Patent Publication Number: US-9898012-B2

Title: Air assistance and drift reduction technology for controlled droplet applicator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/707,338, filed Sep. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to spraying technology, and, more particularly, to controlled droplet applicators. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A controlled droplet applicator (CDA) nozzle operates on a completely different principle than conventional hydraulic nozzles. CDA nozzles deposit liquid fluid to be applied on the inside of a spinning cup. The inside of the cup may be lined with ridges traveling from the narrow end of the cup to the wide end. These ridges help impart rotational energy to the liquid fluid, spinning it faster. The ends of the ridges are used to shear the flowing liquid fluid into droplets. As the CDA cup spins faster, the smaller droplets get sheared and released from the end of the ridges, which enables the spectrum of droplet sizes to be controlled by adjusting the speed of the CDA cup. However, sometimes the force of the dispersed droplets is not enough to suitably impact the target to generate an appropriate effect (e.g., pest control). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram that illustrates, in rear elevation view, an example environment in which certain embodiments of controlled droplet applicator (CDA) systems may be employed. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram that illustrates an example embodiment of a CDA system without the air assist device and how the CDA system impacts the target. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic diagram that generally depicts an embodiment of an example CDA system without the air assist device, with the CDA nozzle in horizontal orientation and covered in part by a directional shroud. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram showing select features in cut-away view of the example CDA system shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a schematic diagram showing certain features in exploded view of the example CDA system shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an example CDA nozzle cup in a perspective view showing a portion of an interior of the CDA nozzle cup. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an example CDA system with an air assist device and CDA nozzle cup energized by the same motive force device. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the example CDA system depicted in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an example CDA system with an air assist device and a CDA nozzle cup energized by separate and independently operable motive force devices. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an example CDA method. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Overview 
     In one embodiment, a controlled droplet applicator (CDA) system comprising a CDA nozzle cup having an open end; a shroud covering all but a portion of the open end; and an air assist device disposed proximal to the open end, the cup and the air assist device separated by at least a portion of the shroud. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments of a controlled droplet applicator (CDA) system and method are disclosed that include a CDA nozzle and cooperating air assist device. In one embodiment, the CDA nozzle comprises a shroud that covers at least in part a lip of a CDA nozzle cup, where the shroud uses air flow from the air assist device and guide vanes to guide the air flow into the desired direction. The air flow from the air assist device draws the smaller droplets output from the lip of the cup into the air flow. For instance, the air assist device generates a low pressure region with a change in pressure between the internal shroud and the air outlet. The low pressure region is placed near the droplet release area of the cup (e.g., proximal to the lip), enabling the smaller droplets to be drawn into the air stream and/or reach the target. The air assist device of the CDA system causes the canopy of the target (e.g., foliage, pests on the foliage, etc.) to be opened up, enabling the liquid fluid (hereinafter, liquid fluid also referred to simply as fluid) droplets dispersed from the lip of the CDA nozzle cup to be suitably applied to the target. The air assist device also achieves drift reduction by ensuring smaller droplets are drawn back to the target. 
     The CDA system nozzles, like conventional CDA system designs, produce droplets of uniform size with a lower liquid fluid input than hydraulic nozzles. By producing droplets of uniform size, the volume of liquid fluid wasted in ineffective droplet size may be minimized. However, current CDA systems lack the ability to direct the spray pattern to anywhere but the vertical or near vertical orientation. For instance, conventional CDA nozzle cups are spun in a vertical or near vertical orientation (e.g., within ten (10) degrees of the vertical axis) to provide a circular pattern, possibly wasting fluid where the applicator of the spray is not needed. The CDA systems of the present disclosure may be oriented in any direction. Further, conventional CDA systems lack the fluid stream force when compared to the CDA systems of the present disclosure, which may result in less than adequate liquid fluid coverage when compared to the CDA systems of the disclosure. 
     Having summarized certain features of CDA systems of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to the description of the disclosure as illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Further, although the description identifies or describes specifics of one or more embodiments, such specifics are not necessarily part of every embodiment, nor are all various stated advantages necessarily associated with a single embodiment or all embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Further, it should be appreciated in the context of the present disclosure that the claims are not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments set out in the description. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a simplified schematic of a rear end of an agricultural machine embodied as a self-propelled sprayer machine  10 , which provides an example environment in which one or a plurality of controlled droplet applicator (CDA) systems  12  (e.g.,  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C) may be employed. To provide perspective, the sprayer machine  10  is traveling away from the reader (e.g., heading into the page) as it advances. It should be appreciated within the context of the present disclosure that the example CDA systems  12  may be used on other agricultural machines or machines for other industries with similar or different configurations than those depicted in  FIG. 1 , including as part of a towed implement or affixed to other machines. Certain features of sprayer machines well known to those having ordinary skill in the art are omitted in  FIG. 1  to avoid obfuscating pertinent features of CDA systems  12 . The sprayer machine  10  comprises a cab  14  and a tank  16  that mounts on a chassis. The cab  14  comprises operational controls that an operator interfaces with to navigate and/or control functions on the sprayer machine  10 . Note that some embodiments may utilize automated machines that need not have an operator residing in the cab  14 , or in some embodiments, the sprayer machine  10  may be operated via remote control. The tank  16  stores liquid fluid for used in dispensing to targets located in a field traversed by the sprayer machine  10 . The sprayer machine  10  further comprises wheels  18  to facilitate traversal of a given field, though some embodiments may utilize tracks. It should be appreciated that the axle arrangement depicted in  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative, and that other arrangements are contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure. 
     The sprayer machine  10  further comprises a boom  20  (only the bottom portion shown for brevity) branching out from both sides of the sprayer machine  10  and shown in truncated form on the right hand side of  FIG. 1 . The boom  20  comprises conduit(s) (e.g., metal, rubber, or plastic tubing, wiring, cable, etc.) for hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, etc., as well as comprising different motive force devices such as pumps, motors, power sources, etc. to influence the flow of fluids and/or to control the operations and/or positioning of certain devices, such as the CDA systems  12 . 
     The sprayer machine  10  navigates across the field to dispense fluid from the CDA systems  12  to various targets. The CDA systems  12  may spray fluids (e.g., chemicals) on crops, bare ground, pests, etc., as pre-emergence and/or post-emergence herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. In this example, the targets comprise the leafy areas of crops  22  (e.g.,  22 A,  22 B,  22 C, etc.), such as for addressing pest infestation. In one embodiment, each CDA system  12 , such as CDA system  12 A (used an illustrative example hereinafter, with the understanding that each CDA system may have similar features), comprises a CDA nozzle  24  having a directional shroud  26  and a cup  28  encircled at least in part by the directional shroud  26 . Although the cup  28  (and hence nozzle  24 ) is shown oriented in a horizontal orientation (e.g., rotatable around a horizontal axis of rotation as indicated by the dashed line through the cup  28 ), in some implementations, the cup  28  may be oriented in other orientations. The directional shroud  26  serves to block a portion of the circular fluid spray dispersed from the open end of the cup  28 , enabling a directed fluid spray. The directional shroud  26  may be rotatably oriented to modify the direction of the fluid spray. 
     The CDA system  12 A further comprises an air assist device  30 , embodied as a fan, blower, etc. The air assist device  30  is disposed proximally to an open end (e.g., droplet discharge end) of the cup  28 . The CDA system  12 A further comprises one or more motive force devices, such as an actuator  32  for providing rotational power to the cup  28  to cause rotation, and an actuator  34  for providing power to the air assist device  30 . In some embodiments, a single motive force device may provide power to both the nozzle  24  and the air assist device  30 . The motive force devices  32  and  34  may operate according to hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electric power. In some embodiments, the motive force devices  32  and  34  may comprise a self-contained power source (e.g., battery), and in some embodiments, the motive force devices  32  and  34  may rely on external power sources (e.g., generator, battery of the sprayer  10 , external hydraulic motor, etc.). 
     In operation, as the sprayer machine  10  advances along the field, the air flow from the air assist device  30  pushes (denoted by the “arcs” on each side of the crop  22 ) the canopy of leaves of the crops  22  (e.g., to expose the underside of the crop leaf or leaves), and the directed spray fluid (denoted by the arrowhead) from the rotating cup  28  impacts the target (e.g., the underside (and other portions) of the crop leaves). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is an embodiment of the CDA system  12 A with the air assist device  30  omitted to facilitate the explanation of the fluid spray features of the CDA system  12 A. The CDA system  12 A comprises the motive force device  32  (hereinafter referred to as actuator  32 ) coupled to a frame  40 , the latter adjustably coupled to the boom  20  ( FIG. 1 ). The frame  40  is also adjustably coupled to the nozzle  24  comprising the directional shroud  26 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 2 , plural slots  42  are disposed in the frame  40  through which bolts or other securing components may be loosened to enable the rotation of the directional shroud  26 . A fluid spray  44  dispersed from an aperture  46  of the directional shroud  26  is in the form of a truncated spray (e.g., vertical arc) that targets the entire length of the crop  22 A (although different arc lengths may be used in some embodiments), enabling precise and directed control of the fluid spray  44 . In other words, the circular fluid spray dispersed from the cup  28  of the nozzle  24  is modified by a deflector portion of the directional shroud  26 , with the undeflected fluid spray  44  dispersed through the aperture  46  to precisely and controllably reach the target. 
     Although the axes or rotation has been described in association with  FIGS. 1-2  as horizontal, it should be appreciated that the orientation of the axis of the cup  28  may be adjusted according to a variety of different angles using different mechanisms (e.g., infinitely variable, or variable in stepped increments). 
     Having described an example environment in which certain embodiments of CDA system adjustment have been described, attention is directed to  FIGS. 3A-3D , which depict several illustrations of an embodiment of a CDA system  12 , with each illustration focusing on select features of the system except with the air assist device  30  omitted for brevity. One having ordinary skill in the art should appreciate in the context of the present disclosure that the CDA system  12  shown in, and described in association with,  FIGS. 3A-3D , is merely illustrative, and that other system arrangements with fewer or additional components are contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure. As is evident by comparison among  FIGS. 3A-3D , certain features are omitted in each figure to emphasize the features shown in a particular figure. Referring now to  FIG. 3A , shown is an embodiment of an example CDA system  12 , with the air assist device  30  and associated componentry omitted. As described above, the CDA system  12  may be secured to a tractor frame, boom, among other agricultural equipment similar to implementations for conventional CDA nozzles. The CDA system  12  exhibits some of the well-known characteristics of conventional CDA nozzles, including the provision of a substantially uniform size fluid droplet based on low flow inputs. 
     The CDA system  12  comprises the CDA nozzle  24  that is depicted in  FIG. 3A  in the horizontal orientation, though any orientation may be used. The CDA nozzle  24  comprises the cup  28  and the directional shroud  26  that covers at least a portion of the fluid-discharge end of the cup  28 . For instance, in one embodiment, the cup  28  comprises a circumferential, outward-directed lip  48  from which the substantially uniform size fluid droplets are dispensed in a circular flow pattern. The directional shroud  26  blocks all but a portion of the dispensed fluid, such as a portion that passes the directional shroud  26  through the aperture  46  of the directional shroud. In one embodiment, the aperture  46  is defined by a single arc (or a plurality of arcs in some embodiments) located on the surface of the directional shroud  26 . The CDA nozzle  24  also comprises a shaft  50  that runs longitudinally through a portion of the cup  28 . Disposed concentrically within the shaft  50  is a hollow spindle that introduces fluid into the cup  28 , as described further below. The shaft  50  is coupled to the cup  28  and is engaged by a drive system  52  to cause rotation of the cup  28 . The cup  28  rotates to produce droplets from an inputted fluid stream. In one embodiment, the drive system  52  comprises the actuator  32  (e.g., rotational) and a pulley  54 . The pulley  54  engages a wheel  56  of the actuator  32  and also engages the shaft  50  of the nozzle  24  to cause rotation of the cup  28 . The drive system  52  and nozzle  24  are mounted to the frame  40 , the nozzle  24  mounted to the frame  40  at least in part by a deflector portion  58  of the directional shroud  26 . The directional shroud  26  comprises a mounting portion that secures the shroud  26  to the frame  40 . An input end  60  extending beyond the frame  40  and a nut at the opposite end compress the frame  40 , the pulley  54 , shaft  50 , and the cup  28  together. The shroud  26  is mounted independently onto the frame  40 , as noted above, and around the rotating sub-assembly (e.g., pulley  54 , shaft  50 , and cup  28 ), and hence the rotating sub-assembly rotates approximately in the middle of the shroud  26 . In some embodiments, the deflector portion  58  may be segregated into multiple components that are collectively assembled together. The frame  40  may be connected (e.g., in adjustable or in some embodiments, fixed manner) to the boom  20  ( FIG. 1 ) of the sprayer machine  10 , or other machines (e.g., a towed implement). In one embodiment, the frame  40  rigidly secures the aforementioned components with respect to each other. 
     Fluid is provided to the input  60  of the nozzle  24 . The fluid may be provided through a flow control apparatus or system, as is known in the art. For instance, a flow control system may meter a defined volume of fluid into the input  60 , the fluid then flowing through a spindle  62  for deposit into the interior of the cup  28 . 
     In one example operation, the actuator  32  of the drive system  52  provides rotational motion to rotate the cup  28 . In other words, the pulley  54  transfers the rotational motion of the actuator  32  to the shaft  50 , which through coupling between the shaft  50  and the cup  28 , causes the cup  28  to rotate. The shaft  50  rotates around a hollow, stationary spindle that is surrounded by the shaft  50 , as explained below. In one embodiment, an even flow of fluid is injected by a flow control system into the input  60 . The fluid flows through the hollow spindle  62  and is discharged via one or more openings in the spindle  62  into the interior space of the cup  28 . In one embodiment, fins of a fin assembly located internal to the cup  28  divide and compartmentalize the fluid evenly inside the cup  28  and ensure that the cup  28  produces an even distribution of uniformly-sized droplets. In some embodiments, the fin assembly may be omitted. 
     It should be appreciated within the context of the present disclosure that variations of the aforementioned CDA system  12  are contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. For instance, in some embodiments, the drive system  52  may include a belt, gears, chain, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor, etc. In some embodiments, the depicted drive system  52  may be omitted in favor of drive system that includes a direct coupling between a motor and the cup  28 . In some embodiments, additional structure and/or components may be included, such as a precise speed control of the cup  28 , a fan to assist droplet travel and penetration (e.g., into foliage), among other structures. Although not limited to a specific performance, some example performance metrics of the CDA system  12  may include a minimum flow rate of approximately 0.05 gallons per minute (GPM), a maximum flow rate of approximately 0.3 GPM, a minimum cup speed of approximately 2500 RPM, and a maximum cup speed of approximately 5000 PRM. These metrics are merely illustrative, and some embodiments may have greater or lower values. 
     Attention is now directed to  FIG. 3B , which provides a cutaway view of certain features of the CDA system  12  shown in  FIG. 3A . Note that in some embodiments, the CDA system  12  may comprise the nozzle  24  and the drive system  52  coupled to the frame  40 . In some embodiments, the CDA system  12  may comprise fewer or greater numbers of components. Recapping from the description above, the CDA system  12  comprises the CDA nozzle  24 . The CDA nozzle  24  comprises the cup  28 , the directional shroud  26 , the shaft  50 , and the spindle  62 . In one embodiment, the cup  28  comprises a geometrical configuration that includes the circumferential lip  48  from which droplets are dispersed toward a target according to a circular spray pattern. In one embodiment, the lip  48  is directed outward from the central axis of the cup  28 . In some embodiments, the lip  48  is not directed outward relative to the central axis of the cup  28 . The cup  28  also comprises a wide portion  64  and a narrow portion  66  that includes a base  68 . The narrow portion  66  includes a diameter that decreases from the wide portion  64  to the base  68 . In some embodiments, within the cup  28  corresponding to an interior surface of the narrow portion  66  is a fin assembly, as described further below. The interior surface of the cup  28  corresponding to the lip  48  and the wide portion  64  (and partially the narrow portion  66 ) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ridges  70 , each pair of ridges  70  defining grooves therebetween to channel the fluid as the cup  28  rotates to provide a circular flow pattern of droplets released at the lip  48 . In other words, the uniform droplets are dispersed from grooves (the grooves formed by plural ridges  70  in the interior surface of the cup  28 , the ridges breaking off the droplets as the fluid flows from the grooves) at the lip  48  in circular fashion. All but a portion of the dispersed fluid is blocked by the directional shroud  26 . The unblocked fluid dispersed from the lip  48  passes the directional shroud  26  via the aperture  46  and hence is directed to a target, such as the ground or foliage (e.g., crops, weeds, pests, etc.). The blocked fluid is captured and routed by an internal channel  72  created by a reclamation portion of the directional shroud  26  and fed to a fluid reclamation system. 
     The nozzle  24  further comprises the shaft  50 , which extends from one end of the cup  28  and is coupled to the interior surface of the cup  28 . The shaft  50  surrounds (e.g., concentrically) at least a partial length of the hollow spindle  62 . The hollow spindle  62  receives fluid (e.g., from a flow control system) from the input  60  and dispenses the fluid into the interior of the cup  28  corresponding to the narrow portion  66  (e.g., proximal to the base  68 ). The spindle  62  is coupled to an interior surface of the base  68  of the cup  28 . Introduced in  FIG. 3B  is a circular cap  74  that segments the interior of the cup  28  in a plane proximal to the transition between the wide portion  64  and the narrow portion  66 . In one embodiment, the cap  74  is integrated (e.g., molded, cast, etc.) with the shaft  50 . In some embodiments, the cap  74  is coupled to the shaft  50  according to other known fastening mechanisms, such as via welding, riveting, screws, etc. In one embodiment, the cap  74  is also mounted to a fin assembly as described further below, although in some embodiments, the fin assembly may be omitted and the shaft  50  coupled to the cup  28  according to other fastening mechanisms. For purposes of brevity, the remainder of the disclosure contemplates the use of a fin assembly, with the understanding that the fin assembly may be omitted in some embodiments. The shaft  50  further comprises a hexagonal key portion  76  and bearing assembly  78  disposed between the frame  40  and the cup  28 . The key portion  76  provides an area of engagement for the pulley  54  of the drive system  52 , at the nozzle  24 , the other area of engagement at the wheel  56  associated with the actuator  32  of the drive system  52 . The bearing assembly  78  (along with a bearing assembly on an opposing end of the spindle  62 , as described below) enables the spindle  62  to guide the rotation of the shaft  50  and cup  28  relative to the stationary spindle  62 , as driven by the drive system  52 . 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 3B , the directional shroud  26  mounts to the frame  40  via the deflector portion  58 . The input end  60  extending beyond the frame  40  and a nut at the opposite end of the spindle  62  compress the frame  40 , the pulley  54 , shaft  50 , and the cup  28  together. The directional shroud  26  is mounted independently onto the frame  40 , as noted above, and around the rotating sub-assembly (e.g., pulley  54 , shaft  50 , and cup  28 ), and hence the rotating sub-assembly rotates approximately in the middle of the directional shroud  26 . In some embodiments, the deflector portion  58  may be detachable from, yet coupled to, the mounting portion that mounts to the frame  40 . The directional shroud  26  may be adjusted (e.g., in height) to enable the cup  28  to disperse the fluid in a fully circular spray of fluid or positioned to enable a truncated spray pattern. For instance, the directional shroud  26  may be offset from the outlet (e.g., lip  48 ) of the cup  28  (e.g., lifted closer to the frame  40 ) to avoid interfering with the discharge of the fluid droplets and hence enable a fully circular spray pattern of uniform droplets from the lip  48 . In some embodiments, the directional shroud  26  may be positioned to block all but a portion of the circular spray pattern of the dispersed fluid, enabling a truncated spray pattern (e.g., in the form of a single arc spray pattern or plural arc spray patterns). The positioning of the directional shroud  26  may be achieved through manual adjustment, or in some embodiments, automatically (e.g., as controlled by a stepper motor or driven gear assembly coupled to the frame  40 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , an exploded view of certain features of the CDA system  12  of  FIGS. 3A-3B  is shown. The frame  40  comprises the slots  42  to enable rotational adjustment of the deflector portion  58  of the directional shroud  26 , as described above. The wheel  56 , pulley  54 , and shaft  50  have already been described in association with  FIGS. 3A-3B , and hence further discussion of the same is omitted here for brevity except where noted below. Of particular focus for purposes  FIG. 3C  is a fin assembly  80 , which includes a ring  82 , a plurality of fins  84  coupled to or integrated with the ring  82 , and a plurality of pins  86  disposed between each pair of fins  84 . The fin assembly  80  depicted in  FIG. 3C  is one example configuration, and it should be appreciated that other configurations of the fin assembly (e.g., with a fewer or greater number of pins  86  or fins  84 ) are contemplated to be within the scope of the disclosure. The fin assembly  80  is connected to the interior surface of the cup  28  corresponding to the narrow portion  66 , and in particular, connected via the pins  86 . Further, the cap  74  of the shaft  50  mounts to the fin assembly  80  via the pins  86  and the cap holes  88  of the cap  74 . The cap  74  rests on an edge  90  of each fin  84  of the fin assembly  80 . Note that the shaft  50  and the cap  74  are depicted as an integrated assembly (e.g., molded or case piece), though in some embodiments, may be affixed to each other by known fastening mechanisms. Note that the spindle  62  comprises one or more holes  92  that release the fluid, inserted at the input  60  ( FIG. 3B ) and carried through the hollow spindle  62 , to the interior of the cup  28 . At the base  68  of the cup  28  is a bearing assembly  94 . 
     Turning attention now to  FIG. 3D , shown in perspective is a portion of the interior of one embodiment of the cup  28  (with some features omitted for purposes of discussion, such as the cap  74 ). It should be appreciated within the context of the present disclosure that variations in the depicted structure are contemplated for certain embodiments, such as fewer or additional fins, and/or the extension (or reduction) of the quantity of ridges  70  along a greater (or lesser) area of the interior surface of the cup  28 . As depicted in  FIG. 3D , the cup  28  comprises the hollow spindle  62 . The spindle  62  comprises the openings  92  (one shown) proximal to the fin assembly  80 , the holes  92  enabling the deposit of the fluid into the interior space of the cup  28 . The cup  28  further comprises the longitudinal, discontiguous ridges  70  disposed on at least a portion of the interior surface (e.g., corresponding to the lip  48 , wide portion  64 , and a part (e.g., less than the entirety) of the narrow portion  66  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ). In some embodiments, the ridges  70  may occupy a larger amount of the interior surface, or a smaller part in some embodiments, or be contiguous throughout the interior surface of cup  28 . Between the ridges  70  are grooves which enable the channeling of fluid injected from the spindle  62  to dispersion as droplets in a circular spray pattern beyond the lip  48 . 
