An electrostatic atomizer comprises a power source for powering a charge injection device, a controller for controlling the net charge injected by the charge injection device, and a sensor for sensing breakdown precursors in the vicinity of the orifice and producing a feedback signal upon the occurrence of the breakdown precursors. The sensor is in communication with the controller and the controller is responsive to the feedback signal so that upon occurrence of the feedback signal, the controller decreases the net charge injected. A method of minimizing corona-induced breakdown in an electrostatic atomizer comprises the steps of providing a fluent material with a net charge to atomize the fluent material, and responding to the occurrence of breakdown precursors by decreasing the net charge of the liquid to avoid corona-induced breakdown.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/106,421, filed Oct. 30, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
An apparatus for dispersing fluent material comprises a body defining a plurality of orifices arranged around a central axis and a charge injection device arranged on the central axis.
A liquid fuel injection nozzle to supply atomized droplets of fuel to a combustion chamber arrangement in a gas turbine engine combustion system. The fuel droplets leave the passage through its upper end defined by an annular sharp edge of a tubular electrode which can be electrostatically charged for the sharp edge to impart electrostatic charge to the fuel droplets as they pass the edge.
A fiber is formed by providing a stream of a solidifiable fluid, injecting the stream with a net charge so as to disrupt the stream and allowing the stream to solidify to form fibers.
