US2179184A

US2179184A - Self-cleaning nozzle

Info

Publication number: US2179184A
Application number: US87483A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Hodge
Original assignee: Parks Cramer Co
Current assignee: Parks Cramer Co
Priority date: 1936-06-26
Filing date: 1936-06-26
Publication date: 1939-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1956-11-07

Description

Nov; 7, 1939.` y

w. B. HoDGl-z 'lSELF-GLEANING NOZZLE Filed June 26, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 VVrLLmM HooGE Nov. 7, 1939. l Wj a HODGE 2,179,184

' SELF-CLEANING NOZZLE Filed June 26, 1936 4 sheets-sheet 4 ETT HvENTorL:

WILL/nm Hcmcie` Patented Nov. 7, v1939 SELF-CLEANING NOZZMt William E. Hodge, Charlotte, N. ii., assigner to Parks-Cramer Company, Fitchli urp,4 Mass., a

corporation oi liiassachusetter` Applicaties nasce, ieee, senat on., eine `es im. ici., esem-soi This invention relates to an apparatus for atomizing liquids and more especially to anozzle having orifices through which the uids are discharged into a suitable room to produce the proper humidity,

It is a well known fact, especially in textile mills, that humidities must be maintained within.

a relatively narrow range in order to produce satisfactory working conditions. ln order to maintain this uniform humidity conventional hurnidifying apparatus is commonly employed and it is with an apparatus of this type that the' nozzle described in the following specication is adapted `to'operate.

The water used in such hdiiying systemsinvariably holds in suspension certain quantities of dirt, silt and other foreign matter, which tend to deposit and accumulate in the water lines, and especially around the orifices of humidiflers. In a similar way the compressed air used in such humidifying devices carries along certain quantities of water vapor and oil used in the lubrication of the air compressor.

When the humidier is in active operation, there is a pronounced reduction in the pressure of the compressed air immediately before it is discharged through the humidifier outlet. This reduction in pressure so reduces the temperature of the compressed air as to cause condensation of water vapor and oil vapor which. are commonly present in the air. This condensation causes the precipitation of carbon, dust, or other impurities present in the air which tend to adhere to the periphery ofthe outlet orifice, and it is common experience in the use of such devices that these accumulations after comparatively short periods of time so decrease the flow of air as to reduce the capacity of the atomizer and eventually cause it to become inoperative.

Similar accumulations of impurities present in the .water supply also tend to cause similar difficulties, with corresponding reduction in capacity and eventual clogging; These difficulties are the cause of frequent necessityfor disassembling, cleaning, reassembling and readjusting the parts of all atomizers that are in common use.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide automatically operated means for maintaining such air and water orifices in clean con- 0 dition by dislodging all such accumulations of sedimentor other undesirable material, tending to collect'in the orices, with suiiicient frequency to maintain the continued operation of the'atomizer atits full capacity.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for maintaining'these air and water orices open and preventing the accumulation of `sediment or other foreign particles which might he in the operating uids from becoming lodged in the orifices and thereby obstructing the evapo orative capacity of the device.

lt is' a further object of this invention to provide a uid atomizing device comprising two con- 'centric oriiices arranged in a body section having a separate compartment for the atomizing fluid lo and for the air, the fluid orifices vbeing stationary and the compartments being separated by concave-convex exible wall members such as synthetic rubber disks. In this forma suitable penetrating means for .the uid orifices is concentri- 15 `cally mounted in the rubber disks which penetrating means also penetrate' the lstationary orinccs.

'When the air pressure is applied upon the flexible wall members the central portions of 20 these members will be moved away from the orifices which will, in turn, actuate the penetrating 'means to cause the same to be withdrawn from the oriiice. A spring normally forces the penetrating means into the orifice when no air 25 is present on the disks.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for preventing the wasteful escape of compressed air while the'atomizer is in operato'n. For that reason, in certain preferred forms 30 of the apparatus herein disclosed, I provide flexible diaphragms as a means for performing the desired functions of certain parts that are movable to the desired extent, but which are provided with air-tight connections of vsuch a nature that Y they prevent the intermittent or continuous leakage of air which is apt to occur when pistons or other similar devices-are used 4for such purposes.`

It is still a further object of this invention to provide means for preventing the entry of air o under pressure to any part of the channel through which the liquid to be atomized passes on its way to the point at which atomization occurs. Leakage of air into the water supplyprior to atomization tends totproduce an intermittent actionv of the atomizer which is highlyobjectionable, andmy apparatus is carefully designed to prevent such action. Y

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceedswhich taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation lof the invention installed on a suitable column within the buildins;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at the righthand side of Figure 1; Y

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional' plan view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the right-hand portion of Figure 4 but showing the-parts in a position when the air pressure is not applied;

Figure 6`is a view loolng into the right-hand end of the nozzle with the cap 41 of the apparatus and snap diaphragm 48 removed therefrom;

Figure 7 is an elevation of a modied form of the invention showing the same installed;

Figure 8 is an elevation looking at the righthand portion of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken through the nozzle, along the line 9-9 in Figure 8;

Figure l is a'longitudinal sectional plan view taken along the line I-Ill in Figure 7;

Figure l1 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the right-hand portion' of Figure 10 showing the apparatus with the air pressure applied and the parts in operative position;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional plan view similar to Figure 10 but showing the bellows in. elevation and also showing the snap diaphragm in the position occupied when no air pressure is exerted within the apparatus;

Figure 13 is a View looking into the right-hand end of the apparatus as shown in Figure 7 with the cap G'I of the apparatus and diaphragm 68 removed therefrom; l A Figure 14 is an elevation of still another modi ed f'orm of the invention showing the same installed;

Figure 15 is an elevation looking at the righthand end of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line IG--IB in Figure 15;

Figure 1'1 is an enlarged view of the righthand portion of Figure 16 but showing the position which the parts occupy when the nozzle is in operation;

Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 16 but showing certain portions thereof in elevation;

Figure 19 is a side elevation of still another modiiled form of the invention installed on a suitable support;

Figure -20 is an elevation looking at the lefthand side of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a sectional view takenv alongline 2I-2I in Figure 20 showing the penetrating means for both orifices in normal position when the air pressure is not applied;

-A Figure 22 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Figure 21 but showing the cleaning and penetrating means in an inoperative 'p0- sition while the atomizing device is in operation; Figure 23 is an elevation of the rubber wall portions and the associated parts on the means penetrating the fluid nozzle when the air pressure has been relieved. i The various constructions illustrated in the drawings disclose an atomizer head having a conduit for a liquid and a chamber for an atomvizing uid under pressure, said conduit and chamber being provided respectively with outlet elements or members one of which is resiliently actuated'and arranged to permit the inner element or member to penetrate and clean the outlet of the other element or member, The atomizer is also provided with cleaning means for the inner element adapted to penetrate and clean the outlet thereof. Each construction is such that the respective members and elements are positioned for atomization during the continuance of the supply of atomizing iluid and that cleaning of the outlet of the outer element by penetration of the inner element and cleaning of the inner element by its cleaning means will result by relative movement of the parts between each interruption and resumption of the supply of atomizing fluid.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates a suitable column such as may occur in ordinary textile mills and to which is secured a container II for holding suitable liqulds used in spraying or humidifying the mill. This container has a iioat I2 pivoted therein as at I3,which rises and falls and controls the liquid levelwithin the container by regulating the amount of liquid allowed to flow into this container through inlet pipe I4. Column I0 has a suitable bracket I secured thereto in which is mounted an air inlet pipe I6 which leads from a suitable source of compressed air.

The iiow of compressed air is regulated by the conventional apparatus which causes air pressure to be periodically admitted into this pipe when it is desired that the humidity in the mills be increased. Pipe I6 is secured to iitting I 'I by any suitable means such as collar I8 said iitting I'I being embedded into portion 20 of the apparatus.

Portion 20 has threadably secured therein a liquid dispensing nozzle 25 `which in turn has a cavity 26 therein and an oriiice 2l. The cavity 26 communicates with perforations 24 which perforations also communicate with peripheral groove 28 cut in the exterior portion of nozzle 25.

The liquid is drawn into groove 28 and through perforations 24 from container II by the iiow of compressed air from the air nozzle.

A fitting 29 is secured in portion 20 and has threadably secured thereto a collar 30 which co1- lar securely fastens the pipe 3l in position, the pipe 3| having the lower end thereof disposed within the container II.

Liquid dispensing member 25 is threadably secured in member 20 and has the left-hand threaded end thereof extending substantially beyond the left-hand edge of member 20. Threadably secured on the left-hand end of member 25 is a collar 32 which collar has one end of an expansible bellows 33 secured thereto and the other end of bellows 33 has a collar 34 secured thereto which forms an intermediate support and to which is fastened one end of bellows which is similar in'all respects to bellows 33.

