US 12,409,282 B2
Vibration systems and methods
Yehuda Ivri, Newport Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to Stamford Devices Ltd, Galway (IE)
Filed by Stamford Devices Ltd, Galway (IE)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/807,085.
Application 17/807,085 is a continuation of application No. 16/570,177, filed on Sep. 13, 2019, granted, now 11,389,603.
Application 16/570,177 is a continuation of application No. 16/240,516, filed on Jan. 4, 2019, abandoned.
Application 16/240,516 is a continuation of application No. 14/816,975, filed on Aug. 3, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/816,975 is a continuation of application No. 11/920,805, granted, now 9,108,211, issued on Aug. 18, 2015, previously published as PCT/US2006/014654, filed on Apr. 17, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/684,720, filed on May 25, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2023/0108057 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 15/00 (2006.01); B05B 17/00 (2006.01); B05B 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 15/0085 (2013.01) [A61M 15/00 (2013.01); A61M 15/009 (2013.01); B05B 17/04 (2013.01); B05B 17/0646 (2013.01); Y10T 29/42 (2015.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerosol generator comprising:
an upper housing member having an upstream reservoir portion configured to receive liquid for aersolization;
a lower housing member forming a downstream portion of the aerosol generator;
a vibration system including:
a vibratable member including a center portion having a plurality of apertures therein and an annular flange surrounding the center portion;
a support member including a central hole and an annular mounting portion for receiving the annular flange of the vibratable member;
a ring-shaped piezoelectric member, wherein the vibratable member, support member, and piezoelectric member are separate elements bonded together and secured between the upper housing and the lower housing members;
a pair of electric lines in electrical communication with the piezoelectric member;
an upper ring-shaped seal on an upstream side of the vibration system; and
a lower ring-shaped seal on a downstream side of the vibration system;
wherein the piezoelectric member is configured to vibrate the vibratable member in response to the pair of electric lines transmitting an electric current to the piezoelectric member; and
wherein the upper and lower ring-shaped seals are configured to seal the piezoelectric member from liquid in the reservoir.