US3567116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Atomizing method and apparatus
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1968-12-18
•
Granted: 1971-03-02
•
Expires: 1988-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for atomizing a liquid which comprises the steps of (1) forming a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in a flowing enclosed pressurized liquid, said liquid and gas being the continuous and dispersed phases respectively, and (2) subsequently forcibly expelling the dispersed system through an hydraulic atomizing nozzle into an ambient atmosphere to provide an expanding stream of minute droplets. The preferred apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is a venturi tube fitted at one end with an hydraulic atomizing nozzle, the compressed gas being introduced into the liquid at the throat of the venturi.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Lindlof
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:58
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/04; B; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/30; B01F25/31; B01F25/312; B01F25/3121; B05; B05B; B05B7/00; B05B7/02; B05B7/04; B05B7/0416; B05B7/0483; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/12; F25C2303/00; F25C2303/048; F25C2303/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for introducing compressed gas in the form of minute bubbles into a contained flowing stream of pressurized liquid so as to form a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in said liquid, the liquid and the gas being the continuous and dispersed phases respectively and for subsequently atomizing said liquid, said apparatus comprising in combination a tabular, liquid transmitting member having an area of reduced internal diameter, one end of said member being adapted to receive a conduit for a pressurized liquid, a hydraulic atomizing nozzle mounted in the opposite end of said liquid-transmitting member, and means for introducing compressed gas into the liquid at the point of minimum cross-sectional area of said reduced internal diameter of said liquid-transmitting member to form minute bubbles therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for introducing compressed gas in the form of minute bubbles into a contained flowing stream of pressurized liquid so as to form a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in said liquid, the liquid and the gas being the continuous and dispersed phases respectively and for subsequently atomizing said liquid, said apparatus comprising in combination a tabular, liquid transmitting member having an area of reduced internal diameter, one end of said member being adapted to receive a conduit for a pressurized liquid, a hydraulic atomizing nozzle mounted in the opposite end of said liquid-transmitting member, and means for introducing compressed gas into the liquid at the point of minimum cross-sectional area of said reduced internal diameter of said liquid-transmitting member to form minute bubbles therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular, liquid-transmitting member has an area of reduced internal diameter, and said area of reduced diameter is provided with a plurality of orifices spaced circumferentially therearound as the means for introducing compressed gas, said orifices being communicative with a source of compressed gas and with a liquid flowing through said area of reduced diameter and being of a size adapted to provide a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in said liquid passing therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular liquid-transmitting member is in the form of a venturi, and the throat section of said venturi is provided with a plurality of orifices spaced circumferentially therearound as the means for introducing compressed gas, said orifices being communicative an with a source of compressed gas and with a liquid flowing through said throat section and being of a size adapted to provide a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in said liquid passing therethrough. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein regulating means is provided to afford a volume ratio of liquid to gas of at least 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said orifices have a diameter of between about .0405 cm. and .0127 cm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for introducing compressed gas is a single orifice communicative with a source of compressed gas and with the liquid flowing through the tubular liquid-transmitting member, the orifice having a diameter size sufficient to provide a dispersion of minute gas bubbles in a liquid within the tubular member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |