Resonant cavity electrospray system and method
The electrospray device uses a resonant microwave cavity to amplify radio frequency signals for atomizing fluid, addressing the robustness issues of high voltage systems by enabling effective atomization with a low voltage power supply.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-04
AI Technical Summary
Conventional electrospray systems using high voltage power supplies suffer from electrical breakdown in low pressure environments and are not robust enough.
An electrospray device utilizing a resonant microwave cavity to amplify radio frequency signals, concentrating the voltage at a field concentrating pole to form an electric field for atomizing fluid, which is then sprayed through a nozzle, using a low voltage power supply.
The system effectively atomizes fluid using a low voltage power supply, avoiding electrical breakdown in low pressure environments and providing a more robust electrospray solution.
Smart Images
Figure 2026035536000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to electrospray, and more particularly to electrospray devices that use low voltage power supplies. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventional electrospray systems apply high voltage to break up and disperse a liquid as an aerosol or spray. These systems use high voltage power supplies to provide power for operation. High voltage power supplies suffer from electrical breakdown in low pressure environments and are not as robust as desired. There is a need for improved electrospray devices. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0003] According to one embodiment, an electrospray device for atomizing a fluid can include a body defining a resonant microwave cavity, the body having a radio frequency inlet configured to inject a radio frequency signal received from a power source into the resonant microwave cavity, the resonant microwave cavity configured to amplify the voltage of the radio frequency signal. The electrospray device can also include a field concentrating pole disposed within the resonant microwave cavity, the field concentrating pole configured to concentrate the amplified voltage at a first end of the field concentrating pole to form an electric field. The electrospray device can also include a nozzle disposed at the first end of the field concentrating pole and a fluid supply line fluidly connected to the nozzle, the fluid supply line configured to supply a fluid dispensed through the first end of the field concentrating pole by the amplified voltage, the fluid supply line being fluidly connected to a fluid supply source. The electric field can atomize the fluid at the first end of the field concentrating pole to form an atomized fluid. The atomized fluid can pass through the nozzle and enter a fluid receiving region.
[0004] In certain embodiments, the RF inlet is configured to receive a conduit that supplies power from a power source.
[0005] In certain embodiments, the body can be cylindrical. The cylindrical shape of the resonant microwave cavity can have an outer diameter of about 1 inch and a height of about 1 inch, depending on the resonant frequency.
[0006] In certain embodiments, the body can include a dielectric material.
[0007] In a particular embodiment, the injected RF may have a RF power of approximately 10 dBm.
[0008] In certain embodiments, the electric field at the first end of the field concentrating pole can have a peak root mean square of greater than 500 kV / m, and the high-Q resonant microwave cavity can have a Q factor of greater than 1500.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the field concentrating pole can include a second end disposed opposite the first end, and according to this embodiment, the radio frequency entrance to the resonant microwave cavity can be located proximate to the second end of the field concentrating pole.
[0010] In certain embodiments, the fluid may be a type of fuel.
[0011] According to another embodiment, a method for atomizing a fluid can include transmitting a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency source to a resonant microwave cavity. The method can also include amplifying the radio frequency signal within the resonant microwave cavity to increase the voltage of the radio frequency signal. The method can also include generating an electric field at a first end of an electric field concentrating pole by concentrating the amplified radio frequency signal. The method can also include supplying a fluid to the first end of the electric field concentrating pole. The method can also include atomizing the fluid at the first end of the electric field concentrating pole, where the electric field atomizes the fluid. The method can also include spraying the atomized fluid through a nozzle positioned proximate to the first end of the electric field concentrating pole.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the resonant microwave cavity may comprise a high Q resonant microwave cavity. The high Q resonant microwave cavity may have a Q factor greater than 1500.
[0013] In a particular embodiment, the high frequency signal may have a high frequency power of about 10 dBm.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the electric field at the first end of the field concentrating pole can have a peak root mean square of greater than 500 kV / m.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the body may be cylindrical and may include a central axis. According to this embodiment, the field concentrating poles may be positioned along the central axis of the resonant microwave cavity.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the field concentrating poles are capacitively coupled.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the fluid can be supplied to the first end of the field concentrating pole via a fluid supply line, which can be co-located with the field concentrating pole.
[0018] According to another embodiment, an electrospray system for atomizing a fluid can include an electrospray device having a body defining a resonant microwave cavity, the body having a radio frequency inlet configured to inject a radio frequency signal received from a power source into the resonant microwave cavity, the resonant microwave cavity being configured to amplify the voltage of the radio frequency signal. The electrospray device can also include a field concentrating pole disposed within the resonant microwave cavity, the field concentrating pole configured to concentrate the amplified voltage at a first end of the field concentrating pole to form an electric field. The electrospray device can also include a nozzle disposed at the first end of the field concentrating pole and a fluid supply line configured to supply a fluid, the fluid supply line being disposed within the field concentrating pole and fluidly connected to the nozzle, the fluid supply line being fluidly connected to a fluid supply source. The electrospray system can also include a power source and a controller configured to direct the power source to provide power to the electrospray device.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the electric field at the first end of the field concentrating pole can be configured to have a peak root mean square value greater than 500 kV / m.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the resonant microwave cavity can have a Q factor greater than 1500.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the field concentrating pole can have a second end located opposite the first end, and the radio frequency entrance to the resonant microwave cavity is located proximate to the second end of the field concentrating pole.
[0022] For an aid in understanding the present disclosure, reference is made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0023] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary electrospray system, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an exemplary controller for the exemplary electrospray system of FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments. [Figure 3] 2 illustrates an exemplary operation of the exemplary electrospray system of FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein. For purposes of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described. It will, of course, be understood that in developing any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the goals of a particular implementation, which may vary from implementation to implementation. It will further be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0025] As used herein, the terms "couple" or "couples" are intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, when a first device couples to a second device, the connection may be by a direct bonding, or by an indirect electrical or axial connection through other devices and connections.
[0026] To facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, the following examples of specific embodiments are provided. The following examples are not presented to limit or define the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to Figures 1 to 3, where like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. Described herein are various systems and methods that enable the use of low-voltage power supplies for electrospray devices. The technical advantages provided by the present disclosure can be utilized in fuel injection and / or aerosol dispersion.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary electrospray system 100. The electrospray system 100 can be configured to receive a fluid and convert the received fluid into an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of liquid particles in a gas). In embodiments, the electrospray system 100 can utilize electrical power to apply a voltage to the received fluid to generate the aerosol. The electrospray system 100 can include an electrospray device 102, a power supply 104, and a controller 106. The power supply 104 can be configured to provide or supply power to the electrospray device 102 via radio frequency. The power supply 104 can be any suitable power supply capable of generating a radio frequency signal of about 10 dBm to about 50 dBm. The power supply 104 can be directly or indirectly connected to the electrospray device 102. In embodiments, the power supply 104 can be connected to the electrospray device 102 via a suitable conduit 108. For example, the conduit 108 may be a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor 110 and an outer conductor 112 surrounded by one or more casing materials configured to protect both the inner conductor 110 and the outer conductor 112 from the external environment. In an embodiment, the power source 104 may send a radio frequency signal to the electrospray device 102 via the conduit 108. The controller 106 may be configured to instruct the power source 104 to provide power to the electrospray device 102. In an embodiment, the controller 106 may be communicatively connected to the power source 104 through any suitable means, such as a wired or wireless connection.
[0028] As shown, the electrospray device 102 can include a body 114 that defines a resonant microwave cavity 116. The body 114 can be of any suitable size, height, shape, and combinations thereof. With reference to FIG. 1 , the body 114 is generally cylindrical. The body 114 can have an outer diameter of approximately 1 inch and a height of 1 inch. In other embodiments, the outer diameter and height can be different dimensions. Because the resonant microwave cavity 116 is defined by the body 114, both the body 114 and the resonant microwave cavity 116 can have a generally similar shape. In embodiments, the body 114 can comprise any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a metal, a non-metal, a polymer, a ceramic, a composite material, and any combination thereof. Without limitation, the body 114 can include a dielectric material and / or a metallic material having a non-conductive surface capable of retaining an electric charge.
[0029] The resonant microwave cavity 116 may be a "highly resonant" cavity, exemplified by having a Q factor of 1500 or greater. In embodiments, the resonant microwave cavity 116 may operate as a voltage amplifier for a given frequency at a particular cavity location. For example, the resonant microwave cavity 116 may act to increase a local cavity voltage determined based on a radio frequency signal received from the power source 104. The electrospray device 102 may include a radio frequency inlet 118 configured to inject one or more radio frequency signals from the power source 104 into the resonant microwave cavity 116. As shown, the radio frequency inlet 118 may be a port defined in a side of the body 114. The radio frequency inlet 118 may be positioned about any suitable location along the body 114 and may include any suitable size, shape, and / or height capable of receiving at least a portion of the electrical conduit 108.
