US4963289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing monodisperse aerosols
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1989-06-08
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2009-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An aerosol generator is described which is capable of producing a monodisperse aerosol within narrow limits utilizing an aqueous solution capable of providing a high population of seed nuclei and an organic solution having a low vapor pressure. The two solutions are cold nebulized, mixed, vaporized, and cooled. During cooling, particles of the organic vapor condense onto the excess seed nuclei, and grow to a uniform particle size.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence W. Ortiz
- 👤 Sidney C. Soderholm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:43
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/30; B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/04; B01; B01D; B01D2273/00; B01D2273/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a monodisperse aerosol comprising the steps of: mixing an organic liquid having a low vapor pressure with an aqueous solution having a high population of seed nuclei; nebulizing said mixed organic liquid and said aqueous solution; heating to flash vaporize nebulized organic liquid and said aqueous solution to produce vapors of said organic liquid and particles of said aqueous solution; cooling said vapors and said particles with a surrounding flow of cool air to condense said vapors onto said particles, and to promote uniform growth of said condensed vapors on said particles; and outputting a monodisperse aerosol comprising said condensed vapors on said particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a monodisperse aerosol comprising the steps of: mixing an organic liquid having a low vapor pressure with an aqueous solution having a high population of seed nuclei; nebulizing said mixed organic liquid and said aqueous solution; heating to flash vaporize nebulized organic liquid and said aqueous solution to produce vapors of said organic liquid and particles of said aqueous solution; cooling said vapors and said particles with a surrounding flow of cool air to condense said vapors onto said particles, and to promote uniform growth of said condensed vapors on said particles; and outputting a monodisperse aerosol comprising said condensed vapors on said particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said nebulized organic liquid and said aqueous solution are flash vaporized at a temperature near the boiling points of said nebulized organic liquid and said aqueous solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said organic liquid comprises oleic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said organic liquid comprises tetraethylene glycol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said organic liquid comprises di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution comprises a sodium chloride solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution comprises a silver halide solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said step of outputting a monodisperse aerosol includes outputting said monodisperse aerosol to a penetrometer for testing HEPA filters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as described in claim 1, wherein said step of outputting a monodisperse aerosol includes outputting said monodisperse aerosol to a spectrometer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-04-16 | 1994-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-15 | 1998-04-16 | 1998-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-15 | 2002-04-16 | 2002-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |