Patent Application
20200254128
The present disclosure relates to the field of atomizers, and more particularly to an airflow guided essential oil reflux-type atomizer.
In daily life, essential oils are often used to improve the surrounding environment or to perform medical treatment, such as sterilization, disinfection or changing environmental odor, etc. When using the essential oils, an atomizer is often used to atomize the essential oils for facilitating diffusion of the essential oils into the environment.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an essential oil atomizer. The atomizer can comprise a housing configured to connect to an oil receptacle, with the housing having an atomization chamber from which atomized oil can be expelled, an atomizer nozzle assembly configured to expel atomized oil and gas into the atomization chamber, wherein the atomizer nozzle assembly is configured to be in fluid communication with oil in the oil receptacle, and a heater connected to the housing and configured to apply heat to the oil or gas.
In some embodiments, the atomizer nozzle assembly can comprise a gas nozzle and an oil nozzle, wherein the oil nozzle is configured to be in fluid communication with the oil receptacle and wherein the gas nozzle is configured to expel the gas across the oil nozzle.
The heater can be configured to heat oil in the atomizer nozzle assembly or in the oil receptacle. In some embodiments, the heater can be configured to be concentric with the oil receptacle. The heater can be configured to heat gas before or when the gas enters into the atomizer nozzle assembly. The heater can also be configured to apply heat to a gas line entering the atomizer nozzle assembly. The heater can be substantially cylindrical or can comprise a heating element and an insulator positioned radially external to the heating element.
Another aspect of the disclosure relates to an essential oil atomizer having a housing connectable to an oil receptacle, an atomizer having a nozzle assembly attached to the housing and configured to atomize oil from the oil receptacle by directing flow of a gas across the oil at the nozzle assembly, wherein the flow of the gas and atomized oil is configured to pass out of the housing, and a heater configured to raise a temperature of the oil at the nozzle assembly.
In some embodiments, the heater can be configured to raise the temperature of the nozzle assembly. The heater can be configured to raise the temperature of the oil by heating the gas before or while it flows through the nozzle assembly. The heater can be configured to heat the gas at a position external to the nozzle assembly. In some embodiments, the heater can be configured to raise the temperature of the oil by heating the oil before or while it flows to the nozzle assembly. The heater can be configured to heat the oil in the oil receptacle. In some embodiments, the heater can be configured to raise the temperature of the oil to be within a range of about 35 degrees Celsius to about 40 degrees Celsius.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of atomizing essential oil, wherein the method comprises generating gas flow through a gas nozzle, generating oil flow through an oil nozzle, wherein the gas flow passes over an outlet of the oil nozzle to atomize the oil flow, and raising a temperature of the oil flow to increase atomization of the oil flow as the gas flow passes over the outlet.
Raising the temperature of the oil flow can comprise applying heat to the gas flow and moving (e.g., driving or drawing) the oil flow into the gas flow, applying heat to an oil container from which the oil flows, or applying heat to the gas nozzle or the oil nozzle.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify one or more preferred embodiments.
The accompanying drawings and figures illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are part of the specification. Together with the present description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of this disclosure. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label.
While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the instant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.
A conventional essential oil atomizer/nebulizer typically ejects a high-speed airflow to extract an essential oil from an essential oil bottle and to transfer the essential oil out of the atomizer into the surrounding atmosphere. However, this atomization method can result in larger droplets of essential oil in the atomized gas, so the atomization performance is poor and oil is inefficiently distributed. The large essential oil droplets can be wasted if they are dispensed. To reduce the waste of essential oils, a filter is often used for filtering the atomized airflow mixed with the essential oil droplets so as to recycle the essential oil droplets. However, since the space of the essential oil atomization chamber is generally small, the mixed airflow may directly hit and accumulate in an area of the sidewall of the atomization chamber facing the gas nozzle. With subsequent airflow hitting the same area, the essential oil droplets in the area can be blown and splashed to the filter, thereby blocking the filter, reducing the efficiency of filtration, and causing waste.
