Patent classifications
A01C23/007
Open-loop and/or closed-loop control system, agricultural utility vehicle, and method for the open-loop and/or closed-loop control of an agricultural utility vehicle
An open-loop or closed-loop control system for an agricultural utility vehicle includes a distributor linkage for dispensing fertilizer, plant protection agent, or seed, and has a center part and two lateral extension arms connected by joints to the center part with a plurality of linkage sections (4) which can be folded relative to one another in a transport position and folded out relative to each other in a working position. The control system also has at least one sensor and a data processing unit configured such that signals of the sensor are processed so as to generate a control signal for the hydraulic device, and the hydraulic device can be controlled in order to set damping of vibrations occurring on the distributor linkage in a direction of travel.
MOISTURE AND VEGETATIVE HEALTH MAPPING
A vegetative health mapping system which creates two- or three-dimensional maps and associates moisture content, soil density, ambient light, surface temperature, and/or additional indications of vegetative health with the map. Moisture content is inferred using radar return signals of near-field and/or far-field radar. By tuning various parameters of the one or more radar (e.g. frequency, focus, power), additional data may be associated with the map from subterranean features (such as rocks, soil density, sprinklers, etc.). Additional sensors (camera(s), lidar, IMU, GPS, etc.) may be fused with radar returns to generate maps having associated moisture content, surface temperature, ambient light levels, additional indications of vegetative health (as may be determined by machine learned algorithms), etc. Such vegetative health maps may be provided to a user who, in turn, may indicate additional areas for the vegetative health device to scan or otherwise used to recommend and/or perform treatments.
HYDRAULIC SPRAY NOZZLE
A hydraulic spray nozzle for an agricultural implement includes at least one of a bleed valve and an annular valve. The bleed valve is configured to control flow of a bleed portion of the liquid provided to the nozzle for spraying. The bleed portion can be routed back to a supply tank for later use. The bleed valve can be an annular valve. A spray valve within the nozzle can also be an annular valve.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A LEVEL OF HYDRAULIC FLUID IN AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER
In one aspect, a system for monitoring a level of hydraulic fluid in an agricultural sprayer includes a drive system, a hydraulic fluid system, and a fill level sensor. The system also includes a computing system communicatively coupled to both the drive system and the fill level sensor. The computing system is configured to monitor the level of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir based on data received from the fill level sensor. The computing system is further configured to detect a leak condition in the hydraulic fluid system based at least in part on the monitored level of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid reservoir and control an operation of the drive system to reduce the ground speed of the agricultural sprayer in response to detecting the leak condition.
Method and vehicle for applying an agrochemical mixture to a working area of a field
The present invention relates to methods and vehicles for separately applying a solid fertilizer and a liquid fertilizer additive to a working area of a field.
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PRESCRIPTIVE APPLICATION OF MULTIPLE PRODUCTS
A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.
System for spraying plants and/or plant precursors
Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION MACHINE HAVING A SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC SWITCHING OF SPRAY PROFILES
An agricultural distribution machine for spreading liquid and/or solid plant protection products by means of a distribution apparatus which is height-adjustably arranged on a frame of the distribution machine having a plurality of nozzle holders with spray nozzles mounted thereon arranged spaced apart from each other for the purpose of distributing the plant protection product to be spread. Activation of the distribution apparatus is carried out based on at 10 least two spray profiles stored in a computer unit, each spray profile composed of a plurality of parameters. In order to achieve a consistent distribution quality of the plant protection product, different spray profiles can be stored in a computer unit and, in the instance of a deviation of the parameters of a spray profile, an automated activation of the distribution machine or of the distribution 15 apparatus to the parameters of a second spray profile is carried out.
MONITORING MODULE FOR SPRAYERS
The present invention relates to the application of plant protection agents, fertilisers and/or pesticides by means of a (preferably portable) sprayer or a small appliance (such as, for example, a bicycle tyre sealant injector). The present invention relates to a monitoring module with which existing sprayers can be equipped in order to control, track and/or document the spraying process. The present invention further relates to a method, a system and a computer program product for monitoring spraying processes.
NOZZLE FAULT DETECTION
A spray system includes nozzles spaced along a distribution line. Each nozzle actuates the position of one or more internal valves based on a spray command received from a system control module. Sensors generate position information regarding the actuation of the valves. The actual valve positions are compared to expected valve positions to determine a deviation between the two. The deviation can be compared to a threshold to determine a status of that nozzle. A normal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being less than the threshold. An abnormal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being equal to or exceeding the threshold.