device for spraying paints, liquid disinfectants and fertilizers, and other materials that require complete freedom of change in spray direction. It is noteworthy in the present invention that regardless of the direction of spray action, the direction of the gas flow is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the liquid as it exits the narrow orifice.
This ensures that in the present invention, the gas orifices with narrow sharp edges are used to form the constrictions, the gas constrictions are formed perpendicular to the direction of liquid flow and are the finest possible. A fog is generated. The gossip device of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used on its own or on disk 19.
By incorporating other mixing members instead of 20 and 20, it is possible to generate the most complete ultra-fine mist even if the viscosity of the fluid liquid to be dispensed ranges over a wide range.

FIG. 5 shows a fogging device 40 which is preferably used as a burner, such as an oil burner.

The rumor atomizer has a base unit similar in structure and function to the units shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The base unit is composed of a mixed member consisting of a circular top plate 41, a circular base plate 42, a compressible inner washer gasket 43, a compressible outer ring gasket 44, and contacting thin roller support discs 45 and 46. and the disks 45 and 4
6 is confined between inner gasket 43 and the lower surface of top plate 41 to prevent relative movement or displacement therebetween. The disks 45 and 46 are provided with aligned central apertures or holes, the central aperture of the lower disk 46 being smaller in diameter than the central aperture of the upper disk 45, with a central aperture having a narrow sharp edge. A gas orifice 47 is provided. The plate of the base unit is held by four bolts 48 and nuts 49, which are tightened firmly with adjustable pressure, compressing gaskets 43 and 44 and discontinuing the atomizer discs 45 and 46. have close face-to-face contact.

The lower surface of the upper disk is provided with several rows of narrow, shallow radial smooth recesses, e.g. grooves or scratches, at regular intervals, extending from the outer edge to the central closure. and has a depth of about 0.01 inch or less, preferably 0.001 inch or less. 4 or 9 to 13 may be used. Most paasi, such as miso, scratches, indentations, etched parts, etc.
Recesses such as unpainted areas are preferably separated from each other by contact areas of the discs or plates, so that the contacting plate surfaces can also be forced closer together by gas pressure. Moreover, a large number of small liquid passages are provided between the disks or plates. Even if one liquid orifice becomes contaminated and obstructed, the other liquid orifices serve as a path for liquid to pass to the gas orifice. The lower unit is provided with a chamber 50 whose periphery is sealed, defined by the inner surface of ring gasket 44, the space between disks 45 and 46, inner gasket 43, and plates 41 and 42.

Plate 42 is provided with holes 52 which are adapted to supply chamber 50 and a liquid to be atomized, e.g. fuel oil, to chamber 5 under the desired pressure. It is carrying 51. The base plate 42 is also provided with a central hole 53 into which is attached a supply conduit 54 which supplies air under the desired pressure through the hole 53, the disk passage 47 and the central entrance 55 of the upper plate 41. It is adapted to supply V.

Note that the supply conduit is cut diagonally. Figures 1 and 2
By supplying air under pressure through conduit 54 and by regularly supplying liquid through conduit 51, air passes through narrow gas passage 47, while liquid flows through the lower A thin film is pulled from the outlet of the groove between the disks 45 and 46 onto the central coating surface 56 of the disk 46 and drawn into the air flow.

The liquid is dispersed as a large number of fine particles as it flows into the air stream within the constriction within the hole 55 of the plate 41. Fifth
According to the figures and FIG. 6, the base unit is provided with a baffle plate 57, such as a reflective metal plate, having a central hole 58 aligned with the central closure 55 of the plate 41. and is located at a constant distance from the plate 41 by a washer 59 to provide an air passage space 60 that is in contact with the atmosphere.

