Sprayers having increased fine droplet transfer efficiency
A fine particle sprayer including a nozzle for dispersing a liquid disinfectant into a spray plume of droplets and a means for directing pressurized air below the spray plume to increase droplet transfer efficiency, and above and around the spray plume to prevent errant droplets from drifting toward an operator. A sprayer system includes a sprayer, a housing, and a blower that may be removably attached to the sprayer for generating an air stream below the droplets to improve droplet transfer efficiency.
1 . A fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface, comprising:
a reservoir for holding a disinfectant fluid;
a pump for pumping the disinfectant fluid;
an applicator;
a fluid dispensation conduit extending from the pump to the applicator;
the applicator having;
a housing;
a liquid outlet nozzle;
an air moving device configured to blow or pump air;
a first air passageway from the air moving device to a first air outlet;
wherein the first air outlet is at least partially cylindrical;
wherein air flowing from the air moving device to the first air outlet forms at least a partial cylindrical air stream;
wherein the at least a partial cylindrical air stream exits the first air outlet at a first speed;
wherein the at least partial cylindrical air stream is located around a periphery of the housing;
wherein the at least partial cylindrical air stream is located away from the liquid outlet nozzle, such that the at least partial cylindrical air stream does not contact the fluid at the time the fluid is pumped out of the liquid outlet nozzle;
further comprising a second air passageway having a second air outlet,
wherein the air moving device directly moves a second airstream out of the second air outlet;
wherein the second air stream enters a second air inlet;
wherein the second air outlet has a larger cross-sectional area than the second air inlet; and
wherein the second air outlet is located between the first air outlet and the liquid outlet nozzle.
2 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical.
3 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the at least a partial cylindrical air stream is located below the fluid as the fluid is pumped out of the liquid outlet nozzle.
4 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle narrows the cross-sectional area of the first air passageway in the direction of flow and cause air flowing through the first air passageway to accelerate.
5 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein a baffle is configured to cause a Coanda effect on the first air.
6 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 2 further comprising a baffle, wherein the baffle expands the cross-sectional area of the second air passageway in the direction of flow and cause air flowing through the second air passageway to decelerate.
7 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 further comprising baffles for conditioning air flowing therethrough to reduce air turbulence, wherein the baffles extend longitudinally along a fluid flow path.
8 . The fine droplet sprayer for spraying a disinfectant onto a surface of claim 1 wherein the air moving device comprises a first air moving device for moving air through the first air passage and a second air moving device for moving air through the second air passage.