Ultrasonic spraying device

• US 4,815,661 A
• Filed: 08/03/1987
• Issued: 03/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tomtec NV
• Original Assignee: Tomtec NV
• Inventors: Anthony, Jean M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Forman, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US07/080,781
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 239/102.2, 239/590.3, 239/DIG. 23, 239/DIG. 19, 239/4
• US Class Current: 239/102.2
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0623 coupled with a vibrating horn
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/063 having an internal channel for supplying the liquid or other fluent material

Abstract

There is described an ultrasonic spraying device, comprised of a body wherein a core which generates piezo-electric vibrations, is arranged, said vibrations being conveyed to a spray nozzle which receives the liquid to be atomized, in which against the free end of said spray nozzle, a diaphragm is mounted which is so designed as to improve the atomizing characteristics of the liquid.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic spraying device, comprising:

a body having a front end forming a body outlet;

a spray nozzle having front and back ends, said back end of the spray nozzle being held inside the body, the front end of the spray nozzle extending forward through the body outlet and forming a nozzle outlet;

means in fluid communication with the spray nozzle to conduct a liquid to and through the nozzle outlet;

a vibration generator secured within the body and connected to the back end of the spray nozzle, to generate piezo-electric vibrations and to vibrate the spray nozzle;

an extension member connected to the front end of the body, extending forward therefrom, and including an inside surface extending around the nozzle outlet and forming an inside, circumferentially extending groove;

a ring secured in the circumferentially extending groove, and located forward of the nozzle outlet; and

a liquid permeable diaphragm held between and against the ring and the nozzle outlet to atomize the liquid conducted through the nozzle outlet.

2. An ultrasonic spraying device according to claim 1, wherein:

the extension member includes

(i) a first cylindrical member connected to and extending forward from the body, and

(ii) a second cylindrical member connected to and extending forward from the first cylindrical member; and

the circumferentially extending groove is formed in the second cylindrical member.

3. An ultrasonic spraying device, comprising:

a body having a front end forming a body outlet;

a spray nozzle having front and back ends, said back end of the spray nozzle being held inside the body, the front end of the spray nozzle extending forward through the body outlet and forming a nozzle outlet;

means in fluid communication with the spray nozzle to conduct a liquid to and through the nozzle outlet;

a vibration generator secured within the body and connected to the back end of the spray nozzle, to generate piezo-electric vibrations and to vibrate the spray nozzle;

extension means releasably connected to the front end of the body, extending forward therefrom, and including

(i) a first member releasably connected to and extending forward from the body, and

(ii) a second member captured between the first member and the body; and

a liquid permeable diaphragm captured between the first and second members of the extension means and held against the nozzle outlet to atomize the liquid conducted through the nozzle outlet.

4. An ultrasonic spraying device according to claim 3, wherein:

the first member of the extension means includes

(i) an outside tubular portion,

(ii) a ring portion extending inwardly from the outside tubular portion;

the body includes

(i) an outside tubular shell,

(ii) a flange portion extending inwardly from the tubular shell; and

the second member of the extension means is axially captured between the ring portion of the first member of the extension means and the flange portion of the body.

5. An ultrasonic spraying device according to claim 3, wherein:

the body includes a cylindrical forward portion; and

the first member of the extension means is in a pressure fit with said cylindrical forward position.

6. An ultrasonic spraying device according to claim 3, wherein:

the body includes a cylindrical forward portion; and

the first member of the extension means is threaded onto said cylindrical forward portion.