WO1996014163A1

WO1996014163A1 - A method and device for atomizing fluids

Info

Publication number: WO1996014163A1
Application number: PCT/DK1995/000436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steen Erik Holm; Karl Holm
Original assignee: Danmist Aps
Priority date: 1994-11-02
Filing date: 1995-11-02
Publication date: 1996-05-17
Also published as: EP0789629A1; AU3802195A; BR9509572A; FI971893A0; FI971893A; NO972055D0; MX9703311A; NO972055L; JPH10508248A; NZ294829A; CA2204385A1

Abstract

A method and a device for atomizing fluid, for instance Diesel oil in an internal combustion engine, where an impact body (86) having an impact surface (87) is arranged on a piston (81) of a Diesel engine cylinder and a second impact body (71) having an impact surface (73) is slideably arranged under the influence of a coil spring (70) in the cylinder head (69) of the cylinder. Diesel oil is provided to the surface (73) from an inlet (80) through conduits (78, 76, 75 and 74). The movement of the piston (81) towards the cylinder head (69) results in impact of the surfaces (73 and 87) thereby atomizing the Diesel oil therebetween at the appropriate moment to achieve optimum combustion of the fuel.

Description

A Method and a Device for Atomizing Fluids

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for atomizing fluids and a device for carrying out said method.

Background Arr.

A method and a device of the type to which this invention relates is disclosed in WO 94/25176 corresponding to a co- owned pending patent application. From this publication it is known to atomize fluid by providing a predetermined quantity of fluid between a first surface and a second surface spaced from one another, whereafter the two surfaces are moved towards one another until the first surface essentially over its entire extent essentially is in contact with the second surface and at such a speed that the fluid between the two surfaces is pressed out to the ambience via the periphery of the surfaces with a velocity sufficient to atomize the fluid.

Hereby it is obtained to form a spray of fluid with a majority of droplets with a diameter less than 10 microns without the use of propellant and with low energy requirements which renders the method and the device for carrying out the method well suited for administering medicinal solutions or suspensions for inhalation.

For administering different medical substances through the membranes of the lung it is important and even essential that the droplet size be small enough to penetrate into the smallest and deepest alveoli of the lungs where the membrane is thinnest thus allowing even large molecules such as insulin to be assimilated into the bloodstream through said membrane. Furthermore, for some applications in the pharmaceutical field and in other fields such as internal combustion engines it is also important that the size range of the droplets be approximated to a desired size range. This size range may be different for different medicinal substances to be administered according to the particular desired path of travel in the lungs and the desired delivery region in the lungs for the particular medicinal solution or suspension.

Moreover, it is important to administer inhaled atomized medicinal fluid in such a manner that the effect of defi¬ ciencies in the inhalation technique, skill and force of each patient is minimized.

Summarv of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for atomizing fluids by means of which it is possible to provide droplets of a sufficiently small size for the particular application and with a size range approximating a desired size range.

This is obtained according to the invention by the method comprising the steps of:

- locating a portion of fluid between a first surface and a second surface spaced from one another,

- displacing the first surface towards the second surface until the portion of fluid is impacted by at least a portion of each surface such that the fluid is pressed out from between the surfaces to the surroundings with a velocity sufficient to atomize the fluid,

- regulating the size range of the droplets in the atomized fluid to approximate a desired size range by means of one or more of the following steps:

- moving said second surface in generally the same direction as said first surface during the time period in which said portion of fluid is pressed out from between said surfaces,

- filtering part of the larger droplets from the atomized fluid by means of an absorbent means, - separating part of the larger droplets from the atomized fluid,

- separating part of the smaller droplets from the atomized fluid,

- subjecting the droplets of the atomized fluid to a current of gas or air,

- causing the droplets to disperse,

- causing part of the larger droplets of the atomized fluid to settle or condense on surfaces,

- causing part of the smaller droplets of the atomized fluid to settle or condense on surfaces,

- causing the size of the droplets of the atomized fluid to decrease by means of evaporation of the fluid in the droplets, and

- selecting the configuration of said surfaces and/or the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other and/or the speed of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other and/or the size of said portion of fluid and/or the location of said portion of fluid relative to said two surfaces such that the size range of the droplets is approximated to said desired size range for the particular fluid and/or the particular location of said surfaces relative to the particular surroundings.

Hereby it is obtained that fluids may be atomized with a very small average droplet size and with a size range suitable for the particular application, for instance administration of different medicinal substances through the membranes of the lungs and providing for low emission combustion of various liquid fuels such as Diesel oil and gasoline in internal combustion engines.

According to the invention, the first surface may be arranged on a first body and said second surface may be arranged on a second body, the second body being moved under the influence of the movement of said first body at least during said time period. Hereby the spray of droplets in the atomized fluid is not planar but becomes three-dimensional thereby reducing the tendency of the later emitted droplets to intersect the earlier emitted droplets and coalesce with them to form undesirable larger droplets.

Advantageously the second surface is moved against the action of a biasing means biasing the second body towards the first body generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other.

Preferably, the moving influence of the first body on the second body is attained at least partially by the action of a biasing means biasing the two bodies away from each other generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other.

The fluid may advantageously comprise one or more medicinal substances for the treatment of a disease such as asthma, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, genetic disorder and the like.

Moreover, the medicinal substances may advantageously be in solution and/or suspension in a suitable carrier liquid such as water.

Advantageously, the fluid may consist of Diesel oil for use in a Diesel oil powered internal combustion engine.

Moreover, the fluid may advantageously consist of gasoline for use in a gasoline powered internal combustion engine.

Furthermore, the fluid may consist of a liquid fuel other than Diesel oil or gasoline for use in a correspondingly powered internal combustion engine. In case the fluid is Diesel oil or a similar fuel the two bodies may advantageously be arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the first body being attached to or constituting an integral part of a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the second body being attached to the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provider⁵ by the movement of the piston relative to the cyi nde

Advantageously the second body may be displaceable in the top surface cf the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

In case the two bodies are arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the second body may be attached to a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the first body may be attached to or constituting an integral part of the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provided by the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

Advantageously, the second body may be displaceable in the piston surface of the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

In case the fluid is gasoline or a similar liquid fuel the two bodies may be arranged such that the portion of fluid is impacted by the two surfaces inside a combustion air intake conduit for an internal combustion engine, the atomized fluid being entrained by the combustion air and carried into the combustion chamber of one or more cylinders of the engine.