Plate 57 is provided with an external hole through which a bolt 48 passes, as shown in FIG. 6, and a nut 49 secures plate 57 in place. A combustion cone or chimney 61 is provided on buffle plate 57 in alignment with hole 55 in plate 41. Plate 57 here serves as the floor of the combustion chamber. Eventually, an optional external chimney member is applied, which chimney member is positioned so as to extend from the surface of the buffle plate 57 to a location higher than the cone 61 as shown. The air stream containing liquid particles passes through a narrow sharp-edged gas orifice consisting of a central orifice in the lower disk 46 and exits the gas passageway 47 forming a constriction extending above the disk 46. The pressure in the constriction section is substantially less than atmospheric pressure, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the entrance section 55. The air above the plate 41 near the entrance 55 is sucked in and becomes part of the air stream containing liquid particles in the region of the constriction. Outside air is drawn into the space between the baffle plate 57 and the top plate 41 through the air passage and enters the air stream containing liquid particles as the air stream exits from the central entrance 55 of the plate 41. The baffle plate 57 and the air passage 60 allow the outside air to fill the partial vacuum created by the air flow containing liquid particles, and the liquid particles and gas located on the baffle plate 57 to fill the space below the baffle plate 57. prevent it from being sucked in. Therefore, when the atomized liquid, such as fuel oil, is ignited within the combustion cone 61, it is silently and continuously completely combusted on the baffle plate 57. The fact that baffle plate 57 protects top plate 41 from flames and the fact that cold outside air is drawn in from air passageway 60 prevents top plate 41 and disks 45 and 46 from gaining any more heat. For example, when a mist liquid such as fuel oil is ignited, part of it burns on the combustion cone 61 and part of it burns inside the combustion cone 61, causing the combustion cone 61 to become considerably heated.

Due to the heat released inwardly from the combustion cone 61, the fine particles of liquid fuel exiting the central gas passage 47 are almost instantaneously turned into vapor. This vaporized fuel mixes in the combustion cone 61 with the air that has passed through the central gas passage 47 and with the air that is drawn into the air stream containing liquid particles through the air passage 60. Steam fuel burns with a uniform, translucent, blue flame that does not emit any light. If a heat-resistant enclosure, such as a metal chimney 62, surrounds the combustion cone 61 as shown in FIG. 5, much of the heat of the flame will be released into the chimney 62, heating it to a red-hot color.

Thus, an atmospheric air opening 63, such as a row of circumferential holes, for example.
near the bottom of the chimney to allow auxiliary air to enter the chimney and produce a uniform, continuous blue flame within and above the combustion cone 61. The size of the air port 63 can be adjusted to adjust the amount of air admitted into the chimney. Household heating oil (M.2 fuel oil)
is burned at a rate of approximately 1/guint per hour (approximately 0.47 min) in the operational model of the spray device shown in Figure 6, and the waste gas was analyzed by ORSAT. BACHARACHSmoke Yuzu showing almost complete combustion. 0 and 02
0.75%, COO% and C0214.5%.

A large amount of air necessary for complete combustion is brought from the atmosphere to the air passage 6.
The atomizing device shown in FIG. Can be operated as a fuel burner.

The design of the misting or burner system of FIGS. 5 and 6 utilizes a relatively small automatic or pneumatically controlled fuel oil supply which operates very effectively at a rate of about one pint per hour. Can be used as an oil burner.

This represents a significant difference from commonly used automatic oil burners, which burn up to 4.6 pints of oil per hour. An important advantage of the burner Hishitaka of Figures 5 and 6 is that the amount of liquid fuel relative to the amount of air (including air drawn in from outside air) in the flow of combustion particles and air through the combustion chamber on the full plate 57. This allows the ratio of liquid fuel to air to be adjusted to achieve complete combustion. It takes 107 pounds (about 48.6 kg) of air (large Approximately 1400 at atmospheric pressure
cubic feet). If less air is supplied to the flame, combustion will be incomplete. When excess air is supplied to the flame, heat is taken away from the flame to heat the air, lowering the temperature of the flame. The velocity of the outside air drawn into the air stream containing fuel particles through air passage 60 is directly related to the velocity of the air stream containing liquid particles flowing from central gas passage 47 . For this purpose, adjusting the velocity of liquid fuel entering the burner device through conduit 51 and regulating the velocity of air entering the burner device through conduit 54 results in {1
}The velocity at which the air flow containing liquid fuel particles (including the air drawn in from the outside air) enters the combustion chamber on the baffle plate 57, the amount of air in the air flow containing liquid fuel particles entering the combustion chamber (including the air drawn in from the outside air), Both the ratio of the amount of liquid fuel to the amount of liquid (including air) can be adjusted. Other important points of the burner device of FIGS. 5 and 6 are:
A relatively small air pump can supply enough compressed air to the burner installation to operate the dawn mist device, and can also draw in enough air to contain liquid fuel particles for complete combustion. This means that it can be mixed with the air flow.

This is due to the creation of a constriction as the air stream containing liquid fuel particles passes through the orifice of the atomizer, creating a low pressure zone or partial vacuum in the air stream containing liquid fuel particles. , outside air is drawn into the air stream containing liquid fuel particles as it exits the atomizer. Operating conventional air atomized oil burners requires a fairly large air pump because nearly all the air required for combustion must be forced around the atomizer or nozzle. Yet another important advantage of the burner arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 is that the misting orifice 4
7 is spaced a certain distance from the flame, is shielded from the flame by a baffle plate 57, and is cooled by outside air sucked in through air passages 60, so that it is kept at a relatively low temperature. .

The nozzles of many conventional fuel oil burners are exposed to heat, and when the burner is shut off, the remaining fuel oil in the nozzle evaporates leaving a messy residue behind, causing problems. Yet another important advantage of the burner arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 is that the combustion takes place partially within the combustion cone 61, which becomes hot. Introducing a flow of air containing fuel oil inside the heated cone immediately evaporates the fine fuel oil particles and promotes hydroxyl displacement of the fuel oil resulting in complete and effective combustion. In the hydroxyl substitution process, air oxygen reacts with the hydrocarbon molecules of the fuel oil, producing hydroxides that emit a clear, blue, sootless flame that collapses to form aldehydes. As previously mentioned, the mixing device used in the present invention consists of two cooperating members having aligned closures and shaped contacting surfaces. .

Portions of one or both surfaces of the contact members are provided with narrow, shallow recesses or gaps to form small liquid passageways between the contact regions. The liquid passageway communicates with the liquid supply chamber and has a small outlet orifice extending between a larger central hole in the upper member and a smaller central hole in the lower member. The lotus is suitable for the central receiving surface. Preferably, these members are made of flat stainless steel plate having a thickness on the order of about 0.005 inch to 0.05 inch.

These components may also be made of glass, plastic or other inert, liquid-impermeable materials that have a good affinity for the particular liquid used, i.e. hydrophilic materials or coatings for water, hydrophilic materials or coatings for oil, etc. They may also be made of lipophilic materials or coatings. These members may have the same or different thicknesses and materials.

Also, there is no need to form a recess in the upper disk or plate.
It is not necessary to extend the periphery of the disk or plate as long as there are liquid orifices open to the coating surface of the lower member.

For example, the lower disk may have a sizable liquid opening □ spaced apart from the gas opening □ such that the opening □ is spaced apart from the liquid supply chamber and between the upper and lower disks. 4. Suitable for liquid orifices and lotuses consisting of small spaces or recesses. The mixing member is preferably easily removable and replaceable and consists of a single piece of material consisting of upper and lower plates or discs as shown in FIGS. They are attached to each other so that no relative movement or slippage occurs between them.

Therefore, if the mixed part gets worn out or dirty,
You can discard this and replace it with a new one. 9th
The provision of means to prevent relative movement or slippage as shown in Figures 10 and 10 may be useful for discs or plates in which no gas opening is formed in the center, or where there are several gas closures. This is particularly important in the case where there is a section which causes the disks or plates to move out of series relationship. 7 to 13 show other embodiments of the mixing member used in the present invention. Figures 7 and 8 show a single mixing member, such as a thin stainless steel plate, which is pressed at one end and then folded in the middle, leaving a recess 72 in between. It is made by forming a surface portion 71 that is

When the plate is folded as shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface of the top plate 73 comes into close contact with the surface portion 71 of the lower plate 74, thereby creating a shallow recess 72 and a narrow space between them.
A passageway consisting of an orifice 78 is formed. In the folded state the larger central opening 7 in the plate 73
6 is aligned with the smaller central opening 76 in the plate 74 to form a film forming surface 77 . The coating surface extends from the periphery of the larger closure 75 to the periphery of the smaller closure, which is the gas orifice, and further
3 and the extension from the surface 77 of the lower plate 74 to the recess 72, which communicates with a very narrow orifice 78, which is thin for subsequent film formation and atomization. Accepts liquid film. FIGS. 9 and 10 show another mixing element, which consists of a correspondingly scored disc providing a number of gas passages.

FIG. 9 shows this mixing member upside down for illustrative purposes. Disk 80, which becomes the lower disk when assembled, has four small central gas orifices 81 and two opposing circumferential notches 82 which, when assembled, form the upper disk. Becomes a plate 4
It corresponds in size and location to the notches 84 provided in the two circumferences of the plate 85 having two larger orifices 83. Notches 82 and 84 are aligned with each other when disks 80 and 85 are assembled. Internal washer gasket 18 in Figure 1
As shown, the atomizer has a main stage extending into aligned notches 82 and 84, which prevents relative sliding or rotation of disks 80 and 85, and which This can be done by the washer 18 itself due to its compressibility in the area adjacent to the notch. As shown, the top plate 85 includes a set of regularly spaced recesses 86 comprising narrow grooves.
have. The recess 86 extends from the periphery of the disk 85 to the closed portion 83 to form a liquid orifice, and the orifice projects onto a film forming surface 87, which communicates with the gas orifice 81 to form a liquid orifice. From the liquid supply chamber to the gas orifice. The misting device must be constructed so that all gas closures are unobstructed by the gasket 18 and the central entrance 23 of the top plate 16. 11 and 12 show another mixing member, and for the sake of explanation, FIG. 11 is shown in reverse.

A smooth disk 90, which becomes the lower disk when assembled, has a small central gas orifice 91;
Disk 92, which is the upper disk when assembled, has a larger central gas inlet 93 and spaced recesses consisting of diametrical pleats or depressions 94. The fold 94 extends from the edge of the disc 92 to the opening 9.
3 to form a liquid orifice extending to the film forming surface 96 adjacent to the central gas orifice 91. Fold 9
4 prevents the disk 92 from coming into close contact with the disk 90 at the pleated portion, thereby creating a shallow orifice space 95.
is provided and defines a liquid passageway in contact with the gas flow from the liquid supply chamber. The washer gasket 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2 deforms around the pleats 94 and the disc 9
Seal 2 completely. On the other hand, the upper surface of the disk 92 (first
1) contact and sealingly engage the lower surface of the disk 90 (shown in FIG. 11) except for the central portion located below the entrance portion 91. FIG. 13 shows an alternative mixing member consisting of a smooth upper disc 100 with a large central entrance and a lower disc 102 with a central gas closure 103.

The upper surface of the lower disk 102 has a number of interrelated recesses 1.
04, and the recess 104 is surrounded by a number of peaks or protrusions having a uniform depth and a uniform height corresponding to the original thickness of the disk 102. The surface of such a disk can be formed by sandblasting or by applying chemical or mechanical etching to said surface in a uniform and controlled manner. Thereby, the original thickness of the disk is maintained in the spaced areas or protrusions 105 surrounded by the depressions or recesses 104. The depressions or recesses 104 are interconnected and extend from the periphery of the disk to a central gas orifice as shown. This uniform roughening of the surface prevents blockage by creating numerous liquid orifices that provide additional paths or passageways for the liquid. A suitable surface of this shape can be obtained by pressing the disk into a die with a correspondingly roughened surface, or by pressing the disk into a molding or molding surface having a correspondingly roughened surface, or by pressing the disk into a die having a correspondingly roughened surface. formed by casting or molding.

What should be noted is that the film forming surface is the opening 10 of the upper disk 100.
1 and the closing portion IQ3.
Since it is the upper surface of , it does not need to be smooth. That is, the cohesive force between the liquid drawn into the gas stream and the liquid present on the deposition surface pulls the liquid across whether the surface is rough or smooth. Another means of forming regularly spaced recesses in the disk or plate is to ``cover the disk or plate with a discontinuous layer of a suitable material less than 0.01 inch thick, rather than removing surface material from the disk or plate.'' It may also be attached to the surface of the plate.

