Electrostatic atomiser

Abstract

An electrostatic atomiser ( 1 ), comprises a channel ( 3 ) through which, in use, a fluid passes; one or more orifices ( 8 ) to allow the fluid to exit the atomiser ( 1 ); and at least two electrodes ( 4, 6 ) in contact with the fluid, when the atomiser is in use, so that when an appropriate potential is applied to said electrodes ( 4, 6 ), fluid particles are charged; at least one of said electrodes ( 4, 6 ) presents a fluid contacting region which comprises a closely contiguous array of non-fibrous conducting elements ( 13 ) generally protruding from the electrode ( 6 ) so as to form an array of individual electrode points where the field generated by the atomiser is concentrated.

1 .- 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . An electrostatic atomiser, comprising a channel through which, in use, a fluid passes; at least one orifice to allow the fluid to exit said atomiser; and at least two electrodes in contact with the fluid; whereby, when said atomiser is in use, an appropriate potential is applied to said electrodes, so that fluid particles are charged; wherein at least one of said electrode presents a fluid contacting region which comprises a closely contiguous array of non-fibrous conducting elements generally protruding from the electrode so as to form an array of individual electrode points where the field generated by the atomiser is concentrated.  
   
   
       18 . An electrostatic atomiser, comprising a channel through which, in use, a fluid passes; at least one orifice to allow the fluid to exit said atomiser; and at least two electrodes in contact with the fluid, when the atomiser is in use, so that when an appropriate potential is applied to said electrodes, fluid particles are charged; wherein at least one of said electrode presents a fluid contacting region which comprises at least one faceted conducting element.  
   
   
       19 . An electrostatic atomiser, comprising a channel through which, in use, a fluid passes; at least one orifice to allow the fluid to exit the atomiser; and at least two electrodes in contact with the fluid for charging fluid particles, when the atomiser is in use, wherein said at least one orifice is part of an electrode to which a high potential is applied in use and said electrode presents a fluid contacting region which comprises a closely contiguous array of conducting elements generally protruding from the electrode so as to form an array of individual electrode points where the field generated by the atomiser is concentrated.  
   
   
       20 . An electrostatic atomiser, comprising a channel through which, in use, a fluid passes; at least one orifice to allow the fluid to exit the atomiser; and at least two electrodes in contact with the fluid for charging fluid particles, when the atomiser is in use, wherein said at least one orifice is part of an electrode to which a high potential is applied in use and said electrode presents a fluid contacting region which comprises at least one faceted conducting element.  
   
   
       21 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the elements are diamond compounds.  
   
   
       22 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the elements are carbon based with similar properties to diamond.  
   
   
       23 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the elements form part of a diamond coating.  
   
   
       24 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the elements are fullerene molecules.  
   
   
       25 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the elements are Carbon 64 compounds.  
   
   
       26 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein the size of at least one element is under 500 microns.  
   
   
       27 . An atomiser according to  claim 23 , wherein the size of at least one element is comprised within the range of 10 to 150 microns.  
   
   
       28 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein a first electrode incorporates an array of said orifices and a second electrode is spaced from said first electrode to permit the passage of fluid between them, the fluid contacting surface of said second electrode incorporating an array of said elements located essentially over said array of orifices.  
   
   
       29 . An atomiser according to  claim 28 , wherein the second electrode's surface provided over a section located between orifices is deprived of said elements.  
   
   
       30 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein a first electrode incorporates an array of said orifices and a second electrode is spaced from said first electrode to permit the passage of fluid between them, the first electrode incorporating in addition an array of elements.  
   
   
       31 . An atomiser according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one orifice is adapted to achieve an essentially radial flow and the array of elements takes the form of a ring spaced from said at least one orifice to permit the passage of fluid through at least one orifice and located essentially over at least one orifice.