These issues are amplified and aggravated when the essential oils have high viscosity or high molecular stability. These thicker oils are much more difficult to draw through a tube or channel from an oil reservoir to the air flow. They are also less effectively atomized and diffused by the airflow, so the atomizer less effectively distributes the oil using the airflow.
Compared to conventional essential oil atomizers, airflow-guided essential oil reflux-type atomizers of the present invention can provide many beneficial effects. First, by providing the filter atomization mechanism in the atomization chamber, when an airflow is pumped out of the gas pump through the gas nozzle, the airflow extracts the essential oil from the essential oil bottle through the oil nozzle, and atomizes the essential oil to form a mixed airflow. When the mixed airflow passes through each of the filter housings of the filter atomization mechanism, successively larger essential oil droplets in the airflow are filtered by each of the filter housings to be recycled, thereby reducing waste of the essential oil, while smaller atomized essential oil droplets will pass through the through hole of each of the filter housings to be dispensed out the atomizer into the environment. When the essential oil droplets in the airflow are located in each of the through holes, the pressure difference between two sides of the filter housing can create an airflow in each of the through holes to re-atomize these essential oil droplets to improve the atomization performance.
Second, in embodiments having a guide board and filter in the atomization chamber, the mixed airflow (which includes a mixture of the airflow from a gas pump and essential oil from the oil bottle) can hit the guide board and be guided to flow upward to the filter atomization mechanism, where the larger essential oil droplets are filtered and recycled to reduce waste. At the same time, the guide board can also collect some of the essential oil droplets from the mixed airflow, reducing oil splashing which may block the filter to ensure filtration efficiency.
It is noted that when a component is referred to as being “fixed to,” “installed on,” “arranged on” or “disposed on” another component, it can be directly or indirectly fixed on another component. When a component is referred to as being “connected to” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other component.
In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or indicating the quantity of technical features. Therefore, a feature that is qualified as “first” and “second” may expressly or implicitly include one or more of such a feature. In the description of the present invention, “multiple” means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.
Unless specified otherwise, it should be understood that, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left” and “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside” and other terms indicating the orientation or positional relationship are used to refer to orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, only for the purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of the invention, instead of indicating or implying that the indicated device or component must have a specific orientation and constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting.
In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms “install,” “connected,” and “connect” should be interpreted broadly unless specifically defined or limited otherwise. For example, the components may be fixedly connected or they may be detachable connected, or integral connected. The connection can be mechanical or electrical. The connection can be direct or indirect (connected through an intermediary). It can also be the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure according to specific circumstances.
The filter atomization mechanism 40 is arranged in the atomization chamber 310 in the housing 30 and is supported by the housing 30. The filter atomization mechanism 40 is used to filter the essential oil droplets in the airflow flowing from the atomization chamber 310 to the dispensing opening 321. When the mixed airflow in the atomization chamber 310 flows toward the dispensing opening 321, it needs to pass through the filter atomization mechanism 40, where the mixed airflow may be filtered by the filter atomization mechanism 40 to recycle larger essential oil droplets and reduce the waste of essential oils while the smaller essential oil droplets will pass through the filter atomization mechanism 40 to be dispensed through the dispensing opening 321.
In general, the filter atomization mechanism 40 includes a plurality of (e.g., two, three, or four) filter housings 41. In some embodiments, when the airflow in the atomization chamber 310 flows toward the dispensing opening 321, it passes through the filter housings 41 successively. The lower ends (e.g., at the bottom of the cylinders) of the filter housings 41 include one or more (e.g., two, three, or four) through holes 411 for filtering the essential oil droplets in the airflow. When the airflow containing essential oil droplets passes through each of the filter housings 41 successively, the larger essential oil droplets in the mixed airflow are filtered by each of the filter housings 41 and can flow back to the oil bottle through the return funnel due to gravity. The smaller essential oil droplets can pass through the through hole 411 of each of the filter housings 41 to be dispensed through the dispensing opening 321. As discussed above, the airflow from the gas nozzle 23 increases the pressure in the atomization chamber outside the filter housings 41. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the pressure difference at two sides of the filter housing 41 creates an airflow in each of the through holes 411, such that the essential oil droplets in the through holes 411 are re-atomized by the airflow to improve the atomization efficiency. As a result, using the plurality of filter housings 41 can better filter larger essential oil droplets, further reduce waste, and improve the efficiency of filtration. In addition, it is believed that, compared to a conventional system without a filter housing, using the filter housing 41 can better return the essential oil liquid accumulated therein, and avoid oil attachment to the filter atomization mechanism 40, and thus better recycle the filtered essential oil droplets and further reduce the waste of essential oils.
