Patent Application
20210069736
Infectious disease is too often acquired in places that should be safe, such as ambulances, hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels, athletic facilities, and other public areas. These places are traditionally cleaned by spraying a fluid disinfectant onto surfaces and wiping down the surface with a cloth. Unfortunately such cleaning methods have been shown to be ineffective.
An improved mechanism for spraying down surfaces uses an electrostatic delivery system that sprays an electrically charged fluid, such as a disinfectant, onto surfaces. In an electrostatic delivery system, a fluid such as chemical solution is atomized by a high-pressure air stream as it passes through an electrode inside a nozzle. Negatively charged particles are thereby induced onto droplet surfaces of the solution to form electric field charge within the spray plume of the solution.
The electrostatic charge causes the fluid to cling to a surface to increase the likelihood that the disinfectant will cover and clean the surface. However, existing electrostatic delivery systems are unwieldy and inconvenient due to the power requirements of such systems. They are typically tethered to an electric cord or powered by air compressor or natural gas, which makes the system heavy. In addition, they are expensive. Cost and cording remain the two main obstacles to widespread adoption. In many cases existing corded products prohibit or restrict their use in applications where an extension cord is cumbersome, inconvenient, slow, and in some cases creating a safety concern by introducing a potentially dangerous tripping hazard.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved electrostatic fluid delivery system.
Disclosed herein is an electrostatic fluid delivery system that is configured to deliver fluid, such as a disinfectant fluid, onto a surface by electrically charging the fluid and forming the fluid into a mist, fog, plume, or spray that can be directed onto a surface, such as a surface to be cleaned. The system atomizes the fluid using a high-pressure air (or other gas) stream and passes the fluid through an electrode inside a nozzle assembly to charge, such as negatively charge, droplets of the atomized fluid. The system uses a unique nozzle design that is configured to optimally atomize the fluid into various sized droplets. In addition, the system is powered by a DC power system rather than an AC system to eliminate cumbersome power cords. In an embodiment, the DC power system includes a lithium ion battery. The device can electrically or positively charge a liquid or gas.
In one aspect, there is disclosed an electrostatic sprayer device, comprising: a housing; an electrostatic module inside the housing; a reservoir having a cavity adapted to contain a fluid; at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir wherein the nozzles emit fluid in a direction along a flow pathway; a pump that propels fluid from the reservoir to the at least one nozzle; a direct current battery that powers at least one of the electrostatic module and the pump; an electrode assembly that electrostatically charges the fluid, wherein the electrode assembly is at least one of: (1) a first electrode assembly formed of a plurality electrodes electrically attached to the electrostatic module, wherein each electrode emits ions along an axis that is parallel to the flow pathway of the fluid emitted from the nozzle such that the plurality electrodes form a static electrical field through which the fluid passes; and (2) a second electrode assembly formed of a tube that fluidly through which fluid flows from the reservoir toward the at least one nozzle, wherein at least a conductive portion of the tube is electrically attached to the electrostatic module, and wherein the conductive portion of the tube physically contacts the fluid as it flows through the tube and applies an electrical charge to the fluid.
Other features and advantages should be apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure.
Before the present subject matter is further described, it is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a particular embodiment or embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter belongs.
Disclosed herein is an electrostatic fluid delivery system that is configured to deliver fluid, such as a disinfectant fluid, onto a surface by electrically charging the fluid and forming the fluid into a mist, fog, plume, or spray that can be directed onto a surface, such as a surface to be cleaned. The system atomizes the fluid using a high-pressure air (or other gas) stream and passes the fluid through an electrode inside a nozzle assembly to charge, such as negatively charge, droplets of the atomized fluid. The system uses a unique nozzle design that is configured to optimally atomize the fluid into various sized droplets. In addition, the system is powered by a DC power system rather than an AC system to eliminate cumbersome power cords. In an embodiment, the DC power system includes a lithium ion battery.
The device can electrically or positively charge a liquid or gas.
The system is configured to electrostatically charge the atomized fluid via direct charging, induction charging, indirect charging, or any combinations thereof. In the case of direct charging, fluid flows through an electrically conductive tube or other conduit that is electrostatically charged such that the fluid contacts the tube and is charged by direct contact with the tube, as describe below. For induction or indirect charging, the fluid is passed through a medium, such as air, that has been electrostatically charged by one or more electrodes or pins that create a static electric field through which the fluid passes to receive c charge. The electrode may or may not be in the fluid stream. In an embodiment, the fluid is charged through both direct contact with the charged tube and by flowing the fluid through a medium such as air that has been charged with electrodes such as, for example, described herein.
