With Means To Vibrate Or Jiggle Discharge Patents (Class 239/102.1)
  • Patent number: 9867267
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source device includes a source droplet generator for generating source droplets as a target source for generating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light and for injecting the source droplets to a collector, a light irradiator for directing a detection light to an injection path of the source droplets, a light detector for detecting the detection light blocked by the source droplet, and a source droplet controller electrically connected to the light detector and the source droplet generator for analyzing the detection light to determine whether a satellite of the source droplet is generated or to determine a size of the generated satellite and for controlling a formation of a stream of source droplets based on the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Koo Lee, In-Sung Kim, Jin-Hong Park
  • Patent number: 9841005
    Abstract: A wind power generation system has a windmill, a lift improvement device, a power generator, a storage, and a controller. The windmill rotates when receiving an airflow. The lift improvement device has a capability of operating and halting, the lift improvement device increases a lift force to a blade of the windmill when operating. The power generator generates power by rotation of the windmill and a torque is generated in a direction suppressing rotation of the windmill. The storage stores a plurality of characteristic maps indicating characteristics of the torques of the power generator in relation to rotation speeds of the power generator. The controller controls a power generation amount of the power generator by switching and using the plurality of characteristic maps of the storage in correspondence with a state of operating or halting of the lift improvement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Motofumi Tanaka, Naohiko Shimura, Toshiki Osako, Toshimasa Yamada, Hisashi Matsuda, Yuuta Onishi, Shinya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9832972
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and associated method for tagging insects and arthropods. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, an electrosprayer is provided including a nozzle cartridge, a spray chamber removably attached to the nozzle cartridge and a power supply operatively connected to the nozzle cartridge and a grounding plate within the spray chamber to electrically charge droplets expelled from the nozzle which coat one or more insects contained in the spray chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Horn-Bond Lin, Matthew B. Hart, Jay D. Eversole, Keith W. Blount, Wesley Walker
  • Patent number: 9797612
    Abstract: Humidifying apparatus includes a chamber, and a water tank for supplying water to the chamber. A baffle located within the chamber divides the chamber into an inlet section and an outlet section, and guides water received from the water tank along the inlet section to the outlet section. An air flow is conveyed over water stored in the outlet section of the chamber and is emitted from the apparatus. Water within both the inlet section and the outlet section of the chamber is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The water within the outlet section is atomized by a transducer to humidify the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Staniforth, Daniel James Beavis, Jude Paul Pullen, Paul Richard Riggs
  • Patent number: 9739230
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A first energizing electrical current is supplied to an injector solenoid, causing the opening of an injector control volume and a pressure reduction in said injector control volume, for a first energizing time. The first energizing time is predetermined to avoid that the pressure in the injector control volume approximates a value which would cause an injector needle to raise up and a fuel injection to start. After the predetermined time interval, a second energizing electrical current is supplied to the injector solenoid for a predetermined second energizing time, which is a function of a rail pressure (prail) and a fuel injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Massimiliano Melis, Francesco Pesce
  • Patent number: 9573154
    Abstract: A device (200) for generating an aerosol cloud, the device (200) comprising: a body (210) defining an inner cavity, an outer surface, and an opening (213) extending between the inner cavity of the body (210) and the outer surface; at least one ultrasonic element (220) operable to aerosolize a liquid disposed in the inner cavity; and at least one sensor (226) associated with the at least one ultrasonic element (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Bretillot, David A. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9556889
    Abstract: A synthetic jet includes a first backer structure, one and only one actuator, a wall member coupled to and positioned between the first backer structure and the one and only one actuator to form a cavity, and wherein the wall member has an orifice formed therethrough, and wherein the orifice fluidically couples the cavity to an environment external to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Stanton Earl Weaver, Charles Erklin Seeley, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar
  • Patent number: 9533118
    Abstract: In various arrangements, a nebulizer element of a nebulizer may be energized with a drive signal. A phase offset of the drive signal may be measured. A phase delta may be determined. The phase delta may indicate a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset. The target phase offset may indicate a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal. A frequency of the drive signal may be changed to decrease the phase delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventors: Benjamin Morris Gordon, Steven David Gardner, Matthew James Hayes
  • Patent number: 9521898
    Abstract: A shower brush that includes an elongated handle connected to a brush head and an interchangeable and detachable cleaning attachments. The interchangeable cleaning attachments include a variety of cleaning surfaces, such as bristles, pads, and loofas and nozzles that dispense soap and water from assemblies within the shower brush. The soap dispensing assembly includes a pump mechanism that dispenses liquid soap housed within a reservoir through nozzles. The water dispensing assembly dispenses water from a faucet or showerhead through water dispensing channels and nozzles on the cleaning attachment. The water flow and pressure may be adjusted via a nozzle adjustment assembly that includes a rotatable shutter. In some embodiments, the shower brush additionally includes a wireless sound system assembly that communicates with electronic devices and plays audio through speakers positioned within the shower brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Nickholas Knight
  • Patent number: 9522654
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (12) for spraying a liquid, intended to be fitted to a longitudinal end of a wiper blade consisting of at least one backing (5) and a wiping edge (1), the device comprising a body (23) and a channel (13) for streaming the liquid, which body and channel are unitary, said channel (13) comprising an inlet orifice (15) and a spraying orifice (16), in which the body (23) comprises a housing (27) intended to receive the backing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Xavier Bousset, Grégory Kolanowski
  • Patent number: 9522378
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and a system of producing nanoparticles and nanoparticle matrices of thermolabile, biocompatible matrix materials, like lipids and biopolymers with controlled properties. A prototype pulse-heat aerosol system is described for single-step production of free, thermolabile nanoparticles with sufficient control over size, morphology and crystallinity with controlled-release properties, for possible therapeutic, cosmetic or diagnostic use. Nanoparticles of the range 50 to 500 nm are obtained and are found suitable for controlled drugs delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY
    Inventors: Chandra Venkataraman, Amol Ashok Pawar
  • Patent number: 9517625
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a substrate and a flow-path-forming member that forms a plurality of flow paths and discharge ports that are in communication with the flow paths on the substrate. Liquid is to be discharged from the discharge ports. A space is formed between the plurality of flow paths and is filled with a filling material. In the case where a direction in which the liquid is to be discharged from the discharge ports is an upward direction, a top surface of the filling material is positioned at the same height as a face surface of the flow-path-forming member or is positioned higher than the face surface of the flow-path-forming member in the upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Goto, Hiroshi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9482440
    Abstract: A humidifier for treating humidified air with germicidal light is provided. The humidifier includes a water reservoir, an atomizer to atomize a supply of water, and an ultraviolet light source to expose the atomized water to germicidal light. The ultraviolet light source extends vertically within a cylindrical channel to irradiate the atomized water dissipating upwardly from the atomizer. The water reservoir can include a carbon filter and a hardness-removing module for removing containments and metal oxides from the water supply. A control panel indicates the remaining useful life of the ultraviolet light source, the carbon filter and the hardness-removing module based on historical humidifier usage and water quality levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Markham, Matthew J. Barton
  • Patent number: 9468943
    Abstract: A system and method for the packaging of a synthetic jet actuator is disclosed. A synthetic jet actuator is provided that includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a housing positioned about the first and second plates and defining a chamber. The housing includes at least one orifice therein such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an external environment. The synthetic jet actuator also includes a mounting mechanism configured to mount the first and second plates within the housing in a suspended arrangement and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof, thereby changing a volume within the chamber so that a series of fluid vortices are generated and projected to the external environment out from the at least one orifice of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, William Edward Burdick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9433696
    Abstract: A microfluidic fluid delivery device and method. The device includes a reservoir and a transport member. The device includes a microfluidic delivery member including a microfluidic die configured to release a fluid composition from the device. The microfluidic delivery member includes an adapter configured to receive an end portion of the transport member, wherein a capillary passage is formed between the adapter and the transport member. The capillary passage has a largest effective pore size that is smaller than the average effective pore size of the transport member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dana Paul Gruenbacher, David S Hunt, Joseph Edward Scheffelin, Timothy James Hoekstra, Simon Dodd, Roberto Brioschi
