Importance

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Abstract

A droplet generator is provided for atomizing a fluid jet into a stream of droplets. The droplet generator comprises a housing having a first end, a second end, and an inner cavity. The second end of the housing has at least one orifice therein. An acoustic transducer is connected to the housing and has a first portion located within the cavity and spaced a given distance from the second end of the housing. The first portion of the acoustic transducer and the second end of the housing define a manifold therebetween for receiving a fluid. A fluid supply is connected to the acoustic transducer for supplying fluid under pressure to the inner cavity and into the manifold. The fluid passes from the manifold via the orifice as a stream of fluid. A drive mechanism is provided for driving the transducer and causing the first portion of the transducer to impart acoustic energy to the fluid in the manifold, thereby creating velocity perturbations on the stream of fluid which are sufficient to atomize the fluid.

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First Claim