Vibration induced atomizers

• US 6,247,525 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Smith, Marc K., Glezer, Ari
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCKINNON, TERRELL L
• Application Number:
  US09/576,729
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 165/104.21, 165/104.23, 165/104.25, 165/104.31, 165/104.33, 165/104.34, 165/109.1, 239/102.2, 239/102.1, 174/15
• US Class Current: 165/104.25
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/0607 generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0012 Apparatus for achieving spraying before discharge from the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/02 by influencing fluid boundary boundary-layer control in general F15D
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/10 by imparting a pulsating motion to the flow, e.g. by sonic vibration

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of an atomizing apparatus incorporates a source of heat transfer fluid and an atomizing surface adapted to receive a droplet of the heat transfer fluid thereon. A driver also is provided which is configured to control a vibration of the atomizing surface at a frequency less than ultrasonic so that the atomizing surface forms a spray of atomized droplets from the droplet of the heat transfer fluid. Preferably, the vibration is configured to form, on the droplet, surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of the droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling the atomized droplets from the droplet. Methods also are provided.

Claims

1. A method of transferring heat from a heated body, comprising the steps of:

providing a chamber having a first wall and a second wall spaced therefrom, the chamber containing a heat transfer fluid;

arranging at least a portion of the first wall in a heat transfer relationship with the heated body, the heated body being located externally of the chamber;

placing a discrete quantity of the heat transfer fluid into contact with the second wall; and

vibrating the second wall at a frequency less than ultrasonic to disintegrate the liquid droplets into smaller secondary droplets.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

propelling the secondary droplets away from the second wall such that at least some of the secondary droplets impact an interior of the first wall and vaporize, thereby transferring heat from the first wall.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

condensing the heat transfer fluid through heat transfer to the second wall, wherein the heat transfer fluid condenses and forms liquid droplets along an interior of the second wall.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

dispensing the discrete quantity of the heat transfer fluid onto the atomizing surface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

cooling the second wall of the chamber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating the second wall comprises the step of:

vibrating the second wall to form, on the liquid droplets, surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of the liquid droplets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating the second wall comprises the step of:

utilizing power of less than 1 Watt to vibrate the second wall.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fluid is water, and wherein the step of propelling the secondary droplets comprises the step of:

imparting a velocity of at least 1 m/s to at least some of the secondary droplets.

9. An atomizing apparatus comprising:

a source of heat transfer fluid;

a sealed chamber having a first wall, a second wall and at least one side wall extending therebetween, said first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior surface being configured to engage a heated surface, the heated surface being arranged externally of said sealed chamber, said interior surface being arranged inside said sealed chamber, said first wall being configured to conduct heat from the heated surface and transfer at least a portion of the heat to said interior surface, said first wall opposing said second wall, said second wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface arranged inside said sealed chamber, said interior surface of said second wall being a cool surface relative to the heated surface and being adapted to receive a droplet of said heat transfer fluid;

a driver configured to control a vibration of said interior surface of said second wall at a frequency less than ultrasonic such that said atomizing surface forms a spray of atomized droplets from said droplet of said heat transfer fluid, the vibration being configured to form, on said droplet, surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of said droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling said atomized droplets from said droplet.

10. The atomizing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a dispenser in fluid communication with said source of heat transfer fluid, said dispenser being configured to dispense a droplet of said heat transfer fluid on said interior surface of said second wall.

11. The atomizing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a piezoelectric element engaging said second wall and electrically communicating with said driver such that said piezoelectric element vibrates said interior surface of said second wall in response to said driver.

12. The atomizing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said exterior surface of said second wall is configured to engage a cooling device, said cooling device being configured to maintain said cool surface at a temperature cooler than a temperature of said interior surface of said first wall.

13. The atomizing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said at least one side wall is insulated to prevent condensation of said heat transfer fluid therealong.

14. An atomizing apparatus comprising:

a source of heat transfer fluid;

a sealed chamber having a first wall, a second wall and at least one side wall extending therebetween, said first wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior surface being configured to engage a heated surface, the heated surface being arranged externally of said sealed chamber, said interior surface being arranged inside said sealed chamber, said first wall being configured to conduct heat from the heated surface and transfer at least a portion of the heat to said interior surface, said first wall opposing said second wall, said second wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface arranged inside said sealed chamber, said interior surface of said second wall being a cool surface relative to the heated surface and being adapted to receive a droplet of said heat transfer fluid; and

means for controlling a vibration of a droplet of said heat transfer fluid received on said interior surface of said second wall, the vibration of the droplet being at a frequency less than ultrasonic such that a spray of atomized droplets is formed from said droplet of said heat transfer fluid, the vibration being configured to form, on said droplet,

surface waves having a smaller wavelength than a diameter of said droplet, thereby ejecting and propelling said atomized droplets from said droplet.

15. The atomizing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a piezoelectric element engaging said interior surface of said second wall and electrically communicating with said means for controlling a vibration of a droplet such that said piezoelectric element vibrates said interior surface of said second wall in response to said means for controlling a vibration of a droplet.

16. The atomizing apparatus of claim 14, wherein said exterior surface of said second wall is configured to engage a cooling device, said cooling device being configured to maintain said cool surface at a temperature cooler than a temperature of said interior surface of said first wall.

17. The atomizing apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one side wall comprises means for preventing condensation of said heat transfer fluid along said at least one side wall.