     The interior of the cup  28  further comprises the fin assembly  80 , as described above in association with  FIG. 3C . In one embodiment, the fin assembly  80  is disposed in an interior space adjacent the narrow portion  66  (e.g., the narrow portion  66  having a decreasing diameter from the wide portion  64  to the base  68  ( FIGS. 3A-3C ). As described above, the fin assembly  80  comprises the ring  82  that, in one embodiment, encircles a central or center region of the cup  28  occupied by the spindle  62 . In one embodiment, a central axis of the ring  82  is coincident with a central axis of the spindle  62 . The ring  82  is integrated with (e.g., casted or molded, or in some embodiments, affixed to) the plurality of the fins  84 . The fins  84  extend from a location longitudinally adjacent the spindle  62  to the interior surface of the cup  28 . In one embodiment, one or more edges of each fin  84  is flush (e.g., entirely, or a portion thereof) with the interior surface of the cup  28 . In some embodiments, one or more edges of each fin  84  is connected (e.g., along the entire edge or a portion thereof in some embodiments) to the interior surface of the cup  28 . In some embodiments, a small gap is disposed between one or more edges of each fin  84  (or a predetermined number less than all of the fins  84 ) and the interior surface closest to the fin  84 . In some embodiments, the fins  84  may be affixed to the ring  82  by known fastening mechanisms (e.g., welds, adhesion, etc.) or integrations (e.g., molded, cast, etc.). The ring  82  further comprises the plural pins  86  that enable the mounting of the cap  74  ( FIG. 3C ) of the shaft  50  ( FIG. 3A ) to the fin assembly  80 , which also enables the shaft  50  to cause the rotation of the cup  28 . The pins  86  also secure the fin assembly  80  to the interior surface of the narrow portion  66 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are schematic diagrams that illustrate one embodiment of a CDA system  12 , denoted CDA system  12 - 1 . The CDA system  12 - 1  is shown in a vertical orientation (e.g., the cup rotates along a vertical axis in  FIG. 4A ), with the understanding that the CDA system  12 - 1  may be oriented differently in some embodiments. As depicted in  FIG. 4A , the CDA system  12 - 1  comprises the deflector portion  58  of the directional shroud  26 . The deflector portion  58  comprises one or more arc structures in the surface of the deflector portion  58  that deflect the circular fluid spray dispersed from the lip  48  of the cup  28  ( FIG. 3A ), with the undeflected fluid (denoted by the dashed line in  FIG. 4A ) passing the deflector portion  58  via the aperture  46  to be applied to a target. The reclamation portion of the directional shroud  26  is coupled to an air assist shroud (or simply, shroud)  96  that in one embodiment surrounds an air assist device  98 , as shown in  FIG. 4B .  FIGS. 4A-4B  reveal plural apertures, such as aperture  100 , that enables the air flow generated by the air assist device  98  to pass the shroud  96 , as denoted by the solid line passing through the aperture  100 . In some embodiments, the directional shroud  26  and the shroud  96  may be an integrated assembly (single molded or cast piece). In some embodiments, the directional shroud  26  and the shroud  96  may each be modular components that are affixed to each other, such as welded, riveted, fitted, screwed, among other known fastening mechanisms. The air assist device  98  and the cup  28  are energized (e.g., rotated) together by the actuator  32  (e.g., via a common or coupled spindle/shaft assembly). In some embodiments, the air assist device  30  may be external to the shroud  96  and air flow from the air assist device  98  may be channeled into the inlet of the shroud  96  via a conduit. 
     In operation, the air assist device  98  generates an air flow that passes the apertures  100 . A difference between the pressure between the outside and inside of the shroud  96  results in a Venturi effect, which draws the smaller droplets of the dispersed fluid spray that passes the aperture  46  into the air stream. The air stream and the dispersed fluid spray that passes the aperture  46  intersect at a location proximal to the target, which reduces the amount of drift (from any smaller droplets carried away by, for instance, the wind) and provides a more extensive application based on the pushing up of the canopy of the crop leaves. 
       FIG. 5  provides another embodiment of the CDA system  12 , denoted in  FIG. 5  as CDA system  12 - 2 . The CDA system  12 - 2  is shown in a somewhat vertical orientation (e.g., the cup rotates along an axis slightly offset from the vertical axis), with the understanding that the CDA system  12 - 2  may be oriented differently in some embodiments. The CDA system  12 - 2  is of a similar configuration to that shown in  FIG. 1 . The CDA system  12 - 2  comprises a multi-sided frame  102 , with one side  104  for mounting to the boom  20  (or other structure) and another side  106  (e.g., the top side in  FIG. 5 , though not limited to that orientation) for securing the nozzle  24  and the actuator  32  associated with the nozzle  24 . The frame  102  further comprises another side  108  that secures the air assist device  30  and the associated actuator  34 . The side  108 , in one embodiment, is angled in an acute angular manner relative to the adjacent side  104 , to create an angle of less than 90 degrees between the two sides  108  and  104 . In some embodiments, other degree angles may be created by the two sides  108  and  104 . 
