Sidestream aerosol generator and method in variable positions
First Claim
1. An apparatus for aspirating and aerosolizing a liquid in a flow of gas under pressure comprising:
- a housing defining a liquid reservoir with walls of a predefined three dimensional geometric shape, an aerosol outlet located at a first axial end of said reservoir and a gas nozzle formed at a second axial end of said reservoir, said nozzle having means for connecting to a pressurized gas source;
an internal component having an operative position and being formed of a substantially flat member having an axial dimension and shaped along same to conform substantially with said reservoir along a bisecting cross section thereof, said internal component having a cylindrical liquid conduit with a first axial end connected to said internal component and a second axial end distal therefrom, said liquid conduit surrounding said gas nozzle when in said operative position;
wherein said internal component and said cylindrical liquid conduit form a minimal capillary space between, respectfully, said walls of said liquid reservoir and said gas nozzle, said cylindrical liquid conduit having a liquid orifice at said second axial end, wherein said gas nozzle and said liquid orifice are in fluid communication with said minimal capillary space.
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Abstract
A device and method for the aerosolization of a liquid, includes a liquid reservoir having a three dimensional geometric shape within a hollow cylindrical housing and a gas nozzle in the liquid reservoir. An internal component having a three dimensional geometric shape conforming to the internal walls of the liquid reservoir, having a liquid conduit and a liquid orifice, and minimally spaced from the internal walls of the liquid reservoir and the gas nozzle. The gas nozzle coupled to pressurized gas source, produces a high velocity gas stream which exits through the liquid orifice. A subatmospheric pressure is created within the minimal space between the liquid conduit, and gas nozzle. The liquid is aspirated from the minimal space between the internal component and the internal walls of the liquid reservoir, to the minimal space between the liquid conduit, and gas nozzle and out the liquid orifice. A removable threaded cap with an aerosol outlet on the cylindrical housing, provides a seal between the inner surface of the cap, and the region of the minimal space between the internal component, and the internal walls of the liquid reservoir. The seal reduces the quantity of air aspirated from the minimal space, with improved aerosol output. As a result of the geometrical shape of the internal component conforming to the internal geometrical shape of the liquid reservoir, the device will generate an aerosol in any orientation from the vertical to above the horizontal positions.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for aspirating and aerosolizing a liquid in a flow of gas under pressure comprising:
- a housing defining a liquid reservoir with walls of a predefined three dimensional geometric shape, an aerosol outlet located at a first axial end of said reservoir and a gas nozzle formed at a second axial end of said reservoir, said nozzle having means for connecting to a pressurized gas source;
an internal component having an operative position and being formed of a substantially flat member having an axial dimension and shaped along same to conform substantially with said reservoir along a bisecting cross section thereof, said internal component having a cylindrical liquid conduit with a first axial end connected to said internal component and a second axial end distal therefrom, said liquid conduit surrounding said gas nozzle when in said operative position; wherein said internal component and said cylindrical liquid conduit form a minimal capillary space between, respectfully, said walls of said liquid reservoir and said gas nozzle, said cylindrical liquid conduit having a liquid orifice at said second axial end, wherein said gas nozzle and said liquid orifice are in fluid communication with said minimal capillary space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- a housing defining a liquid reservoir with walls of a predefined three dimensional geometric shape, an aerosol outlet located at a first axial end of said reservoir and a gas nozzle formed at a second axial end of said reservoir, said nozzle having means for connecting to a pressurized gas source;
Specification