Mesh Droplet Fragmentation for Drift Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid spraying systems face challenges in efficiently breaking down millimetric droplets into sub-millimetric droplets for targeted applications like agriculture and cooling towers, often resulting in excessive drift and uneven coverage.
Innovation Solution
A mesh with a plurality of openings is used to induce the breakup of impinging millimetric droplets into sub-millimetric droplets, even under gravitational force, allowing for precise delivery and reduced drift by creating a cone-shaped spray that covers a larger area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fluid spraying systems are used to deliver millimetric droplets, then the system structure is simple, but the droplet breakup into sub-millimetric droplets is insufficient resulting in excessive drift
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh structure segments the millimetric droplets into multiple smaller sub-millimetric droplets through its opening network, achieving precise droplet size control while maintaining relative structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh functions as a porous medium with interconnected openings that facilitate controlled droplet fragmentation, enabling precise droplet size adjustment without complex mechanical components
2Area of stationary object
If millimetric droplets are delivered directly to the target, then the delivery distance can be long, but the coverage is uneven and drift is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh divides large millimetric droplets into numerous smaller sub-millimetric droplets, creating a cone-shaped spray pattern that expands coverage area while improving delivery control and reducing drift
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh transforms the droplet delivery from a single-dimension vertical fall to a multi-dimensional cone-shaped spray pattern, expanding coverage horizontally while maintaining vertical delivery control
3Manufacturing precision
If the mesh openings are made smaller to reduce drift, then the droplet fragmentation is enhanced, but the flow rate through the mesh is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the relationship between opening size, mesh density, and droplet characteristics to achieve effective fragmentation while maintaining adequate flow rate through the mesh
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mesh can have varying opening sizes and densities to locally optimize droplet fragmentation while maintaining overall flow rate through the mesh structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesh effectively fragments droplets into smaller sizes, reducing drift and enhancing coverage, with the ability to deliver smaller droplets closer to the target, minimizing crop damage and improving evaporation processes.
Implementation Method 1
the mesh is capable of inducing breakup of at least a portion of a plurality of impinging millimetric droplets into a plurality of sub-millimetric droplets when the impinging millimetric droplets are transported to the mesh solely under a gravitational force of the earth
Data Source
AI summary
Meshes capable of droplet fragmentation are generally described. Inventive articles, systems, and uses thereof are also described.