A bellows or flexible wall member 3,5 has its left-hand end secured to a collar 36. This collar is threadably mounted onpin 31, said pin having secured thereon a piston 38 and a washer 39 which are located between the member 36 and the head portion 31a of said pin. The piston 38 is adapted to have sliding movement within a cylinder or cup member 4I) which is threadably se cured to portion 20.

It should be noted that the left-hand end of cylinder 40 is closed with the exception of asmall v ent hole 4I in the end thereof and mounted in this cylinder and disposed between the closed end of the cylinder and the washer 39 is a compression spring 42 for normally pressing the member 31 and its associated parts to the right in Figure 4 when the air pressure is not applied to the Y there is no air pressure in the apparatus. It is evident thatwhen this is done that any foreign particles which might have accumulated within the orifice 21 will be instantly removed.

' The right-hand end of member 2li has a capv 11`threadably secured thereon and disposed between said cap and said member 29 is a snap diaphram 48 which has a hole 49 in the central portion thereof adapted to encircle the restricted nose portion 25a of member 25, and also to coincide with a hole 52 in cap d1.

Figure 4 shows the snap diaphragm 49 when the air pressure is built up within the' chamber 59 by the air which is introduced through pipe iii and into this chamber through tangentially disposed air inlet 5|. When the pressure has been built up within the chamber 59, the diaphragm it will bulge in snap fashion outwardly to the right as shown in Figure 4 at which time an appreciable opening will occur around the noseA portion 25a to allow `the air in this chamber to be emitted through this opening.

. It should be noted that the air inlet 5| projects tangentially downwardly and inwardly to- 'ward the center, see Figure 6, which will cause the air to have a swirling Y effect as it passes through the air orifice 49 disposed around the restricted'portion 25a. Air is also allowed to enter the cylinder lill through opening. 54 simultaneously with the air entering the chamber 59. When this is done the pressure within the cylinder 49 against the piston 38 will cause the spring 42 to be compressed which, in turn, will move the pin 31 to the left in Figure 4 and cause the point 44 to be withdrawn from the liquid orice 21, Then the liquid will be drawn through the orifice 21 by the Vacuum produced by the swirling blasts of air which are emitted through the hole 49 in the central portion of snap diaphragm 4B.

When the swirling blasts of air are emitted around this orifice a vacuum will be created which will cause the liquid to be drawn upwardly from container through pipe 3| and into the bore 2B and then outwardly through the orifice 21 where it is atomized.

I There is a pronounced tendency for gum and other foreign particles to accumulate around the restricted portion 25a. thus cutting down the size of the air orifice, therefore, the snap diaphragm 48 has beenl provided which, when not in operation, occupies the position shown in Figure 5. When the air pressure is relieved in chamber 59 this snap diaphragm 48 will snap back to the position shown` in Figure 5 and at the same time the exterior portion of the nose portion 25a will be simultaneously cleansed while the orifice 21 is penetrated by the restricted portion V44.

Figures 7 to13 inclusive show a modied form of the invention which has the bracket Ell with air'inle't pipe 6| secured therein. To the upper end of pipe 6| is secured a fitting 64 by any suitable means sueh as collar 65, said fitting 94 being secured to the portionli of the apparatus. The right-.hand end of portion 56 has a cap member 81 threadably secured thereon and between,A this cap and portionGB is confined a snap diaphragm 68 having a hole 12 therein.

diaphragm 6B. In other words, the hole 12 in the central portion of the snap diaphragm 68 is #concentric with the hole 59 in the central portion of cap 91. This member 66 has a chamber 10 therein into which air pressure is admitted from pipe 6| through air inlet 1| This inlet progresses downwardly and inwardly, see Figures l0, 11, 12, and 13, to cause swirling blasts of air within the chamber 1.0 in a similar manner to the inlet 5i shown and described with relation to Figure 6.