  • Patent number: 9415412
    Abstract: An atomizer is provided to include a pivot member mounted on an upper portion of a device body so as to pivot up and down. The pivot member includes a holding portion configured to hold a vibrating plate movable up and down relative to the pivot member so as to bring the vibrating plate into face contact with the upper end surface of a wick by its own weight when the pivot member pivots downward. The device body includes a restriction portion that comes into contact with the pivot member to restrict the pivoting downward of the pivot member, while the vibrating plate is in face contact with the upper end surface of the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kawashima, Daisuke Takahata
  • Patent number: 9358035
    Abstract: A fluid injection device includes a pulse generator which converts fluid into pulse flow, a suction pipe projecting from the pulse generator, an injection pipe which is eccentrically inserted into the suction pipe such that the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe contacts the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe, and has an injection opening communicating with the pulse generator, and a suction channel and a suction opening formed between the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe and the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe. The injection pipe is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe in the vicinity of the injection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kojima
  • Patent number: 9352339
    Abstract: A pulverization head of an apparatus includes a motor whose vertical hollow shaft is integrally linked, at its lower end, to a centrifugal ejection disc. The substance to be pulverized, coming from a tank via a proportioning pump, crosses the hollow shaft to be spread in a thin layer on the lower surface of the disc forming the centrifugal ejection face. Elements are designed to vibrate the peripheral edge of the disc and control the pulverization of the substance. A fan and a distributor produce a treatment gas flow which meets and draws droplets towards a collection zone, solidifying them by drying or freezing. Typically, the substance is a mixture of at least one active ingredient and a microencapsulation constituent. For use to obtain very fine and/or very homogeneous particle size, to manufacture powders for food processing, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications. The head is useful to produce aerosols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SPRAINNOV
    Inventors: Pierre Buisson, Alain Grizeau, Fabrice Richard, Jean-Marc Chicheportiche, Jean Pierre Renaudeaux, Jean-Baptiste Zainoun
  • Patent number: 9247693
    Abstract: The disclosure features irrigation systems that include a base unit featuring a retractable fluid conduit, and a mobile unit coupled to the fluid conduit and including: a main body featuring an internal fluid channel having an opening; a plurality of wheel supports rotatably coupled to the main body, where the internal fluid channel extends through the wheel supports to a first plurality of apertures; two or more wheels coupled to the plurality of wheel supports; and a second plurality of apertures extending from the internal fluid channel through a wall of the main body, where during operation of the irrigation system, water enters the internal fluid channel through the opening and is dispensed from the first and second pluralities of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Johnny Green
  • Patent number: 9211551
    Abstract: An electrostatic spraying device (1) and method for dispensing a controlled volume of liquid in pulses using an emitter (2) having a spray area (29) from which the liquid can be sprayed, a means for injecting charges into the liquid, whereby, in use, the liquid (3) is delivered to the spray area by electrostatic forces and electrostatic spraying occurs in one or more pulses whilst the charges are injected. The charges may be injected by a time-varying or constant non-zero electric field so that electrospray occurs above a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Queen Mary & Westfield College
    Inventors: John P. W. Stark, Matthew S. Alexander, Mark D. Paine, Kate L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9192037
    Abstract: A control method for a target supply device includes melting a target material by heating the target material within a target generator using a heating unit, pushing out the target material from a nozzle hole in a nozzle by pressurizing the interior of the target generator using a pressure control unit, determining whether or not the size of an adhering area of the target material that forms when the target material is pushed out from the nozzle hole and adheres to a leading end of the nozzle has reached a set size that covers the entire nozzle hole, stopping the pressurization of the interior of the target generator by the pressure control unit when the size of the adhering area has reached the set size, and hardening the target material in the target generator and the adhering area by stopping the heating of the target material by the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ueno
  • Patent number: 9149588
    Abstract: Various methods, devices, and systems are described for aerosolizing a liquid. Embodiments may include sealing the liquid within a reservoir. An output waveform signal may be generated. A nebulizer element may be vibrated to aerosolize the liquid. A negative pressure may be produced within the reservoir as the liquid is aerosolized. The output waveform signal may cause the nebulizer element to vibrate. Embodiments may involve determining a phase shift between a current of the output waveform signal and a voltage of the output waveform signal. Also, embodiments may involve adjusting a frequency of the output waveform signal at least partially based on the phase shift. Further, embodiments may involve adjusting the voltage of the output waveform signal at least partially based on the frequency of the output waveform signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