The result thus obtained is that the discs 20' of FIGS. 1 and 2 are similar in appearance and operation.
For example, the elongated area surrounding the recess 28 is formed by uniformly and discontinuously applying an inert material, such as a synthetic resin or metal, to the smooth surface of the disk.
This can be achieved by using a photosensitive synthetic resin composition. The composition is exposed to negative electricity and the portions corresponding to recesses 28 that are not exposed to negative electricity are removed. It can also be carried out by vacuum deposition of a metal layer, in which a template is applied at certain distances corresponding to the recesses 28 to prevent deposition in these regions. Providing this discontinuous coating layer can also be achieved by speckle coating techniques. According to this method, small spots of a suitable composition are sprayed onto the surface of a plate or disk, forming a large number of uniformly high protrusions of 0.01 inch or less over the entire surface of the plate or disk. . The results of this machine were to deposit uniformly sized particles of heat-fusible powder onto the surface of the disk, for example by electrostatic technology, and then heat-melt them to form uniformly sized particles with a height of less than 0.01 inch. Forms a raised protrusion. Cast or otherwise formed disks or plates with a uniform rough surface of the desired depth may also be used. Other suitable methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that the various structures shown in the figures may be modified, and that the mist mixing member of one structure may be replaced with that of another embodiment. This enhancement can be easily achieved with a few obvious changes.
The present invention involves the use of atomized discs or plates that are hemmed to each other at uniformly spaced intervals or that cover substantially or most of their surfaces. are compressed into non-contiguous contact forming at least one thin liquid orifice therebetween. The disks or plates may be of the same thickness or of different thicknesses. It may also function with a pressurized liquid or gas or a vacuum drawn liquid or gas. An essential feature of the invention is that the liquid orifice is sufficiently small so that the liquid is further supplied to the liquid orifice.
This means that it is not drawn out of the liquid orifice except when it is being supplied.

That is, no liquid is drawn from the interior of the liquid orifice. This is because the capillary forces holding the liquid in the small liquid orifice are relatively large because the liquid orifice is small, and the combined net effect of other forces acting on the liquid is such that the liquid When not supplied to the orifice, there is insufficient liquid to draw the liquid from the liquid orifice. Therefore, liquid will not flow out unless it is supplied to the liquid orifice.
The liquid flows out of the liquid orifice onto the coating surface at the same rate as the rate at which it is supplied to the liquid orifice, thereby providing a stable liquid flow to the coating surface at a controlled low rate; The force and speed can be set smaller than the speed at which the cohesive force between the liquid dispersed in the gas orifice and the liquid on the film forming surface can pull the liquid from the liquid orifice. The cohesive force between the liquid dispersed in the gas orifice and the liquid on the film forming surface is capable of delivering the liquid to the film forming surface at a stable rate that is lower than the rate at which the liquid can be drawn out of the liquid orifice. This allows the liquid on the film forming surface to be pulled into a stable, extremely thin liquid film. This essential feature, in conjunction with the adhesion between the liquid and the coating surface, allows the atomization device of the invention to be operated in any orientation, eg upside down, and/or under vibration. Controlling the flow of liquid through a narrow liquid orifice is
This can be done by controlling the pressure of the liquid upstream of the orifice in relation to the ambient pressure at the orifice mouth or by controlling the rate at which liquid with sufficient pressure is supplied to the orifice.

Also, the flow rate of the liquid through the orifice can be controlled in whole or in part by using orifices of various sizes, provided, of course, that they are small enough and the pressure of the liquid upstream of them is high enough, as mentioned above. can be controlled. Preferably, at least one of the plates or discs of the invention is made of flexible or pliable material and the plates or discs are pressed together to create a substantial or large area of their mating surfaces. These plates or discs are supported crosswise over each other so that the parts touch each other, thereby preventing bending and changes in spacing in narrow recesses.
This forms the liquid orifice shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. If the recess is used as a movable disk surface to form an orifice for the liquid, the recess must be narrow and the plates or disks may Prevent bending out of the recess. The recess is preferably 0.01 inch or less deep, and optionally the width and depth of the recess are preferably substantially greater than the depth as shown. may be the same.When the discs or plates are assembled in contact with each other,
Recesses present in one side of these plates or discs form narrow, shallow passages constituting orifices for the liquid, which passages are confined between or surrounded by the contact surfaces of the plates or discs, and the recesses This can prevent bending of the plate or disc.
The discs or plates of the invention, or at least one of them, may be made of a material such as thin stainless steel and have sufficient maneuverability or be flexible so that the other plates of the mixing member or Orifices which can be fitted in contact with the surface of the disk or at regular intervals and whose liquid passages or narrowings can be varied as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,018-7 Can be formed.

