Patent classifications
A01C23/04
AUTONOMOUS LASER TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR 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 uses a treatment unit for emitting a laser at agricultural objects. The treatment unit is configured with a treatment head assembly that includes a moveable treatment head with one or more laser emitting 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.
AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
Methods and systems for administering agrochemicals with an agricultural sprayer are provided. In a method a ground speed of the sprayer is measured. A current volumetric air flow produced by a fan of the sprayer is determined and compared with a required volumetric airflow. Settings of the fan (such as rotational speed and blade pitch settings) are adjusted if the current and required volumetric air flows differ The required volumetric air flow of the fan is determined using the measured ground speed, a configured plant height and width and sprayer air volume delivery curves at different fan settings.
REAL TIME CONTROL OF PRECISION FLUID DELIVERY
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 system uses a pump in combination with a fluid regulator to obtain and disperse fluid from the fluid tanks. The fluid regulator includes a fluid input port, a fluid output port and a fluid control valve. A first tube fluidly coupled from the fluid pump to the fluid input port. The system includes a moveable treatment head having one or more spraying tips, including a first spraying tip. A second tube is fluidly coupled from the fluid output port to the moveable treatment head. A system includes a controller configured to provide to the fluid regulator to open and close the fluid control valve to release an amount of the first fluid.
REAL TIME CONTROL OF PRECISION FLUID DELIVERY
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 system uses a pump in combination with a fluid regulator to obtain and disperse fluid from the fluid tanks. The fluid regulator includes a fluid input port, a fluid output port and a fluid control valve. A first tube fluidly coupled from the fluid pump to the fluid input port. The system includes a moveable treatment head having one or more spraying tips, including a first spraying tip. A second tube is fluidly coupled from the fluid output port to the moveable treatment head. A system includes a controller configured to provide to the fluid regulator to open and close the fluid control valve to release an amount of the first fluid.
Nozzle, Valve, and Manifold Assembly for Precision Application of Crop Protectant
A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a highly configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The manifolds of the manifold assemblies can be oriented in an open state or a nested state, the open state with no overlap between nozzles of adjacent manifolds and the nested state with overlap between nozzles of adjacent manifolds. The manifolds can have multiple configurations, examples of which include a tube manifold and an offset manifold. The nozzles of the system can have multiple configurations, examples of which include a tri-spray nozzle, a bar nozzle, a fan nozzle, and a deflected fan nozzle. The system can be controlled by a system controller which detects plant material and instructs a nozzle or combination of nozzles to spray treatment fluid.
LIQUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS FOR CROP SPRAYERS COMPRISING A WATER QUALITY SENSOR, AND RELATED METHODS
A liquid distribution system for a crop sprayer includes a product tank configured to contain a liquid, a pump, and nozzles carried by a boom. The product tank has a fluid inlet, and at least one water quality sensor is configured to detect a water quality property of liquid entering the product tank through the fluid inlet. Methods of operating a crop sprayer include measuring a first water quality property of fresh water entering a product tank, measuring a second water quality property of rinsate formed from the fresh water within the product tank, removing the rinsate from the product tank, and if a difference between the second water quality property and the first water quality property is greater than a preselected threshold, forming a second rinsate in the product tank.
FERTIGATION APPARATUS
A fertigation apparatus that can be installed on a water supply line of an irrigation system. The fertigation apparatus includes a body that has an open top, an inlet near the open top, and an outlet near a bottom of the body, a cap configured to close the open top, and a mesh basket encased within the body, the mesh basket can receive one or more tablets of fertilizer and pest or weed control. A diverter can selectively switch the water between the direct water supply line or through the apparatus.
Spray apparatus for a vehicle
A spray apparatus for a vehicle includes a processing unit with at least one image of an environment. The processing unit analyzes the at least one image to activate at least one chemical spray unit mounted on the vehicle. Air is blown by at least one air blower mounted on the vehicle into a first downward directed air flow with respect to the vehicle. Air is directed by at least one diverter mounted on the vehicle into a second downward directed air flow with respect to the vehicle. A chemical spray unit of the at least one chemical spray unit is positioned relative to one or more air blowers and is positioned relative to one or more air diverters such that ejected liquid chemical is at least partially entrained within the first downward directed air flow and is at least partially entrained within the second downward directed air flow.
Mobile Liquid Dispersion System and Methods of Use Thereof
The present disclosure includes a mobile liquid dispensing system adaptable to be implemented on an arm-bed truck. The disclosure includes an apparatus comprising a spray rig capable of engaging arms of an arm-bed truck, and a carrier operable to be hoisted by an arm-bed truck. A method of mobile liquid dispersion is also presented that be performed from an arm-bed truck. The disclosure offers many advantages in the art, including novel uses of an arm-bed truck and a spray rig that is resistant to damage from impacts.
AEROPONICS APPARATUS
Aeroponics apparatus is disclosed, which includes a grow bed tray having a base and at least two side-walls, the grow bed tray being able to hold a plant support at a position spaced from the base of the grow bed tray, and a nebulizer for nebulizing nutrient solution, the nebulizer located at the base of the grow bed tray and comprising an ultrasonic transducer and a holder for holding the ultrasonic transducer. Also disclosed is a method for crop production using the aeroponics apparatus by either flowing nutrient solution into the base of the grow bed tray to contact at least the roots of the crops or providing nutrient solution at the base of the grow bed tray and nebulizing the nutrient solution so that the nebulized nutrient solution contacts at least the roots of the crops.