, Mounted in the central portion of member 66 is a liquid dispensing member which has a peripheral groove 16 cut in the exterior portion thereof whicngroove communicates with perforations 11 .to allow the liquid to be drawn inwardly p to the central portion of nozzle member 15 into lows 91, said bellows 91 having its other end,

secured to another collar 99. The collar 88 is threadably secured to the threaded portion of pin 89, which pin has a washer 9d thereon which is disposed between Vthe collar 99 and said head portion. 4 s

The eXtremeleft-hand end of pin 89 has a snap diaphragm 9| secured thereon by means of suit` able nuts 93 and'94 disposed on each side of theV diaphragm and which are also threadably secured on the end of said pin. 'Ihis diaphragm is held in position against the member B6 by means of a suitable cap 91 which is threadably secured on the left-hand end of member 66. This cap has a borer98 in the central portion thereof, said bore having a vent hole 99 therein for allowing the air to enter and escape therefrom when the diaphragm 9| is actuated from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure l0.,

A compression spring |99 is mounted inrsaid bore 98 and has the right-hand end thereof normally engaging the nut 94 to maintain the diaphragm in the position shown in Figure 12 when no air pressure ispresent in chamber |02. When the air pressure is set up in pipe 6| it ows into a chamber |92 through an inlet |03 and exerts pressure against the diaphragm 9| to cause it to snap outwardly to the position shown in Figure l 10. when thisfis done the pin 89 will be moved to the left to cause the point on the extreme right- I hand end thereof -to be withdrawn from the orice 19 to allow the liquid to be drawn therefrom.

Simultaneously with the snapping of the diaphragm 9| the pressure will be set up in the Y chamber 1|) to likewise cause the diaphragm 68 to be snapped outwardly from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 1l.

This will allow an appreciable Opening'around the nose or tip of member 15 andthe opening in the central portion of diaphragm 68 through which the air will be forced. Y

The swift, swirling movement caused bythe expulsion ofthe air around the nozzle of member 15 will create a vacuum at this point -thereby drawing the liquid from the container I I upwardto the position'shown in Figure 12 at which time the point 89a will penetrate the orifice 19 and at the same time the opening in the central portion of the diaphragm 68 will move backwardly around the nose portion of member 15 to remove any particles or foreign matter therefrom.

Figures 14 to 18 inclusive show another modied form of the invention in which the bracket |05 has secured therein an air inlet pipe |06, said pipe being secured to fitting |01 by any suitable means such as a collar |08. The fitting |01 is secured in member"`|09 and furnishes means for introducing the air into the interior of the apparatus as at ||0.

p A liquid inlet pipe ||2 is secured to the lefthand end of member |09 by means of a collar II3. The projection ||4, which is integral with member |09, has a threaded bore ||1 on the interior thereof in which is threadably mounted a pin H5, said pin ||5 having a bore ||6 therein which communicates with pipe ||2 to allow the liquid to enter into bore ||1.

Bore ||1 has slidably mounted therein a tubular member ||9 which is also slidably mounted in a nut |20. The nut |20 is threadably secured in the right-hand portion of member |09 and has secured to the right-hand end thereof a bellows v |2 l; said bellows I2| having its other end secured to a head portion |22 of tubular member ||9.

The tubular member has a restricted nose portion |24 on the right-hand end thereof having an orifice |23 therein through which the liquid is adapted to be expelled (Fig. 17). When the liquid enters into the bore I1 from the pipe l2 it passes between the pin ||5 and the interior of tubular member ||9 and then to the oriflce |23.

The restricted nose portion |24 has threadably secured thereon a nut |21 which nut has secured to one side thereof a bellows |28 having flexible walls. This bellows has its other end secured to a washer |29 and this washer is held in contact with the right-hand portion of member |09 by suitable means such as a flange |26 on the inside of a cup or .cylindrical member |30 which is threadably secured to member |09.

In order to allow for the expansion and contraction of the bellows |28 within the member |30 a vent hole |3| is provided. The air enters through the pipe |06 and into the interior of the apparatus through the inlet ||0. It-then passes into the interior of bellows |28 and on the exterior of bellows |2| and thence through an opening |33 into a peripheral groove |34 cut in the nose portion 24.

