Patent ID: 7721811

Claim:
An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream, said emitter being connectable in fluid communication with a pressurized source of said liquid and a pressurized source of said gas, said emitter comprising: a nozzle having an inlet and an outlet and an unobstructed bore therebetween, said outlet having a diameter, said inlet being connectable in fluid communication with said pressurized gas source; a duct, separate from said nozzle and connectable in fluid communication with said pressurized liquid source, said duct having an exit orifice separate from and positioned adjacent to said nozzle outlet; and a deflector surface positioned facing said nozzle outlet, said deflector surface being positioned in spaced relation to said nozzle outlet and having a first surface portion comprising a flat surface oriented substantially perpendicularly to said nozzle and a second surface portion comprising an angled surface surrounding said flat surface, said flat surface having a wetted area defined by a minimum diameter approximately equal to said outlet diameter, said liquid being dischargeable from said orifice, and said gas being dischargeable from said nozzle outlet, said liquid being entrained with said gas and atomized forming a liquid-gas stream that is deflected by said wetted area of said deflector surface and flows away therefrom.