THOMAS RUPERT MEE, III
Pilots at Mendocino St, Altadena, CA

4039144, Aug 2, 1977

Nov 28, 1973

5/419895

Thomas R. Mee - Altadena CA

Mee Industries, Inc. - San Gabriel CA

A01G 1500

239 2R

Control of the temperature and humidity of an environment is obtained by injecting a large volume of water droplets into the air with a major portion of the water droplets being in the range of from about 5 to 50 microns in diameter and with an average diameter in the range of from about 10 to 30 microns. When temperatures are low a fog of water droplets essentially opaque to infrared is provided as a cover to crops for preventing frost damage. Crop protection may be poor in borders of fields where cold air drifts in from surrounding areas. Accordingly, fog generators are placed 25 feet or more above the surface to take advantage of temperature inversions. A water curtain may also be used with large drops of warm water falling from a height of about 15 feet to heat and humidify air drifting into the foggy region. Fog having droplets in the above-mentioned size range is produced by impacting a stream of water having a diameter in the range of from about 125 to 400 microns at a velocity in excess of about 135 feet per second against a smooth, solid surface. A nozzle having an orifice in the range of from about 125 to 400 micron diameter and operated at a pressure in excess of about 350 psi is used to create a water jet for impact on the surface.