When there is no air pressure within the apparatus the parts assume the position shown in Figures 16 and 18. It will be noted in this position that the extreme right-hand end of nose |24 is a substantial distance away from the orifice A |36. When the air enters the inlet ||0 the bellows |2| and |28 lare expanded, thereby forcing the orifice |23, which is in the right-hand end of nose |24,` to the position shown in Fig. 17, in which position the nose |24 penetrates and cleans the orice |36. l

There is an appreciable clearance between the nose portion of the orifice |23 and the orince |36 around which the air is expelled in swirling blasts, which blasts are caused toswirl by virtue of the spiralled grooves |35 cut in the nose portion. The pressure set up within the bellows |28 is suflicient to overcome the compression of a spring |40`which is mounted between the righthand side of nut |21 and the interior end portion of cylinder 30. Therefore, the right-hand restricted portion of nut |21 will be forced inwardly into a cavity or bore |42 and the restricted portion ||5a ofpin ||5 will vremain in stationary position while the nose portion |24 will move to the right to cause the orifice |23 to be moved beyond the end portion ||5 A of the pin I5 so that the liquid will be drawn therefrom by virtue of the vacuum produced by the swirling blasts of air which are emitted from the orifice 23 around the nose portion of the orifice. vIt is evident that when the pressure is relieved within the bellows |28 that the compression spring |40 will move the parts back to the position -shown in Figures 16 and 18 which will cause the point |5a to penetrate the orifice |23 to remove any foreign particles which might have accumulated therein.

Figures 19 to 23 inclusivev show still another modified form of the invention in which a pair of resilient concavo-convex resilient disks such as rubber are used instead of a bellows in order to operate the means for penetrating the fluid nozzle. This form has the particular advantage of being Very simple in construction and eliminates the necessity for providing a vent hole as shown in the previous figures, and also insures against leakage of compressed air.

The operability of this structure is dependent upon a pair of suitable concavo-convex rubber wall members or whose peripheries are clamped in spaced relation to each other in such a manner that when air is introduced between the disks that the central portions thereof will be caused to bulge or snap and operate the cleansing means for the stationary fluid orifice.

It is evident that if suitable oil resisting resilient material can be obtained for forming these portions the air and liquid chambers can be separated with little probability of a leakage therebetween. Ihe construction of a bellows that will not leak after continued use, is a very diicult task, especially if the conservation of space is an important item; therefore where suitable material can be found two small rubber disks are inserted in lieu of the bellows.

The body |54 has a suitable liquid nozzle |60 threadably secured therein, said nozzle having a bore |6| in the central portion thereof through which the liquid ,is adapted to flow and be atomized as at orifice v|63 by the air which is expelled around the nozzle through the air orifice |64. The air orifice |64 is disposed in the central portion of snap diaphragm |65. Said snapdiaphragm being held in position on the right-hand end of body |54 by any suitable means such as a cap |66 which is threadably secured on the body, said cap having a hole |61 in the central portion thereof.

The construction of the right-hand end of the position shown in Figure 2. The diaphragm |12 device is very similar to the-form shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, and a. further description is not deemed necessary at this time.

A suitable pin or plunger is threadably secured in the right-hand end of member |1|, said member |1| having mounted thereon resilient concavo-convex diaphragms 12 and |13. These diaphragms are circular in construction and are mounted in a suitabie bore m in the left-hand end of the body |54 as shown in Figures 21 and 22. They are preferably of rubber and are so molded as to` have a tendency to move to the has one edge thereof pressed against a suitable shoulder |14a in the bore |14 in the left-hand end of body |54 and resting upon the opposed side of the diaphragm is a suitable spacer ring |15. This ring |15 is inserted between the proximate surfaces of the rubber diaphragms |12 and |13. Since the ring has an enlarged opening in its central portion, a suitable space foran air compartment |51 is provided. Adjacent the lefthand edge of diaphragm |13 is a washer |11 against which the cap |18 is adapted to rest when the cap is threadably secured in the left-hand end of body |54 for closing bore |14. It is to be observed that disk |12 has less surface exposed to compressed air than disk |13. This causes compressed air between the rubber disks or diaphragms to move the assembly carrying the pin itl to the left in Figure 22 against the force exerted by spring |86. i

, lit is thus seen that the peripheries of the concavo-convex diaphragms |12 and |13 are held in stationary position.

From the bore I 90 the liquid will withdraw the point of member |10 from the orifice |63. At this time, spring |86 will be compressed and the water will be drawn through the orifice |63. Simultaneously with this operation the snap diaphragm will move to the position shown in Figure 22 under the air pressure in chamber |58. When the air is released the parts will assume the position shown in Figure 21.

under the pressure of the spring .|86.

It is thus seen, by this arrangement that it is impossible for the liquid to enter into the air compartment |51 at any time since all joints in the compartment are tightly sealed.

