High volume atomizer for common consumer spray products
A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for use with common consumer spray products is disclosed. The piezoelectric atomizer may include an actuator, a substrate and a supply of a liquid product to be dispensed. The substrate may include a plurality of tapered perforations in direct contact with the supply of a liquid product. A control circuit vibrates the actuator, substrate and its tapered perforations against the supply at velocities of at least 500 mm/s. Droplets are dispensed at a delivery rate of approximately 0.2 g/s resulting in plumes of at least 2 feet in length resulting in a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.
1. A high volume atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:
a substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;
a supply of the liquid product;
a wick extending from the supply of liquid product and that is in contact with the perforations, the wick being composed entirely of non-capillary fibers;
a first actuator and a second actuator capable of vibrating the substrate at a velocity no less than 500 mm/s and are selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic, a piezoelectric crystal, a flextensional transducer, an oscillating magnetic couple, a high speed motor, and a servo motor;
the substrate disposed between the first and second actuators; and
a control circuit in electrical communication with the first actuator.
2. The atomizer of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a cantilever.
3. The atomizer of claim 1 , wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.
4. The atomizer of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.
5. The atomizer of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.
6. The atomizer of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.
7. A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:
a first piezoelectric actuator;
a substrate to which the first piezoelectric actuator is operatively associated, the substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;
a second piezoelectric actuator, the substrate disposed between the first and second piezoelectric actuators;
a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the perforations; and
a control circuit in electrical communication with the first piezoelectric actuator.
8. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the substrate is a cantilever.
9. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.
10. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.
11. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the wick comprises polyester for use with polar liquid products.
12. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the wick comprises polyethylene for use with non-polar liquid products.
13. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.
14. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.
15. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit provides a substrate velocity greater than 500 mm/s.
16. A high volume piezoelectric atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:
a substantially sealed liquid chamber;
an electronics chamber;
a first piezoelectric actuator;
a substrate comprising a plurality of tapered perforations;
a second piezoelectric actuator, the substrate being disposed between the first and second piezoelectric actuators;
a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the tapered perforations; and
a control circuit disposed within the electronics chamber, the control circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuators.
17. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 16 , wherein the liquid chamber further comprises a cap and a gasket.
18. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 16 , wherein the subs cantilever.
19. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 16 , wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.
20. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 16 , wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.
21. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 16 , wherein the control circuit provides a substrate velocity greater than 500 mm/s.
22. A high volume atomizer for dispensing a liquid product, comprising:
an actuator;
a substrate to which the actuator is operatively associated, the substrate comprising a plurality of perforations;
a supply of the liquid product including a wick in contact with the perforations; and
a control circuit in electrical communication with the actuator, the atomizer having a Valpey factor of at least 51.0.
23. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 22 , wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric material.
24. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 22 , wherein the perforations are tapered at approximately 20 to 30 degree angles with an axis normal to the substrate.
25. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 22 , further comprising a liquid chamber substantially sealed with a cap and a gasket.
26. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 22 , wherein the control circuit comprises a power supply, a voltage converter, an oscillator and a feedback circuit.
27. The piezoelectric atomizer of claim 22 , wherein the control circuit is disposed within an electronics chamber.