DESC:PRIORITY CLAIM:
This application claims priority from the provisional application numbered 201941010359 filed with Indian Patent Office, Chennai on 18th March 2019 titled “An apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid”, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. More particularly, the invention relates to a unique nozzle for effective transformation of liquid into a finely atomized mist by using low-pressure air.
Background of the invention
[0003] Nozzles are one of the predominant components in dispersing the liquid into a spray from an enclosed cavity at a pre-defined velocity. A spray nozzle is an apparatus used to generate a cluster of dispersed drops from the nozzle which contains a fluid passage that acts upon the mechanical forces to atomize the liquid. The nozzle breaks the liquid into fine mist thereby sprinkling liquid-air into the atmosphere.
[0004] Over the years, various nozzle designs have been endeavored in order to improve the effectiveness of spraying. One such nozzle design is an air atomizing nozzle which produces a spray pattern of extremely fine particle size at high pressure. The spray pattern of the finely atomized liquid is a result of precise mixing of air and liquid in the mixing chamber within the nozzle. This creates a uniform swirl of air and liquid in the nozzle body as the mixture is forced through the orifice by a high-pressure pump.
[0005] However, spraying fine mist of liquid into the atmosphere requires high-pressure air to be transmitted from a high pressure pump and pressurized liquid needs to be pumped or gravity fed in the nozzle. Further, in low powered applications such as the scent diffusers and the humidifiers, a low powered misting apparatus is vital, hence an alternate low powered pump is required to be installed in the nozzle. Currently, the spray nozzles available in the market are made of metal, which exhibit high flow rate thereby utilizing more liquid in spraying the liquid. Further, the plastic based nozzles are complex and expensive to manufacture.
[0006] The Patent Application No. US6338472B1 discloses siphon type two-fluid nozzles which are made to collide with each other within a secondary gas intake conduit. The secondary gas is supplied toward a collision point of the mists. A flow control plate is provided within the secondary gas intake conduit at a point upstream from the collision point to ensure that the secondary gas does not interfere with the collision of the mists and also to promote fine mists generated by the collision of the mists to mix with the secondary gas. Further, a secondary nozzle is provided at the tip of the secondary gas intake conduit to allow the secondary gas including the fine mists from the secondary nozzle. In the case the mist atomizer is applied to the fuel cell, the droplets and liquid water in the process gas is separated and removed at the mounting portion of the mist atomizer in order to selectively supply mist of equal-sized particles only into the fuel cell.
[0007] The Patent Application No. US4243396A discloses a separator adapted to a fluid dispenser system for supplying inhalable fluids. The apparatus includes a liquid source, a gas source, a nozzle means. The humidifier separator also comprises a supporting structure for the gas. The gas is directed by the nozzle means from the gas source to aspirate the liquid from the liquid source. Thus, forming a desired mixture of liquid and gas. The separator is positioned to facilitate the mixture of the liquid and gas to pass along the vessel in the separator within the fluid dispenser system. The larger drops of the liquid are removed from the mixture, thereby allowing the remaining mixture of desired consistency to pass from the separator and out of the dispenser for use.
[0008] The Patent Application No. US3751210A discloses a device for vaporizing the fuel oil in the free stream by burning small percentage of the fuel on the fringes of a spray of atomized droplets. A small pilot flame is maintained within a housing supplied with one of a pair of the atomizers to vaporize the fuel injected into the same housing from the second atomizer. Thus, the heated chamber vaporizes all the fuel within the housing thereby inducing air from atomizers premix fuel and air. The fuel ejected from the pilot atomizer has a reduced droplet size as a result of the long cone which deflects and collects a portion of the fuel spray. The gaseous fuel is subsequently burned in the primary combustion chamber downstream of the vaporization housing.
[0009] The Patent Application No. US4537334A discloses a reinforced plastic bottle or vessel with a comparatively large neck with buttressed threads and a slanting rim on the neck of the plastic bottle onto which threads is screwed with a cap assembly. Additionally, the plastic siphon tube along with a plastic screen is connected at the lower end of the cap base member and the upper end of the siphon tube and further connects to a fluid duct of the nozzle connection. An L-shape lever supplements from the handle to a point above the nozzle connection and includes a depending fork arm for operating a tubular valve mounted in a slidable manner in the nozzle connection. The outside of the tubular valve is surrounded by a helical compression spring valve and normally urges the tubular valve to close.
[0010] The Patent Application No. US5711488A discloses an atomizing nozzle comprising a plurality of vanes, a swift chamber, and a discharge orifice provided for dispensing a liquid spray. The plurality of vanes extends outwardly from the swirl chamber and the vanes are in fluid communication. The discharge orifice of the nozzle is generally concentric and is in fluid communication with the swift chamber. The atomizing nozzle provides a fine atomized spray when employed in manually-actuated pump type dispensers.