The system 105 may have one or more actuators or controls 120 that can be actuated by a user to activate and operate the system. A fluid expelling region 175 is located at a front of the housing 110 and has an opening through which atomized fluid is expelled. The system 105 also includes a reservoir 125 that defines a chamber in which fluid can be stored. The chamber of the reservoir 125 communicates internally with a nozzle assembly 205 (
The fan 200 (or a pump) operates to blow fluid (gas or liquid) toward a nozzle assembly 205 in the fluid expelling region 175 of the system. The nozzle assembly 205 atomizes and expels fluid in a spray. As the fan blows air toward the nozzle assembly, it creates a pressure differential that sucks fluid from the reservoir 125 into the nozzle assembly 205 where it is atomized and expelled as a result of the fan 200 blowing air therethrough. It should be appreciated that other mechanisms can be used to blow air or to blow or otherwise propel liquid from the reservoir. In an embodiment, a piston pump is used to deliver air pressure to the nozzle tip. A piston pump can pull from the reservoir tank to push fluid or pressurize straight to the nozzle tip. For a smaller footprint embodiment (such as the embodiments of
With reference still to
The electrostatic fluid delivery system may vary in size and shape.
In addition,
The system 105 ejects high voltage ions to the air by means of a plurality of (such as three or more) sharp, detachable high voltage ion discharge electrodes or pins of a predetermined spacing (such as at 120° spacing) from each other on a rim of a nozzle holder (described below with reference to
In an embodiment, a light 1017 is positioned at a front end of the system 105 in the fluid-expelling region 175 such that the light aims light toward the direction where fluid is expelled. The light may be an LED light, for example. The light can automatically illuminate when any portion of the system is activated. In an example embodiment, LED light has 100 lumens with the light being directly focused on the path of the liquid that is being sprayed out of the sprayer nozzle. The light can be in multiple colors to allow the user to illuminate florescent antimicrobial solutions (infrared light). In another embodiment the light is black light. At least a portion of the light or electrical components of the light may be insulated from contact with the electrically charged field.
There is a metal contact on the high voltage electrostatic ring 1120 that is exposed at a rear part of the electrostatic ring 1120. A high voltage wire from the electrostatic module is soldered or otherwise electrically connected to this metal contact. The soldering point and adjacent exposed metal is completely sealed by epoxy or other insulator to avoid oxidation and leakage of ions from the electrodes. A ground wire from electrostatic module is connected to ground plate. As discussed, the ground wire is embedded in the handle of the sprayer so that it is in contact with the operator during operation. This serves as electrical return loop to complete an electrical circuit. The electrostatic ring is electrically charged so that it transfers the charge to the electrodes that are electrically connected to the ring. In another embodiment, the electrodes themselves are individually connected to the electrostatic module.
As shown in
In an embodiment, the tool 1205 couples to and removes nozzle component by a counter clock turn and by pushing in until nozzle component decouples and can be removed. In this regard, pushing the nozzle component deeper into the housing using the tool causes a threaded portion of the nozzle component to engage a threaded nut or bolt of the housing that secures the nozzle component to the housing. The user can then unthread the nozzle tool and remove it from the housing.
The tool 1205 can also be used to adjust the three-way nozzle by turning it in a desired rotational direction. The user can select three different spray patterns by turning the nozzle component so that a desired nozzle fluidly couples to the reservoir. In this regard, a portion of the tool mechanically attaches to the nozzle component so that it can apply force to the nozzle component and rotate it until a desired nozzle is in a position that is fluidly coupled to a fluid stream from the reservoir. The system may include a mechanism, such as spring and ball, that provides a noise (such as a clicking sound) when a nozzle is in a position to spray fluid.
The electrostatic ring 1120 includes the three electrodes (which may be made or stainless steel for example) that are electrically isolated by a rubber washer and rubber threaded cap, as described below. The electrostatic ring 1120 that holds electrodes is metal and is built inside of the nozzle housing. The electric static ring is isolated inside a nozzle housing that acts as a protective barrier. The electrostatic ring 1120 contains three internal threaded holes that accept the three electrodes. A rubber washer is inserted between the electrostatic ring 1120 and an insulator on each electrode. The rubber washer aids in tightening of the electrode to the electrostatic ring 1120 and also assists in avoiding leakage of ions from the electrode. The whole electrostatic ring 1120 is isolated inside the nozzle housing so that it acts a protective barrier.
The ring, when properly mounted, forms a safety gap between the discharge electrodes and the outer housing so as to minimize static leakage through the housing. The rubber ring isolates the nozzle housing from causing a charge to the sprayer housing. The rubber ring also isolates the nozzle housing from main body of the sprayer to prevent water from penetrating to a main body of the sprayer.
A hose coupler 1320 is located at an end of the nozzle housing and is configured to be coupled to a house or other conduit that communicates with the reservoir. The hose coupler 132 defines an internal passageway that communicates with the nozzles 1115 for feeding fluid from the reservoir to the nozzles 1115.
Any of a variety of nozzle types can be used to achieve a desired flow pattern. There are now described some non-limiting examples of electrodes. In an embodiment, the electrodes include three example types as follows:
(1) A nozzle that provides a cone-shaped spray, with a flow rate of 0.23 L/min, 45° @3.5 bar, SMD=113 um, inner orifice=0.65 mm;
(2) A nozzle that provides a cone-shaped spray, with a flow rate of 0.369 L/min, 60° @3.5 bar, SMD=84 um, inner orifice=0.58 mm;
(3) A nozzle that provides a fan-shaped spray, with a flow rate of 0.42 L/min, 60° @3.5 bar, SMD=100 um, inner orifice=1.00 mm.
It should be appreciated that the aforementioned nozzles are just examples and that variances are within the scope of this disclosure.
Thus, each electrode assembly 1310 includes an insulator element 1520 that can be formed of a rubber washer that covers a middle section of the electrode, and rubber boot that covers a front section except for a front most, sharpened tip. The rubber washer and a plastic or rubber cap (or boot) isolates the electrode and protects the electrode from static leakage such that only the sharpened tip is exposed and/or uninsulated.
Each high voltage ion discharge electrode is to be screwed into an internal screw thread on the high voltage ring 1120 coupled to the nozzle component 1110. Except for its sharp spike at the end, each high voltage ion discharge electrode is completely covered and concealed by the insulator element after it is installed to the high voltage ring 1120.
With reference still to
With reference still to
In this regard, an outlet conduit 2115 fluidly communicates with the internal region of the reservoir when the reservoir is attached and lockingly sealed to the housing. The outlet conduit 2115 can be fluidly attached to a pump inlet conduit 2120 of the pump 1005 such as via a hose (not shown). The pump 1005 has an outlet conduit 2125 that can be fluidly attached to the hose coupler 1320 (
In an embodiment, a hose or tube connects the outlet conduit 2125 of the pump 1005 to the hose coupler 1320 of the nozzle assembly. The tube (or other conduit) that connects the pump 1005 to the nozzle assembly may be configured to electrostatically charge fluid flowing through the tube by direct charging between the tube, which is charged, and the fluid that flows through the tube toward the nozzles. This is described in more detail with reference to
In an embodiment the module 2415 is a conductive material, such as metal. In an embodiment only the module 2415 is conductive and the remainder of the tube 2410 is non-conductive and/or is insulated from contact with any other part of the system. The module 2415 may also be surrounded by an insulator that insulates it from contact with any other part of the system. As fluid flows through the tube 2410, the module 2415 directly contacts the fluid as it flows and passes a charge to the fluid through direct contact with the fluid. In this way, the ion tube isolator 2405 electrostatically charges the fluid prior to the fluid passing through the nozzle.
In an embodiment, the pump 1005 is a direct current (DC) pump. The pump includes a rotary motion motor with a connecting rod that drives a diaphragm in an up and down motion when activated. In the process of the downward movement of the diaphragm, a pump cavity creates a pressure differential such as by pulling a vacuum relative to the interior of the reservoir to suck fluid through the pump inlet conduit 2120 from the reservoir. Upward movement of the diaphragm pushes fluid of the pump cavity press through the pump outlet conduit 2125 toward the hose coupler 1320 of the nozzle assembly via an attachment hose that attaches the pump outlet conduit 2125 to the hose coupler 1320. Any mechanical transmission parts and the pump cavity are isolated by the diaphragm within the pump. The diaphragm pump does not need oil for auxiliary lubricating, in the process of transmission, extraction and compression of the fluid.
In use, the user grasps the system 105 and powers the pump so that it propels fluid out of the selected nozzle from the reservoir. As mentioned, the user can use the nozzle tool 1205 to both insert and lock the nozzle assembly 1015 to the system. The user can also use the nozzle tool 1205 to rotate the nozzle component and fluidly couple a selected nozzle to the reservoir. Thus the user can select a desired plume profile for the fluid. The system can also be equipped with just a single nozzle. The user also activates the electrostatic module so that the electrodes become charged and form an electrostatic field in the electrode ring. The fluid is propelled from the nozzle through the ring and through the electrostatic field so that the droplets of fluid in the aerosol plume become positively or negatively electrically charged. As mentioned, the electrodes and the nozzle are aligned along a common parallel axis. This directs the liquid or aerosol toward a desired object based on where the user points the nozzles. In an embodiment, the electrodes do not physically contact the fluid propelled through the nozzles. In another embodiment, the electrodes physically contact the fluid propelled through the nozzles
While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/046,140 entitled “ELECTROSTATIC FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM DEVICE” and filed Sep. 4, 2014. Priority to the aforementioned filing date is claimed and the provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62046140 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16803801 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 17090800 | US | |
| Parent | 15507456 | Feb 2017 | US |
| Child | 16803801 | US |
