Claims for Patent: 6,176,442

Summary for Patent: 6,176,442

Title:	Device for mounting a component exposed to a pressurized fluid
Abstract:	The mounting of a component subjected to pressure from a fluid requires special precautions if the component is made of wear resistant, hard and hence generally brittle material and may be destroyed by locally raised stresses. A fluidic component of this kind, made, for example, of silicon/glass is arranged in an elastomeric shaped component, made, for example, of silicon rubber. The inner contours of the elastomeric shaped component correspond to the outer contours of the fluidic component. The outer contours of the shaped component corresponds to the inner contours of a holder. Due to this "floating mounting" there are no unacceptable local pressure peaks and no deformation of the fluidic component. The device is particularly suitable for mounting a fluidic component made of glass or silicon, or miniature dimensions, subject to high pressure.
Inventor(s):	Eicher; Joachim (Dortmund, DE), Geser; Johannes (Dortmund, DE)
Assignee:	Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Ingelheim, DE)
Application Number:	09/051,205
Patent Claims:	1. A device comprising: a holder having a frustum-shaped recess formed therein; a fluidic nozzle component mounted in said recess of said holder, wherein said holder makes contact with said fluidic component at a low pressure end of said fluidic component, said frustum-shaped recess having a greater diameter at a high pressure end of said fluidic component than at the low pressure end of said fluidic component; and a frustum-shaped component made of an elastomeric material, wherein an outer contour of said frustum-shaped component corresponds to an inner contour of said holder and an inner contour of said frustum-shaped component corresponds to an outer contour of said fluidic component, wherein said frustum-shaped component surrounds said fluidic component around a perimeter of said fluidic component, and wherein said frustum-shaped component has at least one free surface which is exposed to a pressurized fluid. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component is made up of a plurality of pieces. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component has a channel structure. 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said fluidic component is made from a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, glass, and silicon/glass. 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component is in the form of a nozzle arrangement including a base plate and a cover plate with a nozzle outlet for nebulizing medicinal solutions for inhalation. 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component is made of a wear resistant, hard and brittle material. 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of silicon, glass, ceramic, and gemstone. 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component is made of a ductile material. 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said ductile material is selected from the group consisting of plastic and metal. 10. A device according to claim 8, wherein said ductile material is selected from the group consisting of copper, hard chromium plated copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and steel with a hardened surface. 11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluidic component is made of a combination of a brittle material and a ductile material. 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said shaped component is made of rubber. 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said shaped component is made of a synthetic rubber. 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic rubber is selected from the group consisting of silicon rubber and polyurethane. 15. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a displacement member which compresses said shaped component. 16. A device for holding a fluidic component according to claim 1, wherein a pressure of up to 600 bar prevails at a high pressure end of said fluidic component. 17. A nebulizer for producing propellant-free aerosols for inhalation comprising a device for holding a fluidic component according to claim 1.