Atomizing Nozzle/Fine Mist Nozzle

This technology was the Navy winner in the OSD Office of Technology Transition & DoD TechMatch Hot Technologies Contest. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division personnel have successfully developed and tested a nozzle that uses air to push water through a restricted convergent region followed by an expanded divergent region of the nozzle. The rapid expansion of the water and gases in the divergent region causes the water to break up and be atomized into droplets of sizes on the other of 10 to 100 micrometers. This water delivery uses a minimal amount of water for cooling/quenching the fire temperature and smothering/suffocating the fire. Benefits Simple design Nozzle can be fabricated using a variety of materials and machining methods Fires extinguished faster Large nozzle orifice does not clog or become obstructed Smaller garden hose needed Less water usage Intended Actions The United States Navy is actively seeking commercial partners to license the technology to make, use, and sell for both military and commercial markets.