B05B9/06

Robotic agricultural system and method

A robotic orchard spraying system having an autonomous delivery vehicle (ADV), autonomously delivering an amount of a premixed solution over path, the path identified by a forward-looking sensor. The ADV uses GPS to sense an area containing the path, and LiDAR as the forward-looking sensor. Also, a mobile control center, configured to wirelessly inform the autonomous delivery vehicle of the path within the areas and to confirm that the autonomous delivery vehicle is following the path within the area. Additionally, a mapper vehicle generates the path within the area, the mapper vehicle being configured to communicate information about the path and the area to the command center. The mapper vehicle senses the path with a forward-looking LiDAR sensor, and senses the area with a GPS sensor. Moreover, a nurse truck has a reservoir of premixed solution for replenishing a tank of the ADV.

ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED VARIABLE PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

An electrically-actuated variable pressure control system for use with flow-controlled liquid application systems. Direct acting solenoid valves are pulsed at varying frequencies and duty cycles0000change the resistance to flow encountered by the flow-controlled liquid application system. This pulsing solenoid valve technique preserves a high degree of accuracy and uniformity through a wide range of pressure control. This wide range of pressure control indirectly allows the flow-controlled liquid application system to operate over a wider range of flow control, yielding indirect benefits to performance and productivity. When the solenoid valves are attached to pressure-atomization spray nozzles, control over spray pattern and droplet size is further achieved.

ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED VARIABLE PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

An electrically-actuated variable pressure control system for use with flow-controlled liquid application systems. Direct acting solenoid valves are pulsed at varying frequencies and duty cycles0000change the resistance to flow encountered by the flow-controlled liquid application system. This pulsing solenoid valve technique preserves a high degree of accuracy and uniformity through a wide range of pressure control. This wide range of pressure control indirectly allows the flow-controlled liquid application system to operate over a wider range of flow control, yielding indirect benefits to performance and productivity. When the solenoid valves are attached to pressure-atomization spray nozzles, control over spray pattern and droplet size is further achieved.

Water spray cooling device for a watercraft
09669909 · 2017-06-06 ·

The water spray cooling device for a watercraft includes at least one water sprayer that is adaptively secured to a watercraft. The one or more water sprayers are in fluidic communication with a pump via a first conduit. The pump is in fluidic communication with an intake valve via a second conduit. The intake valve is located on a hull of the watercraft in order to collect water, which is then transferred to the pump. The one or more water sprayers spray water onto an occupant of the watercraft. The one or more water sprayers are ideally located on an external surface of the watercraft in order to direct water at a driver of the watercraft.

Spray system with speed-based pressure controller and method of controlling same

Spray systems and control systems for use with spray systems are provided. A spray system generally includes a tank configured to hold a product, a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, a pump in fluid communication with the conduit, a flow controller, a plurality of electrically actuated nozzle assemblies in fluid communication with the conduit, and a pressure controller. The flow controller is configured to regulate a flow rate of product through the conduit based on a travel speed of the system. The plurality of nozzle assemblies is configured to dispense the product such that an upstream nozzle pressure is established within the conduit. The pressure controller is configured to control at least one operating parameter of at least one of the nozzle assemblies based at least in part on speed information indicative of the travel speed of the system to maintain a substantially constant upstream nozzle pressure.

PERISTALTIC PUMP AND TRAILER MOUNTED SELF PUMPING SPRAYER SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAME
20170106384 · 2017-04-20 ·

A sprayer system having a trailer, which is pulled by a tractor or other tow body, and has a tank carrying liquid to be sprayed and a spray head. The trailer has a peristaltic pump mounted on a frame and driving pumping power from the wheels of the trailer so that the sprayer is self pumping when the trailer is pulled. The peristaltic pump provides a smooth flow by providing a multiplicity of pulses of liquid produced by the pump from the rotation of the trailer wheels by wrapping the compressible tube of each pump around an assembly of rollers which are rotated by drive wheels. The tube is wrapped at least 360 around the rollers and is held stationary by being connected to fixed outlet and inlets of each pump. The tube lies side by side on at least one of the rollers of each assembly and overlaps that roller.

PERISTALTIC PUMP AND TRAILER MOUNTED SELF PUMPING SPRAYER SYSTEM INCORPORATING SAME
20170106384 · 2017-04-20 ·

A sprayer system having a trailer, which is pulled by a tractor or other tow body, and has a tank carrying liquid to be sprayed and a spray head. The trailer has a peristaltic pump mounted on a frame and driving pumping power from the wheels of the trailer so that the sprayer is self pumping when the trailer is pulled. The peristaltic pump provides a smooth flow by providing a multiplicity of pulses of liquid produced by the pump from the rotation of the trailer wheels by wrapping the compressible tube of each pump around an assembly of rollers which are rotated by drive wheels. The tube is wrapped at least 360 around the rollers and is held stationary by being connected to fixed outlet and inlets of each pump. The tube lies side by side on at least one of the rollers of each assembly and overlaps that roller.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING A LIQUID MATERIAL TO A SUBSTRATE
20170106386 · 2017-04-20 · ·

A dispensing system includes a mobile dispensing device, a fluid transport device, and a fluid supply module. The mobile dispensing device includes a dispensing mechanism carried by a first frame including a first track portion. The fluid transport device includes a second frame supported by at least one wheel for rolling movement of the second frame on the substrate, with the second frame including a second track portion. The fluid supply module includes a base member and at least one reservoir carried by the base member and connectable with the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a fluid stored in the at least one reservoir. The base member includes a third track portion selectively engageable with either one of the first and second track portions for releasable assembly of the fluid supply module with the corresponding one of the mobile dispensing device and the fluid transport device.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING A LIQUID MATERIAL TO A SUBSTRATE
20170106386 · 2017-04-20 · ·

A dispensing system includes a mobile dispensing device, a fluid transport device, and a fluid supply module. The mobile dispensing device includes a dispensing mechanism carried by a first frame including a first track portion. The fluid transport device includes a second frame supported by at least one wheel for rolling movement of the second frame on the substrate, with the second frame including a second track portion. The fluid supply module includes a base member and at least one reservoir carried by the base member and connectable with the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a fluid stored in the at least one reservoir. The base member includes a third track portion selectively engageable with either one of the first and second track portions for releasable assembly of the fluid supply module with the corresponding one of the mobile dispensing device and the fluid transport device.

Drone, control method thereof, and program
12246835 · 2025-03-11 · ·

An agricultural chemical spraying drone with improved safety is provided. The drone includes an altitude measurement sensor and a speed measurement sensor and controls not to exceed an altitude restriction and a speed restriction of an airframe by using a flight controller. The sensors are desirable be combination of multiple types. Particularly, the altitude is desirably measured by a GPS during take-off and by a sonar during chemical spraying. Weight of the airframe is measured from time to time, and the altitude restriction and the speed restriction may be adjusted according to the weight.