US2044091A - Atomizer - Google Patents

Description

K. L. MARTIN June 16, 1936.

momma Filed Sept. 21, 19:55 a Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. K/IVGISLEFL. MRI? r/M BY t ATTORNEY June 16, 1936. -rm 2,044,091

ATOMI Z ER Filed Sept. 21, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INENTOR. KIIVGKSLFFL, have T//\/ A TTORNEY June 16, 1936.

K. L. MARTIN ATOMIZER Filed Sept. 21, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fwy. 7.

[NV EN TOR. K1 NGLSLE Y L- MFR TIN ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE s'romznn Kingsley L. Martin, Montclair, N. J. Application September 21, 1935, Serial No. 41,597

' 8 Claims. (01. 299-120) This invention relates to mechanical pressure atomizers used for burning fuel oil, for enriching gas in the carburetors used in the manufacture of water gas and for other purposes where a finely atomized, mist-like spray is desired to be obtained at a lower pressure and having a wide range in capacity. The object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and is more eflicient in action than those heretofore proposed. With these and other, objects in View, the invention consists in novel details of construction and combination of parts more fully disclosed and pointed out in the claims. Referring to the accompanying drawings form ing a. part of the specifications in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section through one form of the atomizer. Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 11-41? of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a face view of the sprayer plate. Fig. 4 is a section through such plate. Fig. 5 is a side view of the separate type of spindle, and Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are longitudinal sections through modi- 25 "fications.

Referring to the drawings, l is a supply pipe having the screw threads 2 and bore 3. The

plug or body 4 is threaded onto the pipe, and its end plate 5 carries integral therewith the spindle 30 6. The end plate is provided with an annular groove 1 which is connected with the interior of the plug by the series of passages 8.

Seated against the end of the plug, is the sprayer plate 9 clamped in position by the nut it). The plate is provided with a conical chamber ll having the outlet orifice 12, such chamber being referred to as a whirling chamber since the fluid discharged therethrough is given a whirling movement about the spindle, as later described. On the inner face of the plate 8 are the series of passages l3 (Fig. 3) which lead into the inner end of the chamber ll tangentially of the base of the spindle. Such passages communicate at their outer ends with the annular groove 1.

In atomizers heretofore used, the fluid is ordinarily introduced into the whirling chamber through tangential slots to give a. high rotary velocity, so that the fluid when discharged retains its centrifugal effect and is spread out in 0 a fine mist in the form of a hollow cone. The practice has been, however, to draw the fluid from the center of the whirling chamber where the velocity of rotation is a minimum. I have found that by placing the cone-shaped spindle 55 in the center of the whirling chamber, the fluid from the outer part of the chamber is forced to the "orifice while traveling a. very high velocity which gives improved atomization. The fluid entering through the passages 13 is, therefore, directed tangentially to the spindle, so that it flows around it without impinging against it. This tends to eliminate eddy currents ordinarily present when a. conical orifice is employed, so that the outflow of the fluid is facilitated.

As a result of these two effects, atomization fine enough for the purpose intended can be obtained at verylow pressure in the bore 3, and very small quantities of the fluid may be atomized in an atomizer which is also capable of high ca.- pacity when supplied with the fluid at a high pressure. This gives an unusually widerange in capacity by changing the pressure only and without resorting to the expedient almost universal with mechanical pressure sprays of changing the sprayer plate 9 for another having a larger or smaller orifice l2. This feature is particularly valuable in-burning fuel oil as only the oil actually burned is heated to burner temperature and raised to burner pressure, thereby eflecting a material economy over systems which raise the maximum quantity of oil used up to the burner pressure and temperature and returning all not required at the moment to storage tanks or to the pump suction through a return line from the whirling chamber. The wide range in capacity also makes it unnecessary to change burners under sudden changes in load, as when naval or other vessels are changing speed or starting or stopping engines.