For holes in which shallow recesses are used in the surface of the steerable disk to form liquid orifices, the recesses may be wide so that when the disks are assembled, they are pressed together and liquid flows through the recesses. When forced through, the disc can be steered out of the recess, thereby
As described in 81 Paper No. 7, the narrowness of the recess can be varied by adjusting the force with which the disk is pressed and/or the pressure of the liquid passing through the recess. The present invention is not limited to the particular structure of the floor fogging device illustrated in the drawings, except that it accommodates the mixing member, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to change the size, size, etc.
The fogging device may be simplified or modified at any time to change shape, appearance, or other factors for use in a particular application. Further, the present invention can be modified and changed within the scope of the claims, and various improvements can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing each element of an embodiment of the administration device of the present invention, FIG. The figure is an enlarged partial sectional view of the mist device shown in FIG. 1 with each element assembled and in operation, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mixing member suitable for the mist device of FIG. 1 or 5. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a fog burner according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the jamb plate of the fog burner of FIG. 5 as seen from line 6-6. Figures 7-13 are perspective and side views of various mixing sections suitable for use in further embodiments of the invention. Main symbols in the drawings, 10... Counterfeiting device, 11...
...Base plate, 12...Central Sekiguchi section, 1
3...Air conduit, 15...Liquid supply joint pipe,
16... Top plate, 17, 18... Gasket, 19, 20... Sprayer disc, 2
3, 24, 25, 26... Central Sekiguchi section, 28...
... Liquid passageway, 29 ... Film forming surface, 31, 41,
73... Top plate, 32, 42, 74... Base plate, 36, 77, 87... Film forming surface, 43, 44
... Gasket, 45, 46 ... Disc for sprayer, 50 ... Chamber, 57 ... Buttful plate,
61... Combustion cone, 92,100... Upper disk, 90,102... Lower disk. FIG.
l FG・Tatami A FIG. 2 FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG, 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. ! 0 FIG. 1l FIG. l2 FIQ. 13

Claims (1)

