Patent classifications
A01C23/007
TREATING A TARGET VIA A MODULAR PRECISION DELIVERY SYSTEM
Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system uses a treatment unit for spraying fluid at agricultural objects. The treatment unit is configured with a treatment head assembly that includes a moveable treatment head with one or more spraying tips. A first and second motor assembly are operated by the treatment unit to control the movement of the treatment head. The first motor assembly includes a first motor rotatable in a first rotational axis. A first linkage assembly is connected to the first motor and the treatment head assembly. The first linkage assembly is rotatable by the first motor. The second linkage assembly is rotatable by the second motor.
CLEANING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER
A cleaning system for an agricultural sprayer may include a sprayer boom, a plurality of nozzle assemblies provided in association with the sprayer boom and configured to dispense an agricultural product during a spraying operation of the agricultural sprayer, a first cleaning fluid tank configured to hold a first cleaning fluid, and a nozzle assembly fluid circuit fluidly coupling the plurality of nozzle assemblies and the first cleaning fluid tank. Moreover, the cleaning system may include a cleaning station supported on the sprayer boom, the cleaning station comprising a first valve. Additionally, the cleaning system may include a first cleaning fluid circuit fluidly coupling the first valve and the first cleaning fluid tank. The first valve is configured to supply the first cleaning fluid therethrough when the first valve is in an open position.
Systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields
Described herein are systems and devices for controlling and monitoring liquid applications of agricultural fields. In one embodiment, a flow device for controlling flow during an agricultural operation includes an offset ball valve having multiple openings that rotate in position to control flow of a liquid through the offset ball valve to an outlet passage. The flow device also includes a first passage that provides a first flow path from an inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve and second passage that provides a second flow path from the inlet to at least one opening of the offset ball valve.
FLUID APPLICATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING PRESSURE DAMPENERS
A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway for fluid flow therethrough and a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies includes a body defining a fluid passage, an inlet connected to the manifold for receiving fluid flow into the fluid passage, and a spray outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid passage. Each nozzle assembly also includes an electrically actuated valve fluidly connected between the inlet and the spray outlet and configured to control fluid flow through the fluid passage. Each nozzle assembly further includes a pressure dampener connected in fluid communication with the fluid passage upstream of the electrically actuated valve. The pressure dampener is configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the fluid passage.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING MULTIPLE LOW RATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
A system for dispensing low rate agricultural products, includes a syringe-based agricultural product metering system, at least one agricultural product tube, and an agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is operably connected to a source of low rate agricultural products. The agricultural product tube is operatively connected to the agricultural product metering system. The agricultural product metering system is configured to dispense liquid low rate agricultural products at a low rate defined as below 3.7 fluid ounces per 1000 row feet.
AUTONOMOUS AGRICULTURAL TREATMENT SYSTEM USING MAP BASED TARGETING OF AGRICULTURAL OBJECTS
Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system may determine a first real-world geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The system can receive captured images depicting real-world agricultural objects of a geographic scene. The system can associate captured images with the determined geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The treatment system can identify, from a group of mapped and indexed images, images having a second real-word geo-spatial location that is proximate with the first real-world geo-spatial location. The treatment system can compare at least a portion of the identified images with at least a portion of the captured images. The treatment system can determine a target object and emit a fluid projectile at the target object using a treatment device.
REALTIME SELECTION OF TREATMENT PARAMETERS TO APPLY TREATMENT TO AGRICULTURAL OBJECTS
Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system may determine a first real-world geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The system can receive captured images depicting real-world agricultural objects of a geographic scene. The system can associate captured images with the determined geo-spatial location of the treatment system. The treatment system can identify, from a group of mapped and indexed images, images having a second real-word geo-spatial location that is proximate with the first real-world geo-spatial location. The treatment system can compare at least a portion of the identified images with at least a portion of the captured images. The treatment system can determine a target object and emit a fluid projectile at the target object using a treatment device.
VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
In an example, a system for applying an agricultural product includes a valve and a solenoid. For instance, the valve includes a coil that generates a magnetic flux. The system includes a valve controller. The valve controller is configured to measure one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the coil or a dissipation element. In some examples, the valve controller determines an actual duty cycle of a valve operator of the valve using the measured electrical characteristics. The valve controller determines a magnetic flux correction, for instance based on a difference between the actual duty cycle and a specified duty cycle. The valve controller operates the valve operator according to the specified magnetic flux and the magnetic flux correction to guide the actual duty cycle toward the specified duty cycle.
Ground Plane Compensation in Identifying and Treating Plants
A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and classifies each pixel in the image as ground pixels or plant pixels. The control system then determines a ground plane for the image based on the classified ground pixels and corrects the pixels in the image based on the determined ground plane. Plant pixels in the image can represent plants and the control system identifies plant pixel clusters as plants. The difference in height of plants relative to other plants in a field can be indicative for plant treatments. As such, the control system determines a height of each plant pixel cluster relative to the ground plane and compares the height of the pixel cluster to other plant pixel clusters in the field. Based on the determined height dissimilarity, the control system can identify the plant for treatment and actuate treatment mechanisms to treat the plant.
PRECISION FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM
Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to an agricultural observation and treatment system and method of operation. The agricultural treatment system uses a treatment unit for spraying fluid at agricultural objects. The treatment unit is configured with a treatment head assembly that includes a moveable treatment head with one or more spraying tips. A first and second motor assembly are operated by the treatment unit to control the movement of the treatment head. The first motor assembly includes a first motor rotatable in a first rotational axis. A first linkage assembly is connected to the first motor and the treatment head assembly. The first linkage assembly is rotatable by the first motor. The second linkage assembly is rotatable by the second motor.