Capillary Aerosol Generator Backpressure Fluidic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capillary aerosol generators face issues with broad temperature variations leading to overheating, clogging, and substandard aerosol formation due to inconsistent pressure and large particle formation, resulting in unreliable and robustness challenges.
Innovation Solution
A backpressure inducing fluidic element, such as a coiled tubular or plate-like element with a non-linear channel, is introduced between the pumping unit and the capillary passage to increase the inlet pressure to at least 7 MPa, stabilizing the operating pressure and reducing pressure oscillations, thereby ensuring consistent flow and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a conventional pumping unit is used to supply liquid formulation to the capillary passage, then the system is simple in structure, but the pressure is insufficient (below 7 MPa) leading to broad temperature variations, overheating, and inconsistent aerosol formation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic element is nested within the existing pumping unit and capillary passage system. The coiled tubular element is inserted into the fluid path between the pumping unit and capillary passage inlet, creating a nested configuration that adds backpressure functionality without requiring complete system redesign or additional external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic element employs a coiled tubular configuration with helical curvature instead of a straight linear path. This curved geometry increases the flow path length and creates hydraulic resistance, generating the required backpressure (at least 7 MPa) at the capillary passage inlet while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within the existing system footprint.
2Temperature
If heating is applied to the capillary passage to vaporize the liquid formulation, then aerosol generation is enabled, but broad temperature variations cause overheating, clogging, and substandard aerosol formation
Solution Approach 1:
The increased backpressure from the fluidic element creates a feedback mechanism that stabilizes the liquid flow rate into the heated capillary passage. By maintaining pressure at least 7 MPa, the system compensates for temperature-induced pressure variations, ensuring consistent liquid supply to the heater and preventing overheating and clogging that would otherwise occur due to flow inconsistencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter of the liquid formulation from conventional low pressure to high pressure (at least 7 MPa) by incorporating the fluidic element. This parameter change fundamentally alters the flow characteristics and thermal response of the liquid in the capillary passage, enabling stable aerosol generation despite heating-induced temperature variations.
3Stress or pressure
If liquid formulation is supplied at low pressure, then the pumping unit operates simply, but large particles form and cause clogging in the capillary passage
Solution Approach 1:
The coiled tubular fluidic element uses helical curvature to extend the flow path length within a compact volume. This curved geometry creates hydraulic resistance that generates the required high backpressure (at least 7 MPa) without requiring a high-pressure pump, thus maintaining operational simplicity while achieving the pressure necessary to prevent particle formation and clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by incorporating a fluidic element that creates backpressure through flow resistance in the coiled tubular path. This hydraulic approach generates the necessary pressure (at least 7 MPa) to prevent particle formation and clogging while using a passive element rather than active high-pressure pumping, maintaining system simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The increased backpressure stabilizes the aerosol generation system, reducing pressure oscillations and particle size, enhancing the reliability and robustness of the capillary aerosol generator by maintaining consistent flow and preventing clogging, leading to improved aerosol formation and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid formulation is at least partially vaporized in the capillary passage and discharged from the capillary passage to form an aerosol
Implementation Method 2
the backpressure inducing fluidic element is adapted to introduce additional backpressure to the aerosol generating system, such that the pressure of the liquid at an inlet to the capillary passage is at least 7 MPa
Data Source
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AI summary
An aerosol generation system having an aerosol generator wherein a liquid formulation is at least partially vaporized in a capillary passage and discharged from the capillary passage to form an aerosol. The aerosol generation system includes a pumping unit (50) adapted to supply a liquid formulation to the aerosol generator (90); and a fluidic element (100) located between the pumping unit and the capillary passage of the aerosol generator, wherein the fluidic element increases the pressure of the liquid formulation as the liquid formulation enters the capillary passage of the aerosol generator.