[0011] Hence, there exists a need for a mechanism to effectively spray fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity by using low-pressure air.
Summary of the invention:
[0012] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. The apparatus comprises a nozzle body which may be a cylindrical conduit having a first end, second end and a third end located at adjacent sides of the nozzle body. The nozzle body comprises an air inlet port which is positioned at the first end of the nozzle body for transmitting the compressed air from an external pump which is preferably a low powered pump into the nozzle body.
[0013] Further, the nozzle body comprises a liquid inlet port and an outlet port provided at the second end and the third end of the nozzle body respectively. The liquid inlet port is connected to an external liquid pipe for traversing liquid into the nozzle body. The liquid traversed from the external pipe is ascended into a nozzle through a narrow tube. The nozzle is disposed in the outlet port, wherein the nozzle comprises a ductile body with a fine orifice for effectuating the traversed liquid into a finely atomized liquid mist.
[0014] Further, the system comprises a swirl core coupled to the nozzle in the outlet port which induces a cone shaped spray pattern from the outlet port of the nozzle body. The swirl core blends the compressed air transmitted from the air inlet port with the atomized liquid mist to disperse a cone shaped mist through the outlet port into the pre-defined vicinity.
[0015] Thus, the present invention provides an efficient spraying mechanism which comprises a simple, effective and in-expensive nozzle to atomize the liquid from the nozzle body. The apparatus minimizes the number of parts in accomplishing the aim, since the apparatus provides a resultant liquid mist by using low-pressure air. Furthermore, the process of manufacturing the nozzle is simple and cost-effective and in case of any damage, the nozzle may be supplanted effortlessly. In addition, the present invention finds utility in industries pertaining to food and beverages, agriculture, waste treatment, greenhouse misting system and fragrance dispenser which ensures effective and optimum usage of the liquid.
Brief description of the drawings
[0016] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of an apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid.
[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid.
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates the cut-section view of the apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid.
Detailed description of the invention
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0021] The present invention relates to an apparatus for spraying fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. The apparatus comprises an air inlet port for transmitting the compressed air into a nozzle body from an external pump and a liquid inlet port connected to an external liquid pipe for traversing liquid into the nozzle body. Further, the apparatus comprises a nozzle which is disposed in the outlet port for effectuating a finely atomized mist from the liquid traversed through the liquid inlet port. The atomized liquid mist is ascended into a swirl core which is coupled to the nozzle thereby blending the compressed air with the atomized liquid from the nozzle for inducing a cone shaped spray pattern from the outlet port of the nozzle body.
[0022] Figure 1 illustrates the exploded view of the apparatus (100) for spraying fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. The apparatus (100) comprises a nozzle body (101) which may be a cylindrical shaped or rectangular shaped conduit which provides a first end, second end and a third end located at adjacent sides of the nozzle body (101) for accommodating a plurality of components within the nozzle body (101).
[0023] Further, the nozzle body (101) comprises an air inlet port (102) for transmitting the compressed air into the nozzle body (101), wherein the air inlet port (102) is positioned at the first end of the nozzle body (101). In one embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet port (102) is connected to an external pump outlet which is preferably a low-pressure air pump or may be a centrifugal pump disposed at close quarters to the nozzle body (101). The air inlet port (102) draws the compressed air from the pump into the nozzle body (101) for lifting and atomizing the liquid in the nozzle body (101).
[0024] The nozzle body (101) comprises a liquid inlet port (103) which is provided at the second end of the nozzle body (101), wherein the liquid inlet port (103) is connected to an external pipe for traversing liquid into the nozzle body (101). In one embodiment, the liquid from an external pipe traverses into the nozzle body (101) at pre-defined low-pressure through a small passage provided at the second end of the nozzle body (101).
[0025] The nozzle body (101) comprises an outlet port (104) for discharging the liquid mist from the nozzle body (101) into a pre-defined vicinity, wherein the outlet port (104) is established at the third end of the nozzle body (101). Further the nozzle body (101) comprises a nozzle (105) which is disposed in the outlet port (104) of the nozzle body (101) for effectuating a finely atomized liquid mist. The nozzle comprises a unique ductile body which may be a plastic frame with a fine orifice provided at the periphery of the nozzle (105) to atomize the traversed liquid into fine mist particles. In one embodiment, the nozzle (105) which comprises a plastic frame may be manufactured by using an injection molding process. Further, the nozzle body (101) comprises a swirl core (106) coupled to the nozzle (105) for inducing a cone shaped spray pattern from the outlet port (104) of the nozzle body (101). The swirl core (106) is placed adjacent to the nozzle (105) which provides a uniform cone shaped pattern of the fine mist liquid effectuated from the nozzle (105).
[0026] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the apparatus (100) for spraying fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. The air inlet port (102) is provided at the base of the nozzle body (101) and the liquid inlet port (103) is disposed on the vertical side of the nozzle body (101) which is adjacent to the air inlet port (102) thereby enabling the nozzle body (101) to elevate the compressed air and liquid into the outlet port (104). The swirl core (106) in the nozzle body (101) comprises a plurality of fasteners which is provided at the external periphery of the swirl core (106) to secure the swirl core (106) and the nozzle (105) in the outlet port (104) of the nozzle body (101). Further, the nozzle body (101) comprises an outlet cap which confines the swirl core (106) and the nozzle (105) at the center of the outlet port (104) thereby securely fastening the outlet port (104) in the nozzle body (101).
[0027] Figure 3 illustrates the cut-section view of the apparatus (100) for spraying a fine mist of liquid into a pre-defined vicinity. The liquid traversed from the liquid inlet port (103) into the nozzle body (101) is ascended transversely into the nozzle (105) through a narrow tube which is secured to the nozzle body (101). The compressed air from the air inlet port (102) is drawn up into the outlet port (104) which impels the low-pressure liquid to flow into the nozzle (105) thereby effectuating a finely atomized liquid mist through the orifice of the nozzle (105). Further, the swirl core (106) is a helical shaped platform which provides a chamber in the nozzle body (101) to draw in the compressed air from the air inlet port (102) at a pre-defined velocity. The swirl core (106) in the outlet port (104) blends the compressed air present in the chamber with the atomized liquid to disperse a cone shaped mist from the nozzle body (101) into a pre-defined vicinity.
[0028] Thus, the present invention generates fine mist of liquid from the apparatus (100), wherein the apparatus (100) atomizes the liquid into fine nanoparticles by using air of a pre-defined low pressure thereby reducing the liquid consumption considerably. Further, the unique ductile body of the nozzle (105) reduces the flow rate of the liquid for spraying the finely atomized liquid mist into a pre-defined vicinity.
[0029] Further, the present invention provides an efficient spraying mechanism which comprises a simple, effective and in-expensive nozzle (105) to atomize the liquid in the nozzle body (101). The apparatus (100) minimizes the number of parts in accomplishing the aim, since the apparatus (100) provides a resultant atomized liquid mist by using low-pressure air. Furthermore, the process of manufacturing the nozzle (105) is simple and cost-effective and in case of damage, the nozzle (105) may be supplanted effortlessly. In addition, the present invention finds utility in industries pertaining to food and beverages, agriculture, waste treatment, greenhouse misting system and fragrance dispenser which ensures effective and optimum usage of the liquid.
[0030] Many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
Apparatus 100
Nozzle body 101
Air inlet port 102
Liquid inlet port 103
Outlet port 104
Nozzle 105
Swirl core 106
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An apparatus (100) for spraying fine mist of liquid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises:
a. a nozzle body (101) comprising a first end, second end and a third end located at adjacent sides of the nozzle body (101), wherein the nozzle body (101) comprises:
i. an air inlet port (102) for transmitting the compressed air into the nozzle body (101), wherein the air inlet port (102) is positioned at the first end of the nozzle body (101);
ii. a liquid inlet port (103) provided at the second end of the nozzle body (101), wherein the liquid inlet port (103) is connected to an external liquid pipe for traversing liquid into the nozzle body (101);
iii. an outlet port (104) for discharging the liquid mist from the nozzle body (101), wherein the outlet port (104) is established at the third end of the nozzle body (101);
iv. a nozzle (105) disposed in the outlet port (104) for effectuating a finely atomized liquid mist;
v. a swirl core (106) coupled to the nozzle (105) for inducing a cone shaped spray pattern from the outlet port (104) of the nozzle body (101).

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air inlet port (102) is connected to an external pump outlet to draw the compressed air from the pump into the nozzle body (101).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle (105) comprises a ductile body with a fine orifice provided at the periphery of the nozzle (105) to atomize the traversed liquid into fine mist particles.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swirl core (106) provides a chamber in the nozzle body (101) to draw in the compressed air from the air inlet port (102).

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swirl core (106) blends the compressed air with the atomized liquid to disperse a cone shaped mist from the nozzle body (101) into a pre-defined vicinity.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swirl core (106) comprises a plurality of fasteners provided at the external periphery of the swirl core (106) to secure the swirl core (106) and the nozzle (105) in the outlet port (104).