Patent ID: 7337993

Claim:
An atomization device comprising: a) a conduit that contains, in use, liquid to be atomized; b) a spray electrode; and, c) a discharge electrode; each electrode being adjacent to a dielectric on or within the atomization device, wherein the electrodes are connected in an electrical circuit to enable a potential difference to be applied between the spray electrode and the discharge electrode to atomize the liquid and to generate charge carriers of a first polarity in the proximity of the spray electrode and ions of a second polarity in the proximity of the discharge electrode, and wherein some of the first polarity charge carriers deposit on the dielectric adjacent to the spray electrode and some of the second polarity ions deposit on the dielectric adjacent to the discharge electrode so that the atomized liquid is repelled from the dielectric adjacent to the spray electrode and electrically discharged by second polarity ions that are repelled by the dielectric adjacent to the discharge electrode.