Compared to a conventional atomizer, the essential oil reflux-type atomizer of the present invention has one or more of the following beneficial effects: when the gas nozzle 23 blows out the airflow, essential oil is extracted from essential oil bottle through the oil nozzle 24, and mixed and atomized by the airflow to form a mixed airflow. When the mixed airflow passes through each of the filter housings 41 of the filter atomization mechanism 40 successively, the larger essential oil droplets in the airflow can be filtered by each of the filter housings 41 and recycled, thereby reducing waste of the essential oil. The smaller essential oil droplets can pass through each of the filter housings 41 and dispensed into the environment. The pressure difference between the two sides of the filter housing 41 creates an airflow in each of the through holes 411, therefore the essential oil droplets in the through hole 411 are re-atomized by the airflow to improve the atomization efficiency.
Further,
In this embodiment, the number of the filter housings 41 is two, and the inner layer filter housing 41a is inserted into the outer layer filter housing 41b. In other embodiments, the number of the filter housings 41 can be three, four, or more.
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Furthermore, the fixing ring 422 may have installation threads. The inner wall of the atomization chamber 310 can have corresponding threads for threaded connection with the fixing ring 422.
Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the connection rings 421 may include a first thread, and the upper ends of the corresponding filter housings 41 may include a second thread corresponding to the first thread. The structure can be conveniently manufactured by methods known in the art. One or more of the filter housings 41 can be conveniently connected with the corresponding connection rings 421 through threaded engagement.
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Further, the through holes 411 of each of the filter housings 41 are located at the lower end of the sidewall (e.g., at the lower one-third of the sidewall) of each filter housing 41, making it convenient for manufacturing and also convenient for filtration and recycling of the essential oil droplets. Furthermore, when the bottom board 412 of a filter housing 41 has an upwardly arched arc surface, the arc surface can also guide the airflow flowing from each of the through holes 411 into the filter housing 41.
Further, the through holes 411 of two adjacent filter housings 41 can be mutually staggered. In such embodiments, when the airflow passes through the through hole 411 of the outer layer filter housing 41b, the larger essential oil droplets are blown onto the outer sidewall of the inner layer filter housing 41a to be blocked and collected to achieve better filtration. Smaller droplets have less mass and thus less inertia so that they can change directions more easily and stay with the airflow. In some embodiments, the through holes 411 in two adjacent filter housings 41 can have successively reduced diameters to filter larger essential oil droplets. For example, the diameters of the through holes 411 in the inner layer filter housing 41a can be smaller than those of the through holes 411 in the outer layer filter housing 41b. In some embodiments, the diameter of the though holes 411 of the innermost filter housing 41 ranges can be 1.6 mm-2.0 mm (e.g., 1.8 mm) while the diameter of the though holes 411 of the immediate outer filter housing 41 is can be 2.0 mm-2.4 mm (e.g., 2.2 mm). In such embodiments, the through holes 411 in the inner layer filter housing 41a and outer layer filter housing 41b can be either centrally aligned or staggered (i.e., not centrally aligned).
Further, in two adjacent filter housings 41, the bottom board of the inner layer filter housing 41a can be spaced from the bottom board 412 of the outer layer filter housing 41b so that the airflow in the gap between the inner layer filter housing 41a and the outer layer filter housing 41b can be increased, enhancing the filtration and recycling of the essential oil droplets.
Further, in two adjacent filter housings 41, the closest distance between the sidewall of the inner layer filter housing 41a and the sidewall of the outer layer filter housing 41b can range from at least 1.5 mm (e.g., at least 2 mm or at least 3 mm) to at most 10 mm (e.g., at most 9 mm or at most 8 mm). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that controlling the above distance to 1.5-10 mm can be important to minimize excessive noise when the essential oil atomizer is being used. In a preferred embodiment, the closest distance between the sidewalls of two adjacent filter housings 41 is 2.2 mm.
Further, as shown in
Further, the airflow ejected from the outlet 231 of the gas nozzle 23 is directed toward the top of the upper end of the sidewall 242 of the oil nozzle 24 from a lower position (e.g., the outlet 231 can be at a lower position than the oil nozzle 24). This arrangement can prevent the airflow ejected by the gas nozzle 23 from being blown into the oil nozzle 24, thereby facilitating extraction of the essential oil from the essential oil bottle and blowing the essential oil upward for better atomization. Further, in this embodiment, the sidewall 242 of the upper end of the oil nozzle 24 is conically shaped, guiding upward the airflow from the gas nozzle 23 so that the airflow can better atomize the essential oil drawn from the oil nozzle 24. In other embodiments, the sidewall 242 of the upper end of the oil nozzle 24 may also be a dome in shape.
Further, as shown
Further, in this embodiment, the lower end of the return funnel 33 is connected with the inner wall of the atomization chamber 310, such that the essential oil liquid accumulated on the inner wall of the atomization chamber 310 can be easily returned to the essential oil bottle 60.
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sealing ring 13 is arranged between the gas nozzle 23 and the connection tube 12 to improve the sealing and minimize leaks of the connection so that substantially all the airflow in the gas tube 22 can flow through the gas nozzle 23. It is believed that this structure simplifies the manufacture and connection of the housing 30 and the chassis 10. In other embodiments, the gas nozzle 23 can also be directly connected to the gas tube 22 without using a connection tube 12. In some other embodiments, the gas nozzle 23 and the connection tube 12 can be integrally formed as a part of the chassis 10 (e.g., without using a sealing ring 13).
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Further, as shown in
In some embodiments, the gas pump 21 can be a diaphragm pump. Of course, in other embodiments, the gas pump 21 can be other types of pumps, such as centrifugal pump, piston pump, and the like.
Referring to
In some embodiments, a side of the atomization chamber 310 facing the gas nozzle 23 is provided with an optional guide board 332. The guide board 332 forms an inclined plane relative to the axial direction of an outlet 231 of the gas nozzle 23 and integrally connected with or formed on a sidewall of the atomization chamber 310. The guide board 332 is configured to guide the airflow jetted by the gas nozzle 23 upward. When the gas nozzle 23 ejects the air flow and extracts the essential oil to form the mixed airflow, the mixed airflow can flow towards the guide board 332 which can better guide the mixed airflow to the filter atomization mechanism 40, thereby facilitating filtration in filter atomization mechanism 40. In addition, the guide board 332 can also collect part of the essential oil droplets from the mixed airflow, reducing oil splashing (which may block the filter atomization mechanism 40) and ensuring filtration efficiency.
Further, the guide board 332 can be connected to an upper end of the return funnel 33. This structure can make it easier for the oil droplets accumulated on the guide board 332 to return to the essential oil bottle 60 through the return funnel 33, thereby improving the efficiency of the recycling process. Further, the guide board 332 may be integrally formed with the return funnel 33 to simplify manufacture, installation and fixation.
Further, in some embodiments, the guide board 332 is flat. In some embodiments, the guide board 332 is curved.
Further, the angle between an extension line of an outlet 231 axis of the gas nozzle 23 and the tangent line at the intersection of this extension line and the guide board 332 can range from at least 15 degrees (e.g., at least 20 degrees or at least 25 degrees) to at most 35 degrees (e.g., at most 30 degrees or at most 25 degrees). For example, the angle can be about 32 degrees. In this arrangement, the guide board 332 can better guide the airflow to the guide board 332, and reduce the impact of the airflow to the guide board 332.
Further, in one specific embodiment, the closest distance between the outermost filter housing 41 and the oil nozzle 24 is at least 2 mm (e.g., at least 3 mm or at least 4 mm). This distance can reduce the oil splashing on the filter housings 41 and avoid congestion at the filter atomization mechanism 40.
The other structures of the essential oil reflux-type atomizer in the present embodiment can be the same as the corresponding structures of the essential oil reflux-type atomizer in embodiment one, and the details will not be repeated here.
The aforementioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, and so on, which are made within the spirit and the principle of the present invention, should be included in the scope of the present invention.
Essential oil atomizers, including reflux-type atomizers, can have difficulty atomizing and diffusing essential oils that have high viscosity for high molecular weight. For example, in such cases, the essential oil can have difficulty traveling up an oil tube 243 or through an oil nozzle 24. Additionally, the oil can be less likely to atomize into droplets as result of airflow passing through the gas nozzle 23. Oil droplets that are atomized from the oil nozzle 24 can also be larger than desired and can therefore accumulate more easily within the atomization chamber 310 or on the filter housings 41.
Various types of heaters can be used in atomizers. In some embodiments, including the embodiments of
The atomization housing 413 can have an atomization chamber 424. The oil nozzle 426 and gas nozzle 428 can have outlets within the atomization chamber 424, similar to the outlets (e.g., 231 and end of 24) shown in
Additionally, the base 404, the lower housing 406, the upper housing 408, the top 416, the atomization housing 413, and the outer shell 414 can all be concentrically aligned along a central vertical axis extending through the atomizer 400. The positioning of these parts can reduce the overall width footprint of the atomizer 400, thereby making it more compact and giving it aesthetic appeal. In an example embodiment, the outer shell 414 can be removed from the base 404 and other parts such as the upper and lower housings 406, 408 can be separated to provide access for a user to insert and remove the oil receptacle 420, e.g., to change the receptacle 420 or to refill oils in the receptacle 420. In some embodiments, a user can refill the oil receptacle 420 by pouring oil through the central vent opening 434 in the top cap 416, which allows the oil to pass through the atomization chamber 424 into the oil receptacle 420. In some cases, the oil receptacle 420 can be removed, and a non-removable and integrated chamber can be used within the upper housing 408 or atomization housing 413 that is configured to hold and retain oil until it is atomized and diffused from the atomizer 400 or until the oil is poured out. Thus, a bottle-shaped oil receptacle 420 can be used for convenience but is optional.
The atomizer 400 can also include an electronics unit 436 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), power electronics, buttons, connectors, etc.) in electrical communication with the pump 418 and configured to control the operation of the pump 418, the amount of gas flow produced by the pump 418, and similar functions. The electronics unit 436 can also be electrically connected to a heater 438 that is horizontally aligned with (i.e., is centered at roughly the same height in the atomizer 400 as the electronics unit 436) and substantially surrounds the oil receptacle 420. A set of electrical controls or switches (e.g., 450 in
The heater 438 can include a heating element 440 positioned on a radially internal side of the heater 438 relative to a central axis of the atomizer 400 and relative to the central axis of the upper housing 408 (i.e., a central axis extending vertically through the central vent opening 434). The heater 438 can also include an insulator 442 externally radially surrounding the heating element 440. As explained above, the heating element 440 can be a resistive heating element or other type of electronic heater configured to receive power from the electronics unit 436 to generate heat. The heat generated by the heating element 440 can be transferred (e.g., via conduction, radiation, and convection) through the upper housing 408, the walls of the oil receptacle 420, and into oil within the oil receptacle 420, thereby heating and raising the internal temperature of oil in the oil receptacle 420. The insulator 442 can help improve efficiency of the heating element 440 by limiting heat transfer in a radially outward direction from the oil receptacle 420. The insulator 442 can comprise a thermally insulating material such as fiberglass, foam rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, urethane foam, cork, polystyrene foam, cellulose, similar materials, and combinations thereof.
The heater 438 can have a heater length dimension 444 measured extending parallel to the vertical longitudinal axis of the oil receptacle 420 or parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the oil tube 430. The length dimension 444 can be substantially equal to an overall length/height dimension of the oil receptacle 420, as shown in
In some embodiments, the length dimension 444 can extend along less than the entire length of the oil receptacle 420, such as, for example, along half of the length of the receptacle 420 or less. In some embodiments, the heater 438 can extend along only an upper end of the receptacle 420 to heat the oil just before it enters the oil nozzle 426. In some embodiments, the heater 438 can extend along only the lower end of the receptacle 420. This can be beneficial to apply heat to oil that accumulates at the bottom of the receptacle 420 and to allow the oil to start to cool as it moves up the oil tube 430 before being atomized at the oil nozzle 426.
In some embodiments, the heater 438 can be positioned radially between the upper housing 408 and the oil receptacle 420. This can help improve the efficiency of heat transfer into the oil receptacle 420. In embodiments where the heater 438 is positioned external to the upper housing 408, as shown in
The atomizer 500 can comprise a heating element 502 electrically connected with the electronics unit 436 in a manner similar to heating element 440. Thus, the electronics unit 436 can electrically generate heat with the heating element 502. The heating element 502 can be mounted to the upper housing 408 on a radially internal side of the heating element 502 and can be mounted to the bottom of a thermal block 504. The thermal block 504 can be configured to contact the gas nozzle 428 (or, in some embodiments, the oil nozzle 426, oil receptacle 420, oil tube 430, gas tube 432, or atomizer housing 412) when the atomizer 500 is fully assembled.
The heating element 502 can comprise a resistive heating element or another type of electrical heat generator described above in connection with heating element 440. The thermal block 504 can comprise a material having high heat transfer conductivity, such as metal or ceramic. The gas nozzle 428 can also comprise a material having high heat transfer conductivity, such as metal or ceramic. In this manner, the heating element 502 can generate heat is transferred via conduction to the thermal block 504 and transferred via conduction to the gas nozzle 428. This heat can increase the departure of the gas nozzle 428 so that gas flowing through the gas tube 432 is heated as it passes through the gas nozzle 428. That heated gas can then come into contact with oil at the top of the oil nozzle 426, heat the oil at that point, and thereby thin or start to evaporate the oil to improve atomization and droplet formation of the oil within the atomization chamber 424.
In some embodiments, the oil nozzle 426 can be formed with, contacting, or attached to the gas nozzle 428. Therefore, the oil nozzle 426 can have its temperature increased by heat transferred via the gas nozzle 428. Raising the temperature of the oil nozzle 426 can consequently increase the temperature of oil at the outlet of the oil nozzle 426 even further, thereby improving atomization and droplet formation even further.
The heating element 502 and thermal block 504 can be beneficially implemented where space within the atomizer 500 is limited or where high electrical heating efficiency is desired. The heating element 502 can be significantly smaller in size than a heating element (e.g., 440) that must extend along a significant portion of the oil receptacle 420. The heating element 502 can also be beneficial in environments where the gas or oil does not need to be heated a large amount, and a small heating element 502 can therefore suffice to ensure proper oil heating at the atomization chamber 424. Heating the gas nozzle 428 and oil nozzle 426 can also help to prevent oil residue buildup on the nozzles and within the atomization chamber 424 by thinning oil or melting residue on the nozzles.
The atomizer 600 can comprise a heating element 602 electrically connected with the electronics unit 436 in a manner similar to heating element 440. Thus, the electronics unit 436 can electrically generate heat with the heating element 602. The heating element 602 can be mounted to a thermally conductive tube 604 that is connected to the gas tube 432 and that extends through the heating element 602. The thermally conductive tube 604 can be in fluid communication with an inlet side of the gas nozzle 428 when the atomizer 600 is fully assembled.
The thermally conductive tube 604 can beneficially comprise a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a metal or ceramic material, but in some embodiments, other types of less thermally conductive material can be used such as, for example, polymers or rubber. Thus, the tube can be described as being “thermally conductive” because it is used to conduct heat from the heating element 602 to elevate the temperature of gas within the tube 604. In other words, gas flowing through the thermally conductive tube 604 can be heated due to the thermally conductive tube 604 having an elevated temperature caused by heat generated in the heating element 602 external to the tube 604. In some embodiments, the gas tube 432 can extend through the heating element 602 instead of connecting to a separate thermally conductive tube 604 that extends through the heating element 602.
The heating element 602 can comprise a resistive heating element or another type of electrical heat generator described above in connection with heating element 440. The thermally conductive tube 604 can comprise a material having high heat transfer conductivity, such as metal or ceramic. In this manner, the heating element 602 can generate heat that is transferred via conduction to the thermally conductive tube 604 to heat the tube 604 and the gas positioned in or flowing through it. This heat can increase the temperature of the gas entering the gas nozzle 428. Thus, gas flowing through the gas tube 432 can be heated before it enters the gas nozzle 428. That heated gas can then come into contact with oil at the top of the oil nozzle 426, heat the oil at that point, and thereby improve atomization and droplet formation of the oil within the atomization chamber 424.
The heating element 602 and thermally conductive tube 604 can be beneficially implemented where space within the atomizer 500 is limited or where high electrical heating efficiency is desired. The heating element 602 can be smaller in size than a heating element (e.g., 440) that extends along a significant portion of the oil receptacle 420. The heating element 602 can also be beneficial in environments where the gas or oil does not need to be heated a large amount, and a small heating element 602 can therefore suffice to ensure proper oil heating at the atomization chamber 424. The heating element 602 can also be more easily removed or serviced within the atomizer 600 by removing the gas tube 432 and/or thermally conductive tube 604. Additionally, the amount of surface area within the thermally conductive tube 604 that is heated by the heating element 602 can be designed to ensure that the gas flowing through the tube 604 quickly rises to a desired temperature before it reaches the gas nozzle 428. In some embodiments, the gas flowing through the thermally conductive tube 604 can help reduce or eliminate the need for an insulator external to the heating element 602 because the gas flow can help wick away heat from the heating element 602 (e.g., via a convection process) and can thereby limit or prevent overheating in the thermally conductive tube 604. In some embodiments, insulation can be positioned around the heating element 602 to improve efficiency of the heat transfer from the heating element 602 into the tube 604. Additionally, in some embodiments, the heating element 602 can be positioned within the thermally conductive tube 604. See also
The atomizer 700 can comprise a heating element 702 electrically connected (e.g., by wires) with the electronics unit 436 in a manner similar to heating element 440. Thus, the electronics unit 436 can electrically generate heat with the heating element 702. The heating element 702 can be mounted to a heating passage 704 that is connected to the gas tube 432. The heating passage 704 can be in fluid communication with an inlet side of the gas nozzle 428 when the atomizer 700 is fully assembled, and gas flowing from the pump can pass into the gas tube 432, through the heating passage 704, and into the gas nozzle 428. The heating passage 704 can in some embodiments beneficially comprise a material with low thermal conductivity, such as an insulating material (e.g., rubber, fiberglass, polymer, or another insulator identified herein). Gas flowing through the heating passage 704 can be heated due to the heating element 702 generating heat and having an elevated temperature. In some embodiments, the heating element 702 can be positioned inside the gas tube 432 or within the gas tube 432 and within the heating passage 704. In some embodiments, the heating element 702 can be positioned at least partially within the gas nozzle 428.
The heating element 702 can comprise a resistive heating element or another type of electrical heat generator described above in connection with heating element 440. The heating passage 704 can comprise a material having low heat transfer conductivity. In this manner, the heating element 702 can generate heat that is transferred via conduction and convection to gas passing through heating passage 704. This heat can increase the temperature of the gas entering the gas nozzle 428. Thus, gas flowing through the heating passage 704 can be heated before it enters the gas nozzle 428. That heated gas can then come into contact with oil at the top of the oil nozzle 426, heat the oil at that point, and thereby improve atomization and droplet formation of the oil within the atomization chamber 424.
The heating element 702 and heating passage 704 can be beneficially implemented where space within the atomizer 700 is limited or where high electrical heating efficiency is desired. The heating element 702 can be smaller in size than a heating element (e.g., 440) that extends along a significant portion of the oil receptacle 420. The heating element 702 can also be beneficial in environments where the gas or oil does not need to be heated a large amount, and a small heating element 702 can therefore suffice to ensure proper oil heating at the atomization chamber 424. The heating element 702 can also be more easily removed or serviced within the atomizer 700 by removing the gas tube 432 and/or heating passage 704. Additionally, the amount of surface area of the heating element 702 can be designed to ensure that the gas flowing through the heating passage 704 quickly rises to a desired temperature before it reaches the gas nozzle 428 while also using the smallest heating element 702 needed in that setting.
In some embodiments, the gas flowing through the heating passage 704 can help reduce or eliminate the need for an insulator external to the heating passage 704 because the gas flow can help wick away heat from the heating element 702 (e.g., via convection) and thereby limit or prevent overheating in the heating passage 704. In some embodiments, insulation is positioned around the heating passage 704 to reduce heat loss through the heating passage 704.
The embodiments disclosed herein also relate to methods for atomizing essential oil. An example method includes generating gas flow through a gas nozzle, generating oil flow through an oil nozzle, wherein the gas flow passes over an outlet of the oil nozzle to atomize the oil flow, and raising a temperature of the oil flow to increase atomization of the oil flow as the gas flow passes over the outlet. Generating gas flow through the gas nozzle can comprise using a pump (e.g., 418) or similar airflow generator to force air through a gas nozzle (e.g., 428). The gas nozzle can comprise a narrowed end outlet configured to accelerate and direct the gas stream passing through the gas nozzle so that the airflow passes across the outlet of the oil nozzle (e.g., 426). The passage of gas flow over the oil nozzle can generate a low pressure region above the oil nozzle to draw oil through the nozzle from a reservoir or receptacle (e.g., 420) in fluid communication with the oil nozzle (e.g., via 430). The oil flow can be atomized when subjected to the moving gas flow, and the droplets of oil can be carried by the gas flow from the atomizer.
Raising the temperature of the oil flow to increase atomization of the oil flow (as compared to the rate of atomization of the oil flow without the temperature being raised) can comprise heating the oil before it reaches the oil nozzle so that the oil has a higher than usual temperature (e.g., an elevated temperature relative to conventional room temperature, within a range of about 35 degrees Celsius to about 40 degrees Celsius, etc.) when it comes into contact with and is atomized by the gas flow. Raising the temperature of the oil flow to increase atomization of the oil flow can also comprise applying heat to the oil flow by raising the temperature of the gas flow. In other words, the gas flow can be heated, and the heat in the gas flow can be transferred to the oil as the gas flow passes over the oil nozzle, thereby heating the oil flow via the heated gas flow.
Furthermore, raising the temperature of the oil flow to increase atomization of the oil flow can comprise raising the temperature of parts or components of the atomizer, such as by applying heat to the oil nozzle or gas nozzle, to the oil receptacle, or to a housing of the atomizer. In this manner, heat can be transferred from a heater to the oil or gas indirectly through the components of the atomizer. Raising the temperature can therefore include positioning and powering a heater in the atomizer. Additional embodiments and variations of these methods will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and with the benefit of the present disclosure.
The present description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Thus, it will be understood that changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add other procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
Various inventions have been described herein with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples. However, they will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions disclosed herein, in that those inventions set forth in the claims below are intended to cover all variations and modifications of the inventions disclosed without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The terms “including:” and “having” come as used in the specification and claims shall have the same meaning as the term “comprising.”
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/033,037, filed Jul. 11, 2018 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/526,500, filed Jul. 30, 2019. The contents of the above-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16033037 | Jul 2018 | US |
| Child | 16863663 | US | |
| Parent | 16526500 | Jul 2019 | US |
| Child | 16033037 | US |
