Apparatus and method for generating an aerosol
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11779944-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention is directed to improvements related to the generation of aerosols and outlines an apparatus and methods which supports deagglomeration and counteracts reagglomeration of aerosol particles. The apparatus is provided with an arrangement of inlet conduits for pressurized gas that promote transportation with a rotational flow towards an exit conduit. In order to further support production of high quality aerosols, the apparatus can be provided with an impactor aligned with the exit conduit with at least one impacting surface that minimizes formation of impact residues.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aerosol generating apparatus having a main axis of rotational symmetry and an at least partially spherical powder chamber for loading an aerosolizable powder and mixing the aerosolizable powder with pressurized gas. The powder chamber has one or several compartments, and an ejection conduit opens at an exit orifice to an ambient pressure, where the ejection conduit forms an aerosol when the powder suspension in the pressurized gas is released from the exit orifice.
The powder suspension in the powder chamber is created by at least two inlet conduits connected to a pressure chamber, each inlet conduit providing pressurized gas to the powder chamber by an inlet orifice. The at least two inlet conduits admit pressurized gas inlet flows in opposite directions, and their symmetry axes extend into respective projection lines. The projection lines are equidistant to an inlet conduit parallel plane which contains the apparatus main axis of rotational symmetry, and the inlet conduit projection lines form acute angles with the apparatus main axis of rotational symmetry.
The inlet orifices are located in a spherical part of the at least partially spherical part of the powder chamber and are operable to form a forward rotating flow of the powder suspension in the pressurized gas toward the ejection conduit inlet. The disclosed configuration is directed to deagglomeration and counteracting re-agglomeration for cohesive dry powders, including a recessed cone with a curved primary impacting surface and a ring-shaped annular slit/secondary impacting surface that retard and further break up agglomerates while minimizing impact residues and pile-up.
This design is described together with a stated reduction of clogging risk in the narrow exit region and increased load capacity while maintaining aerosolizing ability.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim. This claim specifies an aerosol generating apparatus with a spherical powder chamber, at least two oppositely directed inlet flows defined by geometric projection-line relationships, and an ejection conduit that forms an aerosol upon release at an exit orifice; the inventive features mainly define the powder-chamber mixing, flow creation, and forward rotating flow toward the ejection conduit inlet.
Substantially spherical powder chamber with compartmented aerosol mixing
An at least partially spherical powder chamber for loading an aerosolizable powder therein and mixing the aerosolizable powder with pressurized gas, the powder chamber having one or several compartments.
Oppositely directed pressurized gas inlet flows from two inlet conduits with projection-line geometry
At least two inlet conduits connected to a pressure chamber, each introducing the pressurized gas to the powder chamber by at least two inlet orifices of the at least two inlet conduits; wherein each inlet conduit has a symmetry axis extending into a respective projection line and the at least two inlet conduits are arranged to admit pressurized gas inlet flows in opposite directions; the inlet conduit projection lines are equidistant to an inlet conduit parallel plane containing the apparatus main axis of rotational symmetry; and the inlet conduit projection lines form acute angles with the apparatus main axis of rotational symmetry.
Forward rotating flow toward the ejection conduit inlet by spherical-location inlet orifices
Inlet orifices located in a spherical part of the at least partially spherical part of the powder chamber and operable to form a forward rotating flow of the powder suspension in the pressurized gas toward the ejection conduit inlet.
Ejection conduit forming aerosol upon suspension release at an exit orifice
An ejection conduit having an inlet from the powder chamber and opening at an exit orifice to an ambient pressure, wherein the ejection conduit opening at the exit orifice is operable to form an aerosol when the powder suspension in the pressurized gas is released from the exit orifice.
Across the identified independent claim, the core claimed inventive structure is the combination of an at least partially spherical, compartmented powder chamber; at least two oppositely directed inlet conduits defined by projection-line geometry relative to the main axis; and spherical-location inlet orifices that establish a forward rotating flow toward an ejection conduit inlet that forms an aerosol at an exit orifice.
Stated Advantages
Reduced clogging risk in the narrow exit region.
Increased load capacity while maintaining aerosolizing ability.
Improved handling of difficult powders.
Documented Applications
Aerosolizing cohesive dry powders, including difficult powders/needle-shaped crystals, with deagglomeration and counteracting re-agglomeration.
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