ULTRASONIC ATOMIZATION AND/OR SEPERATION SYSTEM

• US 20080054091A1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bacoustics LLC
• Original Assignee: Bacoustics LLC
• Inventors: Babaev, Eilaz
• Granted Patent: US 9,101,949 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/40 Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/85 with a vibrating element inside the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0442 Installation or apparatus for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles rotated during spraying operation
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0623 coupled with a vibrating horn
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0676 Feeding means

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasound liquid atomization and/or separation system comprising an ultrasound atomizer and a liquid storage area in communication with said ultrasound atomizer. The system may further comprise an injector containing an injector body housing the ultrasound atomizer and a channel or plurality of channels running through said injector body and delivering liquids to said ultrasound atomizer. The ultrasound atomizer comprises an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound tip at the distal end of said transducer, a liquid delivery orifice or plurality liquid delivery orifices, and a radiation surface at the distal end of said tip. The atomizer may further comprise a liquid delivery collar comprising a liquid receiving orifice or a plurality of liquid receiving orifices and a liquid delivery orifice or plurality of liquid delivery orifices. The liquid delivery collar may further comprise a central orifice into which said ultrasound tip may be inserted. Ejecting and atomizing liquid in a pressure independent manner, the liquid atomization and/or separation system of the present invention enables the production and release of a consistent spray of liquid into an environment despite changes in pressure within the environment. Mixing liquids during injection and atomization, the system of the present invention also enables the production of hybrid liquid sprays. Atomizing liquids containing dissolved and/or suspended gasses liquids, solids, or any combination thereof, the present invention enables the separation of liquids from gasses, liquids, solids, or any combination thereof suspended and/or dissolved within said liquid.

Claims

1-57. -57. (canceled)

58. An ultrasound atomizer comprising:

an ultrasound tansduker;

an ultrasound tip having a radial surfice between a distal end and a proximal end;

a radiation surface at the ultrasund tip distal end;

the ultrasound tip proximal end fastened to the ultrasound tnsducer,

a delivery collar having a liquid receiving orifice and a liquid delivery orifice in fluid communication with the liquid receiving orifice;

the liquid exiting the liquid deliyery orifice as a drop; and

the drop contacting the ultrasound tip before reaching the radiation surface and being atomized.

59. The ultrasound atomnizer of claim 58 having a groove within the radial surface.

60. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 wherein the liquid delivery orifice is positioned to deliver the drop near the antinode position of the ultrasound wave passing through the tip.

61. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 wherein the delivery collar encircles the ultrasound tip. contact the ultrasound tip.

63. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 further comprising a convex portion within the radiation surface.

64. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 fulrter comprising a concave portion within the radiation surface.

65. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 further comprising a flat portion within the radiation surfilce.

66. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 further comprising a tapered portion within the radiation surfice.

67. The ultrasound atomizer of claim 58 firther comprising a conical portion within the radiation surface.

68. An ultrasound injector comprising:

an ultrasound atomizer containing;

an ultrasound transducer;

an ultsound tip having a radial surfie between a distal end and a proximal end;

a radiation surface at the ultrasound tip distal end;

the ultrasound tip proximal end fastened to the ultrasound transducer, a delivery collar having a liquid receiving orifice and a liquid delivery orifice in fluid communication with the liquid receiving orifice;

the liquid exiting the liquid delivery orifice as a drop; and

the drop contacting the ultrasound tip before reaching the radiation surface and being atomized;

a body in which the ultrasound atomizer is mounted; and

a channel within the body in fluid communication with the delivery collar.

69. The injector of claim 68 having a valve within the channel.

70. The injector of claim 68 having a bracket affixed to the atomizer and having a retainer affixed to the body.

71. The injector of claim 70 wherein the bracket is affixed to the ultrasound atomizer approximately at a nodal point of an ultrasonic wave pasing through the ultrasound atomize?.

72. The injector of claim 70 having an o-ring between the bracket and the retainer.

73. An ultrasound se-ion systn comprising:

an ultraso atomizer containing;

an ultrasound transducer;

an ultrasound tip having a radial surface between a distal end and a proximal end;

a radiation surfic at the ultrasound tip distal end;

the ultrasound tip proximal end fastened to the ultrasound transducer;

a delivery collar having a liquid receiving orifice and a liquid delivery orifice in fluid communication with the liquid receiving orifice;

the liquid exiting the liquid delivery orifice as a drop; and

the drop contacting the unltrasound tip before reaching the radiation surface and being atomized;

a body in which the.ultrasound atomizer is mounted; and

a channel within the body in fluid conmunication with the delivery collar and a liquid storage area.

74. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a valve between the liquid storage area and the ultrasound atomizer.

75. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a pump between the liquid storage area and the ultrasound atomrzer.

76. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a collection. device for collecting a portion of the spray.

77. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having an electronic control unit

78. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a pump controlled by the electronic control unit

79. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a valve controlled by the electronic control unit.

80. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a pressure sensor in communication with electronic control unit.

81. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a material sensor in communication with the electronic control unit.

82. The ultrasound separation system of claim 73 also having a flow rate sensor in communication with the electronic control unit.