An atomization device including a pair of counter-rotating rollers, a fluid source configured to coat at least one of the rollers in a feed fluid, and a baffle unit. The counter-rotation of the rollers stretches the feed fluid into a fluid filament between the two diverging surfaces of the rollers. The stretched fluid filaments breaking into a plurality of droplets at a capillary break-up point of the feed fluid. The baffle unit introduces a baffle fluid within the interior of the device, the baffle fluid transporting formed droplets of the feed fluid from the atomization device. Excess or misguides atomized fluid droplets are collected by the baffle unit and are recycled back into the device for use in later atomization processes. The variation of atomization device parameters allows for the selection of droplets having desired physical parameters.

A method of atomizing a fluid using a pair of counter-rotating rollers including a first roller having grooves, the grooves enclosed by a pair of fins extending away from the first surface and a second roller having channels, the first and second rollers aligned with each other such that the grooves of the first roller mate with the channels of the second roller forming enclosures and nips. The method includes drawing the fluid from a fluid source through the nips, the nips having an upstream side and a downstream side, stretching the fluid between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers on the downstream side of the nips to form fluid filaments, and forming fluid droplets from the stretched fluid filaments on the downstream side of the nips between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers.

A method of atomizing a fluid using a pair of counter-rotating rollers including a first roller having grooves, the grooves enclosed by a pair of fins extending away from the first surface and a second roller having channels, the first and second rollers aligned with each other such that the grooves of the first roller mate with the channels of the second roller forming enclosures and nips. The method includes drawing the fluid from a fluid source through the nips, the nips having an upstream side and a downstream side, stretching the fluid between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers on the downstream side of the nips to form fluid filaments, and forming fluid droplets from the stretched fluid filaments on the downstream side of the nips between the diverging surfaces of the pair of counter-rotating rollers.

In one aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a nozzle, a deflector that receives fluid flow from the nozzle, and a friction or viscous brake assembly that controls rotation of a deflector. The friction or viscous brake assembly is releasably connected to the frame in order to enhance serviceability of the sprinkler. In another aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a frame, a deflector rotatably connected to the frame, a nozzle, and a nozzle socket of the frame. The nozzle and nozzle socket have interlocking portions that releasably connect the nozzle to the frame. The nozzle may be easily removed for servicing. Further, the nozzle socket can be configured to receive a plurality of nozzles having different flow characteristics. A nozzle can be selected and utilized with the sprinkler according to the desired application for the sprinkler.

An atomization device includes a pair of counter-rotating rollers, a fluid source configured to coat at least one of the rollers in a feed fluid, and a baffle unit. The counter-rotation of the rollers stretches the feed fluid into a fluid filament between the two diverging surfaces of the rollers. The stretched fluid filaments break into a plurality of droplets at a capillary break-up point of the feed fluid. The baffle unit introduces a baffle fluid within the interior of the device and the baffle fluid transports formed droplets of the feed fluid from the atomization device. Excess or misguided atomized fluid droplets are collected by the baffle unit and are recycled back into the device for use in later atomization processes. The variation of atomization device parameters allows for the selection of droplets having desired physical parameters.

An atomization device includes a pair of counter-rotating rollers, a fluid source configured to coat at least one of the rollers in a feed fluid, and a baffle unit. The counter-rotation of the rollers stretches the feed fluid into a fluid filament between the two diverging surfaces of the rollers. The stretched fluid filaments break into a plurality of droplets at a capillary break-up point of the feed fluid. The baffle unit introduces a baffle fluid within the interior of the device and the baffle fluid transports formed droplets of the feed fluid from the atomization device. Excess or misguided atomized fluid droplets are collected by the baffle unit and are recycled back into the device for use in later atomization processes. The variation of atomization device parameters allows for the selection of droplets having desired physical parameters.

In one aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a nozzle, a deflector that receives fluid flow from the nozzle, and a friction or viscous brake assembly that controls rotation of a deflector. The friction or viscous brake assembly is releasably connected to the frame in order to enhance serviceability of the sprinkler. In another aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a frame, a deflector rotatably connected to the frame, a nozzle, and a nozzle socket of the frame. The nozzle and nozzle socket have interlocking portions that releasably connect the nozzle to the frame. The nozzle may be easily removed for servicing. Further, the nozzle socket can be configured to receive a plurality of nozzles having different flow characteristics. A nozzle can be selected and utilized with the sprinkler according to the desired application for the sprinkler.

In one aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a nozzle, a deflector that receives fluid flow from the nozzle, and a friction or viscous brake assembly that controls rotation of a deflector. The friction or viscous brake assembly is releasably connected to the frame in order to enhance serviceability of the sprinkler. In another aspect, a sprinkler is provided having a frame, a deflector rotatably connected to the frame, a nozzle, and a nozzle socket of the frame. The nozzle and nozzle socket have interlocking portions that releasably connect the nozzle to the frame. The nozzle may be easily removed for servicing. Further, the nozzle socket can be configured to receive a plurality of nozzles having different flow characteristics. A nozzle can be selected and utilized with the sprinkler according to the desired application for the sprinkler.

A controlled droplet application (CDA) nozzle has a CDA nozzle cone having a first axis of rotation in a first position and, after adjustment, a second axis of rotation in a second position orthogonal to the first. A rotationally adjustable directional shroud surrounds at least a portion of the cone, the directional shroud blocking at least a portion of a lip of the cone regardless of whether the cone is positioned in the first or second axis of rotation.

In an embodiment, a rotating nozzle including a generally cylindrical interior having an inlet at a circumferential wall adjacent a first end of the body portion and a generally axial exit adjacent a second end of the body portion. A nozzle portion is at least partially received within, and rotatable relative to, the cylindrical interior. The nozzle portion includes an at least partially conical shape, having a relatively smaller cross section adjacent the first end of the body portion. The nozzle portion defines a generally longitudinal flow passage having an inlet opening extending between an exterior of the nozzle portion and the flow passage adjacent the first end of the body portion and a generally axially oriented exit adjacent the second end of the body portion. The rotating nozzle further includes end cap disposed at least partially enclosing the cylindrical interior adjacent the first end of the body portion.