The effect of a piezoelectric perturbation on the spray distribution of an atomizing jet

The effect of a finite, piezoelectrically induced, perturbation on the characteristics of a fluid stream was investigated in this study. The fluid stream characteristics considered were the mean drop size and the standard deviation of the spray distribution. Three parameters were considered to affect the spray distribution in this investigation: static supply pressure; frequency of the piezoelectric disturbance; and the amplitude of the piezoelectric disturbance. Mean and standard deviation data were collected for amplitudes of 6 and 15 volts. For each amplitude, all combinations of frequencies of 0, 250, 500, 750, 800, 900, 950, and 1000 kHz and pressures of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 psi were used. Similarly, data were collected for frequencies of 500 and 1000 kHz, for all combinations of amphtudes of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 volts and the same range of pressures. Experimental results show that there is a definite decrease in the mean and standard deviation of a spray distribution with an increase in pressure. Also, at pressures of 400, 500 and 600 psi the standard deviation decreased with higher amplitudes and frequencies. At 100 psi there was no effect of either frequency or amplitude on the mean and standard deviation of the spray distribution.