Electrostatic spray nozzle with internal and external electrodes

• US 7,360,724 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Shaw, John Rolland, Comstock, Krista Beth, Willey, Alan David, Gartstein, Vladimir, Mueller, William Richard, Gaw, Chinto Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver; Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gorman; Darren
• Application Number:
  US10/969,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20060081728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 239/707, 239/706, 239/690, 239/3, 239/690.1, 239/695, 239/696, 239/708, 239/548, 239/550, 239/556, 239/557, 239/566, 118/620, 118/621, 118623-625, 118/627, 118/629, 118/313, 427/458, 427/475, 427/479, 96/53, 96/75, 96/76, 96/83, 96/84, 962/22, 962/40
• US Class Current: 239/707
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/044 Slits, i.e. narrow openings defined by two straight and parallel lips; Elongated outlets for producing very wide discharges, e.g. fluid curtains B05B1/046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/202 comprising inserted outlet elements B05B1/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0255 spraying and depositing by electrostatic forces only
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0533 Electrodes specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/087 Arrangements of electrodes, e.g. of charging, shielding, collecting electrodes B05B5/12, B05B5/14 take precedence; arrangements of electrodes on the discharge apparatus B05B5/0533

Abstract

A nozzle is provided for use in a dynamic electrostatic air filter, in which the nozzle includes an internal electrode that charges a semiconductive liquid, and includes an external electrode that assists in breaking the liquid into droplets in a predetermined direction. Banks of multiple nozzles are also disclosed, which are separated by a charged “separation electrode” to prevent interference with spray patterns between adjacent banks. An electrostatic fountain is also disclosed which discharges a fragrance, or an inhalable medicine.

Claims

1. An electrostatic nozzle apparatus, comprising:

(a) a first plurality of nozzles physically arranged in a first bank of nozzles;

(b) a second plurality of nozzles physically arranged in a second bank of nozzles;

each

nozzle in said first plurality of nozzles and said second plurality of nozzles comprising;

a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, an internal channel between said fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an internal electrode that is electrically charged to a predetermined first voltage magnitude, wherein said internal electrode is positioned proximal to said internal channel and imparts an electrical charge to at least a portion of a fluid moving through said internal channel; and

an external electrode having a surface that is made of a substantially electrically conductive material, said external electrode being electrically charged to a predetermined second voltage magnitude, wherein said external electrode is positioned at an exit region of said moving fluid as the fluid passes through said fluid outlet; and

(c) a separation electrode physically positioned between both said first and second banks of nozzles, said separation electrode being electrically charged to a predetermined third voltage magnitude.

2. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said external electrode is spaced-apart from said fluid outlet.

3. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said external electrode makes physical contact with a surface of said nozzle at a location proximal to said fluid outlet.

4. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each nozzle includes a nozzle body that is substantially made of a material that is electrically insulative, and wherein said internal electrode is substantially made of a material that is one of:

(a) electrically conductive, and (b) electrically semiconductive.

5. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a shape of an exterior portion of said nozzle body is substantially cylindrical, and wherein said fluid exits from said nozzle through an interior region which exhibits a shape that is substantially cylindrical as an inner diameter, which shape extends from said internal electrode to said fluid outlet.

6. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a shape of an exterior portion of said nozzle body is substantially cylindrical, and wherein said fluid exits from said nozzle through an interior region which exhibits a shape that is substantially parabolic, which shape extends from said internal electrode to said fluid outlet such that a first cross-section at said internal electrode is less than a second cross-section at said fluid outlet.

7. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said separation electrode comprises a material that is one of:

(a) substantially electrically conductive; and

(b) substantially electrically semiconductive.

8. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises a liquid as it flows through said internal channel to said fluid outlet, and breaks apart into a plurality of droplets upon exiting said nozzle body at said fluid outlet.

9. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said external electrodes presence enables said nozzle to produce an effective discharge pattern when the predetermined first voltage magnitude is significantly less than would otherwise be required to produce a substantially similar discharge pattern without the presence of said external electrode.

10. An electrostatic nozzle apparatus, comprising:

(a) a first plurality of nozzles physically arranged in a first bank of nozzles;

(b) a second plurality of nozzles physically arranged in a second bank of nozzles;

each

nozzle in the first plurality of nozzles and the second plurality of nozzles comprising;

a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, an internal channel between said fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an internal electrode that is electrically charged to a predetermined first voltage magnitude, wherein said internal electrode is positioned proximal to said internal channel and imparts an electrical charge to at least a portion of a fluid moving through said internal channel; and

an external electrode that is positioned at an exit region of said moving fluid as the fluid passes through said fluid outlet, and which is electrically charged to a predetermined second voltage magnitude, wherein said external electrode'"'"'s presence enables said nozzle to produce an effective discharge pattern when the predetermined first voltage magnitude is in a range of 2 kV through 39 kV, inclusive, and the predetermined second voltage magnitude is in a range of 1 volt through 31 kV, inclusive; and

(c) a separation electrode physically positioned between both said first and second banks of nozzles, said separation electrode being electrically charged to a predetermined third voltage magnitude.

11. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said first voltage magnitude is in a range of 5 kV through 15 kV, inclusive, and second voltage magnitude is in a range of 1 volt through 5 kV, inclusive.

12. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said first and second voltage magnitudes exhibit the same polarity.

13. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said external electrode exhibits a surface that is made of a material which is at least one of:

(a) substantially electrically conductive; and

(b) substantially electrically semiconductive.

14. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said external electrode is spaced-apart from said fluid outlet.

15. The electrostatic nozzle apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein each nozzle includes a nozzle body that is substantially made of a material that is electrically insulative, and wherein said internal electrode comprises a material that is one of:

(a) substantially electrically conductive, and (b) substantially electrically semiconductive.