[0030] The electrospray device 102 may further include a field concentrating pole 120 disposed within the resonant microwave cavity 116. The field concentrating pole 120 may be disposed along a central axis of the body 114. The field concentrating pole 120 may be configured to receive one or more radio frequency signals transmitted from the power source 104. In one example, the field concentrating pole 120 may be directly connected to a conduit 108 at a lower end of the field concentrating pole 120, with the radio frequency signal being supplied to the field concentrating pole 120 by the conduit 108. In other embodiments, the field concentrating pole 120 may receive the radio frequency signal indirectly from the power source 104. In certain embodiments, the length of the field concentrating pole 120 may be less than the height of the body 114. For example, there may be a gap defined as the distance (“D”) between the upper end 122 of the field concentrating pole 120 and the upper end 124 of the body 114. In embodiments, the field concentrating pole 120 may be further configured to concentrate a voltage amplified at a resonant frequency at the upper end 122 to form an electric field.
[0031] The electrospray device 102 may further include a fluid supply line 126 configured to provide or supply a fluid to the body 114. Additionally, the fluid supply line 126 may be disposed along a central axis of the body 114, and the electric field concentrating pole 120 may be disposed around the fluid supply line 126. The fluid supply line 126 may be fluidly connected to an external fluid supply source 128, which may extend through the body 114 into the resonant microwave cavity 116. In embodiments, the fluid supply source 128 may supply a fluid to be manipulated by the electrospray device 102 via the fluid supply line 126. Any suitable fluid may be supplied. For example, the supplied fluid may be a liquid fuel. As shown, a nozzle 130 may be disposed and / or fixed to the end of the fluid supply line 126 near or at the upper end 122 of the electric field concentrating pole 120. The nozzle 130 may be configured to eject the fluid supplied by the fluid supply line 126 as an aerosol 132 after atomization. In an embodiment, the ejection may be in the form of a spray of aerosol 132 .
[0032] In embodiments, as fluid supplied via fluid supply line 126 moves into resonant microwave cavity 116, the fluid may encounter and be affected by an electric field generated around top end 122 of field concentrating pole 120. Depending on the magnitude of the electric field, the affected fluid may be atomized and conveyed to nozzle 130 for ejection as aerosol 132. The aforementioned gap defined by distance D, the dimensions of field concentrating pole 120, and / or the dimensions of resonant microwave cavity 116 can be altered or adjusted to change the magnitude of the electric field. For example, the generated electric field can have a peak root-mean-square value greater than 500 kV / m. An increase or decrease in this value may depend on the gap defined by distance D, the dimensions of field concentrating pole 120, and / or the dimensions of resonant microwave cavity 116.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a controller 106 (see FIG. 1 ) of an electrospray system 100, according to certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, one or more controllers 106 perform one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. In certain embodiments, one or more controllers 106 provide the functionality described or illustrated herein. In certain embodiments, software executing on one or more controllers 106 performs one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein or provides the functionality described or illustrated herein. Certain embodiments include one or more portions of one or more controllers 106. Herein, reference to a controller may encompass a computing device, and vice versa, where appropriate. Furthermore, reference to a controller may encompass one or more controllers, where appropriate.
[0034] The present disclosure contemplates any suitable number of controllers 106. The present disclosure contemplates the controller 106 taking any suitable physical form. By way of example, and not limitation, the controller 106 may be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) (e.g., a computer-on-module (COM) or system-on-module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebook computer system, an interactive kiosk, a mainframe, a mesh of computer systems, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a tablet computer system, an augmented / virtual reality device, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, the controller 106 may include one or more controllers 106, may be integrated or distributed, may span multiple locations, multiple machines, multiple data centers, or may reside in the cloud and include one or more cloud components on one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more controllers 106 may perform one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein without substantial spatial or temporal limitations. By way of example, and not limitation, one or more controllers 106 may perform one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein in real time or in batch mode. Where appropriate, one or more controllers 106 may perform one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein at different times or in different locations.
[0035] In particular embodiments, controller 106 includes a processor 202, memory 204, storage 206, input / output (I / O) interface 208, communication interface 210, and bus 212. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular controllers having particular numbers of particular components in particular arrangements, this disclosure contemplates any suitable controller having any suitable number of any suitable components in any suitable arrangement.
