Fluidic Oscillator Atomizer for Fine Particle Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid atomization devices with moving components are complex, costly, and difficult to manufacture, maintain, and use, and lack the ability to efficiently produce fine particles and mix fluids without pre-mixing.
Innovation Solution
A passive fluidic device driven by pressurized gas, featuring a bi-stable fluidic oscillator that atomizes fluids without moving parts, allowing for compact design, efficient particle generation, and mixing through fluid-dynamic instabilities, with adjustable geometry for frequency control and scalable output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If moving components are used in fluid atomization devices, then atomization function can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving components with a fluidic oscillator system that uses fluid-dynamic instabilities to generate oscillations. The oscillator comprises a chamber with fluid inlets and outlets, where the fluid flow itself creates the oscillating motion needed for atomization, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps, valves, or other moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized gas or liquid flow to drive the atomization process. The fluidic oscillator utilizes the kinetic energy and pressure of the supplied fluid to create oscillating flow patterns that atomize the liquid, replacing mechanical energy input with pneumatic/hydraulic energy input.
2Ease of manufacture
If moving parts are included in the device, then atomization can be performed, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical components entirely, using only stationary fluidic structures. The device comprises a chamber with inlet ports and outlet ports, where the fluid flow patterns create the necessary oscillations for atomization, making the device simple to manufacture with no moving parts to assemble or maintain.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional atomization devices are used, then fluid can be atomized, but fine particle generation and mixing efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic oscillator generates periodic oscillations in the fluid flow, creating alternating high-velocity jets that impinge on each other. This periodic action breaks the liquid into fine droplets continuously, achieving both fine particle size and high atomization efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating fluid flow creates vibration and turbulence within the chamber, which enhances the breaking of liquid into fine particles. The vibrational motion of the fluid jets increases the surface area and reduces droplet size, improving atomization quality.
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 device is easy to manufacture, maintain, and use, producing fine particles and efficient mixing, suitable for various applications such as injection, spraying, fire extinction, cooling, and heat exchange, with adjustable output frequency and compact size.
Implementation Method 1
oscillations are produced purely by fluid-dynamic instabilities within the chamber
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized gas alternating draws the first fluid and the second fluid into the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for atomizing a fluid, a use of such device (10) and a method for atomizing a fluid. The device (10) for atomizing a fluid comprises a pressure inlet (13) for providing a pressurized gas (23), a first fluid inlet (11) for providing a first fluid (21), a second fluid inlet (12) for providing a second fluid (22), a chamber (14), a first outlet (15), and a second outlet (16). The pressure inlet (13), the first fluid inlet (11) and the second fluid inlet (12) lead into the chamber (14) and the first outlet (15) and the second outlet (16) leave the chamber (14). The first and second fluids might be each a gas or a liquid. The first and second fluids might be different or the same. The pressure inlet (13), the first fluid inlet (11) and the second fluid inlet (12) are configured such that the pressurized gas (23) provided by the pressure inlet (13) draws the first fluid (21) and the second fluid (22) into the chamber (14). The chamber (14) is part of a fluidic oscillator configured to alternating attach the pressurized gas (23) to the first fluid inlet (11) or to the second fluid inlet (12), so that the pressurized gas (23) alternating draws the first fluid (21) and the second fluid (22) into the chamber (14), atomizes the first fluid (21) and the second fluid (22) and outputs the atomized first fluid (21) and the atomized second fluid (22) alternating through the first outlet (15) and the second outlet (16).