    Inventors: Benjamin Morris Gordon, Steven David Gardner, Matthew James Hayes
  • Patent number: 9126219
    Abstract: An acoustic streaming fluid ejector includes a fluid filled chamber having an opening, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge pointed toward the opening, and a driving device configured to vibrate one of the flow generator and the chamber to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the opening. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Satish Yalamanchili, Jianbo Zhou
  • Patent number: 9027850
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly may include the step of over molding a nozzle housing, or a portion of a nozzle housing, onto at least one nozzle component, such as an injection tube. Nozzle assemblies and flow cytometers incorporating nozzle assemblies may include any combination of straight smooth injection tubes, improved features for securing a nozzle assembly, improved features for debubbling a nozzle assembly, and aggressive orienting geometries. A method of sorting cells may include the step of magnetically coupling a nozzle assembly with a flow cytometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Inguran, LLC
    Inventors: Kris Buchanan, Johnathan Charles Sharpe, Kenneth Michael Evans
  • Publication number: 20150122906
    Abstract: Micropores penetrating a vibration plate 12 in a thickness direction thereof are formed, in which the vibration plate 12 atomizes a solution by vibration of a piezoelectric vibrator 11 that generates ultrasonic vibration when current is applied thereto. In addition, the spraying time and the spraying interval time are controlled by turning on or off the current applied to the piezoelectric vibrator 11, such that a value of [50% particle diameter of spray particles in cumulative volume distribution]×([spraying time]/[spraying interval time]) becomes 0.2 to 2.5 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawano, Tetsuo Harada, Daisuke Takahata, Kazuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9016595
    Abstract: A transducer type liquid sprayer in which a storage tank for storing spray liquid can be easily replaced together with a core for soaking up the spray liquid from the storage tank is provided. The liquid sprayer includes a spray liquid storage unit and a main body for supporting the spray liquid storage unit and a power supply unit. The spray liquid storage unit includes a core for soaking up spray liquid and the main body includes a lid member attached to a support member for supporting the spray liquid storage unit so that the lid member can be opened and closed. A spray hole is formed in the lid member and a transducer is also disposed inside the lid member and electrically connected to the power supply unit. The transducer disposed inside the lid member is in close contact with and pressed against the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Hiromi Akitsu, Shiang Aling Shiu Shu, Christian Dinner, Jerry Ping Hsin Chu
  • Patent number: 8998105
    Abstract: A spray generator (10) including: a membrane (40) having a perforate portion through which, in use, a fluid is caused to flow when the membrane (40) is vibrated; an electronically-driven or a piezoelectrically driven actuator for vibrating the membrane (40); a chamber (18) for storing fluid for supply to a surface of the membrane (40); and a sealing element (13) located in and movable within the chamber (18) between a first position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow from the chamber (18) through the membrane (40) is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Technology Partnership Plc
    Inventors: Robert Gordon Maurice Selby, Martin Scott Goodchild
  • Patent number: 8967493
    Abstract: An atomizer for atomizing liquids including a liquid storage receptacle pertaining to an atomizing device having an atomizing chamber that communicates with the ambient atmosphere through a plurality of outlet orifices. A vibrator is also provided, which liquid present in the atomizing chamber is caused to vibrate for the purpose of atomization, and an intake channel is provided, via which the liquid storage receptacle is connected to the atomizing device and a pumping device is also provided in the intake channel for the purpose of conveying the liquid from the liquid storage receptacle to the atomizing chamber, An electronic control device controls the pumping device and the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aptar Radolfzell GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Kohnle, Frank Keppner, Hubertus Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 8944344
    Abstract: A multi-element ultrasonic atomizer and method for atomizing liquids is described, having a power generator, a converter, an ultrasonic horn coupled to the converter, and at least two atomizing probes coupled to the ultrasound horn, each atomizing probe including at least one liquid passage extending longitudinally along the atomizing probe and terminating at an atomizing tip at a distal end of the atomizing probe. The atomizing probes are made to vibrate at same frequency. A liquid is delivered to an atomizing surface through the liquid passage and through an opening at the atomizing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sonics & Materials Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Donaty
