Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of forming an atomizing spray nozzle comprising the steps of: etching a swirl chamber in a thin section of material, said swirl chamber having a shape such that liquid to be sprayed can move therein in a vortex motion toward the center of the swirl chamber; and etching a spray orifice which extends through the thin section of material at the center of the swirl chamber such that liquid to be sprayed can move from said swirl chamber to said spray orifice and then exit the spray orifice in a conically shaped thin film which soon atomizes into a fine droplet mist.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of forming an atomizing spray nozzle comprising the steps of: etching a swirl chamber in a thin section of material, said swirl chamber having a shape such that liquid to be sprayed can move therein in a vortex motion toward the center of the swirl chamber; and etching a spray orifice which extends through the thin section of material at the center of the swirl chamber such that liquid to be sprayed can move from said swirl chamber to said spray orifice and then exit the spray orifice in a conically shaped thin film which soon atomizes into a fine droplet mist.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises the step of: etching in said thin section of material at least one feed slot which extends non-radially to said swirl chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said thin section of material has a first side and a second side and wherein said step of etching said swirl chamber comprises etching in said first side of said thin section of material a bowl-shaped swirl chamber cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of etching said spray orifice comprises etching an orifice through said second side of said thin section of material to said swirl chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 4 which further comprises the steps of: forming an inlet piece which can mate with said thin section of material; forming an inlet passage in said nozzle for conveying liquid to be sprayed to said at least one feed slot; and sealingly connecting said first side of said thin section of material to said inlet piece and connecting said inlet passage to said at least one feed slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said thin section of material comprises a disk and further comprises the step of etching a feed annulus on said first side of said disk adjacent the periphery of said disk of such configuration as to be connected to said at least one feed slot of said disk and said inlet passage of said inlet piece for conveying liquid therebetween.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a plurality of atomizing spray nozzles comprising the steps of: etching a plurality of spaced apart swirl chambers in a thin section of metal, said swirl chambers having a shape such that liquid to be sprayed can move in each-swirl chamber in a vortex motion toward the center of the swirl chamber; etching a spray orifice which extends through the thin section of metal at the center of each of said plurality of swirl chambers such that liquid to be sprayed can move from each swirl chamber to said spray orifice and then exit the spray orifice in an active thin film; and dividing said thin section of metal into separate spray nozzles each of which has one of said swirl chambers and orifices therein.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a plurality of atomizing spray nozzles comprising the steps of: etching a plurality of spaced apart swirl chambers in a thin section of metal, said swirl chambers having a shape such that liquid to be sprayed can move in each-swirl chamber in a vortex motion toward the center of the swirl chamber; etching a spray orifice which extends through the thin section of metal at the center of each of said plurality of swirl chambers such that liquid to be sprayed can move from each swirl chamber to said spray orifice and then exit the spray orifice in an active thin film; and dividing said thin section of metal into separate spray nozzles each of which has one of said swirl chambers and orifices therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of dividing said thin section of metal into separate spray nozzles comprises: etching a separation slot which extends through said thin section of metal and around each spray nozzle except for one or more relatively thin support bridges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 which further comprises the step of: etching in said thin section of metal one or more feed slots which extend non-radially from each swift chamber.