By Electric Transducer (e.g., Piezoelectric Crystal) Patents (Class 239/102.2)
  • Patent number: 7810743
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device has an elongate housing with an internal chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing, and an outlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide is disposed at least in part within the internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid within the internal chamber prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through the outlet. The ultrasonic waveguide has an agitating member extending outward from the ultrasonic waveguide within the internal chamber of the housing intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The agitating member and the ultrasonic waveguide are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating member relative to the ultrasonic waveguide upon ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic waveguide. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide and the agitating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Thomas David Ehlert, Robert Allen Janssen
  • Patent number: 7810742
    Abstract: An ultrasonic fog generator including a container including therein an ultrasonic nebulizer and a liquid, the ultrasonic nebulizer operative to vibrate at very high frequencies and thereby break down the liquid into a fog including tiny vapor particles, the container having an exit opening for the fog to pass therethrough, and a driver and a driving fluid, the driver being operative to cause the driving fluid to flow past the exit opening and draw out the fog through the exit opening without the driving fluid substantially entering the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Zvi Levi
  • Patent number: 7793860
    Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with a porous protuberance is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to intermittently dip the porous member into a volatile liquid and to expel air out through vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 7793863
    Abstract: In the case of a fuel injector comprising an injector housing arrangement (44, 46) which accommodates a piezo-drive, whereby the piezo-drive has a piezo-actuator which is accommodated in a piezo-housing arrangement that has a cover arrangement (12, 14) provided with openings (16) for the penetration of protruding terminal pins (10) of the piezo-actuator, the following is provided: a sealing arrangement comprising a sealing element (24) formed from a liquid-tight material, the sealing element, on the one hand, fitting tightly against the circumferential areas of the terminal pins (10) and, on the other hand, tightly against the cover arrangement (12, 14), and a ventilation arrangement (40, 42) that promotes an exchange of gas between the outside of the injector housing arrangement (44, 46) and the outside of the sealing element (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Unruh
  • Patent number: 7793861
    Abstract: A vapor-dispersing device comprising a moveable piston with an evaporative member is described that operates by the repetitive movement of the piston to bring the evaporative member into repeated contact with the exposed end of a liquid transfer means to wick volatile liquid out from a reservoir onto the evaporative member and to expel vapors out through vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 7784713
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a body having a high pressure fuel passage and a nozzle hole, which is connected to the passage, a nozzle needle opening/closing the hole and having a needle piston part, a piezo stack extended when the stack is charged and contracted when the stack discharges electric charge, a cylinder, in which the needle piston part is slidably inserted and which is driven by the stack, a fixed piston having a fixed piston part that is slidably inserted in the cylinder and that has a larger diameter than the needle piston part, an oil-tight chamber between the needle piston part and the fixed piston part in the cylinder, and a nozzle spring urging the needle in a valve closing direction. The cylinder is displaced due to extension/contraction of the stack, so that volume of the chamber increases/decreases and the needle opens/closes the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Kondo
  • Patent number: 7784708
    Abstract: A fuel injecting device and method of controlling the fuel injection device. The fuel injection device includes a cylindrical body, a needle whose end includes with a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the end of the cylindrical body, an actuator made of an electroactive material, including a rod and that displaces the head such that the valve is opened, and a prestressing device holding the needle and a counterweight such that they are pressed against the rod opposite end. The needle extends coaxially to the cylindrical body in a form of a rigid bar and axially resonates when exposed to axial pulses at a determined excitation frequency by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Samir Guerbaoui, Andre Agneray, Laurent Levin
  • Patent number: 7785278
    Abstract: An ultrasound surgical apparatus and associated methods of use enabling relatively pain-free wound debridement is provided. The apparatus is constructed from a tip mechanically coupled to a shaft. The shaft is mechanical coupled to an ultrasound transducer driven by a generator. The ultrasound tip possesses at least one radial surface, a cavity, or some other form of a hollowed out area, within at least one of the radial surfaces, and a cutting member at the opening of the cavity. A method of debriding a wound and/or tissue with the apparatus can be practiced by delivering ultrasonic energy released from the various surfaces of the vibrating tip to the wound and/or tissue prior to and/or while portions of the tip are scrapped across the wound and/or tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Bacoustics, LLC
    Inventor: Eilaz Babaev
  • Patent number: 7784712
    Abstract: A micro-droplet generator comprises a main body, having a chamber accommodating liquid to be sprayed and a lateral opening, a spraying plate, placed in the opening and having a plurality of spraying holes as well as an inner side, a vibrating element, glued on the spraying plate and driving vibrations thereof, and a projection, placed inside the chamber and having an outer side touch with the inner side of the spraying plate, wherein a narrow space is left between the inner side of the spraying plate and the outer side of the projection, which upon the vibrations of the spraying plate has a varying width, upon becoming wider sucking in liquid from the chamber, and upon becoming narrower pressing out liquid through the spraying holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Ran Wang, Sheng-Chih Shen, Yi-Cheng Chen, Chien-Shien Yeh, Chung-Jui Lee, I-Kai Pan
  • Publication number: 20100213274
    Abstract: A microdroplet generation apparatus comprises an oscillation plate, a connection plate, a nozzle disc and a bonding material, wherein the nozzle disc is interposed between the oscillation plate and connection plate, and wherein the oscillation plate, connection plate and nozzle disc are joined with the bonding material. The oscillation plate and the connection plate respectively have a first through-hole and a second through-hole corresponding to each other. The nozzle disc has injection holes on the area corresponding to the first and second through-holes. The nozzle disc has via-holes on the area not corresponding to the first through-hole and the second through-hole. The bonding material passes through the via-holes of the nozzle disc to join the oscillation plate and the connection plate and fasten the nozzle disc to between the oscillation plate and the connection plate. Thus, vibration energy can be effectively transmitted from the vibration plate to the nozzle disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Health & Life Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shan-Yi Yu, Han-Chang Liu, Wen-Yu Tsai
  • Publication number: 20100213275
    Abstract: A target supply apparatus includes a tank for storing a liquid target material, a nozzle for outputting the liquid target material in the tank, and a gas supply source for supplying gas into the tank, and controls a gas pressure inside the tank with a pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source which is provided with a pressure regulator. The target supply apparatus also includes a pressure-decrease gas passage of which one end is connected to the tank and the other end forms an exhaust port, a pressure-decrease valve provided on the pressure-decrease gas passage, and a controller for controlling open/close of the pressure-decrease valve. The controller, when the target material is caused not to output from the nozzle, opens the pressure-decrease valve and decreases the pressure inside the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Takanobu ISHIHARA, Hiroshi Itafuji
  • Publication number: 20100213272
    Abstract: A target supply apparatus controls a gas pressure inside a tank storing a liquid target material to be outputted from a nozzle by a pressure of gas supplied from a gas supply having a pressure regulator. The target supply apparatus comprises a gas passage introducing gas supplied from the gas supply into the tank, and a high-precision pressure regulator arranged on the gas passage and regulating a pressure of gas flowing the gas passage. The high-precision pressure regulator is able to regulate pressure with accuracy higher than the pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Takayuki YABU, Masaki Nakano, Hitoshi Nagano, Takanobu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7780909
    Abstract: A device for sanitizing and disinfecting a space includes a tank having an interior space for holding an aqueous sanitizing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing liquid, a bottom sector, an air inlet sector, and an exhaust sector, inner walls of the exhaust sector and the air inlet sector forming a substantially ā€œVā€-shaped air pathway within the interior space. A liquid cascading reactor vessel is positioned within the bottom sector of the tank, a top edge of the reactor vessel in adjustably spaced relation from a notch in the ā€œVā€-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 atomized micro-particles from the liquid. Air can be drawn into the air inlet, and the formed atomized micro-particles can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Zimek Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Sparks
  • Patent number: 7780095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to force movement of protrusions to spray a fluid. The apparatus includes a horn with an internal chamber. Within the internal chamber of the horn are protrusions extending from a wall of the chamber. When the horn is vibrated, a fluid is expelled from the horn by the oscillation of the protrusions. Fluid to be expelled from the horn enters the internal chamber of the horn through at least one channel passing through a wall of the horn and leading into the chamber. After passing through the horn's internal chamber, the fluid exits the horn by passing through a channel originating in the front wall of the chamber and ending at the horn's radiation surface. A transducer may be connected to the horn's proximal end to generate ultrasonic vibrations throughout the length of the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Bacoustics, LLC
    Inventor: Eilaz Babaev
  • Patent number: 7779831
    Abstract: A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the interior of the cup module. The transducer at least partially comprises silver. The silver fluidly contacts the transmitting medium to discourage bacteria growth in the transmitting medium. The device includes electronics components that drive the transducer and measure an electrical characteristic associated with the transducer during operation. The electronics components measure changes in the electrical characteristic to determine when the drug solution level falls below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the device accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Von Hollen, Eric A. Lieberman, Alexandru Bucur
  • Patent number: 7775457
    Abstract: A fountain system for creating unique water displays or water attractions. The fountain system includes a pump providing water at a flow rate and a plurality of fountain assemblies connected to the pump outlet. Each of the fountain assemblies includes a nozzle such as a bell or dome nozzle that receives the water from the pump and discharges the water from its outlet in the form of an enclosed dome about the nozzle outlet. The fountain assembly includes a fog generator or fogger such as an ultrasonic transducer, positioned proximate to the nozzle discharging fog into the dome where it is trapped by the laminar flow water in the dome wall. Each fountain assembly includes a light source transmitting light into the dome to illuminate and color the captured fog. The flow rate may be changed to alter the shape and size of the domes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Schnuckle
  • Patent number: 7775178
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating abluminal surface of a stent is described. The apparatus includes a stent support, a coating device, and an imaging system. The coating device includes a solution reservoir and transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes a plurality of transducers and a controller. Each transducer is used to generate focused acoustic waves in the coating substance in the reservoir. A controller is communicated to an image system to enable the transducers to generate droplets on demand and at the predetermined ejection points on the surface of the coating substance to coat the stent. A method for coating a stent includes stent mounting, stent movement, and droplet excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yung Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7775459
    Abstract: A liquid atomizing device for dispensing liquid droplets includes a container for holding a liquid, the container having a porous wick positioned to communicate the liquid from the container, and an orifice plate with apertures, the orifice plate being vibrated by a piezoelectric element to cause liquid communicated from the container to be atomized and dispensed as liquid droplets through the apertures. The device employs a unique placement and design of heaters or fans to promote evaporation and dispersion of the atomized liquid while the liquid is airborne.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Martens, III, Heather R. Schramm
  • Patent number: 7770818
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a housing having a wall surface on an opposite side of the nozzle hole. A fuel passage opens in the wall surface, and communicates with a nozzle hole through a nozzle cavity. The nozzle cavity accommodates a valve element. A cylinder is substantially in contact with the wall surface at one end, and slidably accommodating one end of the valve element. The cylinder partitions the nozzle cavity substantially into a fuel accumulator chamber and a pressure control chamber. The fuel accumulator chamber accumulates fuel supplied from the fuel passage. The pressure control chamber accumulates fuel for manipulating the valve element. The cylinder has an outer wall defining a deflecting surface for radially outwardly deflecting fuel flowing from the fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kurimoto, Tetsuya Toyao, Shuichi Matsumoto, Kouichi Oohata
  • Patent number: 7766253
    Abstract: A device (30) for nebulizing a liquid includes a nebulization head (40) having a capillary tube (40-1) and a nozzle (40-2) for ejecting a liquid (43), a liquid supply tank (42) for supplying the nebulization head with liquid (43), a vibrator (44) for vibration driving the nebulization head so that it ejects droplets of liquid in a nebulization jet. The device (30) further includes a pressure regulator for applying to the liquid at the inlet to the nebulization head (40), during nebulization cycles, a pressure greater than a first pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is not vibration driven, and lower than a second pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is vibration driven. Advantages of the device include increase in the nebulization flow rate and low sensitivity to changes in trim and to vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Osmooze
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Le Pesant, Hugues Brouard
  • Publication number: 20100187329
    Abstract: A fluid injection device having a main injection axis and including at least: a housing; an actuator axially mounted in the housing and including a stack with two axially opposed front faces and including at least one electro-active portion with an electro-active material; and a pre-stressing mechanism adapted for at least partially pre-stressing the stack. The pre-stressing mechanism includes at least a tightening clamp outside the stack and provided between the stack and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Andre Agneray, Nadim Malek, Laurent Levin, Marc Pariente
  • Patent number: 7762478
    Abstract: A gasoline unit injector includes a high speed, high force actuator such as a magnetrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The actuator operates a positive displacement diaphragm pump. The pumping volume is isolated from a supply rail by an inlet check valve, and is isolated from the engine manifold by an outlet check valve. Each of the check valves includes a disk having a central anchor and a peripheral valve seat. Diaphragm movement reduces pump volume and thereby displaces fuel at high pressure through outlet valve. Fuel spray is formed by geometry of outlet valve, the frequency of actuation, and mass and pressure of the displaced fuel. Relaxation of actuator, and therefore diaphragm, increases pump volume and thereby draws fuel into pump volume through the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Robert Czimmek, Hamid Sayar
  • Patent number: 7757965
    Abstract: A display apparatus with a scent disperse device comprises a display, a stalk-like member, at least one leaf-like member and a vibrator, in which the stalk-like member is disposed on the display, the leaf-like members are positioned around the stalk-like member and the vibrator is disposed in the stalk-like member and used for driving the leaf-like members to sway. Whereby, a user is allowed to smell a flavor matching the appearance of the display or prefer scent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventors: Guan-De Liou, Chia-Pine Huang, Li-Li Lai, Stephen Tsai, Ming-Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 7753285
    Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus capable of mixing and/or atomizing fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a horn having an internal chamber through which fluids to be atomized and/or mixed flow. Connected to the horn's proximal end, a transducer powered by a generator induces ultrasonic vibrations within the horn. Traveling down the horn from the transducer, the ultrasonic vibrations induce the release of ultrasonic energy into the fluids to be atomized and/or mixed as they travel through the horn's internal chamber. As the ultrasonic vibrations travel through the chamber, the fluids within the chamber are agitated and/or begin to cavitate, thereby mixing the fluids. Upon reaching the front wall of the chamber, the ultrasonic vibrations are reflected back into the chamber, like an echo. The ultrasonic vibrations echoing off the front wall pass through the fluids within the chamber a second time, further mixing the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bacoustics, LLC
    Inventor: Eilaz Babaev
  • Patent number: 7744017
    Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine comprising a nozzle body defining a seating surface and having at least one first nozzle outlet and a valve member received within the nozzle body and engageable with an external seating defined by the seating surface so as to control fuel injection through the at least one first nozzle outlet. The valve member is provided with a bore having an internal bore surface and an insert is received within the bore. The insert includes a part-spherical head which spans an internal diameter of the bore so as to maintain contact with an internal surface of the bore as the valve member moves, in use, so as to guide movement of the valve member. The part-spherical head also includes a surface which defines an internal seating for the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventor: Michael P. Cooke
  • Patent number: 7744016
    Abstract: A rod horn of an ultrasonic transmitting medium includes an expanded portion in one end and an inclined plane as a face irradiating ultrasonic waves, an ultrasonic vibrator or vibrators is attached to the expanded portion, the inclined plane of the rod horn is provided by holding a slight gap opposite to a washing body, washing liquid is flowed into the gap in the side of the inclined plane and the washing body is washed by the ultrasonic wave and the washing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Honda, Yuichi Asayama, Yuichi Maita, Tomomi Hikita, Yoshikazu Muramatsu, Ryoji Kondo, Haruo Yamamori, Naoyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7744015
    Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which fuel within the fuel chamber is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing, and an open position in which fuel is exhaustable from the housing. An ultrasonic waveguide separate from the housing and valve member is disposed at least in part within the fuel chamber to ultrasonically excite fuel within the fuel chamber prior to the fuel exiting through the at least one exhaust port in the open position of the valve member. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Thomas David Ehlert, Timothy R. Zuehlke, Andrew Enis Meyer, George Bromfield
  • Patent number: 7744833
    Abstract: Dispensers and refills for volatile liquids, such as fragrances, are disclosed. Dispensers and refills in combination with dispensers according to the present invention may comprise a volatile liquid and a housing. In certain embodiments, the volatile liquid of the present invention has a predetermined evaporation rate, measured and calculated by the method described herein. In other embodiments, the volatile liquid exhibits a predefined relative evaporation rate. In addition to the housing, the present invention includes optional components, such as a motorized fan and/or a wick, to facilitate release of the volatile liquid into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair, Michael C. Liptrot, Qing Song
  • Publication number: 20100155502
    Abstract: An acoustic generator of pressure pulsations includes a cylindrical waveguide which is caused to vibrate at a low amplitude by an electromechanical transducer. The vibration of the cylindrical waveguide creates low amplitude pressure pulsations in an acoustic chamber containing stationary pressure fluid. A mechanical amplifier, which is part of the acoustic chamber, amplifies the low amplitude pressure pulsations generated by the cylindrical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF GEONICS ASCR, V.V.I.
    Inventors: Josef FOLDYNA, Branislav SVEHLA
  • Patent number: 7740188
    Abstract: An acoustic generator of pressure pulsations includes a cylindrical waveguide which is caused to vibrate at a low amplitude by an electromechanical transducer. The vibration of the cylindrical waveguide creates low amplitude pressure pulsations in an acoustic chamber containing stationary pressure fluid. A mechanical amplifier, which is part of the acoustic chamber, amplifies the low amplitude pressure pulsations generated by the cylindrical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Institute of Geonics, ASCR, v.v.i.
    Inventors: Josef Foldyna, Branislav Svehla
  • Patent number: 7735747
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Po-Fu Chou, Chi-Ming Huang, En-Wei Chang, Hung-Liang Chiang
  • Patent number: 7735750
    Abstract: The repellency increasing structure includes a substrate, if a surface of the substrate is flat, a flat surface of which shows lyophilic property with respect to a liquid having a surface tension lower than that of water and multiple recesses multiple and/or projections that are formed in the surface of the substrate. Inner walls of the recesses and outer walls of the projections are substantially parallel to a thickness direction of the substrate. The structure further includes a repellent layer that covers the recesses and the projections. In the liquid ejection head, a solution ejection surface around multiple through-holes of a ejection substrate corresponds to the surface of the substrate of the repellency increasing structure in which the recesses and/or the projections are formed. In the stain-resistant film, the substrate of the repellency increasing structure is a support film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Kaneko, Shuji Takahashi, Yoshinori Hotta, Toshiaki Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 7735751
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device in which a housing of the device has an internal chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which liquid is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing via the at least one exhaust port, and an open position in which liquid is exhaustable from the housing via the at least one exhaust port. An ultrasonic waveguide separate from the housing and valve member is disposed at least in part within the internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid within the internal chamber prior to liquid being exhausted from the housing in the open position of the valve member. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Timothy R. Zuehlke, Andrew Enis Meyer, George Bromfield
  • Patent number: 7726629
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus comprising a counter bearing (8) provided with a first recess (9), having a conical bearing surface (10), and an actuator unit comprising an actuator (6) whose axial extension is dependent upon an actuating signal. The actuator unit has a shoulder which is formed in an area of the actuator unit which faces away from the output and which has a domed surface (11). The domed surface (11) of the actuator unit rests upon the conical bearing surface (10) of the counter-bearing (8). The injection valve comprises said lifting device and an injector needle which is coupled to the lifting apparatus on the output side thereof and which prevents the flow of fluid through the injector nozzle when closed and otherwise releases it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Willibald SchĆ¼rz, Martin Simmet
  • Patent number: 7716961
    Abstract: A method for executing water jet peening for giving an impact force to a surface of a structure member by a crushing pressure of a water jet and cavitation and improving residual stress, or washing, or reforming said surface, wherein said water jet peening is executed so as to make a natural frequency of oscillation of said structure member and a excitation frequency of oscillation of water jet peening different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisamitu Hatou, Noboru Saitou, Ren Morinaka, Tomohiko Motoki, Tadashi Iijima, Yuichi Koide, Jun Kashiwakura
  • Patent number: 7712680
    Abstract: An ultrasonic nozzle configured to form relatively small drops of liquid at relatively high rates. The nozzle includes two horns, at least one of which includes a ceramic material. The nozzle also includes one or more transducers that cause mechanical motion in at least one of the horns. In addition, a method of forming micrometer-scaled drops of liquid at relatively high rates is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sono-Tek Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey L. Berger, Donald F. Mowbray, Randy A. Copeman, Robert J. Russell
  • Patent number: 7712249
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic repellent humidifier for dispersing insect repellant into the air as a micro fine repellent vapor. A repellent tank provides rhodinol and cedarwood oil based repellent to a repellent well. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned in the well beneath the level of the repellent. It vibrates, forming a repellant vapor that is drawn into a vapor duct by a forced air system and out of the unit, dispersing the repellent vapor into the surrounding air. The vibrating portion of the ultrasonic transducer that is exposed to the oil-based repellent is a ceramic material that inhibits residue from forming on the transducer that reduces its efficiency. The ceramic material may be formed on the metal case of the transducer or on the piezoelectric oscillation crystal, or it may be a separately replaceable disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Monster Mosquito Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kemper O'neal Modlin, Leo JohnNiekerk
  • Patent number: 7712679
    Abstract: The mist ejection head has: a nozzle plate in which a nozzle hole for ejecting liquid is formed; a liquid chamber connected to the nozzle hole; an ultrasonic wave generating device which applies an ultrasonic wave to the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a reflective wall which reflects the ultrasonic wave applied to the liquid, wherein: the reflective wall is disposed so as to oppose the nozzle plate and has an axially symmetrical shape comprising a portion of a parabolic surface, the portion including an apex of the parabolic surface and being on an apex side with respect to a focal point of the parabolic surface; an axis of the parabolic surface passes through the nozzle hole; and the focal point of the parabolic surface is positioned in a vicinity of the nozzle hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Sho Onozawa
  • Patent number: 7709060
    Abstract: The present invention aims at making it possible to easily fill liquid into a droplet spraying and applying head module, while saving work. The droplet spraying and applying head module includes a droplet spraying and applying head and a tank. The droplet spraying and applying head includes a liquid chamber for containing liquid and a plurality of nozzles communicating with the liquid chamber, and sprays droplets through the nozzles The tank contains liquid to be supplied to the liquid chamber, and communicates with the liquid chamber. The droplet spraying and applying head and the tank are coupled to each other with a coupling member. A revolute joint is interposed between the coupling member and the droplet spraying and applying head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shuichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7703698
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which liquid flows longitudinally from an inlet port to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the liquid being treated in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, Steve Roffers, Thomas David Ehlert, John Glen Ahles, Paul Warren Rasmussen, Patrick Sean McNichols, Earl C. McCraw, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7706956
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for driving an injector injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The injector is provided with a piezoelectric element to be charged and discharged. The apparatus comprises a calculator and a charger. The calculator calculates a command value to charge the piezoelectric element. The calculator includes correcting means that corrects the command value based on information indicating either an operation of the piezoelectric element or an electric characteristic of the apparatus. The charger charges the piezoelectric element in response to the corrected command value to accumulate a desired amount of electric energy at the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Nagase, Hideo Naruse, Takashi Kikutani
  • Patent number: 7703708
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a nozzle body and a plate. The nozzle body includes an injection orifice, through which fuel is injected, a needle that controls the injection through the injection orifice, and a needle-receiving bore that receives the needle. The plate is adjacently provided to the nozzle body for defining a fuel passage therein, through which fuel is supplied to the needle-receiving bore. The plate has an annular groove, which connects the fuel passage with the needle-receiving bore, at an end surface of the plate toward the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7699242
    Abstract: An injector has a lift limiting member provided by a single plate member. The plate member has a stopper face, multiple hole sections, a flow passage hole, and a spring seat face. An axial end face of a needle head section of a needle contacts the stopper face when the needle lifts by a predetermined amount. Transmitting sections of a pressurizing piston are loosely inserted in the hole sections. High pressure fuel can pass through the flow passage hole. The spring seat face receives an end portion of a spring that biases the needle in a valve closing direction. The lift limiting member limits a valve opening lift position of the needle, so a stable injection quantity is obtained. Thus, a surface area of the single plate member can be used in multiple functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Mochizuki, Masatoshi Kuroyanagi
  • Publication number: 20100090023
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance and protecting one or more aerosol generating transducers from deterioration while operating in a chemically reactive aqueous solution by utilizing one or more protective barrier techniques to eliminate chemical interaction between the aqueous solution and the transducers. The method of the present invention produces an aerosol producing transducer with the transducer housing and assembly to be constructed in such a way as to assure its efficient and effective long-term and problem free operation in an aqueous solution that is chemically reactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi, Howard J. Swidler, Scott L. Vialpando
  • Patent number: 7694892
    Abstract: The invention concerns a Liquid droplet plug & spray system for atomising a liquid substance and comprising a liquid droplet spray device including a housing in which a space is provided for receiving a liquid substance, a reservoir for containing said liquid substance, a fluidic interface for connecting said reservoir to said space in said housing thereby conveying liquid substance contained in said reservoir to said space by way of capillary action, a valve arranged between said reservoir and said fluidic channel for controlling access of said liquid substance from said reservoir to said fluid channel, an electromechanical actuation means for actuating the liquid substance in said space such that the liquid substance undergoes a vibration and is expelled as a liquid droplet spray, and electronic control means for controlling said electromechanical actuation means, wherein said liquid droplet spray system consists of two parts, a first, disposable part in which said reservoir and said valve are arranged,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: EP Systems SA
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess, Philippe Luginbuhl, Raphael Weber, Jacques Blanie, Reiker Canfield
  • Publication number: 20100084488
    Abstract: An air treatment device having a piezoelectric actuator powered by a transformer. The transformer has dual inputs comprising oppositely wound coils and input power signals 180 degrees out of phase. This arrangement provides a stronger drive signal to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: William Paul Mahoney, III, Fernando Ray Tollens
  • Patent number: 7690587
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector comprising: a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seat to control fuel injection through an injector outlet; an actuator arrangement arranged to control fuel pressure with in a control chamber, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to fuel pressure with in the control chamber such that fuel pressure variations within the control chamber control movement of the valve needle relative to the valve needle seat; damping means for damping opening movement of the valve member, the damping means comprising a damper chamber and the damping means being arranged such that fuel pressure variations within the damper chamber damp opening movement of the valve member wherein the damping means is arranged such that in use there is a through flow of fuel through the damper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Cooke
  • Publication number: 20100078496
    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: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Sono-Tek Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Massimi
  • Publication number: 20100079943
    Abstract: A synthetic jet includes an inner wall configured to surround a heat-generating component, a plurality of walls coupled to the inner wall, the inner wall and the plurality of walls configured to enclose a volume surrounding the inner wall, an actuator coupled to one of the plurality of walls and the inner wall. The inner wall has a plurality of orifices formed therein configured to direct a fluid toward the heat-generating component upon activation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Mehmet Arik, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar
  • Publication number: 20100072299
    Abstract: A nebulization apparatus with a packaging and fixing structure includes a piezoelectric driving device, an adhesive agent, a nebulization plate, a packaging layer and a fixing base. A ditch at the piezoelectric driving device is provided for filling an adhesive agent and installing the nebulization plate that is fixed to the driving device by the adhesive agent. The packaging layer covers the piezoelectric driving device. The fixing base fixes the piezoelectric driving device. Preferably, the packaging layer is made of a polymer material for insulating moisture and preventing short circuits of the piezoelectric driving device. The ditch and the adhesive agent enhance the attaching strength of the piezoelectric driving device and the nebulization plate to extend the life of the nebulization apparatus, and the adhesive agent can electrically insulate the nebulization plate and the piezoelectric driving device, such that the nebulization plate will have no electrochemical action with the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Micro Base Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shu-Pin Hsieh, Chien-Hua Lin, Chang-Wei Lin, Andy Meng, Yu-Chung Hsu, Mei-Hui Huang, Chia-Chen Huang, Chieh-Ming Hsiung, Liang-Wei Liu