     The CDA system  12 - 2  comprises the deflector portion  58  of the directional shroud  26 , with a reclamation portion  108  of the directional shroud  26  located beneath (in the orientation depicted in  FIG. 5 ) the deflector portion  58 . A reclamation portion  110  serves to collect the deflected portions of the circular fluid spray, where the collected fluid is routed via the channel  72  ( FIG. 3B ) to a drain port  112  to be returned (e.g., via assistance of a pump or educator) to a reservoir (e.g., the tank  16 , or a reservoir proximal to the CDA system  12 - 2 ). The deflector portion  58  comprises arc-like structures on the surface of the deflector portion  58 , enabling the circular fluid spray dispersed from the cup lip  48  to be blocked, while an arc-like spray pattern passes through the aperture  46  to impact the target. The cup  28  ( FIG. 3A ) of the CDA nozzle  24  is rotated by the actuator  32 . 
     The air assist device  30  is proximal to, yet separated from, the nozzle  24  by a gap between the air assist device  30  and the bottom edge of the reclamation shroud  110 . The air assist device  30  comprises a fan (not shown) and plural vanes  114  that are oriented to direct the air flow from a discharge end  116  of the air assist device  30 . In some embodiments, the vanes  14  are adjustable (e.g., via a control signal or manually) to have suitable control of the air flow direction. The air assist device  30  is powered by the actuator  34 . The power source of the actuators  32  and  34  may be co-located with each actuator  32  and  34 , or separately sourced (e.g., via wiring, conduit, etc.). Further, the power source for each actuator  32  and  34  may be independent and/or of different values. For instance, the actuator  32  may be powered by a 24V supply, whereas the actuator  34  may be powered by a 120V supply. In some embodiments, the voltage levels to each actuator  32  and  34  may be the same, or in some embodiments, the source of power may be of different types. Though the power source is described of a type that is electrical in nature, in some embodiments, the power source may be hydraulic, pneumatic, solar, etc. As is evident from  FIG. 5 , the rotation of the cup  28  ( FIG. 3A ) of the nozzle  24  is independent of the rotation of the air assist device  30 . 
     It is noted above that the side  108 , in one embodiment, is angled in an acute angular manner relative to the adjacent side  104 , to create an angle of less than 90 degrees between the two sides  108  and  104 . For instance, since in this embodiment 12-2 the air assist device  30  is located farther from the fluid release point than the other embodiment 12-1, the air assist device  30  is tilted (via virtue of the tilt of the side  108 ) to allow the fluid plane (e.g., two-dimensional plane) into the air flow angular plane (e.g., three dimensional) depending on the distance between the crop  22  and the CDA nozzle  24 . 
     Having described certain embodiments of a CDA system  12  (e.g.,  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , etc.), it should be appreciated within the context of the present disclosure that one embodiment of a CDA method (e.g., as implemented in one embodiment by the CDA system  12 , though not limited to the specific structures shown in  FIGS. 1-5 ), denoted as method  118  and illustrated in  FIG. 6 , comprises causing a CDA nozzle cup to rotate, the CDA nozzle cup surrounded at least in part by a shroud having an aperture ( 120 ); responsive to the rotation, dispersing droplets from the edge of the cup to a target, the droplets dispersed through the aperture ( 122 ); activating an air assist device disposed proximally to the edge of the cup ( 124 ); and responsive to the activation, providing from the air assist device a directed air flow that impacts the target, wherein the air flow draws at least a portion of the droplets from the aperture before impacting the target with the portion ( 126 ). 
     Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as merely illustrative of steps performed in a process implemented by a CDA system, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.