  • Publication number: 20150030477
    Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a chassis (203); first (205) and second (207) opposing synthetic jet actuators mounted in the chassis; and a controller (209) which controls the first and second synthetic jet actuators and which is in electrical contact with the first and second synthetic jet actuators by way of flexible circuitry (211, 213).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: NUVENTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Grimm, Andrew Poynot, Randall P. Williams, Stephen P. Darbin, Lee M. Jones, Raghavendran Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 8931714
    Abstract: A synthetic jet actuator employs a case having a cavity with an orifice. An intermediate interface is contained within the case adjacent the cavity. The intermediate interfaced is excited in a sloshing mode to expand or reduce the volume of the cavity thereby entraining air into or expelling air from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dale M. Pitt, Bradley W. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8925833
    Abstract: A portable electric mist supply apparatus for liquid cosmetics is disclosed. Liquid cosmetics such as cosmetic water or the like are stored in a storing container which is detachably engaged, and the stored liquid cosmetics is discharged by a certain amount when in use, in a form of mist particles with the aid of a ultrasonic vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yonwoo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Joong-Hyun Ki, Su-Jin Son, Sung-Sin Kim
  • Publication number: 20150001311
    Abstract: A system and method for lowering the structural natural frequency of a synthetic jet actuator is disclosed. A synthetic jet actuator is provided that includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a spacer element configured to space the first plate apart from the second plate and define a chamber along with the first and second plates. The spacer element includes at least one orifice formed therein such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an environment external to the chamber, and the spacer element is constructed to deform in a bending motion in response to a deflection of at least one of the first and second plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Todd Garrett Wetzel, Thomas Elliot Stecher, Charles Erklin Seeley, Charles Franklin Wolfe, JR., Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Bryan Patrick Whalen
  • Patent number: 8919664
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an inflow channel to which liquid is supplied; an outflow channel communicated with a nozzle; a liquid chamber formed with a spiral flow channel having a substantially constant cross-sectional area between the inflow channel and the outflow channel and having a given volume; a volume changing portion configured to deform the liquid chamber so as to change the volume of the liquid chamber to a volume smaller than the given volume; and an ejection control unit configured to cause the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle in a pulsed manner by driving the volume changing portion in a state in which the liquid chamber is filled with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Seto, Hirokazu Sekino, Kazuaki Uchida, Kazuo Kawasumi
  • Publication number: 20140374501
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining produce stored in a transportation container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing of the shape and size of at least one crate storing the produce, the housing having at least one opening therein; and at least one ultrasonic nebulizer for generating fog from a liquid pesticide, the fog rising through the opening to generate a cloud of micro droplets of the pesticide in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Amnon SIVAN
  • Publication number: 20140367485
    Abstract: A fluid injection device includes a pulse generator which converts fluid into pulse flow, a suction pipe projecting from the pulse generator, an injection pipe which is eccentrically inserted into the suction pipe such that the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe contacts the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe, and has an injection opening communicating with the pulse generator, and a suction channel and a suction opening formed between the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe and the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe. The injection pipe is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe in the vicinity of the injection opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Hideki KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 8881994
    Abstract: A system and method for lowering the structural natural frequency of a synthetic jet actuator is disclosed. A synthetic jet actuator is provided that includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a spacer element configured to space the first plate apart from the second plate and define a chamber along with the first and second plates. The spacer element includes at least one orifice formed therein such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an environment external to the chamber, and the spacer element is constructed to deform in a bending motion in response to a deflection of at least one of the first and second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Garrett Wetzel, Thomas Elliot Stecher, Charles Erklin Seeley, Charles Franklin Wolfe, Jr., Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Bryan Patrick Whalen
  • Patent number: 8870090
