Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts Gmbh

Holger Hollmann

Stephen Terence Dunne

Joachim Eicher

Ralf-Peter Peters

Holger Reinecke

A fluid can be discontinuously atomized with an atomizer of the present invention. The atomizer can include a helical spring, disk spring or gas spring, acting as a pressure spring, as an energy storage device, a cylinder, piston, two ducts and two valves. Atomization can be initiated manually by triggering a locking mechanism. The energy storage device can be disposed outside a storage container for the fluid. The energy storage device can be provided mechanical energy manually. Via the piston, the stored energy can exert pressure onto the fluid in the cylinder, which ranges from 1 MPa to 5 MPa (10 bar to 50 bar). Distribution of the droplet size in the atomized jet can be independent from the level of experience and behavior of the person actuating the atomizer, and can be adjusted in a reproducible manner. The mean droplet diameter can be smaller than about 50 micrometers. The mass flow of the fluid through the nozzle can be less than about 0.4 g/s. The design and function of the atomizer can be adjusted to properties of the fluid, to a planned application, and to a desired manner for handling the atomizer.

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Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Holger Hollmann