US2550164A - Insecticide atomizer - Google Patents

Description

April 24, 1951 H. R. RICH 2,550,164

INSECTICIDE ATOMIZER Filed July 31, 1947 mmvrog. [7 marzfZfic/z,

BY Mwm Patented Apr. 24, 1951 INSECTICIDE ATOMIZER Hyman Richard Rich, Chicago, 111., assignor to West Disinfecting Company, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation 01; New York Application July 31, 1947, Serial No. 764,974

2 Claims. (01. 299-86) 5 The present invention relate generally to atomizers, and more particularly to a spraying type of atomizer for atomizing a liquid insecticide and spreading it in a form of cloud or fog over a relatively large area.

factories, Warehouses, bakeries, kitchens and in- 'numerable other situations where insect control is desired.

In order to be effective, where insect kill is desired, the liquid insecticide should be diffused into a veritable fog. My improved atomizer has been designed and constructed to disseminate a relatively dry mist of insect-killing droplets of extremely small size, about eight microns or so. As aresult of thisextremely fine atomization, no condensation is noticeable, at least the extremely small particles will'not wet or condense on tables, walls, etc., or any other equipment with which they come in contact provided that the atomizer is in operation the proper length of time.

Another particular feature of my improved atomizer herein disclosed is an improved constant level feed arrangement which automatically maintains the liquid insecticide at a substantially constant level in the tank or'liquid reservoir from which the aspirating nozzles draw the insecticide. This constant level control is obtained by supplying the insecticide through a supply pipe to the atomizer under a constantly acting pressure or gravity head, and utilizing a float controlled inlet valve associated with the atomizer for maintaining a substantially constant liquid level in the liquid reservoir of the atomizer. This feature avoids the labor of feeding the liquid reservoir by hand-pouring from another container, and avoids the uncertainties and irregularities of such hand feeding. In some installations there may be a large number of these atomizing units, and in most instances they are disposed quite closeto the ceiling of the These insecticide atomizers have very widespread application to 1' other nozzles. 30

room, from which it will be seen that it is quite .a laborious task to hand feed a large number of these atomizer units. My improved automatically operating constant level control is also advantageous over prior types of feed systems which are manually turned on at intervals when it appears to the operator that the supply in the atomizer reservoirs may be getting low. This stillleaves the supply of the liquid insecticide subject to human error and forgetfulness. Still further, such manually controlled feeding arrangements necessarily result in wide Variations of liquid level iri each reservoir, starting with a relatively high level immediately after each feed ing interval and then 'dropping'down to a-low level or no level at allafter a series of spraying operations or after'a relatively long spraying operation. Such wide'variations of liquid level adversely affect the" desired object of producing an extremely fine atomization for obtaininga relatively dry mist of extremely small droplets. When the device is subject to a wid rangeof liquidlevel, the 'aspirating nozzle from which the liquid is atomized lift the liquid through'a relatively short head when the liquid level in the reservoir is high, and lift the liquid through a relatively large head when the liquid level in the reservoir is low. This variation of suction lift results in objectionable variations in the atomi- -zation of the liquid at the nozzle outlet. This objection is avoided by my improved atomizer characterized by a float controllet inlet valve which maintains a substantially constant level of the liquid insecticide in the reservoir.

In my improved atomizer I preferably employ approximately ten or twelve separate liquid'nozzles, and I arrangeeach of these .nozzles to draw liquid from the reservoir through its "own individual feed 'tube,so that the-accidental, plugging or restriction ofone'liquid nozzl or its individual feed tube will notdisturb the feed to the other nozzles nor th effective liquid level supplying. the

The aspiration and atomization of the liquid insecticide at each liquid nozzle is effected by a high velocity jet of gas projected'in predetermined aspirating relation to the liquid nozzle.

This gas is usually compressed air, but where that is not readily available it is also practicable to employ steam, carbon dioxide or any-other suitable gas under pressure as the'propellant "and. atomizing medium. This compressed air, steam orcgas is fed to each atomizing unit through asystem of pipin which is substantially parallel to the system of piping which supplies theliquid insecticide to the atomizing unit. Another feature which I employ in my--improved atomizer is a unit assembly arrangement wherein each atomizer has a section of liquid supply pipeand a section of air supply pipe fixedly joined thereto in the unit assembly, so

that each atomizer and its associated sections of liquid supply pipe and air supply pipe are shipped as a unit, delivered asa unit, and installed as a unit. This simplifies the handling and the installation problem andgreatly reduces the number of connections which have to be made by the workman-in the installation ofthe atomizer.