    Abstract: A volatile liquid droplet dispenser device includes: a first substrate (1) having a space (2c) for containing a liquid substance, and having liquid outlet means (2a) for ejecting the liquid substance; a second substrate (3) having a liquid inlet means (3i) for allowing the liquid substance to enter said device; an actuating element (2b, 8, 10) arranged to actuate the liquid substance so as to exit the device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the liquid outlet means (2a) of the first substrate comprises a perforated nozzle membrane (2a) having a plurality of outlet nozzles, and wherein the first substrate (1) contains at least one fluidic capillary priming channel (1a, 1b, 1c) arranged to receive liquid substance from the space (2c) so as to fill the channel such that the liquid substance is in close proximity to the outlet nozzles for priming the liquid substance for ejection through the nozzle membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess
  • Patent number: 8870100
    Abstract: A nozzle plate and an atomizing module using the nozzle plate are disclosed. The atomizing module is installed at a cavity and includes a piezoelectric circular plate, a braking circular plate and a nozzle plate. The braking circular plate is installed on a side of the piezoelectric circular plate. The nozzle plate is a circular disc clamped between the piezoelectric circular plate and the braking circular plate, and the nozzle plate includes firing holes and first protrusions. Each first protrusion is non-circular and protruded in a direction towards the piezoelectric circular plate or the braking circular plate to form a multi-curved surface structure radially or circularly arranged into a specific geometric pattern. The nozzle plate can increase the atomizing area, atomizing quantity and liquid-gas exchange rate to prevent excessive stresses from concentrating at the center of the nozzle plate or vibrations from cracking or breaking the nozzle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Microbase Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shu-Pin Hsieh, Yu-Ju Su, Chia-Chen Huang, Chien-Hua Lin, Yu-Chung Hsu, Tai-Shuan Lin, Mei-Hui Huang, Chieh-Ming Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8864046
    Abstract: A closed nebulizing system for removing bubbles includes a first pump, a nebulizing module and a second pump. The first pump is for providing a fluid. The nebulizing module includes an outlet channel, an inlet channel connected with the first pump, and a plurality of nozzles for nebulizing and ejecting part of the fluid. The second pump is connected with the outlet channel for outputting non-nebulized fluid. The first pump, the nebulizing module and the second pump form a closed fluid loop, so that the fluid continuously contacts with the plurality of nozzles and bubbles generated during nebulization process are evacuated from the nebulizing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Chen, Shih-Che Chiu, Tsung-Pat Chou
  • Patent number: 8866111
    Abstract: A radiation source for generating EUV from a stream of molten fuel droplets by LPP (Laser Produced Plasma) or (Dual Laser Plasma) has a fuel droplet generator arranged to provide a stream of droplets of fuel and at least one laser configured to vaporize at least some of the droplets of fuel, whereby radiation is generated. The fuel droplet generator has a nozzle, a feed chamber, and a reservoir, with a pumping device arranged to supply a flow of fuel in molten state from the reservoir through the feed chamber and out of the nozzle as a stream of droplets. The feed chamber has an outer face in contact with a drive cavity filled with a liquid, and the liquid is driven to oscillate by a vibrator with the oscillation transmissible to the molten fuel in the feed chamber from the outer face of the feed chamber through the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Erik Roelof Loopstra, Johan Frederik Dijksman
  • Patent number: 8857734
    Abstract: A fluid injection device includes: a pulse generator which converts fluid into pulse flow; a suction pipe projecting from the pulse generator; an injection pipe which is eccentrically inserted into the suction pipe such that the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe contacts the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe, and has an injection opening communicating with the pulse generator; and a suction channel and a suction opening formed between the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe and the outer circumferential surface of the injection pipe, wherein the injection pipe is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the suction pipe in the vicinity of the injection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20140263724
    Abstract: An acoustic streaming fluid ejector includes a fluid filled chamber having an opening, a selectively vibrating flow generator having a sharp edge pointed toward the opening, and a driving device configured to vibrate one of the flow generator and the chamber to create a streaming fluid flow in a direction away from the sharp edge through the opening. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Satish Yalamanchili, Jianbo Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140263721
    Abstract: An aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from a fluid, comprising: a vibratable membrane (22) having a first side (24) for being in contact with the fluid and an opposite second side (25), the membrane having a plurality of through holes (26) penetrating the membrane in an extension direction (E) from the first side to the second side, whereby the fluid passes the through holes from the first side to the second side when the membrane is vibrated for generating the aerosol at the second side, each through hole (26) having along its extension direction (E) a smallest diameter (Ds), a larger diameter (DL) that is larger than the smallest diameter and defined by that diameter that is closest to triple, preferably twice said smallest diameter, each through hole having a nozzle portion (32) defined by that continuous portion of the through hole in the extension direction comprising the smallest diameter of the through hole and bordered by the larger diameter of the through hole, characterized in that the rati
