Method of atomization and atomizing device for coating material using the Coanda effect
First Claim
1. A method for atomizing a material, comprising the steps of:
- providing a stream of a material to be atomized flowing in a first direction;
injecting into the stream an atomizer gas in a direction generally across said first direction; and
moving the stream through a progressively enlarging annulus having an interior surface so curved that the stream will flow along the contour of said interior surface without reverse eddies and without substantial turbulence;
said injecting and moving steps being performed in such a manner as to cause the stream, the injected atomizer gas and said interior surface to cooperate to cause the stream to expand into a broader stream of atomized material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An atomizer has a channel through which material to be atomized, preferably comprising a transport gas and a powder, liquid or granular material, flows in a first direction. At or slightly downstream from the downstream end of the channel, preferably an atomizer gas is injected into the stream to be atomized, the injection occurring at an angle to the first direction. Preferably the atomizer gas is injected to impart a rotary motion to the stream. At the downstream end of the channel is a funnel-shaped outlet whose surface is so shaped that the stream can adhere to the interior surface of the outlet under the Coanda effect, producing an atomized cloud of transversely uniform density. A gas jacket may be used to control the shape of the cloud. The flow of both the atomizer gas and the gas forming the gas jacket is preferably adjustable in speed and direction.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for atomizing a material, comprising the steps of:
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providing a stream of a material to be atomized flowing in a first direction; injecting into the stream an atomizer gas in a direction generally across said first direction; and moving the stream through a progressively enlarging annulus having an interior surface so curved that the stream will flow along the contour of said interior surface without reverse eddies and without substantial turbulence;
said injecting and moving steps being performed in such a manner as to cause the stream, the injected atomizer gas and said interior surface to cooperate to cause the stream to expand into a broader stream of atomized material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 23, 24)
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6. An atomization device for atomizing coating material comprising:
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channel means for transmitting a stream of material to be atomized downstream in said channel means; funnel means downstream of said channel means and communicating therewith;
said funnel means having an interior surface that expands progressively in the downstream direction of the stream to be atomized and said interior surface having a curvature moving downstream that enables the stream to flow along said surface without reversal eddies on said curvature and to form a cloud; and
said funnel means having an upstream end and a downstream end; andmeans for injecting an atomizer gas into the stream of material to be atomized, generally across the direction of flow of the stream, for cooperating with the stream and with said interior surface of said funnel means to atomize the material. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25)
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26. An atomization device for atomizing coating material comprising:
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channel means for transmitting a stream of material to be atomized downstream in said channel means; funnel means downstream of said channel means and communicating therewith;
said funnel means having an interior surface that expands progressively in the downstream direction of the stream to be atomized and said interior surface having a curvature moving downstream that enables the stream to flow along said surface without reversal eddies on said curvature and to form a cloud;means for injecting an atomizer gas into the stream of material to be atomized, generally across the direction of flow of the stream, said gas injection means comprising slot means at said funnel means for injecting atomizer gas into the stream; a first piece including said channel means for the stream of material to be atomized; and a second piece adjustably attached to said first piece and integral with at least a portion of said funnel means;
said first and second pieces being positioned such that a gap is left between said first and second pieces, said gap serving as said slot means. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification