US 12,285,775 B2
Methods for an electrostatic atomizer of moderately conductive fluids
Arnold James Kelly, Princeton Junction, NJ (US)
Assigned to FouRy, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by FouRy, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/437,049.
Application 18/437,049 is a division of application No. 18/230,506, filed on Aug. 4, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/395,480, filed on Aug. 5, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0041882 A1, Feb. 6, 2025
Int. Cl. B05B 5/053 (2006.01); B05B 5/025 (2006.01); B05B 5/10 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 5/0533 (2013.01) [B05B 5/0255 (2013.01); B05B 5/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method by an electrostatic atomizer for electrostatically atomizing a fluid, comprising:
monitoring one or more of: an emitter voltage Va of an emitter electrode in liquid contact with the fluid in a chamber of the electrostatic atomizer; or an aperture voltage Vb of the chamber; or an emitter to aperture voltage (Va-Vb);
determining one or more of: the emitter to aperture voltage (Va-Vb); the emitter voltage Va; or the aperture voltage Vb are not within respective predetermined thresholds;
adjusting the emitter voltage Va and/or the aperture voltage Vb; and
electrostatically atomizing the fluid into a charged spray, wherein the charged spray includes a plurality of charged droplets;
wherein droplets in the plurality of charged droplets are characterized by a K factor;
wherein the K factor is a ratio of electrostatic energy of surface charges (We) of the droplets in the plurality of charged droplets and surface energy (Ws) of the droplets in the plurality of charged droplets; and
wherein the K factor is less than one (K<1).