As has been stated, the material o'f which members |12 and |13 are made is preferably of synthetic rubber which willl resist theeffect of oil, since oil is very often present in an atomizing Huid. It is possible to obtain the snapaction necessary for the operation of the plunger |10 without damaging the rubber or the diaphragm, even if the central portion of the diaphragms |12 and |13 are bulged about avery- 1. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduit provided with a 'nozzlel and a chamber fortan atomizing iiuid under pressure surrounding said nozzle and havingva movable terminal wall provided with an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally positioned to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle but moved into proper atomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by the pressure of the atomizing fluid.

2. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduit provided with a nozzle and achamber foran atomizing fluid under pressure surrounding said nozzle and having a movable terminal wall provided with an outlet coaxial Awith said nozzle and normally positioned to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved vinto proper atomizing position.

relatively to said nozzle by the pressure of the atomizing fluid, a cleaning member positioned in said nozzle, resilient means normallycausing said cleaning member to penetrate and clean the outlet of said nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of said atomizing uid to effect separation of said' cleaning member from'the outlet 3. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a liquid conduit having a nozzle, a conduit for air under pressure including a'chamber surrounding said nozzle provided -with a movable terminal wall member having an outlet coaxial with and nor-I mally penetrated and closed by said nozzle in the `absence of air pressure, said terminal wall member being moved by air pressure 'when supplied toV said air conduit to such a position relative to said nozzle as to eifect atomizing discharge of the liquid, and cleaning means arranged to pene' trate and clean said nozzle outlet upon release of said air pressure.

4. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a liquid conduit having a nozzle, a conduit for air under pressure including a chamber surrounding said 4nozzle provided with a movable terminalwall 35 member having an outlet coaxial with and normally penetrated and closed by said nozzle in the absence of air pressure, and nozzle cleaning means independent of the movement of said terminal wall, located axially within said nozzle, normally penetrating and closing the outlet thereof in the absence of air pressure, the pressure of4 said-air when admitted to said chamber being eiective to cause such separation between said movable terminal wall member and said nozzle and between said nozzle and said independent cleaning means as to produce eiective atomization of the liquid by said air under pressure.

5. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a. conduit for liquid and a conduit for air under pressure having coaxially disposed outlets, tne outlet for said air under pressure being provided in a movable wall member actuated by said-air under pressure to eiect the relative positioning of said outlets in atomizing relation, the outlet for said liquid being provided in a nozzle which in the absence of said air pressure penetrates and cleans the outlet for air, and additional cleaning means for said outlet for liquid which, in the absence of said ir pressure, penetrates and cleans the outlet for liquid and which, when said air pressure is acting, is in non-penetrating relation to said outlet for liquid.

6. Atomizing apparatus comprising a casing having an air chamber and a bellows chamber, a liquid nozzle mounted in said air chamber and having a discharge outlet, a snap diaphragm closing said air chamber upon reduction of air pressure in said air chamber and having an orifice therein serving as an air nozzle upon increase of air pressure and, occupying a position where the liquid nozzle projects into said orifice, a liquid conducting pipe communicating with the interior of said liquid nozzle, a compressed air conducting pipe having communication with said air champlunger-whereby, an' increase of air pressure in said chambers will. serve to snap the :first-named diaphragm to move it from contact with the' liquid nozzle and also .to move the plunger from the discharge outlet of said liquid nozzle.

7. A liquid atomizer comprising a tubular liquid nozzle connected to a supply of liqud, an air chamber coaxially surrounding said liquid nozzle and connected to a supply of air under pressure, a snap-action diaphragm composed of resilient material disposed coaxially with, and constituting the outer wall of said air chamber, said diaphragm having a central aperture and being sub- V plunger\normally penetrating the bore of said liquid nozzle, said plunger being operated by means responsive to said predetermined air pressure, to be withdrawn from the bore of said liquid nome in combination operable to maintain continuous atomization only during the prevalence of said predetermined air pressure.

8. Atomizing apparatus comprising a, liquid nozzle having an air chamber surrounding the same and terminating at its outer end in a centrally apertured exible diaphragm of resilient material and having an initial inward warp, acting normally to engage the periphery of said aperture with the outer surface of said liquid nozzle, a conduit for air under pressure communicating with said air chamber, a conduit for liquid communicating with said nozzle, a plunger' slidably mounted in said nozzle, an extensible bellows surrounding a portion of said plunger and secured by air-tight joints at its inner end to said plunger and at-its outer end to said liquid nozzle, a piston mounted at its inner end on said plunger, a cylindrical casing secured at its outer en d to said liquid nozzle and extending inwardly therefrom to enclose said bellows and to supply sliding contact with 'said piston, said casing also having` internal communication with said com-..

pressed air conduit, and spring means acting normally to force said plunger outwardly to penetrate said uid nozzle operating in response to a predetermined air pressure to force said diaphragm outward to present an outlet for said air from said air chamber and to withdraw said plunger from said liquid nozzle thereby to maintain continuous atomizationin response to said air pressure and to discontinue said atomization upon interruption of said air supply.

9. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduit provided with a noz?-l zle and a chamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure surrounding said nozzle having an elastically yieldable-wall provided with an outlet normally penetrated' by said nozzle, but moved into proper atomizing relation thereto by the pressure of said atomizing iluid, cleaning means normally positioned to penetrate the outlet of said nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of said atomizing -uid to retract said cleaning means from said liquid nozzle to permit delivery of liquid therefrom. I

10. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduit provided with a nozzle and a chamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure surrounding said nozzle having a thin snap diaphragm provided with an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally distorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved into proper atomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by the fluid pressure of the atomizing fluid. y

1l. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a liquid conduit provided with a nozzle and a chamber for an atomizing 1l id under pressure surrounding said nozzle and Aaving a snap diaphragm provided with an outlet coaxial with said nozzle and normally distorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved into proper atomizing position relatively to said nozzle outlet by the uid pressure of the atomizing iluid, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said nozzle, resilient means normally causing said plunger to penetrate and clean the outlet of said nozzle, and means operated by the pressure of said atomizing uid to retractsald plunger from the outlet of said nozzle.

12. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a delivery chamber for an atomizing iluid under pressure and a pressure chamber, means for supplying'iluid under pressure to said atomizing reiation to said nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted invsaid conduit having an end portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, resilient means acting upon the other end of said plunger' normally causing said plunger to penetrate the nozzle outlet and. operated by the pressure of the atomizing fluid when admitted'to said pressure chamber to retract said plunger from nozzle-penetrating position.

` 13. A self-cleaning atomizer comprisinga casing having a delivery chamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber', means for supplying uid under pressure to said chambers, a liquid conduit mounted in said casing having a nozzle projecting into said delivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snap diaphragm insaid delivery chamber having an outlet and normally distorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, butA moved by the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizing relation to said nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said conduit having an end portion adapted to` penetrate the nozzle outlet, resilient means normally causing said plunger to penetrate the nozzle outlet, plunger-actuating means in said pressure chamber operated by the pressure of the atomizing fluid when admitted to said pressure chamber to retract said plunger from nozzle penetrating position, and impervious iiexible means connected to said plunger-actuating means i'or preventing the atomizing fluid from entering said liquid conduit.

14. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a delivery chamber for an -atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chambers, a liquid conduit mounted in said casing having a nozzle projecting into said delivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snap diaphragm in said delivery chamber having an outlet and normally distorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved by the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizing relation to said nozzle, a plunger repicrocably mounted in said conduit having an end portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, a spring acting upon the other end of said plunger normally causing said plunger to penel trate said nozzle outlet, and a snap diaphragm-.'

of resilient material intermediate of said spring and saidplunger operated by the pressure of `the atomizing fluid when admitted to said pressure chamber suddenlyto retract said plunger-'from nozzle-penetrating position'.

15j-A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a casing having a delivery chamber for an atomizing fluid under pressure and a pressure chamber, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said chambers, a liquid conduit mounted in sadrcasing having a nozzle projecting into said delivery chamber, means for supplying liquid to said nozzle, a snap diaphragm in said delivery chamber having an outlet and normally distorted to cause its outlet to be penetrated by said nozzle, but moved by the pressure of the atomizing fluid into proper atomizing relation to said nozzle, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said conduit having an end portion adapted to penetrate the nozzle outlet, a spring acting upon the other end of said plunger normally causing said plunger to penetrate said nozzle outlet, a snap diaphragm of resilient material intermediate of said spring and said plunger operated by the pressure of the plunger for preventing the atomizing fluid from` entering the liquid conduit.

, atomizing fluid when admitted to said pressure 16. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a tul bular liquid nozzle connected with a supply of liquid, an air chamber coaxially surrounding said liquid nozzle and connected to a supply of air under pressure, a snap diaphragm composed of resilient material disposed coaxially` with and constituting the terminal wall of said air chamber,`said diaphragm having a central aperture and being subject to an initial warp operable normally to close said aperture by registration thereof upon the outer surface of said liquid noz- -tion only during the continuance of said pre-'i determined air pressure.

17. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising a tubular memberhaving an outlet for liquid supplied thereto, ana'nnular chamber coaxially surroundingsaid ,liquid outlet, and having a movable terminal wall member provided with an outlet for air and operable in the absence of air pressure to maintain closure of said air outlet by registration thereof with the outer surface of said liquid outlet, cleaning means slidable axially Within said tubular member operable normally to occupy and close the outlet thereof and means operated responsive to the pressure of air when supplied to said chamber to withdraw said cleaning means from said liquid outlet and to cause separation of said liquid outlet and said air outlet in combination operable to maintain continuous atomizing operation only during the maintenance of a predetermined air pressure in said f chamber.

to separate said air outle'. from said liquid noz- Y zle only during the presence of air under pres- .sure in said chamber and movable-means normally operable to penetrate the bore of said liquid nozzlefrom within .and operated only upon theV admission of air under pressure to said chamber to be withdrawnfyfrovn the bore of said centric with said liquid nozzle and normally closed forcibly by engagement therewith, said closure member being operated to cause separation of said orifice from said liquid nozzle only in response to the pressure of air when supplied to said chamber, axially slidable cleaning means operable normally to occupy the bore of said liquid nozzle by forcible penetration thereof, and means operated only by the pressure of air when supplied to said chamber to forcibly withdraw said slidablemeans from the bore of said liquid nozzle irrcnbination operable to cause forcible displacement of foreign matter from said orifice and from the bore of said liquid nozzle upon each interruption of the supply of air to said chamber. A

20. A self-cleaning atomizer, a chamber operatively connected with a supply of compressed air and terminating in a closure member composed of resilient material subject Ato an initial warp and provided with a central outletorice, a nozzle for the discharge of liquid operatively connected with a supply 'thereof and disposed within and coaxially of said chamber with the outlet of said nozzle operable normally to penetrate and forcibly close said orice against the resilient resistance due to said warp in said closure member and operated only in response to the continuous supply of said compressed air to open said outlet orifice for the escape of air-- from saidchamber by displacement of said resilient member, movable cleaning means operable normally to forcibly penetrate and close the bore of said liquid nozzle and means secured to said movable means operated only responsive to the continuous supply of said compressed air to withdraw said movable means from the bore of said-nozzle, in combination operable to maintain continuous atomization by the aspirating action of said escaping air during the continuous supply thereof vand to discontinue said atomization and clean said orice and the bore of said nozzle upon interruption of said supply of air.

21. A self-cleaning atomizer comprising three coaxial members, two of which are relatively and independently movable, one of said coaxial members having a circular outlet aperture for ing cleaning means for'penetrating said liquid outlet, the said members being relatively positioned by the pressure of the fluid for atomization of liquid while supplied with fluid under pressure, and means actuated by changes'in the pressure of the atomizing fluid incident to interruption of the supply thereof to cause said tubular extension to pass through and clean said fluid outlet and to cause vsaid penetrating means to pass through and clean said liquid outlet.

22. An atomzer comprising a casing containing mechanism includingV resiliently movable pressure-actuated means so; constructed and arranged relatively to said casing as to provide a iirst passageway havingv a main outlet for the discharge of a uild under pressure when supplied to said passageway and a second passageway having an outlet for the discharge of a supply of liquid by way of said main outlet and to effect atomization of said liquid by the action of said fluid, said mechanism including a member having said main outlet and movable in response to changes in fluid pressure and another member effective to clean said main outlet by traversing the same upon changes in pressure incidental to the interruption of the supply of said fluid.

23. An atomizer comprising a casing containing mechanism including resiliently movable pressure-actuated means so constructed and arranged relatively to said casing as to provide a rst passageway having a main outlet for the discharge of a uid under pressure when supplied to said passageway and a second passageway having an outlet for the discharge of a supply of liquid by way of said main outlet and to effect atomization of said liquid by the action of said fluid, said mechanism including in-4 terruption of the supply thereof.

WILLIAM B. HODGE.I