It has been found by actual test that the use of the stationary spindle alone increases the delivery through a given orifice. with the same pressure by per cent, decreases the pressure necessary to deliver the same quantity by one third, operates at a range in pressure from 300 to 5 lbs. with satisfactory atomization and achieves a range in capacity in the ratio of 10 to 1.

The atomizer with non-adjustable spindle just described is particularly suitable where a large number of atomizers are in use and it is desired to make rapid and frequent changes in capacity without individual atomizer changes either by changing tonspra'yer plates having larger or smaller orifices or by shutting off or starting up a certain number of atomizers as when naval vessels are manoeuvering. With wide range atomizers and non-adjustable spindles, the entire output may be controlled by fuel oil pressure changes only .at a central point just as the flow of steam to, and the 'output of, the engines is controlled. V

A further improvement in operation, especially where large atomizers are used, is obtained by providing a longitudinal adjustment of the spindle ll, as shown in Fig. 6, the shank llof the spindle being threaded through the end plate 5 of the plug and provided with a squared end it. 'Ihis may be operated by a socket wrench passing through a stuiiing box in an elbow (not shown) at the outer end of the pipe I, so that adj stment may be made without removing the atomizer from service.

I have also found that better results can be obtained, both as regards higher capacity and better atomization, if -the proper ratio between the area of the orifice l2 and the combined area of the tangential passages II is used. This is because the atomization depends largely upon the centrifugal force imparted to the fluid by the velocity of its passage through the tangential passages. If the area of the orifice I2 is maintained constant and the pressure in the pipe I is dropped to decrease output, the velocity through the tangential passages is diminished, and the centrifugal force imparted to the fluid is correspondingly less, and the fineness of the atomization is impaired. If, on the other. hand, the orifice area is reduced and the tangential passages are not reduced in cross section, the fiow of the smaller quantity of fluid, likewise reduces the velocity of the fiuid through the es producing the same result.

While this effect is materially reduced by the useof a stationary spindle and by the. adjustable spindle, I have provided means for simultaneously reducing the area of the tangential slots so that a high velocity of the fluid will be maintained and the proper ratio of areas between the orifice and the tangential passages is maintained for all rates of output. On the spindle shank l1, Fig. 7, is securely fastened a disc I I whose external diameter is slightly less than that of the whirling chamber II. On turning the spindle shank I! by means of the squared end 20, the

slot and orifice areas for all capacities, and by properly shaping the, spindle to maintain the correct ratio for all capacities, since a reduction of the orifice area by advancing the spindle will simultaneously and automatically produce a corresponding reduction of tangential passage and conversely.

In large atomizers, or in atomizers used for spraying liquids of varying viscosities, it 'is also,

an advantage to be able to adjust the orifice and tangential e areas independently of each other. I have provided for this independent adiustment, as shown in Fig. 8, where an annular plug 2| is screwed into the end plate 22. 'Ihe whirling chamber II is deepened, as shown, and the spindle 23 is screwed into the annular plug 2|. By turning the annular plug II, it is advanced'to secure any desired flow. through the tangential passages and the spindle 23 then adJusted relative to the orifice to secure the best results. By simple mechanical devices, both ad'- iustments may be made while the atomizer is in use and the best position of each disc and spindle obtained by observation of the resulting spray.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction as well as the arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit of the invention. The sides of the center spindle may be modified in shape, its base may be broad or narrow, and'the position of the point relative to the orifice may be changed to get diiIerent useful results. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an atomizer, a plug adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other end a conical whirling chamber with an outlet orifice at its outer end, a conical spindle in the chamber having its walls spaced away from the walls of the chamber and having its outer end in said orifice, and a plurality of channels in the plug at the base of the spindle with their center lines in a plane which is transverse to the center line of the plug, and with their outer ends communicating with the interior of the plug and their inner ends communicating with the inner 23 end of said chamber, such passages lying at and discharging at a tangent to the base of the spindle so that the fiuld passing through the passages flows into the chamber in a direction tangential thereof without impinging on the spindle.

2. In an atomizer, a plug adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other end a conical whirling chamber with an outlet orifice at its outer end, a conical spindle in the chamber having its walls spaced away from the walls of the chamber, and adjustable axially of the plug so that an outward movement thereof restricts the flow of fiuid through the orifice, a plurality of channels in the plug at the base of the .spindle with their center lines in a plane which is transverse to the center line of the plug and with their outer ends communicating with the interior of the plug and their inner ends commimicating with the inner end of said chamber,

and adjustable means for throttling the flow of fluid through the passages, said es lying at a tangent to the base of the spindle.

3. In an atomizer, a plug adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other'end a conical whirling chamber with an outlet orifice at its, outer end, a conical spindle in the chamber having its walls spaced away from the walls of the chamber, and adjustable axially of the plug so that an outward movement thereof restricts the flow of fluid through the orifice, a plurality of channels in the plug at the base of the spindle with their center lines in a plane which is transverse-to the center line of the plug and with their outer ends communicating with the interior of the plug and their inner ends communicating with the inner end of said chamber, and means carried by the spindle for throttling the flow of fluid through the passages as the spindle is adjusted outward, said passages lying at a tangent to the base of the spindle. v a

4. In an atomizer, a Plug adapted to be con! nected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other end a conical whirling chamber with an outlet orifice at its outer end, a conical spindle in the chamber having its walls spaced away from the walls of the chamber, and adjustable axially of the plug so that an outward movement thereof restricts the fiow of fluid through the orifice, a plurali y of channels in the plug at the base of 2,044,091 the spindle with their center lines in a plane Y which is transverse to the center line of the plug and their inner ends communicating with the inner end of said chamber, and means adjustable axially of the plug for throttling the flew of fluid through the passages," said passages lying at a tangent to the base of'the spindle.

5. In an atomizer, a plug body adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the, other end a transverse plate with a spindle carried thereby and projecting from the front ,thereof, such plate being provided around its periphery with a series of perforations, a plate seated on the front side of the transverse plate provided with aseries of grooves which communicate at their outer ends with said perforations and whichextend inward to the base of the spindle tangential thereto, said plate being pro- -vided with a conical whirling chamber surround-1 ing thespindle and having an outlet orifice at its outer end, and means for clamping the last men'- tioned plate against said transverse plate, said spindle being adjustable axially of the plug .body.

6. In an atomizer, a plug body adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other end a transverse plate with a spindle carried thereby and projecting from thefront thereof, such plate being provided around its periphery with a. series of perforations, a

plate seated on the front side of the transverse plate provided with a series of grooves which communicate at their outer ends with said perforations and which extend inward to the base of the spindle tangential thereto, said plate being provided with a conical whirling chamber surrounding the spindle and having an outlet orifice at its outer end, and means for clamping the last mentioned plate against said transverse plate, said spindle being adjustable axially of the plug body and being provided at its base with a disc which partially closes the inner ends of said grooves when the spindle is adjusted outwardly.

7. In an atomizer, a plug body adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at its other end a transverse plate, a plug threaded through said plate so that it may be adjusted in and out, a spindle threaded into the plug so that it may be adjusted in and out, said plate being provided with perforations therethrough outward of the periphery of the plug, a

plate seated on the front side of said transverse plate provided with a series of grooves which communicate at their outer ends with said perforations and which-extend inward to the periphery 'of said plug tangential to the base of the spindle, said plate being provided with a conical whirling chamber surrounding the spindle and having an outlet orifice at its outer end, and

means for clamping the last mentioned plate against said transverse plate.

'8. In an atomizer, a plug adapted to be connected to a supply pipe at one end and having at the other end a conical whirling chamber with an outlet orifice at its outer end of cylindrical shape, a conical spindle in the chamber having its walls spaced away from the walls of the chamber and having at its outer end a cylindrical portion extending into said outlet orifice, and a plurality of channels in the plug at the base of the spindle with their center lines in a plane which is trans-

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