[0036] In particular embodiments, processor 202 includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those that make up a computer program. By way of example and not limitation, to execute instructions, processor 202 may retrieve (or fetch), decode, and execute the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, memory 204, or storage device 206, and then write one or more results to an internal register, an internal cache, memory 204, or storage device 206. In particular embodiments, processor 202 may include one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses. Where appropriate, this disclosure contemplates processor 202 including any suitable number of any suitable internal caches. By way of example and not limitation, processor 202 may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in an instruction cache may be copies of instructions in memory 204 or storage device 206, and the instruction cache may speed up retrieval of these instructions by processor 202. The data in the data cache may be a copy of data in memory 204 or storage device 206 for the functioning of instructions executed by processor 202, may be the results of previous instructions executed by processor 202 for access by subsequent instructions executed by processor 202 or for writing to memory 204 or storage device 206, or other suitable data. The data cache may speed up read or write operations by processor 202. The TLB may speed up virtual address translation for processor 202. In particular embodiments, processor 202 may include one or more internal registers for data, instructions, or addresses. Where appropriate, this disclosure contemplates processor 202 including any suitable number of any suitable internal registers. Where appropriate, processor 202 may include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), be a multi-core processor, or include one or more processors 202.Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular processor, this disclosure contemplates any suitable processor.
[0037] In particular embodiments, memory 204 includes a main memory for storing instructions for processor 202 to execute or data for processor 202 to operate on. By way of example, and not limitation, controller 106 may load instructions into memory 204 from storage device 206 or another source (e.g., another controller 106, etc.). Processor 202 may then load the instructions from memory 204 into an internal register or cache. To execute the instructions, processor 202 may retrieve the instructions from the internal register or cache and decode them. During or after executing the instructions, processor 202 may write one or more results (which may be intermediate or final results) to the internal register or cache. Processor 202 may then write one or more of those results to memory 204. In particular embodiments, processor 202 executes only instructions in one or more internal registers, internal cache, or memory 204 (as opposed to storage device 206 or elsewhere) and manipulates only data in one or more internal registers, internal cache, or memory 204 (as opposed to storage device 206 or elsewhere). One or more memory buses (each of which may include an address bus and a data bus) may connect processor 202 to memory 204. Bus 212 may include one or more memory buses, as described below. In particular embodiments, one or more memory management units (MMUs) reside between processor 202 and memory 204 to facilitate accesses to memory 204 requested by processor 202. In particular embodiments, memory 204 includes random access memory (RAM). Where appropriate, this RAM may be volatile memory. Where appropriate, this RAM may be dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM). Further, where appropriate, this RAM may be single-ported RAM or multi-ported RAM. This disclosure contemplates any suitable RAM. Where appropriate, memory 204 may include one or more memories 204.Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular memory, this disclosure contemplates any suitable memory.
[0038] In particular embodiments, storage 206 includes mass storage for data or instructions. By way of example, and not limitation, storage 206 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, flash memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more thereof. Where appropriate, storage 206 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, storage 206 may be internal or external to controller 106. In particular embodiments, storage 206 is non-volatile solid-state memory. In particular embodiments, storage 206 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more thereof. The present disclosure contemplates mass storage 206 taking any suitable physical form. Where appropriate, storage device 206 may include one or more storage control units that facilitate communication between processor 202 and storage device 206. Where appropriate, storage device 206 may include one or more storage devices 206. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular storage devices, this disclosure contemplates any suitable storage device.
[0039] In particular embodiments, I / O interface 208, including hardware, software, or both, provides one or more interfaces for communication between controller 106 and one or more I / O devices. Where appropriate, controller 106 may include one or more of these I / O devices. These one or more I / O devices may enable communication between a person and controller 106. By way of example, and without limitation, the I / O devices may include a keyboard, keypad, microphone, monitor, mouse, printer, scanner, speaker, still camera, stylus, tablet, touch screen, trackball, video camera, other suitable I / O device, or a combination of two or more thereof. The I / O devices may include one or more sensors. This disclosure contemplates any suitable I / O devices and any suitable I / O interfaces 208 therefor. Where appropriate, I / O interface 208 may include one or more device or software drivers that enable processor 202 to drive one or more of these I / O devices. Where appropriate, I / O interface 208 may include one or more I / O interfaces 208. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular I / O interfaces, this disclosure contemplates any suitable I / O interface.
[0040] In particular embodiments, communication interface 210 includes hardware, software, or both that provide one or more interfaces for communication (e.g., packet-based communication, etc.) between controller 106 and one or more other controllers 106 or one or more networks. By way of example, and without limitation, communication interface 210 may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wired-based network, or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. This disclosure contemplates any suitable network and any suitable communication interface 210 therefor. By way of example, and without limitation, controller 106 may communicate with one or more portions of an ad-hoc network, a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or the Internet, or a combination of two or more of these. One or more portions of one or more of these networks may be wired or wireless. By way of example, the controller 106 may communicate with a wireless PAN (WPAN) (e.g., a BLUETOOTH WPAN, etc.), a Wi-Fi network, a Wi-MAX network, a cellular network (e.g., a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, or a 5G network, etc.), or other suitable wireless networks, or a combination of two or more thereof. Where appropriate, the controller 106 may include any suitable communication interface 210 for any of these networks. Where appropriate, the communication interface 210 may include one or more communication interfaces 210. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular communication interfaces, this disclosure contemplates any suitable communication interface.
[0041] In particular embodiments, bus 212 includes hardware, software, or both that connects the components of controller 106 to one another. By way of example, and not limitation, bus 212 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), a HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infiniband interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCIe) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or another suitable bus, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 212 may include one or more buses 212. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates particular buses, this disclosure contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.
[0042] Here, the computer-readable non-transitory storage medium(s) may, where appropriate, include one or more semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (e.g., field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific ICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs), optical disks, optical disk drives (ODDs), magneto-optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy disks, floppy disk drives (FDDs), magnetic tape, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM drives, secure digital cards or drives, any other suitable computer-readable non-transitory storage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, the computer-readable non-transitory storage media may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process 300 for an electrospray system 100 (see FIG. 1). The electrospray system 100 can use the process 300 to generate an aerosol 132 (see FIG. 1) from an electric field generated from a relatively low voltage source (i.e., the generated electric field has a relatively high voltage output compared to the applied radio frequency signal). In operation 302, the processor 202 (see FIG. 2) of the controller 106 (see FIGS. 1-2) can instruct the power source 104 (see FIG. 1) to send one or more radio frequency signals to the electrospray device 102 (see FIG. 1). The radio frequency signals can be sent via an electrical conduit 108 (see FIG. 1) through the body 114 (see FIG. 1) to the resonant microwave cavity 116 (see FIG. 1). In an embodiment, the radio frequency signals can travel along the field concentrating pole 120 (see FIG. 1) and generate an electric field at the top end 122 (see FIG. 1) of the field concentrating pole 120. The peak-to-peak voltage of the input radio frequency signal can be further amplified based at least in part on the gap defined by distance D, the dimensions of the field concentrating pole 120, and the dimensions of the resonant microwave cavity 116.
[0044] In operation 304, the processor 202 of the controller 106 can send a command to supply fluid from a fluid supply source 128 (see FIG. 1) to the electrospray device 102. The fluid can be carried via a fluid supply line 126 (see FIG. 1) that extends through the body 114 and into the resonant microwave cavity 116. As the fluid travels to the end of the fluid supply line 126, it can encounter and be affected by the generated electric field, causing it to become atomized.
[0045] In operation 306, nozzle 130 (see FIG. 1) located at the end of fluid supply line 126 is activated to eject the atomized fluid as aerosol 132, and process 300 may proceed to end. In an embodiment, ejection may be in the form of spraying aerosol 132.
[0046] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and devices described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Components of the systems and devices may be integrated or separated. Furthermore, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, the operations of the systems and devices may be performed using any suitable logic, including software, hardware, and / or other logic.
[0047] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. That is, the steps of the methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
[0048] The present disclosure may provide numerous advantages, such as various technical advantages described in connection with each of the various embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, while certain advantages are enumerated in the present disclosure, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.
[0049] As used herein, "or" is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or otherwise implied by association. Thus, as used herein, "A or B" means "A, B, or both," unless expressly indicated otherwise or otherwise implied by association. Furthermore, "and" is both "jointly" and "severally," unless expressly indicated otherwise or otherwise implied by association. Thus, as used herein, "A and B" means "A and B, jointly or severally," unless expressly indicated otherwise or otherwise implied by association.
[0050] The scope of the present disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described or illustrated herein that would be understood by one skilled in the art. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described or illustrated herein. Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated herein with each embodiment including specific components, elements, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may also include any combination or permutation that would be understood by one skilled in the art of any of the components, elements, functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein. Furthermore, in the claims, a reference to a device or system or a component of a device or system being adapted, arranged, including a function, configured, enabled, operable, or operating to perform a particular function encompasses the device, system, component, or that particular function being activated, turned on, or unlocked, so long as the device, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, including a function, configured, enabled, operable, or operating. Additionally, although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular embodiments that provide certain advantages, a particular embodiment may provide none, some, or all of these advantages. [Explanation of symbols]
[0051] 100 Electrospray System 102 Electrospray Apparatus 104 Power supply 106 Controller 108 Conduit 110 Inner conductor 112 outer conductor 114 Main Unit 116 Resonant Microwave Cavity 118 High Frequency Inlet 120 Electric field concentration pole 122 Top 124 Top 126 Fluid supply line 128 Fluid supply source 130 nozzles 132 Aerosols
Claims
1. 1. An electrospray device for atomizing a fluid, comprising: a body defining a resonant microwave cavity, the body including a radio frequency inlet configured to provide a radio frequency signal received from a power source to the resonant microwave cavity, the resonant microwave cavity configured to amplify a voltage of the radio frequency signal; a field concentrating pole disposed within the resonant microwave cavity, the field concentrating pole configured to concentrate the amplified voltage at a first end of the field concentrating pole to form an electric field; a fluid supply line configured to supply a fluid disposed within the field concentrating pole; a nozzle disposed at an end of the fluid supply line; Equipped with the fluid supply line is fluidly connected to a fluid supply source; the electric field is configured to atomize the fluid supplied by the fluid supply line at the first end of the electric field concentrating pole to form an atomized fluid; The nozzle is configured to eject the atomized fluid.
2. 10. The electrospray device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency inlet is configured to receive an electrical conduit that supplies power from the power source.
3. 3. The electrospray device of claim 2, wherein the resonant microwave cavity has a Q value greater than 1500.
4. 10. The electrospray device of claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical with an outer diameter of about 1 inch and a height of about 1 inch.
5. The electrospray device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises both a metallic material and a dielectric material.
6. 10. The electrospray device of claim 1, wherein the high frequency signal has a power of about 10 dBm or greater.
7. 10. The electrospray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field at the first end of the field-concentrating pole is configured to have a peak root-mean-square value greater than 500 kV / m.
8. 2. The electrospray apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric field concentrating pole has a second end located opposite the first end, and the high frequency entrance to the resonant microwave cavity is located adjacent to the second end of the electric field concentrating pole.
9. 1. A method for atomizing a fluid, comprising: transmitting one or more radio frequency signals into a resonant microwave cavity powered by a power source; amplifying the voltage of the one or more radio frequency signals within the resonant microwave cavity; generating an electric field at a first end of a field concentrating pole; supplying a fluid to the first end of the field concentrating pole through a fluid supply line; atomizing the fluid at the first end of the electric field concentrating pole, wherein the electric field atomizes the fluid; spraying the atomized fluid from a nozzle disposed at the end of the fluid supply line; A method comprising:
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the RF inlet is configured to receive a conduit that supplies power from the power source.
11. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the resonant microwave cavity has a Q factor greater than 1500.
12. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more high frequency signals have a power of about 10 dBm.
13. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the electric field at the first end of the field concentrating pole is configured to have a peak root-mean-square value greater than 500 kV / m.
14. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the body defining the resonant microwave cavity is cylindrical with an outer diameter of about 1 inch and a height of about 1 inch.
15. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the field concentrating poles are positioned along a central axis of the resonant microwave cavity.
16. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid is supplied to the first end of the field concentrating pole through a fluid supply line disposed through the field concentrating pole.
17. 1. An electrospray system for atomizing a fluid, comprising: a body defining a resonant microwave cavity, the body including a radio frequency inlet configured to provide a radio frequency signal received from a power source to the resonant microwave cavity, the resonant microwave cavity configured to amplify a voltage of the radio frequency signal; a field concentrating pole disposed within the resonant microwave cavity, the field concentrating pole configured to concentrate the amplified voltage at a first end of the field concentrating pole to form an electric field; a fluid supply line configured to supply a fluid disposed within the field concentrating pole; a nozzle disposed at an end of the fluid supply line; an electrospray device comprising: the power source; a controller configured to direct the power supply to provide power to the electrospray device; An electrospray system comprising:
18. 18. The electrospray system of claim 17, wherein the electric field at the first end of the field-concentrating pole is configured to have a peak root-mean-square value greater than 500 kV / m.
19. 18. The electrospray system of claim 17, wherein the resonant microwave cavity has a Q value greater than 1500.
20. 18. The electrospray system of claim 17, wherein the electric field concentrating pole has a second end located opposite the first end, and the high frequency entrance to the resonant microwave cavity is located adjacent to the second end of the electric field concentrating pole.