Patent ID: 6334579
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
A nozzle assembly for converting liquid from a liquid source into a spray flow using air from an air pressure source to atomize the liquid comprising:a housing having an air inlet for connection to the air pressure source, a liquid inlet for connection to the liquid source, the housing being formed from a hollow outer casing with an outlet, and an insert insertable into the casing, the outer casing having an inner wall defining a central cavity therethrough and the insert having a generally cylindrical body with an external surface, the body extending from a first end to a tapered tip; a liquid passage through the insert for receiving liquid from the liquid inlet, the liquid passage contracting to a reduced cross-sectional area adjacent the insert tip to define a liquid opening at the at the insert tip; a plurality of channels extending in a spiral configuration about the external surface of the body of the insert, each spiral channel turning at an angle at the tip to extend across the tapered surface of the tip and terminate at the liquid opening, the channels defining first air passages for receiving air from the air inlet that communicate with the outlet to generate a swirled air stream; the insert and the central cavity being dimensioned such that insertion of the insert into the central cavity creates an annular space between the inner wall of the cavity and the external surface of the insert to define a second air passage for receiving air from the air inlet, the second air passage communicating with the outlet and being configured to generate a linear air stream; the first and second air passages and the liquid passage terminating in a common atomization zone adjacent the outlet where liquid flowing through the liquid passage is atomized into a spray pattern.