US3788543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Uniform size particle generator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-09-14
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1992-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for generation of fine particles, for example of silver iodide, from a nebulizer for cloud seeding. The nebulizer comprises a large container in which is maintained a constant level of a combustible or highly volatile solution such as an acetone solution of silver iodide. An ultra-sonic generator in the base of the container produces micron size droplets of the solution in the airspace above the solution. The droplets are forced out of the container by a stream of solvent laden air into a burner or vent which burns or evaporates the solvent. Fine particles of the solute silver iodide remain for the cloud seeding operation.
Inventors
- 👤 P Amand
- 👤 I Koff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G15/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A process for the seeding of clouds using ice nucleating particles including the steps of: dissolving a salt in a combustible solvent to form a solution; ultrasonically agitating said solution to provide an airborn collection of irregular droplets; forcibly moving a stream of solvent laden air to create an airborn stream of said irregular droplets away from said solution; separating and returning the larger droplets from said stream to said solution such that the resulting droplet stream comprises a narrow size spectrum of fine droplets of said solution; dissipating the solvent from said resulting stream of fine droplets; and dispensing the resulting particles of solute into the atmosphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for the seeding of clouds using ice nucleating particles including the steps of: dissolving a salt in a combustible solvent to form a solution; ultrasonically agitating said solution to provide an airborn collection of irregular droplets; forcibly moving a stream of solvent laden air to create an airborn stream of said irregular droplets away from said solution; separating and returning the larger droplets from said stream to said solution such that the resulting droplet stream comprises a narrow size spectrum of fine droplets of said solution; dissipating the solvent from said resulting stream of fine droplets; and dispensing the resulting particles of solute into the atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is dissipated by evaporation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the salt used is silver iodide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is dissipated by burning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the salt used is silver iodide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
Means for producing uniform particles comprising: a first enclosed container; a salt solution in said container; ultrasonic means agitating said solution in said container to produce a cloud of airborn droplets of solution; a second container communicating with said first container and being partially filled with solvent; forced air circulating means causing movement of said cloud of droplets by means of a stream of air forced through said solvent; a vent defining a passageway for said cloud of droplets out of said container; a plurality of baffles in said vent causing removal and return of larger droplets from said cloud of droplets; and means external of said vent and in the path of said cloud of droplets for dissipating said solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
Means for producing uniform particles comprising: a first enclosed container; a salt solution in said container; ultrasonic means agitating said solution in said container to produce a cloud of airborn droplets of solution; a second container communicating with said first container and being partially filled with solvent; forced air circulating means causing movement of said cloud of droplets by means of a stream of air forced through said solvent; a vent defining a passageway for said cloud of droplets out of said container; a plurality of baffles in said vent causing removal and return of larger droplets from said cloud of droplets; and means external of said vent and in the path of said cloud of droplets for dissipating said solvent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said solution comprises a volatile solvent and said means for dissipating is a burner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said solution comprises a combustible solvent and said dissipating means serves to ignite said solvent in said cloud of droplets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said solution consists of silver iodide and acetone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said solution comprises silver iodide.
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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |