# US 11,298,708 B2 · Meshes capable of droplet fragmentation, and related systems and uses thereof

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- Number: US 11,298,708 B2
- Document ID: US11298708B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/552,296
- Filed: 2019-08-27
- Published: 2020-03-12
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-08-30
- Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Inventors: Kripa K. Varanasi; David Quere; Dan Soto; Thomas Jean-Yves Binder; Antoine Le Helloco; Henri-Louis Girard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298708B2

## CPC

- B05B 1/14: with multiple outlet openings (B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence); with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
- B05B 1/26: with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectors; Breaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
- A01M 7/005: {Special arrangements or adaptations of the spraying or distributing parts, e.g. adaptations or mounting of the spray booms, mounting of the nozzles, protection shields (nozzles, spray heads or other outlets B05B1/00; spray pistols B05B9/01)}
- B05B 7/0037: {including sieves, porous members or the like}
- B05B 14/00: Arrangements for collecting, re-using or eliminating excess spraying material (arrangements integral with nozzles B05B1/28)
- A01G 25/00: Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like (special apparatus or adaptations for fertilising-liquids A01C23/00; nozzles or outlets, spraying apparatus B05B)
- A01M 7/0003: {Atomisers or mist blowers (single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use B05B11/00)}
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)

## Abstract

Meshes capable of droplet fragmentation are generally described. Inventive articles, systems, and uses thereof are also described.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mesh comprising a plurality of openings, the mesh 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, such that an average impact area of the plurality of sub-millimetric droplets is at least 2 times larger than an average impact area of the plurality of impinging millimetric droplets without the mesh.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the openings extend through the thickness of the mesh, wherein at least 10% of a facial area of the mesh is occupied by the openings, and wherein the openings have an average cross-sectional diameter of between 1 μm and 10 mm.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The mesh of claim 2, wherein the mesh is integrated with an agricultural system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The mesh of claim 2, wherein the mesh is integrated with a cooling tower.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The mesh of claim 2, wherein the mesh is integrated with a humidifier.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The mesh of claim 2, wherein the mesh is integrated with a paint spraying system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The mesh of claim 2, wherein at least 30% of a facial area of the mesh is occupied by the openings.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The mesh of claim 7, wherein the openings have an average cross-sectional diameter of between 50 μm and 150 μm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The mesh of claim 8, wherein the mesh is integrated with an agricultural system.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The mesh of claim 8, wherein the mesh is integrated with a cooling tower.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The mesh of claim 8, wherein the mesh is integrated with a humidifier.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The mesh of claim 8, wherein the mesh is integrated with a paint spraying system.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein at least 30% of a facial area of the mesh is occupied by the openings.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the openings have an average cross-sectional diameter of between 50 μm and 150 μm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the mesh is integrated with an agricultural system.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the mesh is integrated with a cooling tower.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the mesh is integrated with a humidifier.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The mesh of claim 1, wherein the mesh is integrated with a paint spraying system.