Precisely adjustable atomizer

Abstract

An atomizer device comprising a body member having a gas nozzle defined by smooth converging sidewalls. A first smooth surface is disposed in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the nozzle, and a second smooth surface is disposed in an abutting parallel relationship with the first smooth surface, with a very small spacing existing between the two surfaces. An edge of the surfaces is disposed adjacent a propellant gas flowing through the gas nozzle, with the edge of the first surface being thin and jutting a short distance into the outlet of the gas nozzle. The edge of the second surface is set back from the edge of the first surface, thus defining a filming surface adjacent the edge of the first surface. A flowable liquid under pressure is directed to flow through the narrow space between the abutting first and second surfaces, toward the flow of propellant gas through the nozzle, and emit as a thin film on the filming surface on the first surface. The propellant gas flowing through the nozzle is caused by the jutting edge of the first surface to be slightly separated from the thin edge of the first surface at the filming surface. This slight separation does not prevent the entrainment into the gas of ribbons of liquid from the filming surface, which liquid breaks up into extremely small particles in the propellant gas flow.