The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 01, 1997
Constantin I Ruta, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
Russell E Blette, Hastings, MN (US);
Christopher S Lyons, St. Paul, MN (US);
Robert J Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Apparatus suitable for atomizing and vaporizing at least a first liquid by colliding at least one gas with the first liquid. The apparatus includes a gas inlet through which the gas enters the apparatus and a first liquid inlet through which the first liquid enters the apparatus. A discharge end of the apparatus includes at least one first liquid discharge outlet through which at least one stream of the first liquid is discharged from the apparatus. The discharge end also includes at least one gas discharge outlet through which at least one stream of gas is discharged from the apparatus to collide with and thereby atomize the discharged stream of the first liquid. A first liquid passageway interconnects the first liquid inlet with the first liquid discharge outlet. A gas passageway interconnects the gas inlet with the at least one gas discharge outlet. In one embodiment, the gas passageway comprises at least one gas chamber in thermal contact with an initial portion of the first liquid passageway such that a heated quantity of the gas in the chamber preheats the first liquid in the initial portion of the first liquid passageway. In alternative embodiments, the gas passageway includes a pressure dampening chamber allowing gas to be continuously discharged without pulsating.