Abstract:
A method for producing and controlling an output flow from a convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle from two or more pressurized flow streams of liquids, gases or other substances, the method having the steps of providing two or more pressurized flow streams as outputs from separate conduits or sources; positioning and arranging the output flow streams in a concentric manner; positioning and arranging the output flow streams and the entry end of a convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle in a concentric manner; directing the flow streams into the entry end of the C-D nozzle; adjusting the location of one or more of the output flow streams relative to one another; adjusting the location of the entry end of the C-D nozzle relative to the output flow streams to control the flow from the exit end of the C-D nozzle from no atomization to full atomization. In addition, the method may include the step of adjusting the pressure and/or the flow rate of one or more of the pressurized flow streams.

Description:
[0001]    The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for Government purposes without the payment of any royalties therein or therefore. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to liquid atomizing nozzles. More specifically, but without limitation, the present invention relates to an adjustable, portable, hand held device that is especially useful to mix and atomize two or more fluids for fire protection. 
         [0003]    In addition, the present invention relates to a novel method of producing and controlling an output flow from two or more pressurized flow streams, the output flow being controllable/adjustable and said output flow having a variable degree of mixing, atomization and velocity. 
         [0004]    Fluorocarbon based fire extinguishing agents are allegedly environmentally harmful since they apparently cause depletion of the Earth&#39;s ozone layer. Present United States law and United States treaty agreements require the replacement and phasing out of such materials under the 1988 Montreal Protocol, which classified Halon as a Class I Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS). In addition, the United States Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 called for a ban on production of Halon in the United States after January 1994. 
         [0005]    These laws also prohibited the purposeful venting of these harmful substances and required training of the personnel involved in their use in an attempt to minimize the emission of such substances into the atmosphere. The United States Navy has responded to these prohibitions and requirements by itself prohibiting the use of OSDs in new procurement contracts. To find replacements for traditional systems using banned substances, the Navy continues to conduct research to find new ways and alternate designs for fire extinguishing systems. 
         [0006]    Fine Water Mist (FWM) type systems have very favorable characteristics as replacements for existing Halon systems and are continuing to be studied by Navy scientists and engineers. Typically, these systems include nozzles for creating misting fluids using pressurized gas and continue to show favor as a mechanism for fire prevention. In these systems and methods, a liquid is typically directed into a central bore of the nozzle, the central bore directing a flow of high velocity gas. In some nozzles and methods, the velocity and pressure of the gas are increased in a narrowed throat area of the bore which causes the atomization of the fluid into small droplets as the gas travels through the nozzle. To aid atomization and provide an unobstructed flow path of the gas, the fluid is usually injected into the gas stream through an aperture in the bore wall so that the two different fluid streams impinge at approximately a 90 degree angle. Nozzles and methods of the above described type require high pressure spraying of the liquid and the gas. This is undesirable. Another problem with mixing nozzles and methods of this type is the need for fine holes, e.g. holes of a small diameter. These small holes are easily clogged and worn causing the mixture to exit the nozzle at a reduced level of efficiency and effectiveness. 
         [0007]    The use of liquid only, water based systems and methods for fire extinguishment are effective and these systems create water droplets by deflecting the water flow just ahead of the spouting aperture. However, the droplet size is large and the desirable fine water mist cannot be achieved. 
         [0008]    Therefore, the need for a low pressure, reliable liquid/gas mixing nozzle is desirable and is achieved in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,331 entitled “Liquid Atomizing Nozzle” which is hereby incorporated by reference. This patent discloses a nozzle structure that produces an extremely fine liquid atomization through low pressurization of the liquid and gas being delivered to the nozzle. The fluid and gas are delivered through relatively large apertures thus effecting minimal wear and clogging of those apertures. In this patent, the nozzle disclosed is a convergent/divergent nozzle, hereinafter referred to as a “C-D” gas nozzle attached to a mixing block having a delivery tube with an aperture that is centered within a gas conduit located upstream of a narrowed throat. However, there is no apparatus or method disclosed or suggested for controlling/adjusting the output of the C-D nozzle or adapted to allow use of the C-D nozzle in particular environments. 
         [0009]    There is therefore a need for replacement designs for existing Halon systems and methods, especially in the areas of fire suppression and also in the areas of first responders, to provide an apparatus and/or method, using the C-D nozzle, for effective and efficient fire fighting and to quickly prevent fires from spreading. There is also a need for an apparatus and/or method for otherwise delivering the output of the C-D nozzle in a manner that permits the operator to effectively create, control and tailor the output in the most efficient manner in a package that can be portable and easy to handle by a single operator. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides an improvement to the above described invention and relates to the controllability/adjustability, ease of use, and portability of the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for mixing two or more fluids, gases or other substances in any combination thereof and comprises a housing having a nose portion and a gripping portion, the housing including an outer conduit and an inner conduit, the outer and inner conduits positioned and arranged to convey liquids, fluids and other substances from an entry point to an exit point, the exit point of the inner conduit located forwardly of the exit point of the outer conduit and a fluid activation sleeve slidable attached to the nose portion, the fluid activation sleeve having a C-D nozzle therein, the C-D nozzle including a convergent portion of changing X-sectional area and having an entry end and an exit end, the entry end having a larger X-sectional area than the X-sectional area of the exit end, the C-D nozzle also having a divergent portion of changing X-sectional area and having an entry end and an exit end, the entry end having a smaller X-sectional area than the X-sectional area of the exit end, the exit end of the convergent portion abutting the entry end of the divergent portion, the exit end and the entry end having the minimum X-sectional area of the C-D nozzle, the entry end of the convergent portion located proximate the exit point of the inner conduit, the fluid activation sleeve slidable adjustable to alter the distance between the C-D nozzle and the exit end of the inner conduit to position said C-D nozzle from a most rearwardly position blocking off the flow of the fluids, gases or other substance from the outer conduit and allowing only fluids, gases or other substances to flow from the inner conduit, to a most forwardly position permitting said fluids, gases or other substances to flow from the outer conduit and mix with the fluids, gases or other substances from the inner conduit in the convergent portion of said C-D nozzle. 
         [0011]    The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is a method for producing and controlling an output flow from a convergent/divergent nozzle from two or more pressurized flow streams, the output flow being controllable/adjustable and said output flow having a variable degree of mixing and atomization. The steps of this method include providing 2 or more pressurized flow streams as outputs from separate conduits; positioning and arranging the output flow streams in a concentric manner; positioning and arranging the output flow streams and the entry end of a convergent/divergent nozzle in a concentric manner; directing the flow streams into the entry end of a convergent/divergent nozzle; adjusting the location of one or more of the output flow streams relative to one another; adjusting the location of the entry end of a convergent/divergent nozzle relative to the output flow streams to produce and control the degree of atomization of the output from the convergent/divergent nozzle. 
         [0012]    The improvements of the present invention provide superior results over the prior art. The present invention provides increased (better) mixing and superior atomization and the ability to tailor the output under different conditions. This is accomplished in an apparatus that can be easily hand held by the operator and operated to instantaneously tailor the output to changing conditions. The present invention greatly reduces the back momentum forces that are generated in prior art devices and methods and enables one operator to operate the present invention and/or utilize the present method easily and without significant exertion thereby preventing premature fatigue. Accordingly, a single operator may easily handle and operate the present invention and/or utilize the present method for time periods that exceed the time that prior art devices and methods may be employed. The improvements of the present invention provide a need for only one operator when used in a hand held configuration, greatly reduces back momentum forces and reduces physical exertion. The present invention has superior anti-clogging and anti-wear capabilities due to the combination of components and interrelation thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the liquid and gas conduits, and the C-D nozzle in phantom. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the fluid activation sleeve. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a X-section of a portion of the present invention showing the C-D nozzle in the closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a X-section of a portion of the present invention showing the C-D nozzle in the open position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the present invention looking in the direction of “R” in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the preferred method of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8   a  is a side view showing the C-D nozzle and axis s′-s′. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8   b  is an end view of the C-D nozzle looking at exit end  104 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9   a  is side view of the first flow stream and the second flow stream and axis s″-s″. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9   b  is an end view of the first flow stream and the second flow stream looking at the output ends of the first and second flow streams. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , Adjustable Liquid Atomizing Nozzle (ALAN)  2  includes fluid actuation sleeve  30 , housing  60 , and bail handle  90 . Note, that in the preferred embodiment, fluid activation sleeve  30  is located forwardly of housing  60 . Housing  60  is shaped to include a grasping portion that may be held by the hand of an operator and is indicated as grip  62  and extends downwardly from housing  60 . Housing  60  includes nose  68  which extends forwardly from housing  60 . Bail handle  90  is attached to ball valve actuation rod  66  of ball valve  80  on the left side of housing  60 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and bail handle  90  is attached to the other end (not shown) of ball valve actuation rod  66  on the other side of housing  60 . In applications where ball valve actuation rod  66  does not extend outwardly to both sides of housing  60 , a dummy pivot, located on the same axis as ball valve actuation rod  66 , may be utilized. Housing  60  may be constructed as a unitary piece or made from several parts and may be, for example, fabricated as a single molded piece or from several pieces. Housing  60  may also be fabricated from several metallic parts, such as, brass, aluminum or steel or machined or otherwise fabricated from a single billet. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  60  includes air supply conduit  74  which extends from rear surface  70  of housing  60  to outlet  72  of housing  60 . A fitting (not shown) may be attached to air supply conduit  74  proximate rear surface  70  so that an air supply source may be easily attached to air supply conduit  74 . It shall be noted that  FIG. 2  shows nose  68  omitted as air supply conduit  74  extends outwardly and forwardly from housing  60 . In this way, air supply conduit  74  may serve as nose  68  for the intended purpose of nose  68 . 
         [0026]    Housing  60  also includes water supply conduit  76  which extends from rear surface  70  of housing  60  forwardly a distance “w” beyond outlet  72 . (See  FIG. 5  wherein outlet  78  of water supply conduit  76  is shown to extend outwardly and forwardly a distance “w” from outlet  72  of air supply conduit  74 ). Note, that in the preferred embodiment distance “w” is theoretically approximately equal to the length of convergent portion, c, of C-D nozzle  30  and to the length of divergent portion, d, of C-D nozzle  30 . Gasket  82  is located around water supply conduit  76  and is positioned and arranged to abut the inner surface of convergent portion c of C-D nozzle  34  when fluid activation sleeve  30  is positioned in the fully closed position “A” (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , water supply conduit  76  is adjacent air supply conduit  74  at rear surface  70 ; water supply conduit  76  penetrates air supply line  74  at “p”; and thereafter water supply conduit  76  is approximately concentric with air supply conduit  74  at outlet  72  of air supply conduit  74 . Note, that (in the preferred embodiment), at outlet  72 , water supply conduit  76  is inside air supply conduit  74 . This configuration is preferred but not required. For example, air supply conduit  74  may be located outside water supply conduit  76 , for example, the water supply may be attached to the air supply fitting at rear surface  60  and the air supply may be attached to the water supply fitting at rear surface  60 , essentially reversing the supply hookups from that previously described. It is also not required that the two conduits be exactly or approximately concentric although concentricity is preferred. In addition, it is to be understood that both air supply conduit  74  and water supply conduit  76  may each convey different substances such as, gasses, liquids or other substances. It is also to be understood that for clarity purposes, the use of the term water supply conduit and air supply conduit has been and will continue to be hereinafter used but that these meanings will be understood to mean that any substances or gases or fluids may be conveyed by each or both of said conduits without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the use of the term first conduit and second conduit may be used to denote either one or the other, respectfully of said conduits. Gases, fluids and other substances, such as aerosols, powders, slurries, paints, premixed solutions, chemicals, and grains and the like, may be conducted by the two or more conduits to C-D nozzle  34 . A fitting (not shown) may be attached to conduit  76  proximate rear surface  70  so that a water supply source may easily be attached to conduit  76 . 
         [0028]    Water supply conduit  76  includes ball valve  80 , see  FIGS. 2 and 4 , which meters or controls the flow of water (or other substance or substances) in water supply conduit  76 . Ball valve  80  includes or is attached to valve actuation rod  66  which may extend outwardly from one or both sides of ball valve  80 , through housing  60 , and extend(s) a distance outside of housing  60 . Bail handle  90  may then be attached to valve actuation rod  66  on one or both sides of housing  60 . Rotation of bail handle  90  about the axis of valve actuation rod  66  in a first direction (clockwise, for example) closes ball valve  80  and reduces or completely stops the flow in water supply conduit  76 . Rotation of bail handle  90  about the axis of valve actuation rod  66  in a second direction (counterclockwise, for example) opens ball valve  80  and increases the flow in water supply conduit  76 . Operation of bail handle  90  may be accomplished by an operator using one hand while grasping grip  62  with the other hand. 
         [0029]    Fluid activation sleeve  30  is located forwardly of housing  60  and is slidable and pivotally attached to nose  68  or to housing  60  if nose  68  is omitted. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , bore  32  of sleeve  30  is a slip fit over nose  68  of housing  60  allowing sleeve  30  to rotate both clockwise, cw, and counterclockwise, ccw, around nose  68  and to slide forwardly, F, and rearwardly, R, over nose  68  (See  FIG. 3 ). In this way, C-D nozzle  34 , which is located in fluid activation sleeve  30  and which will hereinafter be further described, may be adjusted to position C-D nozzle  34  in closer or farther proximity to outlet  78  of water supply conduit  76  and to outlet  72  of air supply conduit  74 . Sleeve  30  includes adjustment slot  38  located in the top portion of sleeve  30  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Slot  38  extends through the top wall of sleeve  30  and includes 3 adjustment positions designated as A, B and C. Set screw  42  is located in threaded bore  40  of nose  68  and extends through slot  38 . An operator may easily position fluid adjustment sleeve  30  in any of the 3 positions A, B or C by rotating and sliding fluid activation sleeve  30  so that set screw (or locking pin)  42  is located in either slot A, slot B or slot C and is preferably flush with the outside surface of fluid activation sleeve  30 . This is but one way to position(and lock, if desired) fluid activation sleeve  30 , with C-D nozzle  34  located therein, relative to water supply conduit  76  and fluid supply conduit  74 . Other methods of positioning may be employed by those skilled in the art. Other positions on either or both sides of position A and C or there between A, B or C may be use or employed when other fluids or substances or mixtures thereof are desired to be mixed and dispersed by the present invention or when especially precise outcomes are desired. 
         [0030]    C-D nozzle  34  is located in the forwardly portion of fluid activation sleeve  30  and includes a convergent portion “c” having major diameter “x” (i.e. the entry end) and minor diameter “y” (i.e. the exit end), and a divergent portion “d” having a major diameter “z” (i.e. the exit end) and a minor diameter “y” (i.e. the entry end). In the preferred embodiment, there is no constant diameter portion between the convergent portion c and the divergent portion d. However, a constant diameter portion located between c and d may be employed. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter at y equals ½ the diameter at z and the diameter at z equals the diameter at x. 
         [0031]    When sleeve  30  is adjusted to the closed position, position “A”, see  FIG. 4 , gasket  82  will seal around impingement area  44  on the inner circumference of the convergent portion c of C-D nozzle  34  and block all flow of air from air supply conduit  74  and, at the same time, ideally position outlet  78  of water supply conduit  76  exactly at or in close proximity to minor diameter y of C-D nozzle  34 . In this way, adjustable liquid atomizing nozzle  2  will operate as a laminar flow device with only water being conducted through and discharged out of adjustable liquid atomizing nozzle  2 . Flow is laminar since the diameter (and X-sectional area) of water supply conduit  76  at outlet  78  is just slightly less than the diameter (and X-sectional area) of C-D nozzle  34  at y, the minor diameter of C-D nozzle  34 . It should be noted, that gasket  82  may be eliminated and the same affect accomplished by shaping the outer surface of water supply conduit  76  to conform to the shape of impingement area  44  on the inner circumference of convergent portion c. In this way, water supply conduit  76  will seal around impingement area  44  without a gasket and block all flow of air from air supply conduit  74 . Note, that in the preferred embodiment, C-D nozzle  34 , water supply conduit  76  and air supply conduit  74  remain concentric about axis s-s (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) from exit  50  to a point rearwardly of outlet  72  of air supply conduit  74  when fluid activation sleeve  30  is in position A, B or C. 
         [0032]    When sleeve  30  is adjusted to the open position, position “C”, see  FIG. 5 , gasket  82  (or the shaped outer surface of water supply conduit  76 ) is no longer seated at impingement area  44  and outlet  78  is positioned rearwardly of convergent mixing area  36 . At the same time, outlet  78  of water supply conduit  76  is positioned at x, the major diameter of convergent portion c. Air (or other gas or fluid or substance) is now permitted to flow from outlet  72  of air supply conduit  74 , around gasket  82  and into convergent mixing area  36 . Simultaneously, water (or other fluid, gas or substance) is permitted to flow from outlet  78  of water supply conduit  76  into convergent mixing area  36 . Note, that in the preferred embodiment, C-D nozzle  34 , water supply conduit  76  and air supply conduit  74  remain concentric about axis s-s in this adjustment position C (and all other positions). Both air and water mix in convergent area  36 . The air becomes increasingly compressed when mixed with the water in convergent mixing area  36  as both fluids move through convergent portion c and towards minor diameter y of throat area  48 . Both fluids continue to push through minimum diameter y of throat area  48  where the air becomes highly compressed in the presence of the incompressible water. As the mixture passes through minimum diameter y and into divergent portion d of C-D nozzle  34 , the highly compressed air rapidly expands in throat area  25  and shears the water (large droplets) into a finely atomized array of water droplets which exit C-D nozzle  34  at exit  50 , at high momentum and in an evenly distributed mist of a preferred 50-80 microns in diameter. Note that in the preferred embodiment, C-D nozzle  34 , water supply conduit  76  and air supply conduit  74  remain concentric about axis s-s when fluid activation sleeve  30  is in position A, B or C. 
         [0033]    Fluid activation sleeve  30  may also be adjusted to intermediate position B, see  FIG. 3 . In position B, fluid activation sleeve  30  is in an intermediate position relative to position A (wherein air supply conduit  74  is fully closed and water flow from water supply conduit  76  is laminar, as fully described hereinabove) and position C (wherein air supply conduit  74  is fully open and water from water supply conduit  76  is fully atomized as fully described hereinabove). It should be noted that the term “fully atomized” is to mean the maximum atomization that is possible within the range of adjustability (A to C) available but may extend beyond position A or C in other embodiments. In position B, or any position between position A and position C, the atomization process can be tailored to accomplish any desired output flow between the laminar flow with no atomization (position A) and the fully atomized flow (position C). In position B, droplet sizes can be adjusted from less than 100 microns (50-80 microns is preferable but smaller sizes can be obtained) through any range up to laminar flow. This adjustability permits the operator to make on the spot and real time adjustments to instantaneously adapt the output to a particular situation, process or application. For example, a pollution prevention process may require the operator to wash the surfaces before cleaning the air in a smoke stack. The operator, by adjusting the invention through the range of position B, can accomplish this task by making available adjustments as described hereinabove. It should be noted that position B, as shown in the Figures, is but one position between positions A and C. There can be several positions between positions A and C such as B 1 , B 2 , (not shown) etc. Likewise, there may be positions outside (i.e. to either side of A or C) that position C-D nozzle either closer to or farther from air supply conduit  74  and water supply conduit  76 . Positions A, B and C were chosen for the purpose of describing the characteristics of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and it is to be understood by those skilled in the art, that other positions may be effected. Larger droplets are formed the closer position B is in relation to position A. Likewise, smaller droplets are formed the closer position B is to position C with the preferable atomization occurring at position C. 
         [0034]    Accordingly, this combination of the apparatus of the present invention produces a highly effective apparatus and process that provides efficient and effective atomization that will produce droplet sizes of less than 100, and preferably in the range of 50-80 microns, at low pressures of less than 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) in water supply conduit  76  and/or less than 20 PSI in air supply conduit  74  when using air in air supply conduit  74  and when using water in water supply conduit  76 , respectively and placing fluid activation sleeve  30  in adjustment position C. This is achieved in a device that is compact and that may easily be held and directionally controlled by one hand of an operator. 
         [0035]    The preferred steps of the method of the present invention are shown by way of example in  FIGS. 7 ,  8   a ,  8   b ,  9   a  and  9   b . Note that  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  9   a  and  9   b  are included for purposes of describing and understanding the present method and for understanding how to practice and use the present method as well as for other requirements of the patent law and rules of practice. This method is directed to steps for producing and controlling the atomization of an output from a C-D nozzle (i.e. from exit end  104  of C-D nozzle  34 ). C-D nozzle  34  is as hereinabove fully described and referred to and as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 . In the present method, C-D nozzle  34  includes axis s′-s′ running through the center of C-D nozzle  34  (see  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b ) and includes entry end  102  into which one or more of the forwardly ends ( 116  for first flow stream  110  and  118  for second flow stream  112 ) of the flow streams (for example, flow stream  110  alone, or, for example, flow streams  110  and  112 ) are directed and also includes exit end  104  out of which output  114  of C-D  34  nozzle flows. It should be understood that output  114  of C-D nozzle  34  may have different characteristics than the input flow streams. In the case that only one substance is being directed through C-D nozzle  34 , that one substance may have undergone a pressure change, temperature change, volume change (in the case of a gas, for example) or other changes wherein the characteristics of the substance at entry end  102  of C-D nozzle  34  are different than the characteristics of the substance as output  114  at output end  104  of C-D nozzle  34 . It is also possible to have little or no change in characteristics. In the case where  2  or more substances are being directed through C-D nozzle  34 , similar and usually more extensive and spectacular changes may take place in the substances journey through C-D nozzle  34 . For example, mixing, compression, energy release and transformation, and shearing effects are possible, expected and sometimes desirable. It is also possible to have little or no change (for example, only some mixing) in characteristics. These examples are but a few of the possible changes or effects that can occur utilizing the method of the present invention and are not meant to be an exhaustive list. 
         [0036]    Two flow streams are positioned and arranged in a concentric manner, that is, second flow stream  112  is located outwardly (or around) first flow stream  110  (as best shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b ). First flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  each include an axis running through the actual or theoretical center of their respective flow streams. In  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , these axes are both indicated, for clarity purposes, as s″-s″ and apply equally to both first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112 , since the two flow streams are shown as concentric in the drawings and are preferred. Flow stream  110  has forwardly end  116  and second flow stream  112  has forwardly end  118  as shown in  FIG. 9   a.    
         [0037]    The steps of the method of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 7  and as follows: 
         [0000]    positioning and arranging first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  in a concentric manner with second flow stream  112  located on the outside (i.e. outwardly) of first flow stream  110 .
 
positioning and arranging concentric first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  to be directed into entry end  102  of C-D nozzle  34  and aligning axis s′-s′ of C-D nozzle  34  with axis s″-s″ of concentric flow streams  110  and  112 .
 
adjusting the location of first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  relative to each other while maintaining axial alignment of axis s′-s′ of C-D nozzle  34  and axis s″-s″ of concentric first and second flow streams  110  and  112 , respectively.
 
adjusting the flow of first flow stream  110  from no flow (flow completely cut off; flow=0 CFM/GPM) to full flow (flow fully open; flow=maximum CFM/GPM available).
 
adjusting the location of first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  relative to C-D nozzle  34  while maintaining axial alignment of axis s′-s′ of C-D nozzle  34  and s″-s″ of concentric first and second flow streams  110  and  112 , respectively. Note, that the terminology “CFM” means cubic feet per minute and the term “GPM” means gallons per minute
 
         [0038]    It should be noted that it is not essential that the axial alignment of axis s′-s′ of C-D nozzle  34  and axis s″-s″ of concentric flow streams  110  and  112  be maintained while adjustments are taking place but only that axial alignment of s′-s′ and s″-s″ exist after any adjustment has been made to maximize the efficiency of the method. It is preferred, however, to maintain axial alignment during any adjustments. 
         [0039]    This positioning and/or arranging and/or adjusting produces and controls the atomization of output flow  114  from C-D nozzle  34 . The flow may also be adjusted by varying the flow, varying the pressure or by other means known by those skilled in the art. In addition, the flow of either or both first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  may be controlled at forwardly ends  116  and/or  118 , respectively or at any desired upstream location by means known by those skilled in the art. For example, by means of a ball valve, flow regulator, pressure regulator, flow diverter or the like. 
         [0040]    In the preferred embodiment, absolute concentricity is preferred but in other embodiments is not required and may be desirable. Accordingly, the use of the term “concentric” has the meaning to include absolute concentricity and also to include and arrangement of first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  wherein first flow stream  110  is only located within the perimeter of second flow stream  112 . In this arrangement, axis s″-s″ is understood to mean the center axis of second flow stream  112  for the purposes alignment with axis s′-s′ of C-D nozzle  34 . Note that axis s′-s′ and axis s″-s″ is shown aligned (see  120  in  FIG. 8   a / 9   a ). From a mixing standpoint, first flow  110  and second flow  112  are mutually exclusive (i.e. not in contact) until each flow stream exits its respective conduit, housing or the like, as forwardly end  116  for first flow stream  110  and as forwardly end  118  for second flow stream  112 , wherein each flow stream comes in contact with the other stream. This first contact usually occurs in the C-D nozzle followed by, for example, mixing as mentioned hereinabove. In the case where the exit point of first flow stream  110 , from its conduit, is located closer to C-D nozzle  34  than the exit point of second flow stream  112 , from its conduit, the flow streams preferably make first contact in C-D nozzle  34  unless the flow of one or the other of the flow streams is cut off (i.e. there is only one flow, laminar is preferred) and no contact occurs. In addition, the contents of first flow stream  110  may be caused to be in the position of second flow stream  112  and the contents of second flow stream  112  may be caused to be in the location of first flow stream  110 , essentially reversed. After first flow stream  110  and second flow stream  112  are caused to be directed into entry end  102  of C-D nozzle  34  the two flow streams,  110  and  112 , come into first contact, proceed through C-D nozzle  34 , pass throat area  116  (the minimum X-sectional area of C-D nozzle  34 ) and out exit end  104 . Output  114  has a varying degree of atomization, from no atomization (laminar flow) to full efficient atomization. 
         [0041]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.