Claims: (a) When filled with liquid, the liquid is held there by capillary forces and prevents the liquid from flowing out of it into ambient conditions except when further liquid is supplied. A flowable liquid is placed in a chamber having at least one exit orifice as the only outlet means small enough to allow the fluid to flow through the chamber. (b) controlling and dispensing the liquid so that it flows through the exit orifice and onto a coating surface having an affinity for the liquid as a continuous thin liquid stream having a thickness of about 0.010 inches or less; A thin continuous liquid film is formed on the coating surface extending from the exit orifice to an end of the coating surface located at a constant distance from the orifice. (c
) continuously applying a gas at a sufficient velocity to the continuous liquid film extending to the end of the deposition surface through a gas orifice communicating with the end of the deposition surface; and stretching the continuous liquid film into a very thin continuous liquid film on the deposition surface such that the liquid film is sucked into the gas stream to produce an ultrafine dispersion. A method for converting a fluid liquid into ultrafine particles in a propellant gas, comprising the steps of: 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a variable or constant pressure is applied to the liquid upstream of the outlet orifice to control the amount of liquid passing through the outlet orifice. . 3. supplying a variable or constant amount of said liquid under sufficient pressure to said outlet orifice and passing said variable or constant amount of said liquid through said outlet orifice to reduce the amount of liquid passing through said outlet orifice. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount is controlled. 4. The liquid is supplied under sufficient pressure to the outlet orifice and the liquid is passed through the outlet orifice, the size of which can be varied or adjusted to a constant small size. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of . 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a variable or constant pressure is applied to the gas to vary the amount of gas passing through the gas orifice. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a variable or constant amount of gas is supplied through the gas orifice. 7. said gas orifice is a narrow sharp edged gas orifice, said continuous gas flow is forced through it to form a constriction in said gas flow, and said continuous thin liquid film is , wherein the ultrafine dispersion of liquid particles is drawn into the continuous gas stream to form the ultrafine dispersion of liquid particles in the propellant gas substantially simultaneously with the formation of the constriction in the gas stream. A method according to claim 1. 8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrafine dispersion of liquid particles in the propellant gas can be discharged directly into a larger container without impinging on any hard surface. . 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid is a flammable liquid and the ultrafine dispersion is discharged into a combustion chamber and ignited. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the film forming surface is made of a material that has good affinity for the particular liquid used. 11. Claim 1, wherein said continuous thin liquid stream has a thickness of about 0.003 inches or less.
The method described in section. 12 consisting of a compartment for supplying a fluid liquid, a mixing member, and means for controlling the flow rate of the liquid through a small outlet orifice, said mixing member having (a) an inlet communicating with said compartment; at least one passageway for liquid having at least one passageway for liquid having a liquid passageway to such an extent that, when filled with liquid, the liquid is retained therein by capillary forces and is prevented from flowing therefrom into ambient conditions except when further liquid is supplied; a sufficiently small exit orifice; (b) a coating surface communicating with the exit orifice and having an affinity for the liquid; and (c) a coating surface spaced apart from the exit orifice. a gas orifice in communication with a gas conduit at the end thereof adapted to convey gas therethrough, thereby exiting the compartment and passing the liquid passageway at a controlled rate. The passing liquid flows out of the outlet orifice as a thin liquid stream and adheres to the film forming surface as a continuous thin liquid film, and the film extends to the end of the film forming surface formed by the gas orifice. At the gas flow orifice, the thin liquid film is sucked into the gas exiting through the gas passage; by sucking the liquid film into the gas flow, the liquid film is A fluid liquid characterized by being pulled across the film forming surface to form an extremely thin continuous liquid film and introduced into the gas stream to produce an extremely fine dispersion is dispersed in a propellant gas. A spray device for dispersing liquid particles. 13. characterized in that it has means for maintaining the liquid upstream within the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable pressure sufficiently higher than around the outlet to allow liquid to pass through the outlet orifice at a controlled rate. A spraying device according to claim 12. 14 having means for varying the pressure of a liquid upstream within said outlet orifice, said varying the pressure of said liquid in a predetermined manner causing a predetermined amount of liquid to flow out through said outlet orifice; The spray device according to claim 13, characterized in that: 15. Supplying the liquid to the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable flow rate and under sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to pass through the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable flow rate. A spraying device according to claim 12. 16. The spray device of claim 15, further comprising means for varying the rate at which the liquid is supplied to the outlet orifice. 17. means for supplying and passing the liquid under sufficient pressure to the outlet orifice, the flow rate of the liquid passing through the outlet orifice being controlled generally or by a constant or adjustable narrowness of the outlet orifice; 13. Spraying device according to claim 12, characterized in that it is partially controlled. 18. The device has means for changing the narrowness of the outlet orifice, and by changing the narrowness of the outlet orifice in a predetermined manner, a predetermined amount of liquid is passed through the outlet orifice. A spraying device according to claim 17. 19. The spraying device according to claim 12, wherein the main body has no surface on the gas orifice with which the ultrafine dispersion can come into contact. 20. The spray device of claim 12, wherein the gas orifice is a narrow, sharp edged orifice. 21 The diameter or spacing of the exit orifices is approximately 0.0
