US3801016A

US3801016A - Vaporizer

Info

Publication number: US3801016A
Application number: US00198770A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-15
Filing date: 1971-11-15
Publication date: 1974-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-02

Abstract

A vaporizer which includes a reservoir having bottom and sidewalls for storing a liquid, a support frame, an inner, flared liner centrally located within said reservoir, a conically-shaped disk supported by a frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly within said reservoir and within said liner, liquid level means operatively positioned within said reservoir to maintain a desired liquid level therein, drive means attached to said support frame and the disk for rotating said disk, a deflecting, impact baffle positioned outwardly from and about the upper perimeter of said cone-shaped disk. A top plate may be utilized to cover said cone-shaped disk, forming a hollow rotating unit. The cone-shaped disk may have an opening at the apex.

Description

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,801,016

Martin Apr. 2, 1974 VAPORIZER [76] Inventor: Robert T. Martin, 178 w. Third M King South, salt Lake City Utah 8410] Attorney, Agent, or Frrm-Trask & Br tt [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 198,770 A vaporizer which includes a reservoir having bottom Related Application Data and sidewalls for storing a liquid, a support frame, an [63] continuationnmparr of s 3 449 Aug 3 inner, flared liner centrally located within said reser- 1970, abandoned voir, a comically-shaped disk supported by a frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned down- [52] US. Cl. 239/219 wardly within said reservoir and within said liner, liq- [5 1] Int. Cl. F236 11/04 uid'level means operatively positioned within said res- [58] Field of Search 239/219, 220, 221, 223, ervoir to maintain a desired liquid level therein, drive 239/224 means attached to said support frame and the disk for rotating said disk, a deflecting, impact baffle posi- [56] References Cited tioned outwardly from and about the upper perimeter UNI STATES PATENTS v of said cone-shaped disk. A. top plate may be utilized 2 537 833 1/1951 Joos 239/219 x to cover said cone-shaped disk, forming a hollow ro- 3:l82:972 5/1965 Ann;2511111IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 239 219 X tating unit- The cone-Shaped disk may have an ing at the apex. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 991,752 6/1951 France 239 221 15 Claims 7 Drawing Figures 4 1s fi IAIENIEUAPR 21914 SHEEIIHFZ v FIG.

INVENTOR. Robert T MARTIN Afforney PAIENIEBAPR 2 mm SHEEIZOFZ' m INVENTOR.

5| 4 g Z 4 RoberfTMART/N iF/c; 7 J42,

AHorney VAPORIZER RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 63,449, filed Aug. 13, I970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recent developments in the treatment of stored crops such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,246 have resulted in the need for a vaporizer capable of entraining large quantities of treating liquid into the atmosphere surrounding the stored crops. Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a vaporizing device particularly suited for this purpose. It is also an object of this invention to provide an industrial type vaporizer which is activated by control means sensitive to the quantity of treating liquid entrained in the atmosphere of a storage enclosure for crops or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An improved industrial vaporizer unit has now been invented. The vaporizer comprises: (a) a liquid reservoir, i.e., a container having a bottom member and continuous sidewalls, preferably circular, for holding a liquid to be vaporized; (b) a conically-shaped disk disposed with its apex in a downward direction, situated about centrally within said sidewalls of said reservoir; a flared liner, preferably substantially rigid, situated between said disk and the reservoir sidewalls, said liner approximating the shape of said disk, encircling same and extending farther down, said liner being spaced apart from said conically shaped disk a slight distance, especially from the lower portions of said disk, such that a zone of reduced pressure is created when said disk is rotated at high speed, for example, above 1000 rpm, said liner preferably having perforations in its upper portion; (d) rotating means fastened to a fixed support for rotating said disk at high speeds, and (e) liquid lever means for maintaining a liquid level in said reservoir above the lower terminus of said liner and below the perforations of said liner and preferably below the apex of said cone. A continuous, circular baffle encircling the upper perimeter of said conicallyshaped disk is preferably part of the vaporizer. The continuous baffle may be an integral part of the liner. The baffle is a continuous band having a substantially vertical surface, i.e., preferably inclined away from the disk at about 0 to 45 from the vertical. The baffle surface facing said disk is positioned at about the same level as the upper perimeter of said disk at only a slight spacing therefrom such that liquid droplets centrifugally propelled from the upper perimeter of said disk impact against said baffle.

Further description of the invention may be facilitated by reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the vaporizer.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a conically-shaped disk.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view along section lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a liner.

FIG. 5' is a partial sectional view along section lines 5-S of FIG. 2 of the hub portion of the top plate.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented elevational view of the jointure of the liner and support stand leg.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional elevational view of a vaporizer having an internal pump.

The vaporizer illustrated in the attached drawings is one preferred embodiment of the invention having a substantially cylindrical reservoir 10 comprising a circular base 11, a substantially vertical continuous sidewall 12 with a continuous lip 13 flared outwardly from the upper periphery of the sidewall, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A three-legged stand 14 supported by

legs

15, 16 and 17 support the motor housing 18 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, fixedly support flared liner 19. Flared liner 19 may also be supported independently of stand 14 by extending the base portion 20 of liner 19 to contact the base 11 of reservoir 10. In this latter arrangement it is preferred that the continuous baffle 21 forming the upper portion of liner 19 contact legs l5, l6 and 17 to stabilize liner l9 and preferably be held in place by tabs 22 attached to each leg, as shown in FIG. 6, and slightly overlapping baffle 21.

The motor housing 18 supports and encloses motor 23 substantially protecting it from water vapor and supporting it by flange 24. It is preferred that the legs of stand 14 coact with liner 19 so that the shaft of motor 23 will be substantially centrally aligned therewith. The shaft 25 of motor 23 is fixedly attached to upper plate 26 which, in turn, is fixedly attached at its periphery to conically-shpaed disk 27. The means of attaching shaft 25 to top plate 26 is more fully described later by reference to FIG. 5. The cQnically-shaped disk 27 is positioned preferably concentrically with reference to liner 19 and with reference to reservoir 10. Reservoir 10 has an open top, the vaporizer being covered only by the enclosed base of motor housing 18.

The conically-shaped disk 27 and the liner 19 are, preferably, similarly shaped and the apex of disk 27 is preferably positioned near the convergence of the walls of liner 19.

The water level is maintained within the reservoir by float 28 coupled to a valve on water inlet 29. Float 28 is preferably adjustable so that the water level may be raised or lowered. It is preferred generally to maintain the water level near to but below the apex of disk 27. Water may enter liner 19 through openings 30 in the base thereof. Openings into the liner below the water level may be either horizontal or vertical openings.

Liner 19 is preferably provided with

large drain openings

31, 32, and 33 in the flared sidewalls. One or more openings of this type is useful to allow water accumulating on the upper surface of the liner to drain into the reservoir. Also,

openings

31, 32 and 33 provide an overflow for water sucked into liner 19 by the action of the rotating disk 27. It is preferred that the disk not be contacted by a solid body of water since this causes a drag on the rotating disk, thereby reducing efficiency. Proper location of

holes

31, 32 and 33 provides an overflow for a body of water drawn up into the interior of liner 19.

Air holes 34 may optionally be provided in the sidewall of liner 19. During the operation of the vaporizer, a water film may collect on the upper surface of liner l9. Passing air through this film caused additional vaporization. Compressed air may be provided through pipe means 35 to the interior of liner 19. In many installations a supply of compressed air is not available, however, the apparatus of the instant invention is very effective without the utilization of compressed air.

The disk 27 is illustrated in FIG. 2 with an upper plate 26. The shape of disk 27 may vary, for example, the included angle of the cone may vary from an angle of about 45 to about 160 although an included angle of about 60 to about 120 is preferred. Also, the apex may be flat, as illustrated in the drawings, or it may be pointed, i.e., a true cone. A small opening may be provided at the apex of disk 27 although the vaporizer is extremely effective without such an opening. An opening at the apex serves as a drain for liquid collecting in the disk.

The upper plate 26 and disk 27 are joined at the periphery.

Short lips

36 and 37 projecting slightly laterally from the disk 27 and upper plate 26, respectfully, provide an effective area for attaching the parts to one another. Also lip 36 functions during operation of the vaporizer to direct a fine spray of liquid directly away from disk 27 and against baffle 21 (FIG. 3). It is preferred that lip 36 extend only a slight distance from the sidewall of disk 27. The width of lip 36 extends only a fraction of the radius of the base of disk, for example, a width of less than about one inch is preferred.

A slight peripheral spacing is provided between upper plate 26 and disk 27. This peripheral spacing allows the rotating unit (disk 27 and plate 26) to be readily balanced by gluing small pieces of plastic into the peripheral opening at the appropriate places.

The rotating unit comprising disk 27 and upper plate 26 is rotated by shaft 25. The upper plate 26 is used to transmit the forces from shaft 25 to disk 27. The upper plate 26 is a preferred means of transferring the rotational forces of shaft 25 to disk 27 although other constructions can be utilized for this purpose. For example, a hub with spokes radiating therefrom may be utilized for this purpose. The hub would attach to shaft 25 and the spokes would attach to the periphery of disk 27.

Upper plate 26 provides a rigid structure for transmitting the rotational forces of shaft 25 to disk 27 as well as providing an effective means for balancing the rotating unit by insertion of weights in the peripheral space between the upper plate 26 and disk 27. Ribs 38 radiating from hub 39 provide support and rigidity for upper plate 26. The forces transmitted from shaft 25 are concentrated in the hub area of upper plate 26 and the rotating unit receives its greatest concentration of stress in this area.

It was found that a preferred material of construction for upper plate 26 and disk 27 is plastic materials because of their resistance to corrosion, lightness of weight and ease of fabrication. However, it was further found that threading shaft 25 into a plastic hub was not satisfactory inasmuch as the plastic threads would not endure the stresses involved at the high rotational speeds of the rotating unit. In FIG. 5, a means of overcoming this difficulting is illustrated wherein a pair of nuts are embedded in the plastic hub to receive the threaded end of shaft 25. The steel threads of the nuts 40 and 41 have sufficient strength to endure the stresses present. If the rotating unit is to be rotated clockwise as viewed from above the unit, then righthanded threads are provided on shaft 25. If the unit is to be rotated counter-clockwise then left-handed threads are utilized.

The vaporizer of this invention is operated by rotating the disk 27 at high rotating rotational speeds, for example, generally from about 2,000 to 10,000 rpms, or more, to create a vortex immediately below the apex of disk 27 thereby drawing liquid within liner 19 up to the apex and causing the liquid to progress, probably as a thin film, along the outer wall of disk 27 until it reaches the flat lip 36 whereupon it is centrifugally propelled against baffle 21 to be dispersed into minute droplets which are entrained by the surrounding atmosphere. Liner 19 serves as an inner container to provide liquid near the apex of disk 27. It also serves to collect liquid falling within the vaporizer and returning the same to the reservoir. Also, liner l9 possesses

holes

31, 32 and 33 which act as an overflow in the event an excess of water is drawn up into liner 19. The liner 19 also contains fine holes 34 through which compressed air may be directed to vaporize any water flowing down the interior walls of liner 19.

The vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 3 may be advantageously used, as may the vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 7, to disperse fungicides, bactericides, insecticides and various other agents, which may be added in liquid form, through conduit 42. The flow rate of such material may be controlled by a valve 43, for example, a needle valve. Materials which are not soluble in water (the preferred liquid for vaporization) may be dissolved in another liquid before introduction to reservoir 10. Although, it is preferred that the liquid being introduced through conduit 43 be miscible with the liquid in the reservoir it is not essential since all liquids in the reservoir will be vaporized.

The vaporizer illustrated in FIG. 7 is a preferred device for installations not having a source of tap water readily available. Such an installation includes food storage areas, for example, large potato storage cellars wherein it is desirable to maintain an atmosphere of high relative humidity.

The vaporizer of FIG. 7 comprises a reservoir 44 in which a liquid level float 45 controls the liquid level in reservoir 44 by actuation of valve 46 through which water, or other liquid flows through pipe 47 from head tank 48. Liner 49 forms an inner reservoir inasmuch as no openings are provided in the lower portion of lines to permit ingress of water from reservoir 44. Water is provided to the lower portion of liner 49, which will be referred to as the bucket portion, through tubing 50 from sump pump 51. A sump is formed in reservoir 44 by the annular depression 52 in the bottom of reservoir 44 near the junction of the reservoir base and sidewall.

The rate of flow of water to the bucket portion of liner 49 can be controlled by valve 53, which is preferably a metering valve such as a needle valve. Controlling the water flow rate to inner reservoir within the bucket portion of liner 49 controls the amount of vaporization occurring during a given period. Vaporization rates of from about 1 gal/hr. to about 40 gals/hr. are readily available with a vaporizer having a 16 in. diameter cone having an apex angle of about rotating at about 3500 rpm.

The conically-shaped disk, motor, motor housing and the tripol support may be identical with the device illustrated in FIG. 3. The liner 49 differs from the liner illustrated in FIG. 4 in having no openings in the lower (bucket) portion, other than an opening to admit tubing 50. The liner 49 also joins the vertical, cylindrical sidewall 54 of reservoir 44 intermediate the upper and lower edges of sidewall 54. An upper band of vertical sidewall 54 serves as an impact baffle for droplets of water propelled from the rotating disk. The liner 49 may be rigidly affixed to sidewall 54 and have slots cut at 120 on the periphery to admit the legs of the tripod support, similar to slots 19a, 19b, and 190 of FIG. 4.

The inclusion of pump 52 in the vaporizer provides a source of water at a constant head, which is desirable for metering purposes. Also, the head of a pump is significantly greater than the head from a head tank, which is often portable, and frequently only a few feet above the vaporizer. The constant, high pressure head provided by sump pump 54 permits accurate control of the vaporization rate by regulation of valve 53. A constant high pressure head permits a constant vaporization rate to be maintained at a given valve setting (valve 54) regardless of the variation of head at valve 46, which may vary 100% during the employing of head tank 48. g

A sump pump maybe unnecessary to supply a regulatable supply of water to be vaporized if a supply of tap water having a substantially constant head is available.

The vaporizer of this invention is especially advantageous inasmuch as the units are readily assembled and disassembled and are uncomplicated in design and operation. The reservoir is separate from the rotating unit and from the liner. A three-legged stand supports the motor, the motor housing and the rotating unit. The liner may be attached to the three legs of the stand or to the reservoir sidewall. Three legs are provided inasmuch as it is easier to form a stable platform than if more than three legs are utilized. The top of the unit is open except for the base of the motor housing. The motor housing preferably encloses the motor in a sufficiently enclosed unit to prevent moisture from collecting within the motor housing. The vaporizer is characterized by simplicity of operation inasmuch as only a source of electrical current is required to achieve particularly efficient vaporization of liquids.

The water level of the reservoir is maintained by float 28 connected to a valve on water inlet 29. The water level is maintained sufficiently high that liquid is within the interior of liner 19 ifa liner having bottom openings is utilized, or if a sump pump is used, the water level is maintained sufficiently high to cover the sump.

During the operation of the vaporizer liquid progresses along the exterior of disk 27 until it is centrifugally propelled against baffle 21. The impact of the moisture droplets with baffle 21 causes them to disintegrate and form very minute particles of liquid, for example, as small as about 2 to 9 microns. It is preferred, therefore, that baffle 21 be located within about onehalf inch to about three inches of the periphery of disk 27, for example, the periphery of lip 36. The surface tension of the liquid travelling along the rotating disk and along the liner is apparently reduced by the action of the vaporizer.

The reduction of surface tension can also be accomplished by the addition of a surfactant, for example, through inlet 42, to the reservoir or through the use of demineralized water.

Although the unit is effective regardless of its size, a preferred size comprises a vaporizer having a disk 27 which has a diameter at its base of about twelve to about twenty-four inches. For example, an extremely effective disk is one having a diameter of about sixteen inches and a height of about six inches from its apex to its base.

The vaporizersof this invention are very efficient, i.e., substantially all the water provided to the unit is vaporized and entrained in the surrounding atmosphere with very little fall out around the unit. Even without an externally circulating air supply the vaporizer readily propells a dense cloud of vapor to a radius of seven feet around the vaporizer.

The conical upper plate 26 shown in FIG. 2 assists in propelling vapor from the vaporizer. The rapidly rotating upper plate creates a down draft towards the plate which is forced radially by the rapidly rotating upper plate. The open top of the vaporizer permits a ready supply of air to the rotating upper plate.

Although a great deal of air turbulence is created by the Vaporizers of this invention, very little turbulence is created in the liquid reservoir. The liner, even with openings near the bottom thereof, tends to act as a stabilizer, allowing only slight disturbance to the liquid surface in the reservoir, thereby enabling the float valves to operate effectively.

Although the invention has been described hereinabove by reference to numerous embodiments, it is not to be limited solely thereto, but shall include all the variations and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vaporizer which comprises:

a. reservoir means at the bottom thereof having sidewalls and a base;

b. a support frame;

c. a conically-shaped disk rotatably mounted on said support frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly;

d. a deflecting, circular continuous baffle positioned apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of said disk;

e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir;

f. power means supported by said support frame rotating said conically-shaped disk;

g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and

h. an inner liner which encircles said disk, said liner extending farther down into said reservoir than said disk and having liquid entrance openings near the base thereof.

2. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the continuous circular baffle is an integral part of said liner.

3. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the conically shaped disk has a continuous circular lip projecting laterally from the upper peripheral edge thereof.

4. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the support stand is a tripod having legs supported on said reservoir base and having said liner fixedly attached thereto.

5. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conicallyshaped disk is attached to said shaft means by an upper circular plate fixed at the periphery thereof to the upper peripheral edge of said disk, said shaft attached to said upper plate at the center thereof.

6. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conicallyshaped disk has an included angle of about 60 to about at the apex thereof.

7. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said liner has liquid overflow openings in the sidewalls thereof.

8. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said'liner approximates the shape of said conically-shaped disk and exfor tends farther downwardly than said disk, the upper portion thereof forming a continuous baffle encircling said lip of said disk.

9. The vaporizer of claim wherein the upper circular plate has a centrally located hub having threaded metal nuts embedded therein for attachment to said shaft means.

10. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein liquid inlet means is provided in said reservoir for introduction of liquid additives.

11. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein an inner liner encircles said disk to form a inner reservoir and apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of said disk;

f. power means supported by said support frame for rotating said conically-shaped disk;

g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and

h. an inner liner which approximates the shape of said conically shaped disk and encircling said disk, said liner extending farther down into said reservoir than said disk, said liner being sized and positioned with respect to the lower portions of said disk so that a zone of reduced pressure is created near said lower portions of said disk when said disk is rotated at speeds above about 1000 revolutions per minute.

14. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said liquid level control means maintains the liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir.

15. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said continuous baffle is an integral part of the upper portion of said

Claims

1. A vaporizer which comprises: a. reservoir means at the bottom thereof having sidewalls and a base; b. a suppoRt frame; c. a conically-shaped disk rotatably mounted on said support frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly; d. a deflecting, circular continuous baffle positioned apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of said disk; e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir; f. power means supported by said support frame for rotating said conically-shaped disk; g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and h. an inner liner which encircles said disk, said liner extending farther down into said reservoir than said disk and having liquid entrance openings near the base thereof.

5. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conically-shaped disk is attached to said shaft means by an upper circular plate fixed at the periphery thereof to the upper peripheral edge of said disk, said shaft attached to said upper plate at the center thereof.

6. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said conically-shaped disk has an included angle of about 60* to about 120* at the apex thereof.

8. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein said liner approximates the shape of said conically-shaped disk and extends farther downwardly than said disk, the upper portion thereof forming a continuous baffle encircling said lip of said disk.

9. The vaporizer of claim 5 wherein the upper circular plate has a centrally located hub having threaded metal nuts embedded therein for attachment to said shaft means.

11. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein an inner liner encircles siad disk to form an inner reservoir and wherein sump pump means provides liquid from the reservoir at the bottom of the vaporizer to said inner reservoir.

12. The vaporizer of claim 11 wherein a metering valve controls the liquid flow between said sump pump and said inner reservoir.

13. A vaporizer which comprises: a. a reservoir means at the bottom thereof having sidewalls and a base; b. a support frame; c. a conically-shaped disk rotatably mounted on said support frame such that the apex of said disk is positioned downwardly; d. a deflecting, circular continuous baffle positioned apart from and about the upper peripheral edge of said disk; e. liquid level control means for maintaining the liquid level at a predetermined level below said disk apex in said reservoir; f. power means supported by said support frame for rotating said conically-shaped disk; g. shaft means coupling said power means to said disk; and h. an inner liner which approximates the shape of said conically shaped disk and encircling said disk, said liner extending farther down into said reservoir than said disk, said liner being sized and positioned with respect to the lower portions of said disk so that a zone of reduced pressure is created near said lower portions of said disk when said disk is rotated at speeds above about 1000 revolutions per minute.

15. The vaporizer of claim 13 wherein said continuous baffle is an integral part of the upper portion of said liner.