Other features, objects and advantages of the 3. invention will appear from the following detail description of certain preferred embodiments thereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of my invention adapted for fixed installation;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the liquid reservoir showing the arrangement of the liquid aspirating nozzles and the air jet no'z- 4 zles; and H V p Figure 3 is a detail view showing the float controlled inlet valve. V g M e Referring first to Figure 1, the atomizer alone is designated Ill, and comprises a liquid reservoir ll, preferably in the form of a casting composed of aluminum or one of the lighter non-corrosive alloys. As shown in Figure 2, the reservoir is of substantially cylindricalform except that along the:upper portion. it is formed with a flat deck wall l2'through which extend the liquid aspiratin'g nozzles I3. Formed integral with the reservoir and extending longitudinally above the lienter of this top deck wall I2 is an air conduit or manifold I l from which extends the air jet nozzles [5 in aspirating relation to the liquid atomizingnozzles [3. This air manifold i4 is integrally joined with the liquid reservoir through the Vertical rib Hi. The Ends Of the reservoir chamber ll have relatively large openings [8 cored therein; which are adapted to be closed by removable end plates I9 secured to the reservoir casting by cap screws 2|. I The automatic float valve mechanism is inserted into the reservoir l'l through one of these end openin s 18, as I m presently describe. A top filler opening M is also mounted 'ina'thre'aded mounting sleeve or bushmg 21 provided with a hexagonal head portion 28. The threaded bushing?! screws down into a threaded hole 29 the Shelf Oi deck portion I? of the reservoir, When screwed into place, the

Loi the tube extends down substantially below the substantially constant liquid -ieve1 maintained in' the reservoir II. T prefsta ly insert a small sleeve in the lower end of the tune 26. This sleeve prevents any dirt sarucies entering the tube which might lodge as higherle'vel in the tube, and such sleeve can also be utilized for calibrating or metering purposes, if desired. If desired, the threaded mounting plug 2I can be screwed upwardly or downwardly in the hole and 'diiierent thicknesses of shims may be employe under the hekagonalhead '28, if it should be desired to adjust the upper discharge nd 5f ube 26 toa predetermined point relative to thelevel enue air discharge stream occurring from the associated air 'jet nozzle I5.

Reierring now to the construction and mountmg ofathese air Je n z le t -a m mas. i

' forrned with a series o'fspaced po s projecting laterally from each side thereof at points corresponding to each of the liquid nozzles I3.

These bosses are angularly inclined at increasing angles each way from the central jet so as to give a wide angle of distribution covering almost the entire circular area around the insecticide atomizer. Each of these bosses 3| has an internally threaded passageway 32 opening into the interior of the air manifold. The air nozzle l5 comprises a threaded shank portion 33 and a hexagonal head portion 34, the threaded shank portion being screwed into the threaded passageway 32. The discharge orifice of the air nozzle is disposed substantially on a line with the tip end of the fuel nozzle l3.

Referring now to the automatic float valve mechanism, the liquid insecticide is conducted to the atomizer unit through the supply tube 35 which has detachable coupling with an inlet fitting '36. This inlet fitting has a threaded stem portion 31 which passes through an aperture in one of the cover plates [9, being secured to this cover plate by nuts 39 screwing over the stem. A bracket extension 4| projecting from the inner end 'of the threaded stern carries a transverse pivot pin 4-2. This bracket extension is longitudinally slotted, and a lever M is mounted in this slot for pivotal movement around the pivot pin 42. The upper end of said lever is pivotally connected at 45 with a valve stern 46 which extends into the fitting 'o'r valve body 36 and carries an inlet valve 4'! at its inner end adapted to close an inlet part '38. The lower end of the lever 44 has connection with an arm extending from one end of a relatively long cylindrical float 52. If desired, the connection between. the lever A}! and arm 5| may be arranged for angular adjustment, as by providing a threaded hole 53 in the lever and utilizing a clamping screw which threads into this opening for irictionaHy clamping the lever arid arm together in any desired angular setting. This adjustment enables the predetermined liquid level within the reservoir to be set at any desired point. The float 52 and the valve operating linkage 51 and M areso proportioned that they can be readily inserted into the reservoir through the end opening [8, This fioat controlled inlet valve is operative to maintain a substantially constant liquid level within the reservoir ll between very close limits. 7 e

Theinsecticide supply tube 35 is 'connected with the outlet side of an insecticide strainer 55. This may be of conventional type comprising a fine mesh straining screen and also a glass bowl servmg as a trap for removing sediment and any heavier liquids. The inlet side of this strainer isconne'cted through any conventional pipe fittings 55 with the insecticide supply "pipe or header i qn .5

litef erring now to the compressed 'air connect ion to the air manifold it, both ends of this manifold have internally threaded bosses 6!, and a nipple 62 extends from one of these bosses for connection with the outlet side of an air strainer 63. This strainer comprises a fine mesh screen for removing any dirt or foreign particles from the air stream which might plug any of the air "jet nozzles 15. In addition, this strainer may also include a blow-off valve. The inlet side of this strainer has connection through conventional pipe fittings 65 with the air supply pipe or air header 65.

Referringnow to the above described unit as- "semblyarrangement wherein the atomizer ll, liquid strainer 55, air strainer 63, liquid header 58 andair header 66 are all assembled as a unit, transported as a unit, and installed as a unit,

. ceiling and then coupling these it will be seen that the air and liquid headers are disposed in superposed relation directly above the center of the atomizer II and extending Ion-- gitudinally thereof. The two headers or supply line sections 58 and 56 are coupled together in vertically spaced relation by double pipe clamps H, H. Each double clamp consists of two duplicate straps or stampings having semicircular bends l2 embracing opposite sides of the header pipes, and having flat end and intermediate portions 13 which are clamped together by bolts M. A hanger bar 75 engages over the upper bolt 14 between the upper clamping ends 13, and carries a ceiling lag screw 16 at its upper end adapted to be screwed up into the ceiling of the room or other enclosure, In this manner, the entire unit assembly can be quickly and easily hung in place by merely screwing the lag screws 16 into the lag screws to the hanger bars 15 by the bolts 11.

The right hand end of the atomizer H is suspended from the adjacent hanger by screwing a I short nipple "18 into the right hand threaded boss of the air manifold and closing off this nipple by an end cap 79. A clamping band BI is then clamped around the nipple l8 and is connected to the lower end of the adjacent hanger assembly by a bolt 82. The liquid and air supply headers 58 and 66 may be provided with conventional threaded ends for receiving standard couplings or unions, or the ends of these headers may be furnished with any desired coupling or union devices, for establishing ready connection with sections of pipe leading to other unit assemblies or to the sources of insecticide supply or air supply. Thus, it will be seen that the entire assembly shown in Figure 1 can be constructed, shipped, sold and installed as a single unit, so that it is only necessary to mount the lag screws 16 and establish appropriate pipe connections with the ends of the supply headers 58 and 66. Flat supporting feet 84 project laterally from the bottom of the reservoir I l for supporting the assembly in upright position during shipment, storage and the like.

Instead of being stationarily mounted, my improved atomizer can be constructed and arranged for movement through the area to be sprayed. For example, my atomizer may be used for spraying the interiors of railroad passenger cars at the end of the run or at periodic intervals when the cars are being cleaned. For this type of service, my improved atomizer is mounted on parallel runners, similar to sled runners. which are fastened to the horizontal supporting feet 84. The atomizer is then slowly pulled along the aisle of the car, so that the atomizing nozzles project the liquid insecticide in all directions under the car seats and into the edges and grills of the railroad car. The compressed air is supplied to the atomizer through a flexible hose, which can be used to pull the atomizer along the aisle. For thistype of service the atomizer may be provided with additional vertical nozzles which direct the insecticide fog into the upper strata of the car, thereby penetrating the air-cooling system where vermin may be nesting.

I preferably employ air pressures ranging anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds per square inch in each of the above described embodiments of the invention.

While I have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, nevertheless, it will be understood that they are merely exemplary and that numerous modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the invention.

I claim:

1. In an insecticide atomizer, the combination of a liquid-holding tank for liquid insecticide,

said tank consisting of an elongated cylindrical container having a flat top, an air manifold secured on and located above the flat top, said manifold including a plurality of air jets extending from its opposite sides, a liquid siphon tube for each jet extending through the flat top of the tankv and entering into the tank, the upper end of each tube being positioned adjacent to one of the jets and above the flat top, an air-supply pipe located above and extending substantially parallel to the air manifold and coupled to one end of said manifold, a liquid-supply pipe located above the air-supply pipe and extending substantially parallel thereto, said liquid supply pipe being coupled to the tank, float-controlled valve means associated with said tank for automatically maintaining a substantially constant liquid level therein, hangers coupling together the air manifold and the air and liquid-supply pipes, and supporting means at the bottom of the tank on which the tank can be rested and on which said tanks and the pipes coupled there to can be moved as a unit.

2. In an insecticide atomizer, the combination of a liquid-holding tank for liquid insecticide, the tank consisting of an elongated container, an air manifold secured on and located above the top of the container, said manifold being provided with air jet nozzles, siphon tubes for the air jet nozzles entering the tank and having upper ends located adjacent to the air jet nozzles, an air supply pipe located above the tank and above the manifold, one end of the manifold being connected into said pipe, a suspension hanger connected to the other end of the manifold and having a part embracing the air-supply pipe, a fluid supply pipe arranged parallel to the air-supply pipe, the fluid supply pipe being connected to one end of the tank, the suspension hanger having a part embracing the fluid supply pipe and maintaining it in spaced and parallel relation to the air pipe, and a second suspension hanger extending between the air and fluid supply pipes and holding the same in spaced and parallel relation.

HYMAN RICHARD RICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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