Abstract: A spraying angular variable washer nozzle device is formed by press fitting and fixing a spraying nozzle in a device body. In order to prevent leakage of a cleaning fluid and regulate the spraying angle, the spraying nozzle is provided with a nozzle body and a nozzle support. The nozzle body includes a spraying flow passage, and the nozzle support includes a recessed housing in which the nozzle body is inserted and fixed. The spraying nozzle is supported rotatably in a fitting hole of a head portion of the device body. The recessed housing is provided with an opening at a fluid supply side thereof, and an ejection port for spraying the spraying fluid from the nozzle body at a bottom section thereof.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus (20) to jet a droplet of a charged liquid solution onto a base material, having: a nozzle (21) in which an edge portion thereof is arranged to face the base material K having a receiving surface to receive the jetted droplet, and an inside diameter of the edge portion from which the droplet is jetted is not more than 30 [?m]; a liquid solution supplying section (29) to supply the liquid solution into the nozzle (21); a jetting voltage applying section (25) to apply a jetting voltage to the liquid solution in the nozzle (21); and a convex meniscus forming section (40) to form a state where the liquid solution in the nozzle (21) protrudes from the nozzle edge portion.

Abstract: An actuator (4) is connected, on one side, to a valve needle (3), and on the opposite side, to a hydraulic piston (6) pertaining to a hydraulic length compensator. A working chamber (5) is divided by a tight separating membrane (9), into an actuator chamber (10) containing the actuator (4) and a fluid chamber (11) which can be filled with the fluid to be dosed in a pressurized manner while the actuator chamber (10) and the hydraulic chamber (7) are filled with a hydraulic fluid. A base pressure can be produced in the hydraulic fluid by means of the pressure of the fluid to be dosed, which is transmitted through the separating membrane (9).

Abstract: A device for sanitizing a space includes a tank having an interior space for holding an aqueous sanitizing liquid, the tank having a bottom sector, a front sector having a rear wall, and a rear sector having a front wall, the rear sector front wall and the front sector rear wall forming a substantially “V”-shaped air pathway within the interior space. A reactor vessel is positioned within the bottom sector of the tank, a top edge of the reactor vessel in spaced relation from a notch in the “V”-shaped air pathway. A vibratable ultrasonic head array is positionable within and beneath a top edge of the reactor vessel and is submergable within the reactor vessel for vibrating the disc to form an atomized fog of particles from the liquid. Air can be drawn into the air inlet, and the formed atomized fog can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the precise dispensation of small volumes of liquids are presented. A fluid microdispenser comprises a liquid-filled tube, an actuator coupled to the tube, and a tip at one end of the tube. When the actuator applies an actuation pressure, a precise volume of liquid is ejected from the orifice of the tip. The orifice is manufactured to control the volume of liquid ejected by each actuation and, therefore, may have a diameter smaller than that of the liquid-filled tube. The invention comprises systems, methods, and devices so that the inner diameter of the liquid-filled tube is decreased (tapered) to that of the orifice so as to maximize transmission to the orifice of the pressure generated by the actuation stimulus. This enables the volume of liquid ejected by each stimulus to be reproducibly controlled by the amplitude of the actuation stimulus.

Abstract: A very high speed injector permits injecting high pressure diesel oil directly into a diesel engine combustion chamber. The very high speed permits almost arbitrary rate shaping, minimizing formation of diesel particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen pollutants. An electrical waveform is pre-determined for a desired fuel injection rate shape. The electrical waveform is converted into a corresponding magnetic field waveform by a solenoid coil. A giant magnetostrictive material (GMM) transduces the magnetic field waveform into a corresponding mechanical waveform. The mechanical waveform positions a valve element to control flow rate. The very high speed features include a thin solenoid coil of relatively few turns, proportionally supplying up to one hundred amperes at up to one hundred volts in no greater than ten microseconds, the GMM is subject to a bias compressive stress magnitude of no less than fourteen megapascals, and the magnetic flux path is minimized and designed to suppress eddy currents.

Abstract: A liquid dispense head is provided which can be manufactured at a reduced manufacturing cost, will not react with dispense liquid containing biomolecules, and can dispense liquid droplets having a constant amount from individual nozzles. The liquid dispense head has reservoirs used as reservoirs for containing liquid, pressure chambers for applying a pressure to dispense the liquid, flow passages connecting the pressure chambers and the respective reservoirs. In the liquid dispense head described above, a part of the flow passage is formed of a minute through-hole provided in a glass substrate, and the inside diameter of the minute through-hole is continuously decreased or increased.

Abstract: A micro-spray system resonance frequency modulation method and device designed to minimize resonance frequency drift during atomization involves using a resonance frequency modulation unit for modulating resonance frequency and nodes, controlling and calibrating resonance frequency, and performing real-time measurement and correction to prevent operating frequency from drifting beyond a preferred operating frequency range, with a view to increasing spray flow and spray area, minimizing effects of ambient factors, and overcoming drawbacks of prior art.

Abstract: An aerosol impingement baffle, and more particularly, an aerosol impingement baffle employed in ultrasonic nebulizers, wherein the impingement orifices thereof are formed by disposing line-shaped impingement grooves at the inner breadth of the impingement baffle, thereby increasing the differentiation probabilities of liquid particles and avoiding congestions thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention includes: a container operable to hold a liquid; circuitry operable to provide an electrical stimulus; and a piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the circuitry. The piezoelectric element includes a first face positioned beneath the liquid when the liquid is placed in the container, the piezoelectric element being responsive to the electrical stimulus to produce acoustic energy that causes droplets to form from the liquid. The piezoelectric element has a focal length along a focal axis intersecting the first face. The piezoelectric element and the container are structured in relation to one another to form an oblique angle between the focal axis and an axis generally parallel to a surface of the liquid when the liquid is at rest in the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro droplet generator which comprises a lower space for containing a control panel, and an upper chamber for containing fluid medicine and including an nebulized area formed on a joining portion of the space and thereof. On the nebulized area there are provided an outer nozzle plate including tapered apertures and a piezoelectric element electrically coupled to the control panel. Activating the piezoelectric element will vibrate it to sufficiently mix the liquid medicine for developing fluid cavitation in the nebulized area, forms a stream of droplets from small particles of the fluid medicine and ejects the same therefrom, condenses the large particles of the fluid medicine due to collision therebetween, and drops the condensed liquid into the fluid medicine. Also, any malfunctioned component can be replaced individually.

Abstract: An ultrasonically operated valve a source of ultrasonic energy for excitation of a pressurized liquid. The vibration of the ultrasonic horn imparts a pulsing of the pressure of the liquid within the valve. Selection of a sealing mechanism that responds at a different natural frequency than that of the valve body causes the sealing mechanism to unseat and therefore to enable liquid flow. The sealing mechanism will stay unseated as long as the source is imparting energy to the system and therefore inducing pressure pulses in the liquid thus keeping the sealing mechanism away from the valve seat.

Abstract: In order to increase the lifetime for a piezoactuator of a fuel injector and to make possible a reliable seal of the piezoactor especially for comparatively thin head plates as well a gas exchange passage running through an actuator housing (52, 54) is provided, where a sealing unit (2) placed on the head arrangement (16, 18) is provided for sealing the piezoactor (12) which features a carrier (28) on which a sealing material (30) is arranged which forms a seal around the piezo contact pins (14) and the head arrangement (16, 18) and on which a microporous gas exchanger (26) to create gas permeability of the sealing unit (24) is integrated such that any fluid which has penetrated through to the gas exchanger (26) can flow out of the gas exchanger (26) under the force of gravity.

Abstract: A liquid discharging head includes a plurality of liquid discharging units and a common flow path. The liquid discharging units include ink chambers for containing liquid to be discharged, heating elements disposed in the ink chambers for applying discharge force to the liquid, and a nozzle sheet having nozzles for discharging the liquid in the ink chambers. The common flow path supplies the liquid to the liquid discharging units. The liquid discharging units face the same direction in relation to the common flow path, and the nozzles of the liquid discharging units arc disposed at a predetermined pitch. Adjacent nozzles are separated by a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to a direction or arrangement of the nozzles.

Abstract: A micro-droplet generator, comprising a chamber, enclosed by a casing, a spraying plate, having a plurality of spraying holes, a piezoelectric plate, a signal connector, and a storage tank. The piezoelectric plate is mounted inside the chamber, having a fixed end fastened on the casing and a free end performing a bending movement. The input port issues signals that cause the bending movement of the piezoelectric plate. The chamber and the storage tank contain liquid, with a constant difference of liquid levels in the chamber and the storage tank being maintained, so that negative pressure in the chamber is automatically regulated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the atomization of liquid and the efficiency of depositing liquid particles onto target objects, or to coat the target object with a thin film of liquid, to reduce the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, and to reduce the weight of an electrostatic spray system has been developed by inducing electrostatic charges onto the atomized liquid particles sprayed from a grounded metal nozzle.

Abstract: An oscillating spray device comprising an oscillation chamber. A power nozzle for projecting a jet of liquid under pressure into the oscillation chamber in a given direction. A reversing member in the chamber has a reversing wall for reversing the direction of flow of the fluid jet in a direction 180° opposite the given direction. A system of vortices is formed thereby for alternately passing fluid to one side or the other of the reversing member. A pair of passages, one on each side of the reversing member, convey alternate pulses of fluid through the passageways in the given direction past the reversing member to an outlet to ambient, and an island barrier positioned in the outlet to ambient and forming two separate passageways to the outlet and a third passageway between the reversing member and the island barrier. The spray characteristics can be adjusted by changing the spacing between the reversing member and island barrier.

Abstract: An atomizing device is provided that comprises: a casing having a release opening; discharging means provided within the casing and having at least one discharge head for discharging a liquid matter as droplets from a nozzle communicating with a cavity by driving an actuator to change a pressure within the cavity filled with the liquid matter; and atomizing means provided within the casing for atomizing the droplets discharged from the discharging means. It is preferred that at least a part of the discharging means and/or at least a part of the atomizing means are detachably mounted to the casing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic nebulizer for producing high-volume sub-micron droplets is disclosed. The ultrasonic nebulizer utilizes a 3 or 5 MHz frequency as an oscillation frequency for producing sub-micron droplets. The nebulizer can also use at least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator for increasing the volume of the droplets. The ultrasonic nebulizer comprises an ac/dc converter, an oscillator circuit, an amplifying device, a nebulization chamber, and at least one piezoelectric ceramic oscillator. The ac/dc converter rectifies an ac current to a dc current. The oscillator circuit produces an oscillation signal with a frequency larger than or equal to 3 MHz. The amplifying device amplifies the oscillation signal. The nebulization chamber has a lower face for holding a liquid to be nebulized.

Abstract: An aerosol generator comprises a vibratable member having a front, a rear, an outer periphery and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear. A support element is disposed about the outer periphery of the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is coupled to the support element. The vibratable element is configured to vibrate the vibratable member at ultrasonic frequencies. An isolating structure is coupled to the support element and is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure. The isolating structure has a mechanical vibrational impedance that is sufficient to substantially vibrationally isolate the aerosol generator from the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for droplet steering is disclosed herein. A throated structure having a nozzle defines a converging throat with an inlet and an outlet and a vectored fluid stream directed therethrough. The fluid stream is driven through the system via a vacuum pump. As the fluid approaches the outlet, its velocity increases and is drawn away from the nozzle through a connecting channel. As a droplet is ejected from a liquid therebelow, it will have a first trajectory until it is introduced to the high velocity fluid stream at the perimeter of the interior walls of the nozzle. The fluid accordingly steers the momentum of the droplet such that it obtains a second or corrected trajectory. Alternative variations include an electrically chargeable member, e.g., a pin, positionable to be in apposition to the outlet and capillary tubes for controlling the ejection surface of the pool of source fluid.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is an atomizer, a method for atomization, and a system that includes an atomizer. In some embodiments, an atomizer in accordance with present invention operates at substantially higher efficiency than known atomizers. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the present atomizer is capable of operating at lower gas pressure and lower liquid pressure than most known atomizers, as is desirable for certain fire-suppression applications. Additionally, in some embodiments, the atomizer is configured with only three parts and is very easy to manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus for freshening air, including a base unit; a power supply operably connected to the base unit; a driving and switching circuit connected to be powered by the power supply; a first plug portion connected to the driving and switching circuit; a detachable autonomous liquid droplet dispensing cartridge detachably engagable with the first plug portion. The detachable cartridge has (a) a second plug portion matingly engagable with the first plug portion, (b) a first airless bag for storing a first nebulizable liquid, (c) a second airless bag for storing a second nebulizable liquid, and (d) a casing enclosing the first bag and the second bag. A nebulizer is provided so that a first nebulizable liquid flows from the first bag and the second nebulizable liquid flows from the second bag so that the first nebulizable liquid and the second nebulizable liquid are nebulized by the nebulizer.

Abstract: The invention provides a discharge device which forms microlenses, etc., with high precision. A switch circuit selects a predetermined one of drive pulses included in a drive signal on the basis of waveform selection data obtained from a control device, and applies the selected drive pulse.

Abstract: An atomizer 10 atomizes a multi-component liquid from a reservoir 20 into a cloud 14 comprising small droplets 38 which are ejected into the atmosphere to a certain height and allowed to fall toward a surface 12. Essentially complete evaporation is assured by maintaining the size of the droplets, the liquid's component vapor pressures and the height through which the droplets fall according to a predetermined relationship. Also, the suitability of a liquid for evaporation in a vibrating plate atomizer is determined by measuring the rate of size decrease and the surface tension of a pendant drop of the liquid after a predetermined amount of the liquid has evaporated from the drop.

Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t

Abstract: A metering device for the conveyance of small substance quantities out of a reservoir into an application space by a diaphragm micropump that can be used, in particular, for the conveyance of small doses of gases includes the diaphragm micropump conveying an aromatic through a nozzle/diffuser system in fixed doses out of a reservoir first into a pump chamber and subsequently into an application space. As such, by the action of the diaphragm micropump, the volume and pressure of the pump chamber are varied so that aromatic is alternately drawn out of the reservoir into the pump chamber and pressed out of the pump chamber into the application space. In the event of a periodic change in the volume of the pump chamber, a substance located in the reservoir is, thus, conveyed slowly and in predetermined minimal doses into the application space in the course of time.

Abstract: A device for exhaust gas after treatment of motor vehicles has a pump device for supplying a solution to the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device is a metering pump having a connecting part that opens into the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device has a piston and a piezo element for actuating the piston. The pump device has a housing provided with a housing chamber. The connecting part is arranged in the housing chamber that is located at an end face of the housing. The pump device has a pressure chamber for receiving the solution. A first check valve closes off the pressure chamber relative to the connecting part. The housing of the pump device has a supply line, and the piston sucks in the solution from the supply line. The pump device has a second check valve for closing off the supply line.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for delivering a controlled amount of scent to a target user. Such methods and systems will preferably provide carefully direct boluses or streams of scent(s) to a single or small group of individual(s) using a bolus generator so as to avoid cross-contamination of scents with other persons and other locations. The present invention preferably delivers the bolus of scent as an air ring. The scented air ring moves through the air between the scent generating device directly to the user as a cohesive unit of air. This phenomenon is similar to a “smoke ring” exhaled by a smoker. The scent ring can be directed with accuracy to a localized target as small as the nose of a single user, such that the entire dosage can be delivered to only the user's direct vicinity. Such targeted delivery minimizes the amount of scent that must be delivered to achieve a desired level of scenting at the target location.

Abstract: A temperature compensated actuator device comprises a piezoelectric stack having first and second ends along a central axis and having a first thermal expansion coefficient; and a compensator arranged on one end of the piezoelectric stack. The compensator comprises a first member in form of a cylinder; a second member in form of a piston plate wherein the first member and the second member are arranged movably along the axis with respect to each other and define a hollow space between them; and a compensation member having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than the first thermal expansion coefficient for filling the hollow space.

Abstract: An injector for a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines is proposed, whose system pressure supply is integrated with the injector. This results in a simple design with at the same time a low requirement for driving capacity on the part of the high-pressure pump for supplying system pressure.

Abstract: An aerosol generator comprises a vibratable member having a front, a rear, an outer periphery and a plurality of apertures extending between the front and the rear. A support element is disposed about the outer periphery of the vibratable member, and a vibratable element is coupled to the support element. The vibratable element is configured to vibrate the vibratable member at ultrasonic frequencies. An isolating structure is coupled to the support element and is configured to couple the aerosol generator to a support structure. The isolating structure has a mechanical vibrational impedance that is sufficient to substantially vibrationally isolate the aerosol generator from the support structure.

Abstract: A fragrance sampling system for use in a store comprises a piezoelectrically vibrated orifice plate atomizer mounted to extend from a support structure in the store, such as a shelf and operated to emit puffs of very small droplets of the liquid fragrance and eject them upwardly into the atmosphere such that they become fully evaporated before contacting any supporting surface. The atomizer is controlled by electrical circuits which limit the times during which atomization occurs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fluid product distributor comprising a reservoir of fluid product (1), a distribution outlet, a distribution system (2) for distributing fluid product through the distribution outlet, and an activating button (3) to activate the means of distribution. The distribution further comprises a visible reservoir the distribution outlet and the activating button (3) being located on either side of the reservoir (1), such that the reservoir visibly extends between the distribution outlet and the activating button.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection method and apparatus comprising a base member and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element. The interior of the base member includes a pressurizing chamber and an ejection opening. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation exceeds a predetermined time, applied voltage to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element is increased at a first increase rate so that liquid within the pressurizing chamber is pressurized for ejection at a first pressurizing increase rate. When the interval from the last pressurizing operation to the current pressurizing operation is shorter than the predetermined time, the applied voltage is increased at a second increase rate smaller than the first increase rate so that the liquid is pressurized for ejection at a second pressurizing rate which is relatively small. This ensures proper pressurization of a liquid whose viscosity increases over time, achieving proper ejections.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described. The fuel injector has a fuel inlet connection piece for supplying fuel, a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, which is sealed off from the fuel by a seal, and a valve closing body actuatable by the actuator via a valve needle. The valve closing body working together with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The seal includes an inlet-side gasket, which is arranged between the fuel inlet connection piece and the actuator, and an actuator jacket that is elastically deformable in a longitudinal direction and is connected to the inlet-side gasket.

Abstract: A nebulizer for atomizing a high-temperature liquid includes a truncated, conical concentrator that defines a vertex and that has a small-diameter end and a large-diameter end. The small-diameter end has a spherical-shaped, concave surface and the large-diameter end has a spherical-shaped, convex surface. A piezoelectric transducer has a spherical-shaped, concave surface that is attached to the convex surface of the concentrator. A cylindrical-shaped droplet manifold is positioned over the small-diameter end of the concentrator to create a liquid chamber in the manifold with the vertex inside the liquid chamber. A feeding tube introduces the high-temperature liquid into the liquid chamber until the surface of the liquid reaches the vertex. With an activation of the transducer, acoustic waves that have spherical wavefronts are launched away from the concave surface of the transducer. The concentrator propagates and directs the spherical wavefronts for convergence at the vertex to nebulize the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for production, extraction and delivery of an aerosol mist with ultrafine droplets. A high frequency wave generating device or other process generates very small particles or droplets from a reservoir of liquid or material to be atomized. A helical flow of a carrier gas medium such as air is directed into a container and creates a high throughput aerosol of air and fine droplets. The aerosol is delivered through a suitable outlet such as by deflecting the aerosol upwards and providing a tube centrally situated with respect to the helical flow such that the aerosol will discharge through the tube in high quantity of throughput and high quality of stable aerosol of very fine mist droplets. The methods described utilize in-situ extraction of fine mist droplets using helical flow behavior as opposed to forced convection ejection of mist or inertial separation of droplets by separators.

Abstract: Devices and methods for depositing fluids on substrates in patterns of spots, lines, or other features use a nozzle, which is preferably configured similarly to a micropipette, having a piezoelectric crystal or other ultrasonic actuator coupled to one of its sides. The nozzle may be charged via capillary action by dipping it into a well containing the fluid to be deposited, and may then be positioned over a desired area of a substrate, at which point activation of the ultrasonic actuator at ultrasonic frequencies will eject the fluid onto the substrate. The needle may subsequently be dipped into a well of rinsing fluid for cleaning. Spots or lines on the order of 5 micrometers width may be generated, making the invention particularly suitable for use in biological applications such as microarray production and in microelectronics applications such as the printing of organic circuitry.

Abstract: A bottle unit (30) of a liquid atomizing apparatus is provided with: a bottle section (31) reserving a chemical liquid (L); a horn oscillating member (40) to whose a distal end the liquid (L) in the bottle section (31) is fed; and a mesh member (1) having a number of fine pores (2), and mounted to an end surface of the distal end (41) of the horn oscillating member (40) in contact therewith. The bottle section (31) is constituted of a large capacity section (B) and a small capacity section (b) in communication with the large capacity section (B) through an opening (32), and opposing to the distal end (41) of the horn oscillating member (40). The small capacity section (b) is formed such that the liquid (L?) therein is in contact with a point in the proximity of the contact section between the distal end (41) of the horn oscillating member (40) and the mesh member (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing ultra-fine particles using an electrospray device is disclosed. One or more capillary provided at its tip with a nozzle is positioned within a guide duct and precursors such as metal organic materials and metal halogen compounds, or nonvolatile substances or volatile substances are supplied to the capillary. Voltages are applied to the capillary and the guide duct, respectively, so that a voltage difference is generated therebetween and the highly charged liquid droplets from the capillary are sprayed. The sprayed liquid droplets are carried along the guide duct together with carrier gas injected into the guide duct. When heat energy is applied to the liquid droplets, chemical reactions of the liquid droplets occur. A collecting plate positioned in front of the guide duct collects ultra-fine particles formed by the chemical reactions.

Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated liquid atomizer device which applies alternating voltages from an ordinary wall outlet to a piezoelectric actuator intermittently and at a high rate sufficient to cause an atomization plate which is vibrated by the actuator to form small droplets from liquid which is supplied to the plate. The intermittent application of voltages to the piezoelectric actuator is carried out according to a duty cycle in which the off times are adjustable. An override of the duty cycle is provided so that the piezoelectric actuator operates continuously for intervals which are manually or automatically controlled.

Abstract: A nebulizer assembly, and more particularly, for nebulizing liquids into aerosols, includes an oscillation driver connected with an aerosol excitation device at one end thereof, a liquid delivery device adjacently disposed to the aerosol excitation device for supplying an impingement baffle provided in the aerosol excitation device with micro liquid bodies having tension liquid membranes, so that energy is completely acted upon the micro liquid membranes for excitation into aerosol particles, thereby achieving aimed excitation without causing unnecessary loads.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing fog, said apparatus having ultrasonic circuitry for producing ultrasonic energy for vaporizing a liquid, comprising a receptacle having a recess in the bottom thereof and a surface located at an upper part of said recess for containing said liquid, said recess defining a space devoid of said liquid, wherein said ultrasonic circuitry is located on a bottom of said surface in said recess and positioned such that said ultrasonic energy produced by said ultrasonic circuitry is transferred to said liquid.

Abstract: A fluid flow device in one embodiment comprising a housing having an aperture or a plurality of apertures therein and in another embodiment a single chamber with a piston such as a flexible member forming a chamber and a vibratory member for vibrating the flexible member to simultaneously eject an array of laminar flow fluid vortices that coalesce with each other to form a larger fluid vortex that can be used for direct cooling or for inducing circulation of a cooling fluid within an enclosure to cool the components within the system. When used within a closed system the inventor provides a zero net flux device as the fluid contained within a sealed chamber can be stirred, or mixed, without the introduction of fresh fluid from the outside the system.

Abstract: A piezoelectric element and an injector using the same piezoelectric element are disclosed, which are so high in reliability as not to be shorted even in a high humidity environment, are small in size, are low in cost and are high in heat radiation capability. The piezoelectric element comprises a ceramic laminate (10) including a plurality of ceramic layers of a piezoelectric ceramic (11) and a plurality of internal electrode layers (21, 22), stacked alternately. At least an organic insulating layer (41) of an organic material is formed on at least a part of the surface of the ceramic laminate (10), and at least an inorganic insulating layer (42) of an inorganic material is formed on the organic insulating layer (41).

Abstract: A battery operated atomizer device comprising, in a housing (22), a liquid reservoir (30) from which a capillary type liquid delivery system (38) extends to contact a piezoelectric actuator an atomization plate assembly (34), the assembly (34) being supported by means of wire-like elements (36) in cantilever fashion over the liquid delivery system, the liquid delivery system comprising an outer tubular member (52) and a solid rod (56) which have facing surfaces configured to define between them, longitudinal capillary liquid passages.

Abstract: A hydraulic control valve for a fuel injector for an automotive engine, which includes a piezoelectric actuator and a hydraulic valve mechanism. The hydraulic valve mechanism converts a mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric actuator produced as a result of application of a voltage into a hydraulic pressure to move a valve member for opening and closing a fluid port. The hydraulic valve mechanism is so designed that the piezoelectric actuator produces a maximum output force which works to develop the hydraulic pressure when opening the fluid port through the valve member and decreases after the fluid port is opened and which is set smaller than one-half of a maximum possible output force of the piezoelectric actuator under application of a maximum working voltage to said piezoelectric actuator, thereby ensuring a maximum movement of the valve member at high energy efficiency under application of the voltage within a working voltage range.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular a fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator, a valve closing element that can be actuated by the actuator and that works together with a valve seat face to form a seal seat, and a temperature compensation device. The temperature compensation device has a housing that is elastically deformable along a direction of actuation of the actuator, and has at least one throttle that connects an interior space of the housing with a fuel inlet of the fuel injector. The cross-section of this throttle is dimensioned such that an entry and exit of fuel into the housing of the temperature compensation device is enabled when there is a temperature-caused change in length of components of the fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a nozzle type atomizer with two or more aligned “horn” stages. The definition of a “horn” stage is well known in the prior art as an effectively half wavelength length and a tapering shape with a central conduit. The present invention uses two to five, or more, horn stages integrally attached end to end. The dramatic improvement in amplitude of the vibration at the tip of the nozzle is without precedence in the prior art. The present invention makes application of transducer vibration at greater than 200 kHz possible. The present invention reduces the required applied energy for generating the necessary amplitude at the tip by the discovery of amplitude multiplication with two or more horn stages.