IP Library Granted Patent US 9,358,557
Granted Patent B2
US 9,358,557 · App. 14/137,835 · Granted Jun 7, 2016

Liquid diffuser

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,358,557
App. No.
14/137,835
Granted
Jun 7, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a diffuser apparatus and system. The diffuser apparatus includes a gas supply line with an injection port facing a first direction for emitting a gas stream into a diffuser space. The diffuser apparatus further includes a dome-shaped surface positioned a first distance away from the injection port. The dome-shaped surface is in downstream fluid communication with the gas stream. The diffuser apparatus further includes a liquid feed line that is connectable in fluid receiving communication with a liquid source. The liquid feed line includes a suction port disposed on the dome-shaped surface facing a second direction. During operation of the apparatus, passing the gas stream over the suction port suctions a particle stream through the liquid feed line in order to form a combination stream.

Claims (23)

1. A diffuser apparatus comprising:

a gas supply line, connectable in gas receiving communication with a pressurized gas source, the gas supply line comprising an injection port facing a first direction, the injection port operably emitting a gas stream into a diffuser space in the first direction;

a dome-shaped surface positioned a first distance away from the injection port in downstream fluid communication with the gas stream, wherein the gas stream is directed at a base portion of the dome-shaped surface; and

a liquid feed line, connectable in fluid receiving communication with a liquid source, the liquid feed line comprising a suction port disposed on a crest portion of the dome-shaped surface and facing a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are not parallel, wherein a second distance between the dome-shaped surface and an element opposite the dome-shaped surface is greater than a diameter of the injection port so that no narrowing venturi-type effect occurs as the gas stream passes over the dome-shaped surface, wherein operably passing the gas stream over the suction port, by the Coanda effect, increases a velocity of the gas stream and suctions a particle stream through the liquid feed line to form a combination stream.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diffuser space comprises a diffuser chamber and the dome-shaped surface comprises a protrusion on a first wall of the diffuser chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a second wall of the diffuser chamber, opposite the first wall, is displaced the second distance from the dome-shaped surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a second wall of the diffuser chamber, opposite the first wall, is displaced the second distance from the dome-shaped surface so that the second distance is greater than a diameter of the injection port.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

6. A diffuser apparatus comprising:

a removable component detachably engageable with a base, the removable component comprising a liquid source; and

a diffuser chamber at least partially integrated with the removable component, the diffuser chamber comprising:

an injection port in fluid receiving communication with a pressurized gas channel of the base, the injection port operably emitting a gas stream into the diffuser chamber,

a dome-shaped surface protruding from a first wall of the diffuser chamber, the dome-shaped surface positioned a first distance away from the injection port in downstream fluid communication with the gas stream, wherein the gas stream is directed at a base portion of the dome-shaped surface, and

a suction port disposed on a crest portion of the dome-shaped surface, the suction port in fluid receiving communication with the liquid source, wherein a second distance between the dome-shaped surface and a second wall of the diffuser chamber, opposite the first wall, is greater than a diameter of the injection port so that no narrowing venturi-type effect occurs, wherein operably passing the gas stream over the suction port, by the Coanda effect, increases a velocity of the gas stream and suctions a particle stream from the liquid source into the diffuser chamber to form a combination stream.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the liquid source comprises a liquid vial coupled to the removable component and at least a portion of the diffuser chamber is positioned above and open to at least a portion of the liquid vial.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the combination stream operably contacts a third wall of the diffuser chamber and a heavy fraction of the combination stream falls into the liquid vial and a light fraction of the combination stream passes through a vent.

9. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a securing mechanism for securing together the base and the removable component.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the liquid source comprises a liquid vial detachably coupled to the removable component such that the liquid vial is replaceable.

11. The system of claim 6 , wherein the injection port is in fluid receiving communication with the pressurized gas channel of the base via a gas coupling mechanism.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the gas coupling mechanism includes a gasket.

13. The system of claim 6 , wherein the base comprises a pressurized gas source in fluid communication with the pressurized gas channel.

14. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a controller integrated with the base for controlling dynamics of the gas stream.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the base further comprises a user interface for regulating the controller.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2024
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, LC
Reel/Frame 068842/0678 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2023
From: YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, LC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064373/0007 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2014
From: YOUNG, D. GARY; DAVIS, JAMES T., II; LE, SON Q.
To: YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS, LC
Reel/Frame 032726/0483 →