Patent classifications
A01M7/0042
Modular Precision Agriculture System
A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.
METHOD FOR APPLYING SPRAY FLUID
A method for applying spray liquid by an agricultural spraying device includes steps of: applying the spray liquid to an agricultural area by a plurality of spraying elements which are arranged on a sprayer boom of the agricultural spraying device, and detecting plant rows on the agricultural area during the application of the spray liquid, the spray liquid being applied by at least one spraying element with a first spray pattern in row areas of the agricultural area which have plant rows, and being applied by at least another spraying element with a second spray pattern in row-free areas of the agricultural area without plant rows.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A NOZZLE ASSEMBLY OF AN AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR
An agricultural sprayer system is provided herein that can include a boom assembly having a frame and a boom arm operably coupled with the frame at one end portion thereof. Outer and inner nozzle assemblies can each be supported by the boom arm. The inner nozzle assembly is inboard of the outer nozzle assembly. A sensor can be operably coupled with the boom assembly and configured to capture data associated with the boom arm. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the sensor. The computing system can be configured to calculate a boom arm movement from a default axis based on the data from the sensor and regulate the outer and inner nozzle assemblies at differing flow rates when the movement exceeds a predefined range.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING AN ACTUATOR OF AN AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR
An agricultural sprayer system is provided herein that can include a boom assembly having a frame and a boom arm operably coupled with the frame. The boom arm can be rotatable relative to the frame between a plurality of angles in a fore-aft direction. An actuator operably can be coupled with the frame and the boom arm and configured to rotate the boom arm between the plurality of angles. A sensor can be operably coupled with the boom assembly and configured to capture data associated with a position of the boom assembly. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to calculate a boom assembly deflection magnitude and a fore-aft deflection direction based on the data from the sensor and activate the actuator to rotate the boom arm relative to the frame when the magnitude of deflection deviates from a predefined threshold.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AN APPLICATION OPERATION OF AN AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR
An agricultural sprayer system is provided herein that can include a boom assembly having a frame and a boom arm operably coupled with the frame. The boom arm can extend a first lateral distance defined between the frame and an outer end portion of the boom arm. A nozzle assembly can be supported by the outer end portion of the boom arm. A sensor can be operably coupled with the boom assembly and configured to capture data associated with a position of the boom assembly. A computing system can be communicatively coupled to the sensor. The computing system can be configured to calculate a boom assembly curvature based on the data from the sensor; determine a nozzle speed of the nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle speed differs from the vehicle speed when the boom arm is deflected; and determine a calculated application rate of the nozzle assembly based on the nozzle speed.
AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER WITH REAL-TIME, ON-MACHINE TARGET SENSOR
An agricultural applicator, that applies material to an agricultural field, includes an on-board, real-time image sensor that senses targets for the material to be applied. A controller controls applicators, such as nozzles or other applicators, to apply the material to the sensed targets
AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER WITH REAL-TIME, ON-MACHINE TARGET SENSOR
An agricultural applicator, that applies material to an agricultural field, includes an on-board, real-time image sensor that senses targets for the material to be applied. A controller controls applicators, such as nozzles or other applicators, to apply the material to the sensed targets
Identifying and treating plants using depth information in a single image
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 identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on the visual information in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.
AGRICULTURAL WEED DISPATCHING IMPLEMENTS
An agricultural implement that can concurrently cultivate and spray includes an implement support frame. A plurality of cultivator row units is coupled with the implement support frame. Each cultivator row unit of the plurality of cultivator row units includes a dispatching implement. A sprayer system coupled with the implement support frame includes a fluid holding tank coupled with the implement support frame. The sprayer system includes a fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid holding tank. The sprayer system includes a plurality of fluid nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid holding tank. Each of the fluid nozzles of the plurality of fluid nozzles is configured to direct fluid between cultivator shovels of the plurality of cultivator row units.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING SPRAYING OPERATIONS WITH AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER
A method for performing spraying operations includes monitoring a field condition of a first swath based on data received from a sensor as an agricultural sprayer makes a first pass across a field, the sensor being associated with a first boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the first pass. The method further includes controlling a nozzle assembly as the sprayer makes a second pass across the field to perform a spraying operation along the first swath based on the monitored field condition of the first swath, the nozzle assembly being associated with a second boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the second pass. Additionally, the method includes monitoring a field condition of a second swath based on data received from the sensor as the sprayer makes the second pass across the field.