13. The spray device according to claim 12, which is 10 inches or less. 22. The spray device of claim 12, wherein the exit orifices have a diameter or spacing of about 0.003 inches or less. 23. The spraying device according to claim 12, wherein the gas orifice has at least one opening in the film forming surface. 24. The spray device according to claim 12, wherein the mixing member comprises a member having at least a recessed portion that is removable and replaceable. 25. The spray device of claim 12, wherein said mixing member comprises at least one flexible member. 26. The spray device of claim 12, wherein said mixing member comprises at least one removable and replaceable flexible member. 27 The mixing member has a pair of members having surfaces in contact according to overlapping molds that engage each other in a sealing manner at the contacting portions, and at least one of the contact surfaces has a 13. The spray device according to claim 12, wherein the spray device is provided with at least one narrow recess constituting the liquid passage. 28. The spray device according to claim 27, wherein the stacked members of the mixing member are attached to each other as a single member. 29. The spraying device of claim 27, wherein said superimposed member is a single plate that is folded over itself. 30 further comprising means for changing the flow rate of the gas passing through the gas orifice, and by changing the flow rate of the gas in a predetermined manner,
13. The spray device of claim 12, wherein a predetermined amount of gas joins the liquid at a gas orifice in the body to produce an ultrafine dispersion of a predetermined concentration. 31. The atomizer of claim 12, further comprising a combustion chamber in communication with said gas orifice and adapted to receive said ultrafine dispersion for combustion therein. 32. The spray device according to claim 12, wherein the film forming surface is made of a material that has good affinity for the particular liquid used. 33 Compartment for supplying fluid liquid, mixing member,
a means for controlling the flow rate of liquid through a small exit orifice and two conduits, the mixing members (a) being in supporting engagement with each other over a substantial portion of their respective surfaces; having a conforming and contacting surface that
The at least one member is provided with at least one shallow recess forming a thin liquid passageway between the contact surfaces, which passageway communicates with the compartment and when filled with liquid, the liquid is absorbed by capillary forces. (b) two superimposed members having outlet orifices small enough to be retained therein and prevented from flowing out of the same into ambient conditions except when further supply of liquid; and (b) said small an end in communication with the outlet orifice, having an affinity for the liquid and spaced from the outlet orifice to form an orifice for gas; a coating surface that receives the supply and adheres the liquid as a continuous thin film extending to the gas orifice, one of the conduits communicating with the liquid orifice and extending continuously through the small exit orifice. Another one of the conduits is adapted to supply the liquid flow, and another one of the conduits communicates with the gas orifice to supply a continuous gas flow across the end of the deposition surface through the gas orifice. The liquid is adapted to be forced through the small liquid orifice at a controlled rate, and the liquid is drawn onto the coating surface and passed through the gas orifice. A fluid liquid that is characterized by forming an extremely thin continuous liquid film on the film forming surface and producing an ultrafine dispersion when absorbed into the outflowing gas is dispersed in an ultrafine dispersion in the propellant gas. A spray device for dispersing liquid particles. 34. characterized in that it comprises means for maintaining the liquid upstream within the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable pressure sufficiently higher than the vicinity of the outlet in order to cause the liquid to pass through the outlet orifice at a controlled rate. A spraying device according to claim 33. 35 having means for varying the pressure of the liquid upstream within said outlet orifice, said varying the pressure of said liquid in a predetermined manner causing a predetermined amount of liquid to flow out through said outlet orifice; The spraying device according to claim 34, characterized in that: 36. characterized in that the liquid is supplied to the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable flow rate and under sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to pass through the outlet orifice at a constant or adjustable flow rate. A spray device according to claim 33. 37. The spray device of claim 36, further comprising means for varying the rate at which said liquid is supplied to said outlet orifice. 38 having means for supplying and passing said liquid under sufficient pressure to said outlet orifice, wherein the flow rate of said liquid through said outlet orifice is controlled generally or by a constant or adjustable narrowness of said outlet orifice; 34. Spray device according to claim 33, characterized in that it is partially controlled. 39 The method further comprises means for changing the narrowness of the outlet orifice, and by changing the narrowness of the outlet orifice in a predetermined manner, a predetermined amount of liquid is passed through the outlet orifice. A spray device according to claim 38. 40. The spraying device according to claim 33, wherein the main body has no surface on the gas orifice with which the ultrafine dispersion can come into contact. 41. The spray device of claim 33, wherein the gas orifice is a narrow, sharp edged orifice. 42 The diameter or spacing of the exit orifices is approximately 0.0
34. The spray device according to claim 33, which is 10 inches or less. 43. The spray device of claim 33, wherein the exit orifices have a diameter or spacing of about 0.003 inches or less. 44. The spraying device according to claim 33, wherein the gas orifice has at least one opening in the film forming surface. 45. The spray device according to claim 33, wherein the mixing member comprises a member having at least a recess that is removable and replaceable. 46. The spray device of claim 33, wherein said mixing member comprises at least one flexible member. 47. The spray device of claim 33, wherein said mixing member comprises at least one removable and replaceable flexible member. 48. The spray device of claim 33, wherein the stacked members of the mixing member are attached to each other as a single member. 49. The spray device of claim 33, wherein the stacked members are a single plate that is folded over its top. 50 Further, it has a means for changing the flow rate of the gas passing through the gas orifice, and by changing the flow rate of the gas in a predetermined manner, a predetermined amount of gas is supplied to the main body. Claim 3, characterized in that it combines with a liquid in an orifice to produce an ultrafine dispersion with a predetermined concentration.
The spray device according to item 3. 51. The atomizer of claim 33, further comprising a combustion chamber in communication with the gas orifice and adapted to receive the ultrafine dispersion for combustion therein. 52. The spraying device of claim 33, wherein the film forming surface is made of a material that has good affinity for the particular liquid used.