Flow modulation device for dispensing pressurized fluids

Abstract

A flow modulation device 300 for controlling a rheological state of a dispensed pressurized fluid includes a porous element 304 and an exit tube. The porous element 304 is in fluid communication with a distal end of an outlet tube 303 and receives pressurized fluid in a first rheological state. The porous element 304 includes a plurality of channels that divide a flow channel into a plurality of flow paths through which the pressurized fluid flows and that modulates the flow of the pressurized fluid. The exit tube 305 includes proximal end 355 and distal end 345 and an intermediate body including a sidewall 365 defining a hollow internal lumen 375. The exit tube 305 is in fluid communication with the porous element 304 and receives the modulated pressurized fluid from the plurality of flow paths and refocuses the fluid to dispense the pressurized fluid in a second rheological state.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A flow modulation device  300  for controlling a rheological state of a dispensed pressurized fluid, the flow modulation device  300  comprising:
 a porous element  304  in fluid communication with a distal end of an outlet tube  303 , the porous element  304  receives pressurized fluid in a first rheological state, the porous element  304  including a plurality of channels that divide a flow channel into a plurality of flow paths through which the pressurized fluid flows and that modulate the flow of the pressurized fluid; and 
 an exit tube  305  including proximal  355  and distal  345  ends and an intermediate body including a sidewall  365  defining a hollow internal lumen  375  and in fluid communication with the porous element  304  that receives the modulated pressurized fluid from the plurality of flow paths and refocuses the fluid to dispense the pressurized fluid in a second rheological state. 
 
     
     
         2 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second rheological state is a spray or droplets or a stream. 
     
     
         3 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second rheological state is a spray including droplets in a gas. 
     
     
         4 . A flow modulation device of  claim 3 , wherein the spray is an aerosol. 
     
     
         5 . A flow modulation device of  claim 3 , wherein the spray is a vapor. 
     
     
         6 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second rheological state is a spray including solid particles in a gas. 
     
     
         7 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second rheological state is droplets. 
     
     
         8 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second rheological state is a stream. 
     
     
         9 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is a cryogen, a refrigerant, or a propelled material which is miscible, not miscible, or expressed from a bag. 
     
     
         10 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is a cryogen or a mixture of cryogens including at least one selected from the group of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, dimethyl ether, propane, and butane. 
     
     
         11 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is a refrigerant or a combination of refrigerants including at least one selected from the group of a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), and hydrofluoroolefins. 
     
     
         12 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is at least one selected from the group of tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,-trifluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, chlorodifluoromethane and hydrofluoroolefins. 
     
     
         13 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is a propelled material including at least one selected from the group of a food product, a medicine, a perfume, a cosmetic, a lubricant, a cleaning product, an insecticide, and a fuel. 
     
     
         14 . A flow modulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the porous element includes at least one selected from the group of a porous plastic, a porous glass, a sintered metal, and a packaged porous particle in the shape of the flow channel.