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PARI Pharma GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schulz, Philipp Holzmann, Dominique Seidel, Michael Hahn
  • Publication number: 20140263696
    Abstract: An apparatus for configuring dispersing equipment for applying liquid solutions to vegetation, comprising: a plurality of nozzles for dispersing liquid in the form of liquid droplets; a plurality of magnets for applying a magnetic field to the liquid droplets; where the nozzles are configured to produce liquid droplets sized less than 400 microns and preferably less than 150 microns and more preferably within the range of 10 microns to 50 microns; where each magnet in the plurality of magnets has a magnetic remanence of at least 0.9 and preferably at least 1.25; where the plurality of magnets are moveably mountable on the spray equipment to vary the field strength and polar orientation to adapt for application conditions and purposes; where the liquid solution includes at least water, and where the nozzles are positionable to produce air turbulence and a spray cloud consisting of liquid droplets impacting target vegetation during spraying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Theodore F. LENHARDT
  • Patent number: 8827179
    Abstract: A synthetic jet actuator includes a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and arranged parallelly thereto, and a housing positioned about the first and second plates and defining a chamber, the housing having a pair of orifices formed therein in opposing sides of the housing such that the chamber is in fluid communication with an external environment. The synthetic jet actuator also includes a mounting mechanism configured to mount the first and second plates within the housing in a suspended arrangement and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof, thereby changing a volume within the chamber so that a series of fluid vortices are generated and projected to the external environment out from the pair of orifices of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, William Edward Burdick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140231538
    Abstract: A liquid spray apparatus includes a liquid storage part storing a liquid, a vibratory source including a leading end, a recess being formed in a surface of the leading end, and a mesh member including a large number of micropores and arranged to abut on the surface of the leading end of the vibratory source. The liquid is supplied from the outside of the leading end to the surface and the recess of the leading end. The liquid supplied to the surface and the recess of the leading end is discharged in an atomized manner through the micropores by vibrations of the vibratory source. This liquid spray apparatus can stably spray the liquid with the vibratory source and the mesh member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: OMRON CORPORATION, OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Tabata, Katsuji Takahashi, Yutaro Okuno, Takanobu Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20140217199
    Abstract: A synthetic jet includes a first backer structure, one and only one actuator, a wall member coupled to and positioned between the first backer structure and the one and only one actuator to form a cavity, and wherein the wall member has an orifice formed therethrough, and wherein the orifice fluidically couples the cavity to an environment external to the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Stanton Earl Weaver, Charles Erklin Seeley, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar
  • Publication number: 20140217197
    Abstract: A unit dose container for holding a single dose of a given liquid, the container comprising: a chamber (8) in which, in use, the given liquid is stored, the chamber having a wall through which, in use, the liquid is to be supplied; a release mechanism (7), at least part of which is internal to, or forms part of the wall of the chamber, the release mechanism being movable relative to the chamber between first and second positions; and means for allowing the release mechanism (7) to move from the first to the second positions, thereby opening a passage through the wall so that the liquid can exit the chamber (8), the means including at least one flexible wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: The Technology Partnership Plc.
    Inventors: Robert Gordon Maurice Selby, Neil Pollock, Daniel Crichton, Douglas Robert Saunders Bradshaw
  • Patent number: RE45376
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises: a cooling channel for receiving a cooling media, a substrate disposed near the cooling channel, and a fluidic jet disposed within the substrate and in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The cooling channel is for thermal communication with a component to be cooled. The cooling channel has a height of less than or equal to about 3 mm and a width of less than or equal to 2 mm. The fluidic jet comprises a cavity defined by a well and a membrane. In one embodiment, a method of cooling an electrical component comprises: passing a cooling media through a cooling channel, drawing the cooling media into one or more of the fluidic jets, expelling the cooling media from the one or more fluidic jets into the cooling channel, and removing thermal energy from the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Stephen Adam Solovitz