Advantageously, the first body may be slideably arranged in a first portion of the wall of the conduit for alternating sliding movement generally transversally to said wall between a first position, in which said first surface is spaced from the second surface of the second body being arranged in a second portion of said wall substantially opposite said first portion, and a second position in which said first surface abuts said second surface.

Moreover, the sliding movement of the first body from the first position to the second position may advantageously be carried out against the action of a biasing means biasing the first body from said second position towards said first position.

Furthermore, the alternating sliding movement of the first body may be achieved by the action of an actuator means being operated in synchronization with the firing sequence of the one or more cylinders of the corresponding internal combustion engine.

Finally, in this case the action of the actuator means on the first body may advantageously be implemented by means of a biasing means interposed between the actuator means and the first body and biasing the first body generally in the direc¬ tion from said first position to said second position.

Advantageously, the first and second surfaces may be arranged in an inhalation air flow conduit of an inhalation device, and in such case a reservoir of pressurized air may advantageously be filled prior to atomizing the fluid, said pressurized air being released into the air flow conduit during at least part of the atomization of the fluid and entraining droplets of atomized fluid.

Moreover, a reservoir of pressurized air may advantageously be filled during at least part of the atomization of the fluid, the air filling said reservoir flowing past said surfaces and entraining droplets of atomized fluid, said air being released into the air flow conduit during inhalation by a patient. Advantageously the reservoir may be a balloon of elastic mater... l and the air is filled into the balloon by exhalation or blowing into the air flow conduit by a patient.

For medicinal purposes an absorbent means may advantageously be arranged such that the paths of at least some of the larger droplets produced by the combined forces of atomization and inhalation air flow pressure intersects said absorbent means.

The invention further relates to a fluid atomizing device, said device comprising according to the invention a first body having a first surface and a second body having a second surface, means to displace the first body towards the second body to an atomizing position for both bodies in which the first surface substantially abuts the second surface, fluid dispensing means communicating with a region of one of said surfaces, and means for removing the atomized fluid from the region adjacent the surfaces in said atomizing position.

Advantageously, the device may further comprise means allowing displacement of the second body from said atomizing position in a direction substantially the same as the direction of displacement of the first body immediately before attaining the atomizing position thereof.

Preferably, said means for allowing displacement of the second body comprises a biasing means biasing the second body towards the atomizing position thereof.

Advantageously, a biasing means is arranged between the first body and the second body biasing said bodies away from one another in the atomizing position thereof.

The device according to the invention may advantageously further comprise an air flow conduit for reciving the atomized fluid and transporting it to an outlet from the conduit entrained in the air flow and an absorbtion means in said conduit for absorbing droplets of atomized fluid impinging or settling on same.

The device may advantageously further comprise an air flow conduit for reciving the atomized fluid and transporting it to an outlet from the conduit entrained in the air flow and a reservoir for pressurized air communicating with said air flow conduit.

Moreover, the conduit may advantageously be provided with a one way valve means at its inlet, said valve means only allowing air to flow into the conduit.

Advantageously, the reservoir may communicate with the air flow conduit at a point between the inlet and the region in which it receives the atomized fluid.

Furthermore, the reservoir may advantageously communicate with the air flow conduit at a point in the region where the air flow conduit receives the atomized fluid.

The reservoir preferably consists of an inflatable balloon of an elastic material such as rubber.

Preferably, there is arranged an absorbtion means in said conduit for absorbing droplets of atomized fluid impinging or settling on same.

The invention further relates to an internal combustion motor utilizing a fuel such as gasoline or the like as fuel and comprising a combustion air intake conduit in which an atomizing device according to the invention is arranged, the fluid dispensing means thereof communicating with a source for the fuel.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an internal combustion motor utilizing a fuel such as Diesel oil or the like and having an atomizing device according to the invention arranged in the combustion chamber of each cylinder, the fluid dispensing means of each atomizing device communicating with a source for the fuel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be explained more in detail with re¬ ference to the accompanying drawings in which various embodi¬ ments are shown by way of example and where:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of an inhaler according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 schematically shows a partial longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of an inhaler according to the invention,

Fig. 4 schematically shows a partial longitudinal sectional view of yet another embodiment of an inhaler according to the invention,

Figs. 5-8 schematically show a broken away partial longitudinal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a fluid delivery device for an inhaler according to the invention at different stages in the fluid delivery process,

Fig. 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention for gasoline and similar liquid fuels for use with an internal combustion engine according to the invention,

Figs. 10-15 illustrate various successive stages in the operation of the atomizing device of Fig. 9, Fig. 16 schematically shows a broken away partial cross- section through an embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention for Diesel oil and similar liquid fuels for use with an internal combustion engine according to the invention,

Figs. 17a-17m schematically illustrate various embodiments of the impact bodies and impact surfaces according to the inven¬ tion for use with atomizing devices according to the invention, and

Figs. 18 and 19 schematically show a lateral elevational view and a lateral perspective view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an inhaler for an atomized medicinal fluid comprises a casing 1 accommodating a replaceable container 2 for the medicinal fluid, a battery 3 for powering the atomizing function, a removable mouthpiece 4, a removable intake air filter frame 5 to which an air filter 6 is fitted, a so-called solenoid coil 7 fixedly attached to one end of an insert 9 and serving to axially displace a conductive axle 8 of a material suitable for cooperating with the solenoid coil 7 arranged in the insert 9, said axle 8 having an impact body 10 at the end opposite the solenoid coil 7.

The insert 9 is provided with a substantially plane impact surface 11 for cooperation with a corresponding substantially plane impact surface 12 of the impact body 10. The insert is furthermore provided with a bore 13 for receiving and guiding the axle 8 during the axial displacement thereof. The bore has an expanded portion providing a fluid flow conduit 13a for medicinal fluid released from the container 2 through a valve means 14 activated by depressing the container 2 by means of an activation button 15 extending through a removable cover 16 arranged in the casing 1 for allowing replacement of the container 2 when it is empty.

The bore 13 furthermore is provided with a further expanded portion 17 accommodating a coil spring 18 arranged between a shoulder 19 of the insert 9 and a washer 20 fixedly attached to the axle 8. The axle 8 extends into the solenoid coil 7 as indicated by dotted lines.

The insert 9 is fixedly arranged inside the casing l by means of a bushing 21 integral with retaining portions 22 integral with the casing 1.

The mouthpiece 4 is provided with a replaceable absorption filter sleeve 23 made of a suitable fluid absorbent material from which absorbed and therefore not inhaled fluids easily may be removed when the sleeve 23 or the entire mouthpiece 4 have been separated from the casing l for cleaning.

The casing 1 further accommodates an activating system for the solenoid coil 7 comprising a pivotable vane or wing 24 for cooperation with a reed relay 25, the wing 24 and relay 25 extending through an aperture 28a in the casing 1 into an inhalation air conduit 26 surrounding the insert 9. The relay 25 communicates electrically with a control means 27 for the activation of the solenoid coil 7.

In operation, the mouthpiece 4 is inserted in the mouth of a patient and the activation button 15 is depressed thereby releasing medicinal fluid from the container 2 by depressing same and activating the valve means 14 in a manner very similar to the manner described in WO 95/25176. The medicinal fluid flows into the fluid flow conduit 13a filling same, the conduit being sealed at its outer end by means of the abutment of the impact surface 12 against the impact surface 11 caused by the action of spring force of the coil spring 18 on the washer 20 and thereby the axle 8. The patient then inhales through the mouthpiece 4 causing air to flow through the air filter 6 and the inhalation air conduit 26. The air flow causes the vane 24 to pivot into contact with the reed relay 25 thereby activating the control means 27 supplied with power from the battery 3. The control system causes alternating negative and positive electrical pulses to be supplied to the solenoid coil 7 thereby causing the axle 8 to be forcefully displaced axially to and fro in the bore 13 from a first position in which the impact surfaces 11 and 12 abut each other and a second position shown in Fig. 1 in which said surfaces are mutually spaced allowing fluid to flow through the conduit 13a onto the impact surface 11.

The displacement of the axle 8 from the second position to the first position is assisted by the spring force of the spring coil 18 and causes the impact surfaces 11 and 12 to be brought forcefully into abutment with each other thereby pressing the medicinal fluid portion on the impact surface 11 out from between said surfaces 11 and 12 and into the air flow in the air flow conduit 26 in the form of droplets of various sizes. The number of alternating displacements of the axle 8 and the dimensions of the fluid conduit 13a are selected according to the required dosage of the medicinal fluid.

The smaller droplets and some of the larger droplets will be entrained by the air flow and carried through the mouthpiece 4 into the respiratory ducts of the patient while the rest of the larger droplets will travel across the air flow to impact the filter sleeve 23 because of the greater inertia of said larger droplets. The droplets impacting the filter sleeve 23 will be absorbed by same thereby effectively being removed from the air inhaled by the patient. The mouthpiece 4 or the filter sleeve 23 alone may be removed regularly for cleaning as may the air filter 6. The distance between the impact surfaces 11 and 12 and the filter sleeve 23 may be varied according to the required degree of removal of larger droplets from the vaporized liquid. The shape of the mouthpiece may be varied in many wa--" to enhance the filtering effect.

To further enhance the removal of larger droplets from the atomized fluid in the inhalation air flow a system of baffle plates (not shown) , for instance alternatively extending from two opposed regions of the wall of the mouthpiece partially into the interior thereof, and coated with a suitably absorbent mat- rial, may be provided inside the mouthpiece thereby combining an absorbtion effect with a separation effect due to the air flow direction changes caused by the baffle plates based on the larger inertia of the larger droplets.

The button 15 may also be depressed at a later stage thereby releasing fluid only during part of the inhalation process which in some cases will afford a better administration of the medicinal substance.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the inhaler is very similar to the one shown in Figs, l and 2 except for an air flow booster device fitted to the air intake filter frame 5 which has been prolonged and modified to accommodate the booster device.

The removable filter frame 5 is fitted with an air filter 6 as in Fig. 1 and is furthermore provided with a one-way valve means 27a having an array of apertures 28 in which one-way valves 29 are arranged. Said valves 29 allow air to pass through the apertures in the direction from the filter 6 to the mouthpiece 4 corresponding to inhalation by the patient but does not allow air to pass in the opposite direction corresponding to exhalation or blowing by the patient.

A row of apertures 30 are provided circumferentially on the filter frame 5 communicating the inhalation air conduit 26 with the interior of an air flow booster balloon 31 having the shape of a torus in inflated condition and being releasably attached to the filter frame 5 in an airtight manner by means of annular snap-in locking members 32. The balloon 31 is shown both in its fully inflated condition and in its fully disinflated condition. The balloon 31 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

In operation, the mouthpiece 4 is inserted in the mouth of a patient whereafter the patient blows through the mouthpiece thereby inflating the balloon 31 as the valves 29 do not allow air to escape through the valve means 27a via the air filter 6. After (or before for that matter) the balloon has been fully inflated the button 15 is depressed and the patient stops blowing and starts inhaling thereby activating the atomization process as described in connection with Fig. 1. The inhalation air will come partly from the shrinking balloon 31 and partly through the valve means 27a as the valve 29 will allow air flow in this direction.

The booster device increases the air flow speed past the impact surfaces 11 and 12 thus altering the entrainment characteristic for the droplets of vaporized fluid in the inhalation air and allowing another removal percentage for larger droplets, this effect being further enhanced if baffle plates coated with absorbing material as discussed above in connection with Fig. 1 are employed. Furthermore, the booster device assists the patient in inhaling the medicinal fluid, particularly if the patient is weak. The balloon 31 is replaced by disengaging the locking members 32 and installing a new balloon 31 as soon as the elasticity of the first balloon's material becomes too weak or it is punctured.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the inhaler is very similar to the one shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that the filter sleeve 23 is not present, a combined air flow boosting and droplet dispersion and separation device is fitted to a modified mouthpiece 33, and the air intake filter frame 5 has been fitted with a one-way valve means 27a very similar to the one shown in Fig. 3.

The removable filter frame 5 is fitted with an air filter 6 as in Fig. 1 and is furthermore provided with a one-way valve means 27a having an array of apertures 28 in which one-way valves 29 are arranged. Said valves 29 allow air to pass through the apertures in the direction from the filter 6 to the mouthpiece 33 corresponding to inhalation by the patient but does not allow air to pass in the opposite direction corresponding to exhalation or blowing by the patient.

Four elongated apertures 34 are provided circumferentially on the mouthpiece 33 communicating the inhalation air conduit 26 with the interior of an air flow booster and droplet separation and dispersion balloon 35 having the shape of a torus in inflated condition and being releasably attached to the mouthpiece 33 in an airtight manner by means of annular snap-in locking members 36. The balloon 35 is shown both in its fully inflated condition and in its fully disinflated condition. The balloon 35 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

A further activating system for the solenoid coil 7 is provided across one of the apertures 34 and comprises a pivotable vane 37 for cooperation with a reed relay 38. The relay 38 communicates electrically with the control means 27 for the activation of the solenoid coil 7.

In operation, the mouthpiece 33 is inserted in the mouth of a patient whereafter the patient blows through the mouthpiece thereby inflating the balloon 35 as the valves 29 do not allow air to escape through the valve means 27a. Immediately before starting to inflate the balloon 35 the patient depresses the button 15. The inflation air flow into the balloon 35 through the apertures 34 causes the vane 37 to pivot into contact with the reed relay 38 thereby activating the atomization process as described in connection with Fig.

1.

The atomized fluid is entrained in the air being blown into the balloon 35 and is carried into the interior of said balloon. As soon as the balloon 35 has been fully inflated the patient may either inhale while maintaining the button 15 depressed during at least part of the inhalation process or may inhale after releasing said button 15.

In the first case, the atomized fluid still in suspension in the air in the balloon 35 will be released together with said air and will supplement the atomized fluid being entrained in the additional air passing through the intake valve means 27a as the vane 24 and reed relay 25 will take over the activation of the solenoid coil 7 from the vane 37 and reed relay 38 while the fluid flow from the container 2 continues.

In the second case, only the atomized fluid in the balloon 35 will be inhaled by the patient together with additional air passing through the intake valve means 27a as the supply of fluid from the container 2 has been cut off before inhaling.

In both cases, the atomized fluid carried into the interior of the balloon 35 will be subjected to a series of processes effecting a change in the size range of the droplets and the distribution of same in the air inside the balloon and thereby in the air inhaled by the patient.

The rate of evaporation of droplets of the size produced by the atomization process is procentually quite high and therefore the additional time elapsed between atomization and inhalation will in both cases considerably reduce the size of all the droplets in the balloon 35 thereby reducing the average size of the droplets inhaled by the patient. The size of the balloon 35 determines the magnitude of the size reduction as does the ratio of amount of air inhaled from the balloon 35 to the amount of air inhaled through the intake valve 27a while simultaneously continuing the atomization process (first case) .

Moreover, a larger proportion of the larger droplets will settle or condense on the interior surface of the balloon 35 than the smaller droplets thereby also reducing the average size of the droplets in the air in the balloon 35. This process is also influenced by the size and shape of the balloon 35 and may be enhanced by providing the balloon 35 with interior condensation/settling surfaces in the form of partition walls, inwardly extending projections and so on (not shown) .

Finally a dispersion process will take place inside the balloon 35 whereby a more even distribution of the droplets in the inhalation air will be obtained thus reducing the undesirable tendency of the droplets to settle on the surfaces of the respiratory tract of the patient. Furthermore, dispersion of the droplets will reduce formation of larger droplets through fusion of droplets with one another.

The balloon 35 may be removed in a manner similar to the balloon 31 in Fig. 3 either for replacement or for removing fluid accumulated inside as a result of the settling and condensation of the droplets.

The timing of the depression of the button 15 with respect to the inhalation process will also influence the size range of the droplets and the dosage received by the patient. However, for safety reasons, an electronic cut-off (preferably combined with a mechanical security means in the container 2) of the fluid supply will limit the maximum dosage to the maximum dose for the particular medicinal substance and possibly the particular patient.

This timing and the timing of the atomization process may be carried out by control electronics and an electrically acti¬ vated valve and solenoid activating relay that may be preprogrammed for optimum timing for the desired output of the inhaler in accordance with the particular medicinal substance, the particular desired dosage, the particular desired size range of the droplets and the particular patient. Such control electronics may thus replace the timing control implemented by the patient in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-4.

Referring now to Figs. 5-8 a preferred embodiment of a fluid delivery device for an inhaler as shown and described with reference to Figs. 1-4, is schematically illustrated, like parts being indicated with the same numerals as in Figs. 1-4.

In this embodiment the axle 8 is provided with a radially expanded portion 39 adjacent the impact body 10 and having an annular shoulder 40. A bore 41 in the insert 42 accommodates the axle 8 and a sleeve 43 arranged with a loose fit between the axle 8 and the bore 41 and thus being slideable relative to both the bore 41 and the axle 8. The expanded portion 39 fits snugly in the bore 41 allowing substantially fluid tight axial displacement of same in said bore. The expanded portion 17 of the bore 41 accommodates the washer 20, the coil spring 18, a washer 44 fixedly attached to the inset 42 and a friction washer 45 sandwiched between the washer 44 and the insert 42 and frictionally engaging the sleeve 43.

The operation of the fluid delivery device is illustrated by the four stages shown in sequence in Figs. 5-8.

In Fig. 5 the device is in its initial stage of a stroke sequence of the axle 8. The surfaces 11 and 12 abut each other under the influence of the coil spring 18, and the sleeve 43 is in its innermost position abutting the shoulder 40 and is frictionally engaged by the friction washer 45. The fluid emerging from the valve 14 is prevented from flowing to the surface 11 by means of the substantially tight fit of the expanded portion 39 in the bore 41. In Fig. 6 the solenoid coil 7 has been activated and has displaced the axle 8 outwards against the influence of the coil spring 18. The sleeve 43 is retained in its initial position by means of the frictional engagement with the friction washer 45. Thereby an annular space 46 is formed between the sleeve 43 and the shoulder 40, said space being filled with fluid from the valve 14. The washer 20 abuts the inner end of the sleeve 43.

In Fig. 7 the axle 8 has been displaced to its outermost position by the solenoid coil 7, the coil spring 18 being fully compressed. The washer 20 has displaced the sleeve 43 to its outermoε position against the frictional resistance of the friction washer 45. The annular space 46 has been displaced to a position outside the insert 42 and the fluid portion contained in said annular space has been at least partially delivered to the impact surface 11.

In Fig. 8 the axle has been moved back by the combined in¬ fluence of the solenoid coil 7 and the coil spring 18 to a position where the shoulder 40 abuts the sleeve 43 being retained in position by the frictional force exerted thereon by the friction washer 45 thereby closing the annular space 46 and ejecting all the fluid contained therein onto the impact surface 11.

The axle 8 is thereafter moved forcefully back to the position shown in Fig. 5 thereby impacting the fluid portion on the impact surface 11 by the impact surface 12 thereby atomizing the fluid. The device is now ready to initiate a new atomizing cyclus.

Obviously the size of the fluid portion delivered to the impact surface 11 during each atomizing cycle may be varied by varying one or more of the relevant dimensions of the sleeve 43, the bore 41, the axle 8 and the expanded portion 39. The friction washer 45 may be dispensed with, the movement of the sleeve 43 relative to the shoulder 40 and the bore 41 being achieved by the impact of the washer 20 and the shoulder 40 on the sleeve combined with the inertia of the sleeve, provided the frequency and force of the impacts are chosen in accordance with said inertia and other governing factors.

Referring now to Fig. 9 and Figs. 10-15, an embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention for gasoline and similar liquid fuels for use with an internal combustion engine according to the invention is schematically illustrated, and various successive stages in the operation of said atomizing device are schematically illustrated.

A combustion air intake conduit 47 for the combustion cylinder or cylinders of an internal combustion engine utilizing a combustion fluid such as gasoline or a similar liquid fuel has two air flow passages 48 and 49 between which are arranged two substantially cylindrical impact bodies 50 and 51 each having an impact surface 52 and 53, respectively.

The impact body 50 is slideably arranged in a bushing 54 fixedly attached to the wall of the conduit 47, a harmonica- type annular spring means 55 being arranged between an annular shoulder 56 of the impact body 50 and one end surface of the bushing 54, the spring means 55 biasing the impact body 50 in a direction axially away from the impact body 51.A piston ring 57 between the impact body 57 and the bushing 54 provides a seal between same.

The impact body 50 is further provided with an axial bore 58 for receiving two harmonica type spring means 59 and slideably accommodating a rod 60 abutting the spring means 59 at one end and being provided with a roller 61 at the opposite end. The roller 61 rotatably engages a substantially elliptical cam surface 62 of a cam shaft 63 drivingly interconnected with a not shown cam mechanism operating in synchronization with the firing sequence of the combustion cylinder or cylinders of the engine. The spring constant of the spring means 55 is considerably smaller than the combined spring constant of the two spring means 59.

The impact body 51 is fixedly and sealingly attached to the wall of the conduit 47 by means of a screw thread engagement 64 having a flange 65 abutting a shoulder 66 of the conduit wall. The impact body is provided with an axial fluid supply conduit 67 communicating with the impact surface 53 at one end and with a fluid portion dispensing device diagrammatically indicated at 68 at the opposite end.

The operation of the atomizing device shown in Fig. 9 is illustrated in Fig. 10-15 sequentially depicting a cycle corresponding to the atomization of a single portion of liquid fuel.

In Fig. 10 the impact body 50 is being displaced towards the impact body 51 by means of the force exerted by the spring means 59 against the force exerted by the spring means 55. The spring means 59 are influenced by the rod 60 being in turn influenced by the cam surface 62 on the cam shaft 63 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow. At the same time a portion of liquid fuel is being pressed through the conduit 67 onto the impact surface 53.

In Fig. 11 the impact surfaces 52 and 53 abut each other and the liquid fuel has been atomized and entrained by the air flow in the passages 48 and 49. In Fig. 12 the spring means 55 and 59 are fully compressed while in Fig. 13 the spring means 59 have expanded fully thereby maintaining the roller 61 in engagement with the cam surface 62. In Fig. 14 the spring means 55 is expanding and maintaining the roller 61 in engagement with the cam surface 62 and displacing the impact body 50 away from the impact body 51. In Fig. 15 the impact body 50 is at its maximum distance from the impact body 51 and the cycle is ready to be repeated.

The various features described in the following with reference to Figs. 17a-17m may be selected for incorporation in this embodiment so as to optimize the size range of the droplets of atomized fuel for the particular fuel. The features described in relation to Fig. 17m are considered particularly useful in this respect.

Referring now to Fig. 16 an embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention for Diesel oil and similar liquid fuels is schematically illustrated for use with an internal combustion engine according to the invention. A cylinder head 69 is provided with a bore 70 for slideable accommodating an impact body 71 provided with a piston ring 72 for sealing between the bore 70 and the impact body 71.

The impact body 71 has an impact surface 73 with which a fuel supply conduit 74 communicates, said conduit 74 further com¬ municating with a transverse fuel conduit 75 communicating with an annular fuel conduit recess 76 in the surface of the impact body 71. The annular fuel conduit recess 76 communicates with a fuel conduit 78 in the cylinder head 69, the conduit 78 further communicating with a pressurized fuel dispensing inlet 80.

A piston 81 having piston rings 82 and 83 is pivotally con- nected to a piston rod 84 and is slideably arranged in a cylinder 85. The piston 81 is provided with an integral impact body 86 having an impact surface 87.

The impact body 71 is further attached to a rod 86 slideably arranged in a bore 87 in the cylinder head 69, a coil spring 88 being arranged between the impact body 71 and the cylinder head 69 biasing the impact body 71 towards the impact body 86, the movement of the impact body 71 in this direction being limited by a nut 89 threaded on the rod 86 and abutting the top surface of the cylinder head 69 in the innermost position of the impact body 71.

In operation, the fuel is pressed through the inlet 80 and the conduits 78, 76, 74 and 71 by means of a variable pressure in the inlet 80 determining the amount of fuel administered to the impact surface 73 for each atomizing cycle or stroke of the piston 81, the pressure being determined by the dimensions of the said conduits and the varying power requirements of the engine. A drop of fuel is thus formed on the impact surface 71 around the outlet of the conduit 74 during the down- and up- stroke of the piston 81 until the impact surface 87 impacts the drop of fuel at the final stages of the up-stroke of the piston 87, the protrusion distance of the impact body 71 into the interior of the cylinder corresponding to the appropriate compression conditions in the combustion chamber between the piston 87 and the cylinder head 69. Hereby the fuel is atomized at the correct moment for optimum combustion of the fuel.

The timing of the atomization and thereby the combustion may be altered by raising or lowering the rod 86 and the impact body 71. This may be accomplished in a stepless manner or in a simple step manner for instance by inserting or removing washers of different thicknesses between the nut 89 and the top surface of the cylinder head 69.

The atomization will take place simultaneously with displace¬ ment of the impact body 71 towards the top of the cylinder head 69 thus displacing the plane of atomization at right angles to same thereby providing a three-dimensional atomization region reducing the tendency of collision between the droplets formed at early stages of the impact with droplets formed at later stages, thus reducing the tendency of fusion of such droplets to create larger droplets.

The impact body displaced with the piston may alternatively be slideably arranged in the piston while the impact body on the cylinder head may be integral with same, thus simplifying the supply of fuel to the impact surface of the impact body on the cylinder head but maintaining the advantages of the three-dimensional atomization region.

Referring now to Figs. 17a-17m, various embodiments of the impact bodies and impact surfaces according to the invention are schematically illustrated for use with atomizing devices according to the invention.

In common for all the embodiments in Figs. I7a-17m is that two impact surfaces (la-lm, 2a-2m) each backed up by a mass in the form of an impact body (3a-3m, 4a-4m) are moved towards each other along a central axis common to both surfaces, a portion of fluid is placed on one of the surfaces and is atomized by being impacted by both surfaces, and the portion of fluid is placed on one surface by a dispensing means (6a-6m) .

Fig. 17a: The substantially plane impact surfaces la is moved towards the substantially plane impact surface 2a, the portion of liquid being supplied through conduit 5a.

Fig. 17b: The surfaces lb, 2b are inclined at the same angle relative to the axis and are thus elliptical in circumference. Hereby a larger impact area is obtained. The bodies 3a, 3b may not rotate around the axis.

Fig. 17c: The surfaces lc, 2c are conical with same cone angle thereby affording a larger impact area. A spray direction determined by the cone angle is obtained. If the surface lc is smaller than the surface 2c (smaller radius) the spray region will be extended as a fan seen in a radial section thereby obtaining that the tendency for later formed droplets to catch up with and fuse with early formed droplets is reduced. Fig. 17d: The edges ldd and 2dd of the surface Id and 2d, respectively, are sharpened, thereby reducing the risk that droplets will collect around the edge because of adherence to the body material and thereby entail formation of very large droplets.

Fig. 17e: The surfaces le and 2e are shaped like complementary trumpet-like surfaces with a narrower gap between the surface portions near the axis thereby reducing the tendency for the fluid to be pressed back into the conduit 5e.

Fig. 17f: Several smaller branch conduits 5ff communicated with the surface 2f thereby distributing the fluid over a larger area of the surface 2f.

Fig. 17g: The conduit 5g is extended into a transverse conduit 5gg in an extension 2gg of the surface 2g being received in a bore extension lgg of the surface lg. Hereby the fluid portion will be cut off and the outlets from conduit 2gg will be blocked before the impact whereby pressure rise in the conduit 2g is avoided during the impact.

Fig. 17h: An edge seal lhh of hard rubber is arranged around the surface lh so as to peripherally close the gap between the surfaces lh and 2h just before impact so that the pressure in the fluid portion is increased just before it is pressed out from between the surfaces and atomized.

Fig. 17i: A concave disc lii is arranged on the surface li and has the same effect as the edge seal lhh in Fig. 17h.

Fig. 17j : An extra body 3jj is slideably arranged on an insert 3jjj in the body 3j and biased by a coil spring 6j .

The extra body 3jj will slide on the insert 3jjj and compress the spring coil 6j upon impact of the surfaces lj and 2j and will shortly thereafter impact the insert shoulder 3jjjj thereby giving an extra impact to the fluid portion between the surfaces lj and 2j .

Fig. 17k: The impact force is supplemented by a magnetic attraction between the bodies 3k and 4k constituting permanent magnets. An electrical coil 6k is activated after the impact to change the magnetic field and cause the bodies to repel each other.

Fig. 171: The impact surface 11 is formed by a steel sphere 111, for instance a ball bearing affording a rather precise spherical surface, the sphere 111 being retained in the body 31 by means of an annular collar 311. A very precise fit between the surface 11 and the surface 21 may be obtained by making the body 41 if a ductile material and axially pressing the sphere 111 into the body 41.

Fig. 17m: A modification of the embodiment of Fig. 17g. The conduit 5m is extended into a transverse conduit 5mm in an extension 2mm of the surface 2m being received in a bore extension 1mm of the surface lm. Hereby the fluid portion will be cut off and the outlets from conduit 2mm will be blocked before the impact whereby pressure rise in the conduit 2m is avoided during the impact. A coil spring 6m is inserted in the bore lmm between the end of the extension 2mm and the bottom of the bore lmm. The conduit 5m communicates with a coiled conduit 7m in the form of a coiled tube attached to a stationary portion 8m. The coiled conduit 7m allows the body 4m to be displaced axially by the body 3m without compressing the fluid in the fluid conduit.

In operation, the body 3m is displaced towards the body 4m and the coil spring 6m influences the body 4m by means of pressure on the extension 2mm so that the body 4m is in motion when the surface lm impacts the surface 2m thereby accelerating said motion. In this manner the atomization of the fluid is carried out in a three-dimensional region thereby reducing the tendency of later former droplets from catching up with earlier formed droplets and coalescing with them to form larger droplets.

This three-dimensional effect may also be achieved by moving the entire assembly of impact bodies during the impact, for instance by rotation around an axis at right angles to the central axis, vibration in the direction of the central axis and/or creating a pulse of rapidly flowing air past the impact surfaces parallel to the central axis during and immediately after the atomization impact.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 17a-17m may in principle all be employed in the embodiments shown in Figs 1-15 with the corresponding necessary modifications of the particular devices.

All the embodiments of the atomization device described in the foregoing have utilized axial displacement of substantially cylindrical impact bodies against one another. However, the displacement may be carried out in many other ways and the shape of the bodies and surfaces may be of many different shapes. The embodiments described of medicinal inhalers according to the invention have all been for operation by means of electrical power. However, hand held inhalers powered by mechanical spring drives wound up by the patient before each inhalation or by repeated squeezing of a drive mechanism are perfectly feasible utilizing the features according to the invention.

In Figs. 18 and 19 an embodiment of an atomizing device according to the invention utilizing such a displacement method and direction different from the axial displacement described in the foregoing embodiments is illustrated.

A lever 90 having a roller 91 at one end and an expanded portion 92 at the opposite end defining a circular, subs¬ tantially plane impact surface 93. The lever is pivoted on a pin 94 pivotally attached to a base element 95 having an expanded portion 96 at one end defining a circular, subs¬ tantially plane impact surface 97 having an outlet 98 for fluid from a conduit 99. A flat spring 100 is attached to the end of the lever 90 adjacent the roller 91 and to the base element 95 at the end opposite the impact surface 97. A cam element 101 is arranged on an axle 102 for clockwise rotation.

In operation, the cam element 101 is rotated by the axle 102 rotated by a driving mechanism (not shown) . The cam surfaces of the cam element 101 engage the roller and thereby pivot the lever 90 against the influence of the flat spring 100 until the cam surface rides past the roller 91 thereby allowing the flat spring 100 to pivot the lever 95 forcefully clockwise whereby the impact surface 93 impacts a fluid portion on the impact surface 97 thereby atomizing the fluid.

This atomizing device is well suited for a simple drive mech¬ anism such as a wound spring or a hand operated ratchet type drive. Thus the device is suited for cheap throw-away inhalers of the type to be used a relatively few times, for instance until a single medicine container has been emptied. If the inhaler is provided with an absorbent for larger droplets, the absorbent does not have to be removable for replacement or cleaning if it has a size adequate for the limited use of each inhaler.

Many modifications and variations are conceivable for persons skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for atomizing fluids comprising the steps of:

- filtering part of the larger droplets from the atomized fluid by means of an absorbent means,

- separating part of the larger droplets from the atomized fluid,

- separating part of the smaller droplets from the atomized fluid,

- subjecting the droplets of the atomized fluid to a current of gas or air,

- causing the droplets to disperse,

- causing part of the larger droplets of the atomized fluid to settle or condense on a surface, - causing part of the smaller droplets of the atomized fluid to settle or condense on a surface,

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first surface is arranged on a first body and said second surface is arranged on a second body, the second body being moved under the influence of the movement of said first body at least during said time period.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second surface is moved against the action of a biasing means biasing the second body towards the first body generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the moving influence of the first body on the second body is attained at least partially by the action of a biasing means biasing the two bodies away from each other generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other..

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid comprises one or more medicinal substances for the treatment of a disease such as asthma, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, genetic disorder and the like.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the medicinal sub¬ stances are in solution and/or suspension in a suitable carrier liquid such as water.

7. A method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the fluid consists of Diesel oil for use in a Diesel oil powered internal combustion engine.

8. A method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the fluid consists of gasoline for use in a gasoline powered internal combustion engine.

9. A method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the fluid consists of a liquid fuel other than Diesel oil or gasoline for use in a correspondingly powered internal combustion engine.

10. A method according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 and 7, or 1, 2, 3 or 4 and 9, wherein the two bodies are arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the first body being attached to or constituting an integral part of a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the second body being attached to the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provided by the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second body is displaceable in the top surface of the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

12. A method according to claims l, 2, 3 or 4 and 7, or l, 2, 3 or 4 and 9, wherein the two bodies are arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the second body being attached to a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the first body being attached to or constituting an integral part of the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provided by the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the second body is displaceable in the piston surface of the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

14. A method according to claims l, 2, 3 or 4 and 8, or 1, 2, 3 or 4 and 9, wherein the two bodies are arranged such that the portion of fluid is impacted by the two surfaces inside a combustion air intake conduit for an internal combustion engine, the atomized fluid being entrained by the combustion air and carried into the combustion chamber of one or more cylinders of the engine.

15. A method according to claims 1 and 14, wherein the first body is slideably arranged in a first portion of the wall of the conduit for alternating sliding movement generally transversally to said wall between a first position, in which said first surface is spaced from the second surface of the second body being arranged in a second portion of said wall substantially opposite said first portion, and a second posi- tion in which said first surface abuts said second surface.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the sliding move¬ ment of the first body from the first position to the second position is carried out against the action of a biasing means biasing the first body from said second position towards said first position.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the alternating sliding movement of the first body is achieved by the action of an actuator means being operated in synchronization with the firing sequence of the one or more cylinders of the corresponding internal combustion engine.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the action of the actuator means on the first body is implemented by means of a biasing means interposed between the actuator means and the first body and biasing the first body generally in the direc¬ tion from said first position to said second position.

19. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first and second surfaces are arranged in an inhalation air flow conduit of an inhalation device.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein a reservoir of pressurized air is filled prior to atomizing the fluid, said pressurized air being released into the air flow conduit during at least part of the atomization of the fluid and entraining droplets of atomized fluid.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein a reservoir of pressurized air is filled during at least part of the atomization of the fluid, the air filling said reservoir flowing past said surfaces and entraining droplets of atomized fluid, said air being released into the air flow conduit during inhalation by a patient.

22. A method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the reservoir is a balloon of elastic material and the air is filled into the balloon by exhalation or blowing into the air flow conduit by a patient.

23. A method according to any of the claims 19-22, wherein an absorbent means is arranged such that the paths of at least some of the larger droplets produced by the combined forces of atomization and inhalation air flow pressure intersects said absorbent means.

24. A method for atomizing fluids comprising the steps of:

- displacing the first surface towards the second surface until the portion of fluid is impacted by at least a portion of each surface such that the fluid is pressed out from between the surfaces to the surroundings with a velocity sufficient to atomize the fluid.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said first surface is arranged on a first body and said second surface is arranged on a second body, the second body being moved under the influence of the movement of said first body at least during said time period.

26. A method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the second surface is moved against the action of a biasing means biasing the second body towards the first body generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other.

27. A method according to claim 25 or 26, where r. the moving influence of the first body on the second body is attained at least partially by the action of a biasing means biasing the two bodies away from each other generally in the direction of the displacement of said surfaces relative to each other.

28. A method according to any of the claims 24-27, wherein the fluid comprises one or more medicinal substances for the treatment of a disease such as asthma, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, genetic disorder and the like.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the medicinal substances are in solution and/or suspension in a suitable carrier liquid such as water.

30. A method according to any of the claims 24-27, wherein the fluid consists of Diesel oil for use in a Diesel oil powered internal combustion engine.

31. A method according to any of the claims 24-27, wherein the fluid consists of gasoline for use in a gasoline powered internal combustion engine.

32. A method according to any of the claims 24-27, wherein the fluid consists of a liquid fuel other than Diesel oil or gasoline for use in a correspondingly powered internal combustion engine.

33. A method according to claims 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 30, or 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 32, wherein the two bodies are arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the first body being attached to or constituting an integral part of a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the second body being attached to the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provided by the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the second body is displaceable in the top surface of the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

35. A method according to claims 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 307, or 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 32, wherein the two bodies are arranged in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the second body being attached to a corresponding piston surface of said engine and the first body being attached to or constituting an integral part of the top surface of the cylinder, the movement of said surfaces relative to each other being provided by the movement of the piston relative to the cylinder.

36. A method according to claim 25, wherein the second body is displaceable in the piston surface of the cylinder in the direction substantially towards the first body against the action of a biasing means.

37. A method according to claims 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 31, or 24, 25, 26 or 27 and 32, wherein the two bodies are arranged such that the portion of fluid is impacted by the two surfaces inside a combustion air intake conduit for an internal combustion engine, the atomized fluid being entrained by the combustion air and carried into the combustion chamber of one or more cylinders of the engine.

38. A method according to claims 24 and 37, wherein the first body is slideably arranged in a first portion of the wall of the conduit for alternating sliding movement generally transversally to said wall between a first position, in which said first surface is spaced from the second surface of the second body being arranged in a second portion of said wall substantially opposite said first portion, and a second posi¬ tion in which said first surface abuts said second surface.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the sliding move¬ ment of the first body from the first position to the second position is carried out against the action of a biasing means biasing the first body from said second position towards said first position.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the alternating sliding movement of the first body is achieved by the action of an actuator means being operated in synchronization with the firing sequence of the one or more cylinders of the corresponding internal combustion engine.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein the action of the actuator means on the first body is implemented by means of a biasing means interposed between the actuator means and the first body and biasing the first body generally in the direc¬ tion from said first position to said second position.

42. A method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the first and second surfaces are arranged in an inhalation air flow conduit of an inhalation device.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein a reservoir of pressurized air is filled prior to atomizing the fluid, said pressurized air being released into the air flow conduit during at least part of the atomization of the fluid and entraining droplets of atomized fluid.

44. A method according to claim 42, wherein a reservoir of pressurized air is filled during at least part of the atomization of the fluid, the air filling said reservoir flowing past said surfaces and entraining droplets of atomized fluid, said air being released into the air flow conduit during inhalation by a patient.

45. A method according to claim 43 or 44, wherein the reservoir is a balloon of elastic material and the air is filled into the balloon by exhalation or blowing into the air flow conduit by a patient.

46. A method according to any of the claims 42-45, wherein an absorbent means is arranged such that the paths of at least some of the larger droplets produced by the combined forces of atomization and inhalation air flow pressure intersects said absorbent means.

47. A fluid atomizing device comprising a first body having a first surface and a second body having a second surface, means to displace the first body towards the second body to an atomizing position for both bodies in which the first surface substantially abuts the second surface, fluid dispensing means communicating with a region of one of said surfaces, and means for removing the atomized fluid from the region adjacent the surfaces in said atomizing position.

48. A device according to claim 47 further comprising means allowing displacement of the second body from said atomizing position in a direction substantially the same as the direction of displacement of the first body immediately before attaining the atomizing position thereof.

49. A device according to claim 47, wherein said means for allowing displacement of the second body comprises a biasing means biasing the second body towards the atomizing position thereof.

50. A device according to claim 48 or 49, wherein a biasing means is arranged between the first body and the second body biasing said bodies away from one another in the atomizing position thereof.

51. A device according to any of the claims 47-50 further comprising an air flow conduit for reciving the atomized fluid and transporting it to an outlet from the conduit entrained in the air flow and an absorbtion means in said conduit for absorbing droplets of atomized fluid impinging or settling on same.

52. A device according to any of the claims 47-51 further comprising an air flow conduit for reciving the atomized fluid and transporting it to an outlet from the conduit entrained in the air flow and a reservoir for pressurized air communicating with said air flow conduit.

53. A device according to claim 52, wherein the conduit is provided with a one way valve means at its inlet, said valve means only allowing air to flow into the conduit.

54. A device according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the reservoir communicates with the air flow conduit at a point between the inlet and the region in which it receives the atomized fluid.

55. A device according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the reservoir communicates with the air flow conduit at a point in the region where the air flow conduit receives the atomized fluid.

56. A device according to any of the claims 52-55, wherein the reservoir consists of an inflatable balloon of an elastic material such as rubber.

57. A device according to any of the claims 52-56, wherein there is arranged an absorbtion means in said conduit for absorbing droplets of atomized fluid impinging or settling on same.

58. An internal combustion motor utilizing a fuel such as gasoline or the like as fuel comprising a combustion air intake conduit in which an atomizing device according to any of the claims 47-50 is arranged, the fluid dispensing means communicating with a source for the fuel.

59. An internal combustion motor utilizing a fuel such as Diesel oil or the like, wherein an atomizing device according to any of the claims 47-50 is arranged in the combustion chamber of each cylinder, the fluid dispensing means of each atomizing device communicating with a source for the fuel.