With Means To Vibrate Or Jiggle Discharge Patents (Class 239/102.1)
  • Patent number: 8752775
    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: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Stanton Earl Weaver, Charles Erklin Seeley, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar
  • Patent number: 8746213
    Abstract: An injector including a nozzle that includes an opening and a seat, a needle movably mounted in the nozzle and having an end defining a valve in a contact area with the seat, a mechanism for vibrating the valve, a first acoustic-impedance breaking area at a first distance from the valve along the nozzle, and another first acoustic-impedance breaking area at a second distance from the valve along the needle. Each of the first and second distances is such that the respective propagation time of acoustic waves along the distance is: Ti=ni*[?/2], where ni is a positive integer coefficient different from zero with i=3 for the first distance and i=4 for the second distance, ? being a period of the vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Andre Agneray, Nadim Malek, Marc Pariente, Laurent Levin
  • Publication number: 20140131476
    Abstract: Provided is an injector in which adhesion between a stator and a rotor of an ultrasonic motor can be released efficiently. An injector (1) which injects a chemical liquid includes: an ultrasonic motor unit (3) including an ultrasonic motor (31); a drive mechanism (4) to be driven by the ultrasonic motor unit (3) so as to feed the chemical liquid when the ultrasonic motor (31) rotates forwardly; and a control device (5) which controls the ultrasonic motor (31) of the ultrasonic motor unit (3). The ultrasonic motor (31) includes a stator (32) and a rotor (33), and the control device (5) controls the ultrasonic motor (31) to alternately repeat forward rotation and reverse rotation so that adhesion between the stator (32) and the rotor (33) is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: NEMOTO KYORINDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Kanetaka, Makoto Udagawa, Toshiiku Sashida
  • Publication number: 20140124589
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for reducing acoustical noise when cooling a device, such as a lamp system. The apparatus includes at least a set of a first synthetic jet and a second synthetic jet. The first and second synthetic jets are responsive to respective actuating signals having a phase difference (e.g., 180°) between one another chosen to reduce acoustic noise produced by the first and second synthetic jets when cooling the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fei Han, Mehmet Arik, Trevor Wood, Charles Franklin Wolfe, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140110499
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nebulization device with a spray orifice plate including an energy transfer element, a spray orifice plate and a driving element. The energy transfer element has at least one first penetrating hole for inputting a liquid from a side and the spray orifice plate is installed on at least one side of the energy transfer element for sealing the first penetrating hole, and the energy transfer element supports the spray orifice plate, and the spray orifice plate has at least one stepped orifice formed at a position corresponding to the first penetrating hole and serves as a transportation channel of the liquid, so that the liquid can be temporarily stored in the stepped orifice and sprayed out through the through hole after vibration and nebulization in order to improve the nebulization effect significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MICRO BASE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUN-YING FANG, YAO-FANG KU, YU-TA CHEN, MEI-HUI HUANG, YI-HUI PENG
  • Patent number: 8702017
    Abstract: A nozzle device comprising a nozzle chamber includes a fluid inlet located at a first side of the nozzle chamber which is operative to introduce fluid into the nozzle chamber in an injection direction and a fluid outlet at a second side of the nozzle chamber which is operative to expel fluid from the nozzle chamber. A high frequency wave generator is also located in the nozzle chamber which is oriented and operative to generate high frequency waves in a direction which is substantially parallel to the injection direction, whereby to impart high frequency energy to the fluid in the nozzle chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Lap Kei Eric Chow, Hoi Shuen Tang, Hon Keung Lai, Chi Wah Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140084079
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a supply tank for holding a supply of cleaning solution, a spray tip in fluid communication with the supply tank for distributing the cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned, and a spray tip receiver. A removable connection between the spray tip and spray tip receiver removably mounts the spray tip to the spray tip receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8678299
    Abstract: A hollow actuator-driven droplet dispensing apparatus may include an elastic tube having an elastic body, defining a storage space therein, and extending a predetermined length, and a hollow actuator fitted around the elastic tube so as to generate a force and a displacement in the longitudinal direction when an electric field is applied. The hollow actuator is expanded or contracted in the longitudinal direction of the elastic tube when the external voltage is applied, thereby reducing or enlarging the volume of an inner space of the elastic tube. The droplet dispensing apparatus can press the elastic tube to expand or contract the volume of the inner space of the tube using the hollow actuator capable of quickly generating a displacement in response to an application voltage so that a fixed amount of content can be discharged out and taken into the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Young Bog Ham, Jung Ho Park, So Nam Yun, Sang Gyu Choi
  • Patent number: 8671935
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a device for delivering a substance in an aerosol, liquid or cream form into a cellular organism with the assistance of asymmetric pulse magnetic energy and ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sheiman Ultrasonic Research Foundation PTY Ltd.
    Inventor: Vladimir Sheiman
  • Publication number: 20140070021
    Abstract: A control method for a target supply device may employ a target supply device, provided in an EUV light generation apparatus including an image sensor, that includes a target generator having a nozzle and configured to hold a target material and a pressure control unit configured to control a pressure within the target generator, and the method may include outputting the target material in the target generator from a nozzle hole in the nozzle by pressurizing the interior of the target generator using the pressure control unit, determining whether or not a difference between an output direction of the target material outputted from the nozzle hole that is detected by the image sensor and a set direction is within a predetermined range, and holding the pressure in the target generator using the pressure control unit until the difference falls within the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GIGAPHOTON INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki YABU, Yoshifumi UENO, Takeshi KODAMA
  • Patent number: 8662412
    Abstract: The advanced modified high performance synthetic jet actuator with optimized curvature shape chamber (ASJA-M) is a synthetic jet actuator (SJA) with a lower volume reservoir or chamber. A curved chamber is used, instead of the conventional cylinder chamber, to reduce the dead volume of the jet chamber and increase the efficiency of the synthetic jet actuator. The shape of the curvature corresponds to the maximum displacement (deformation) profile of the electroactive diaphragm. The jet velocity and mass flow rate for the ASJA-M will be several times higher than conventional piezoelectric actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Tian-Bing Xu, Ji Su, Xiaoning Jiang
  • Patent number: 8652078
    Abstract: A shower head with water-powered vibrating function wherein a diverting member is disposed in the water diversion chamber which is operable by a diverting member actuating means between a normal shower position and a massage shower position. At the normal shower position the diverting member diverts water flow received from the water diversion chamber inlet to leave the water diversion chamber through the first water diversion chamber outlet for exiting the shower head through a first water outlet; and at the massage shower position, the diverting member diverts water flow received from the water diversion chamber inlet to leave the water diversion chamber through the second water diversion chamber outlet for entering the turbine chamber for rotating the turbine and thereafter leaving the turbine chamber to exit the shower head through a second water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brand New Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Man Hon Lee
  • Patent number: 8646701
    Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises a first housing portion (131), and a second housing portion (133) which releasably attaches to the first housing portion, wherein the first and second housing portions form first and second portions, respectively, of at least one passageway (159) adapted to emit at least one synthetic jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nuventix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Grimm, Ronald Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140034752
    Abstract: In an atomizer constructed to cool inlet air for a gas turbine by spraying fine droplets of water into the inlet air, a spray nozzle is disposed to spray the finely atomized droplets of water from an outer edge of an atomized airstream into a high-speed zone thereof, towards a central region of the airstream. The atomized airstream meets an airstream of a low-speed zone formed at a downstream side, and after the two kinds of airstreams have been mixed and unified, this mixture is supplied to an axisymmetric compressor. Devices such as a feed water pipe and spray nozzle are placed in the low-speed zone so as not to obstruct the airstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio TAKAHASHI, Kazuhito KOYAMA, Shigeo HATAMIYA, Naohiro KUSUMI, Chihiro MYOREN, Go AGATA, Takaaki SEKIAI
  • Patent number: 8640971
    Abstract: A nebulizer comprising a main body, an atomizer, and a vibrating element. The atomizer comprises a substrate, a main recipient supported by the substrate for containing liquid and having surfaces delimiting the liquid reservoir, and a dosing reservoir arranged on the main recipient so as to delimit a predetermined amount of liquid to be expelled. The dosing reservoir comprises a hollow section defining the predetermined amount of liquid, a solid section, a central section, an orifice membrane plate, and a fluidic channel arranged in-between a bottom surface of the solid section and the flat top surface of the main reservoir so as to create a capillary communication between the hollow section and the orifice membrane plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: EP Systems SA
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess, Cédric Zaugg
  • Publication number: 20140011318
    Abstract: New and improved ultrasonic spray shaping assemblies, components thereof, and methods for using the assemblies. An ultrasonic spray shaping assembly includes jet block and impact jet components to receive and redirect a single gas stream, whereby to use the single gas stream to shape an ultrasonic spray plume in a desired shape, particularly into a desired width of the plume. Modifications to the components, such as relative positioning, can be used to alter the shape of the spray plume. The present invention can be fabricated in a compact, lightweight design. It has many applications, including but not limited to, the deposition of flux onto a printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin Massimi, Joseph Reimer
  • Patent number: 8616465
    Abstract: A nozzle body (1) for a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the nozzle body is arranged to receive a liquid substance from the liquid droplet spray device, wherein the nozzle body includes: (a) a substrate (2), and (b) a plurality of traversing output nozzles (4, 24, 34) formed in the substrate (2, 22, 32) for ejecting liquid as a low pressure mono-dispersive droplet spray, wherein each traversing output nozzle is arranged to receive the liquid such that the liquid may be expelled from the nozzle body by traversing the output nozzles, wherein the output nozzles (4, 24, 34) have straight and parallel side-walls that have a near vertical profile. The output nozzles are arranged in the substrate such that the density of the output nozzles increases from the center towards the edges of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EP Systems SA
    Inventor: Amir Feriani
  • Patent number: 8613400
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly that produces a cone-shaped spray pattern of entrained liquid droplets is disclosed. The nozzle includes an ultrasonic atomizer for atomizing a liquid on an atomizing surface located at the end of an atomizing stem. The nozzle assembly is supplied pressurized air that is directed to the atomizing surface by intercommunicating ports, chambers and/or channels. To provide the cone-shaped spray pattern, the ports, chambers and/or channels cause or direct the pressurized gas to rotate about the atomizing stem. When the rotating pressurized gas exits the nozzle assembly via proximate the atomizing surface, atomized liquid droplets become entrained in the gas. The rotating pressurized gas propels the droplets forward and moves at least some droplets circumferentially outward in the cone-shaped spray pattern. In various embodiments, the pressure of the gas can be adjusted to control the size and shape of the cone-shaped pattern and the distribution of droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Filicicchia, David C. Huffman, Michel R. Thenin
  • Publication number: 20130334339
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an aperture plate includes depositing a releasable seed layer above a substrate, applying a first patterned photolithography mask above the releasable seed layer, the first patterned photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a desired aperture pattern, electroplating a first material above the exposed portions of the releasable seed layer and defined by the first mask, applying a second photolithography mask above the first material, the second photolithography mask having a negative pattern to a first cavity, electroplating a second material above the exposed portions of the first material and defined by the second mask, removing both masks, and etching the releasable seed layer to release the first material and the second material. The first and second material form an aperture plate for use in aerosolizing a liquid. Other aperture plates and methods of producing aperture plates are described according to other embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: STAMFORD DEVICES LTD.
    Inventor: Hong Xu
  • Publication number: 20130334336
    Abstract: A scent producing apparatus constituted of: a control circuitry; a plate exhibiting at least one release port extending from a first face of the plate to a second face of the plate opposing the first face; at least one scent reservoir in communication with the first face of the plate; a controllable scent release mechanism associated with each scent reservoir and arranged to release a controlled quantity of the contents of the associated scent reservoir through a release port to the second face of the plate; and a vibrator responsive to the control circuitry and in communication with the plate, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: control each controllable scent release mechanism to release a controlled quantity of the contents of the associated scent reservoir through the release port to the second face of the plate; and vibrate the plate to thereby atomize the released contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SCENTCOM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yossi Haran, Tsafrir Sasson, Joseph Slupsky
  • Publication number: 20130334338
    Abstract: A photo-resist (21) is applied in a pattern of vertical columns having the dimensions of holes or pores of the aperture plate to be produced. This mask pattern provides the apertures which define the aerosol particle size, having up to 2500 holes per square mm. There is electro-deposition of metal (22) into the spaces around the columns (21). There is further application of a second photo-resist mask (25) of much larger (wider and taller) columns, encompassing the area of a number of first columns (2)1. The hole diameter in the second plating layer is chosen according to a desired flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Stamford Devices Limited
    Inventor: Brendan Hogan
  • Patent number: 8608090
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes nebulization device for nebulizing a substance and a reservoir having a metering chamber arranged so as to feed a substance to be nebulized to the nebulization device and a second chamber arranged to hold and retain any of this substance in excess of the volume held in the metering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Profile Drug Delivery Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan S. H. Denyer, Anthony Dyche
  • Publication number: 20130319404
    Abstract: A liquid droplet spray device for ejecting a liquid as a spray of droplets has a cartridge (15) with a nozzle arrangement (13) to eject droplets, which is vibrated by a piezo element (23a) through the agency of an actuating element (23). A resonance chamber is disposed between an inner wall (15a) of the cartridge and the actuating element (23) such that the cartridge inner wall (15a) is separated by a gap having a length B from the actuating element (23), the cartridge inner wall (15a) being cap-shaped and extending along the side surfaces of the actuating element (23) and being frictionally attached to the side surfaces along a distance A. The resonance chamber (10) improves the efficiency of transmission of vibrations to the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Christian Tâche, Jean-Paul Sandoz, Cèdric Zaugg
  • Patent number: 8584967
    Abstract: A watertight fragrance dispensing device for ejecting fragrance as a spray of droplets, the device including: a spray head for ejecting fragrance from the device; a liquid reservoir arranged to provide the fragrance to the spray head, wherein the reservoir includes a primary reservoir (31), a secondary reservoir (34), and a capillary liquid feed (33) connecting the liquid reservoir to the spray head, wherein the device further includes a bottom housing; and electronic control means arranged in the bottom housing for controlling the dispensing of fragrance from the device, wherein the secondary reservoir is disposed in the primary reservoir and is in direct contact with the capillary liquid feed, wherein the secondary reservoir is smaller than the primary reservoir and contains a unit dose of fragrance to be ejected from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: EP Systems SA
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Christian Tache, Luciano Cravero
  • Publication number: 20130284833
    Abstract: A coating device comprises at least one application apparatus to discharge a coating agent from at least one coating agent nozzle. The application apparatus is configured to apply an oscillation to at least one of the coating agent and at least one coating agent jet such that at least one of the coating agent and the at least one coating agent jet break up into droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: DUERR SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Fritz, Marcus Kleiner, Timo Beyl
  • Publication number: 20130277446
    Abstract: An electronic spray device comprising a spray generator and a spray controller for providing a drive signal to the spray generator, wherein the spray generator includes a perforate membrane which vibrates ultrasonically in response to the drive signal, said vibration causing liquid droplets to be ejected from one side of the perforate membrane, wherein the spray controller is adapted to modulate the drive signal sent to the spray generator, wherein such modulation of the drive signal is arranged to set the mean power level supplied to the spray generator to a target level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: The Technology Partnership Plc.
    Inventors: Robert Gordon Maurice Selby, Daniel Crichton
  • Publication number: 20130277452
    Abstract: A chamber apparatus used with a laser apparatus may include: a chamber provided with at least one inlet for introducing thereinto a laser beam outputted from the laser apparatus; a target supply unit provided to the chamber for supplying a target material to a predetermined region in the chamber; a recovery control unit for instructing the target supply unit to execute recovery operation if a predetermined condition is met; a recovery unit for executing the recovery operation in response to the instruction from the recovery control unit; and a position measuring unit for measuring a position of the target material supplied from the target supply unit into the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Takayuki YABU, Kouji KAKIZAKI, Yukio WATANABE, Osamu WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8556191
    Abstract: A device for spraying a cosmetic composition may include a sonotrode, the sonotrode having an end collar defining an ejection surface for ejecting particles of composition, the collar being suitable for bending under the effect of vibration of the sonotrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Nicolas Duru, Marion Prunier, Pascal Tierce
  • Publication number: 20130264397
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic spray coating system wherein (1) the surface of the feed blade of the ultrasonic spray head has been modified to add a series shallow channels to redirect the ultrasonic surface wave system that exists on the surface; (2) the internal passageway of the liquid applicator has been modified to add a series of channels to uniformly feed the liquid from the liquid applicator to the spray-forming tip; (3) a positive displacement pump is utilized to deliver the liquid to the spray head at a precise flow rate independent of the associated resistances of the liquid delivery system components; and (4) the output orifice of the primary gas director is extended to impinge the directed gas stream at a position closer to the spray-forming tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Stuart J. Erickson, Drew D. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8540169
    Abstract: An atomizing member that includes a piezoelectric vibrator and a vibrating membrane. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a cylindrical piezoelectric body, a first electrode disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the piezoelectric body, and a second electrode disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the piezoelectric body. The piezoelectric vibrator performs cylindrical breathing vibration. The vibrating membrane is disposed on an opening at a first side in an axial direction of the piezoelectric body so as to cover the opening. The vibrating membrane has a through hole in its central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuguji Kambayashi, Katsumi Fujimoto, Hiroaki Kaida, Daisuke Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130241990
    Abstract: A liquid-jet head includes a thin film member having a thin part and a thick part, and at least a part of the thin film member is formed of an electroformed film. In the liquid-jet head, the thin film member includes a metallic film forming the thin part, a first electroformed film formed on the metallic film, the first electroformed film forming the thick part, and a second electroformed film covering a connecting part between the metallic film and the first electroformed film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shimoda, Kenichiro Hashimoto, Keisuke Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20130233939
    Abstract: A ink jet type recording head which circulates ink between a first manifold and a second manifold via a pressure generation chamber is provided, the flow path member has a first and second bypass flow paths which connect the first and second manifolds, respectively in two locations of one end side and the other end side of a nozzle row on the outside of the nozzle row on which the nozzle openings are formed, and a relationship between a flow path resistance R of the first and second bypass flow paths, and a flow path resistance r of a flow path portion including the pressure generation chamber which connects the first and second manifolds is R<r/N (wherein, N is the number of all nozzle openings).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haruhisa UEZAWA
  • Publication number: 20130214055
    Abstract: In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Patent number: 8511581
    Abstract: A fluid dispersion device comprises a substrate having an outer section and an inner section, said inner section of the substrate having an aperture, a dispersion element positioned at said aperture of said substrate, and an actuator arranged to coaxially surround said aperture of said substrate, wherein the outer edge of said inner section of said substrate is coupled to said outer section of said substrate by a plurality of resilient members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: PARI Pharma GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Urich, Samuel Charles William Hyde, Neil Pollock, Andrew Jonathan Sant
  • Publication number: 20130186975
    Abstract: An aperture plate is formed from a palladium nickel alloy comprising about 89% palladium and about 11% nickel. There is a generally fine substantially equiaxed grain microstructure throughout the thickness of the aperture plate. The average grain width (W) is in the range of from 0.2 ?m to 5.0 ?m, in some cases from 0.2 ?m to 2.0 ?m. Because the grain structure is equiaxed (L/W=1) the grain length (L) is the same as the grain width. The improved aperture plate extends the life of nebulisers, eliminates the risk of premature and unpredictable failure of a nebuliser in service, eliminates the risk of product returns from hospitals and patients, and eliminates the possible risk of fragments of the aperture plate breaking free from the nebulizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: STAMFORD DEVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Stamford Devices Limited
  • Publication number: 20130186976
    Abstract: A device for determining a target generation condition for a target generator which is driven by a pulse voltage to generate a droplet of a target material may include a detector configured to detect a target generated by the target generator and output a detection signal of the target, and a controller configured to control a pulse duration of the pulse voltage for driving the target generator. The controller can determine whether or not a target is generated by the target generator based on the detection signal, and determine whether or not the generated target includes a plurality of droplets based on the detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GIGAPHOTON INC.
    Inventor: Gigaphoton Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130161407
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for nebulizing flowable media by means of low-frequency high-energy ultrasound. According to the invention, the device comprises an ultrasound system (2) and at least one carrier element (1) that is positioned near or in direct contact with at least one part of the oscillating surface of the ultrasound system (2), the flowable medium (3) being fed to the ultrasound region by the carrier element (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: DR HIELSCHER GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Hielscher, Thomas Hielscher, Holger Hielscher, Ingo Jaenisch
  • Publication number: 20130153677
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing droplets comprises a dispensing tip with an orifice having a cross sectional area in the range of 0.00002 mm2 to 0.03 mm2. An actuator assembly comprising an actuator element engages with and disengage from the tip and, when engaged, couples acoustic energy to liquid in the tip to expel the liquid through the orifice as a droplet. The actuator assembly includes one or more piezo elements, which may be in the form of piezo stacks. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of jaws adapted to move to engage with the dispensing tip for dispensing. This allows side loading of the tip followed by movement of the actuator assembly to engage the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: University of Limerick
    Inventors: Gabriel Leen, Bernard Bryce
  • Publication number: 20130133865
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided which includes a synthetic jet ejector (203) equipped with a diaphragm (207) and an actuator (209), and a controller (213) which is in electrical communication with the synthetic jet ejector and which causes the actuator to vibrate the diaphragm so as to simultaneously cause the synthetic jet ejector to generate a synthetic jet (205), and to play an audio file stored in a memory device (211).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NUVENTIX, INC.
    Inventor: NUVENTIX, INC.
  • Patent number: 8448883
    Abstract: An electrostatically atomizing device includes an emitter electrode, an opposed electrode disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter electrode, liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the emitter electrode, and high voltage generating means for applying a high voltage across the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode. The liquid supplied onto the emitter electrode is electrostatically charged through application of the high voltage, as a result of which charged minute liquid particles are discharged from a discharge end of the emitter electrode. The device includes detecting means for detecting a discharge condition developed between the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode, and a controller for controlling the high voltage generating means to regulate its voltage output so as to maintain a predetermined discharge condition, based on detection results by the detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sumio Wada, Atsushi Isaka, Kenji Obata, Yutaka Uratani, Shousuke Akisada, Hiroshi Suda, Takayuki Nakada
  • Patent number: 8439280
    Abstract: A nebulizing element for liquid substances for coupling to procurement elements, includes at least one membrane with a microperforated area; at least one piezoelectric element connected to an electronic circuit and coupled to the membrane to cause it to vibrate; at least one first and one second support that can be placed on top of one another and create, on their interior a compartment to contain the membrane, the piezoelectric element, and a space of limited dimension for the liquid to be nebulized, created beneath the membrane. The second support has an opening for the nebulized liquid outlet, located in correspondence with the perforated area of the membrane. The nebulizing element also includes at least one collector for the liquid that flows from the porous element to the collector itself by capillary action; at least one capillary opening to allow in the liquid to be nebulized and at least one outlet opening to aid air circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zobele Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Marchetti, Stefano Deflorian, Alessandro Faes, Gianluca Paolazzi
  • Publication number: 20130112770
    Abstract: A nebulization structure includes a driving element, a structure plate and a nebulization plate. The structure plate is installed on a side of the driving element, and the structure plate is substantially in a circular disc shape and has a plurality of through holes, and at least one rib is formed between adjacent through holes to define a water guide passage. The nebulization plate is clamped between the driving element and the structure plate and made of a polymer material to overcome the problems of having easy metal fatigue and embrittlement of the nebulization plate made of metal, and being corroded by corrosive liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: MICRO BASE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: MICRO BASE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8434473
    Abstract: Ultrasonic nozzle devices without a central channel but employing a design of cascaded multiple Fourier horns in resonance produce micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets with greatly reduced electrical drive power requirements. The liquid to be atomized is brought externally to or adjacent to the endface of the nozzle tip. The above liquid transport method is equally applicable to the ultrasonic nozzle-array devices that are comprised of a plurality of ultrasonic single-nozzle devices configured in parallel. The longitudinal length, transverse width, shape, and area of the nozzle endface of single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices may be tailored or designed (e.g. enlarged) to obtain optimum or large quantities of product droplets to achieve high throughput. By increasing the drive frequency to 8 MHz or higher, sub-micrometer-sized monodisperse or narrowly-sized droplets can be produced using the ultrasonic single-nozzle and nozzle-array devices or any solid endface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Chen S. Tsai, Shirley C. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20130079733
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices which generate a mist of a treatment composition, viz, an aerosolized treatment composition which imparts a technical benefit to surfaces, or airspaces, which come into contact with the said aerosolized treatment composition. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of surfaces utilizing the devices of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Reckitt Benckiser LLC
    Inventors: Diane Joyce Burt, John Aubrey Creek, Christopher Michael Evans, Benjamin David Hindle
  • Publication number: 20130070016
    Abstract: A sealing sheet is configured to restrain at least one of leakage of liquid in and out. The sealing sheet includes: a film member which is impermeable to the liquid and configured to cover a region that needs to be sealed; and electrical wires which are arranged on the film member. An electrical signal corresponding to change in electrical resistance due to contact with the liquid is obtainable from the electrical wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiko MAEDA
  • Patent number: 8398001
    Abstract: A method for performing an aperture plate comprises providing a mandrel that is constructed of a mandrel body having a conductive surface and a plurality of non-conductive islands disposed on the conductive surface. The mandrel is placed within a solution containing a material that is to be deposited onto the mandrel. Electrical current is applied to the mandrel to form an aperture plate on the mandrel, with the apertures having an exit angle that is in the range from about 30° to about 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Scott Borland, Gary Baker
  • Patent number: 8387900
    Abstract: A fuel injector apparatus comprising a piezoelectric driving stack and injector assembly wherein a flow control member of the fuel injector apparatus is driven directly by the piezoelectric stack without additional amplification means or interposing elements while the flow area of the nozzle portion is variably adjustable to deliver controlled flow rates in a desired flow profile to improve engine performance and reduce emissions. The injector configuration is adapted to support required flow rates with minimal linear movement of the flow control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weidlinger Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Reynolds, Robert Andrew Banks
  • Patent number: 8360341
    Abstract: Atomization apparatus is configured to produce mist by atomizing liquid after electrolysis to discharge the mist. The apparatus includes a substrate, an electrolysis device and a vibration device. The substrate includes: a liquid receiving part having a liquid storage surface; and a reservoir having a discharge surface. The electrolysis device has an anode and a cathode located at the liquid receiving part. The reservoir holds the liquid after electrolysis obtained from one of the anode and the cathode. The discharge surface is located at the side of the one of the anode and the cathode. The vibration device is configured to vibrate and atomize the liquid after electrolysis held at the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Machi, Hiroshi Suda, Youhei Ishigami
  • Patent number: 8353115
    Abstract: An exhaust air dryer includes a process airflow entering from outside as supply air, which removes moisture from laundry introduced in a treatment compartment and which emerges to the outside as exhaust air through an air outlet, a heat exchanger between the treatment compartment and the air outlet, seen in the airflow direction, which removes heat from the process airflow, while forming condensate, a dispersal device arranged downstream of the treatment compartment in the airflow direction and in front of the air outlet, which adds at least part of the formed condensate to the exhaust air, and a hydrophilic body belonging to the dispersal device, which projects into the process airflow and is impinged upon by condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Steffens
  • Patent number: 8348177
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device using a piezoelectric member in connection with an atomizing head and a passive metering method to supply liquid to the atomizing head. Preferably, the device is used to but not limited to dispensing of fragrances, insecticides or other aromatic solutions. The piezoelectric member does not vibrate the nozzle plate through which the liquid is dispensed. The passive metering method relies only on surface tension forces within the supply passageway. The device can work with a wider range of liquid properties than existing piezoelectric devices of this type. The passive metering method is robust and consistent, enabling larger and more varied liquid reservoirs because the reservoir height is not a factor in determining the performance of the device. The atomizing head functions with a wider range of liquids than atomizers whose nozzle plates are directly excited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Davicon Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Loverich, Jeremy Frank