Spray plume shaping system and method

A spray nozzle assembly, comprising:

• a body having a fluid inlet port and a fluid output orifice, the body defining an internal cavity in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid output orifice, the body being electrically connected to an earth ground;
• a primary electrode disposed within the internal cavity proximal to the fluid output orifice, the primary electrode being electrically isolated from the body and having an exposed end disposed within the internal cavity and a connector end protruding externally from the body;
• a plurality of secondary electrodes disposed externally to the body, the plurality of secondary electrodes disposed in opposed relation to one another to create a space therebetween, the space located such that a spray stream emitted through the fluid output orifice passes through the space between the plurality of secondary electrodes;
• a primary voltage source connected across the primary electrode and the body such that a primary voltage difference is present between the primary electrode and the body;
• and
• a secondary voltage source connected across the plurality of secondary electrodes and the body such that a secondary voltage difference is present between the plurality of secondary electrodes that creates an electric field extending across the space between the plurality of secondary electrodes;
• wherein, during operation, a primary electrostatic charge is imparted onto fluid passing through the internal cavity in contact with the primary electrode and the body and exiting the internal cavity through the fluid output orifice as a spray stream comprising charged spray droplets;
• and
• wherein the electric field possesses a same polarity as the charged spray droplets and is selectively adjustable in intensity to shape or redirect the spray stream by electrostatically repulsing the charged spray droplets in response to the selective adjustment of the intensity of the electric field.

A method for shaping a spray stream provided through a spray nozzle assembly, comprising:

• providing a body having a fluid inlet port and a fluid output orifice, the body defining an internal cavity in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port and the fluid output orifice, the body being electrically connected to an earth ground;
• providing a primary electrode disposed within the internal cavity proximal to the fluid output orifice, the primary electrode being electrically isolated from the body;
• providing a secondary electrode disposed externally and electrically isolated from the body;
• connecting a primary voltage source across the primary electrode and the body such that a primary voltage difference is present between the primary electrode and the body;
• electrostatically charging fluid emitted through the fluid output orifice as a spray stream by passing fluid through the internal cavity and in contact with the primary electrode and the body, wherein the spray stream includes charged spray droplets;
• providing a secondary voltage source connected across the secondary electrode and the body;
• creating an electric field in a space around the secondary electrode, the electrical field having a same polarity as the primary electrode and the charged spray droplets;
• directing the spray stream through at least a portion of the electric field;
• and
• selectively adjusting an intensity of the electric field to selectively repulse the charged spray droplets and thus shape or redirect the spray stream.