Method and Apparatus for an Improved Aerosol Generator and Associated Uses and Equipment

• US 20110114744A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altapure LLC
• Original Assignee: Altapure LLC
• Inventors: Ricciardi, Carl L., Ricciardi, Jonathan J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance and protecting one or more aerosol generating transducers from deterioration while operating in a chemically reactive aqueous solution by utilizing one or more protective barrier techniques to eliminate chemical interaction between the aqueous solution and the transducers, among other features of the generator including these transducers. The method of the present invention produces an aerosol producing transducer with the transducer housing and assembly to be constructed in such a way as to assure its efficient and effective long-term and problem free operation in an aqueous solution that is chemically reactive.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator comprising:

a) a housing including a fluid reservoir;

b) at least one transducer in contact with the fluid reservoir and having at least one acceptable operational frequency range;

c) an electronic drive system operably connected to the at least one transducer, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to sense changes in the at least one acceptable operational frequency range for the at least one transducer, to determine at least one altered acceptable operational frequency range, and to vary signals sent to from the electronic drive system to the at least one transducer to operate the at least one transducer within the at least one altered acceptable operational frequency range; and

d) an interface assembly positioned between the housing and a surface to be treated to prevent contact between the housing and the surface.

2. The generator of claim 1 wherein the interface assembly is formed at least partially from an absorbent material.

3. The generator of claim 1 wherein the interface assembly is affixed to a wheel secured to the housing.

4. The generator of claim 1 wherein the interface assembly includes at least one basin engageable with a wheel secured to the housing.

5. The generator of claim 4 wherein the interface assembly includes at least one ridge capable of preventing movement of the wheel over the interface assembly.

22. A method for producing an aerosol using the aerosol generator of claim 1.

6. An aerosol generator comprising:

a) a housing including a fluid reservoir;

b) at least one transducer in contact with the fluid reservoir and having at least one acceptable operational frequency range, the at least one transducer formed as a self-contained, fluid-proof unit that is releaseably secured to the fluid reservoir;

c) an electronic drive system operably connected to the at least one transducer;

d) at least one outlet on the housing for dispensing an aerosol generated by the at least one transducer;

e) at least one entrance on the housing for enabling airflow into the housing; and

f) a dehumidification device operably connected to the at least one entrance to remove the aerosol from the airflow entering the housing.

7. The generator of claim 6 wherein the dehumidification device is formed as an impaction device.

8. The generator of claim 7 wherein the impaction device includes a number of paddles on a rotating shaft that contact the air and aerosol flow entering the housing through the at least one entrance.

9. The generator of claim 6 wherein the dehumidification device includes a torus airflow pathway through the dehumidification device.

10. The generator of claim 6 wherein the dehumidification device includes a deodorizing device.

11. The generator of claim 10 wherein the deodorizing device includes at least one ultraviolet light source.

12. The generator of claim 11 wherein the deodorizing device further includes at least one mirror disposed along an airflow pathway through the dehumidification device.

13. The generator of claim 6 wherein the dehumidification device includes a chilling device.

14. The generator of claim 6 further comprising at least one filter disposed in one or both of the housing and the dehumidification device and in contact with the airflow though the generator and/or dehumidification device.

15. An aerosol generator comprising:

a) a housing including a fluid reservoir;

b) at least one transducer disposed in a contact with the fluid reservoir, the at least one transducer including alignment means to maintain the at least one transducer in alignment with an upper surface of the fluid contained within the reservoir;

c) an electronic drive system operably connected to the at least one transducer, the electronic drive system configured to send signals to the at least one transducer to cause the at least one transducer to vibrate at a selected frequency;

d) a control device configured to control the operation of the electronic drive system; and

e) at least one first sensor operably connected to the control device to measure a level of aerosol present on or adjacent the surface to be treated.

16. The generator of claim 15 further comprising at least one second sensor configured to determine the efficacy of the fluid contained within the reservoir.

17. The generator of claim 15 wherein the at least one first sensor is adjustably mounted with respect to the housing.

18. The generator of claim 15 further comprising at least one sealing member secured to at least one of an inlet, an outlet or an internal passage of the generator, wherein the at least one sealing member is selectively operable by the control device in response to signals received by the control device.

19. An aerosol generator comprising:

a) a housing including a fluid reservoir;

b) at least one transducer in contact with the fluid reservoir and having at least one acceptable operational frequency range, the at least one transducer formed as a self-contained, fluid-proof unit that is releaseably secured to the fluid reservoir;

c) an electronic drive system operably connected to the at least one transducer;

d) at least one outlet on the housing for dispensing an aerosol generated by the at least one transducer outwardly from the housing.

20. The generator of claim 19 wherein the at least one outlet configured to be maintained a specified distance from the surface of the fluid in the reservoir.

21. The generator of claim 20 wherein the at least one outlet has a reconfigurable outer end to enable the aerosol produced by the generator to be directed outwardly where desired from the housing.