AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER UNIT AND A SPRAY DEFLECTING MECHANISM THEREOF
20220117210 ยท 2022-04-21
Assignee
Inventors
- N SARAVANAN (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Rajeswar KUCHIMANCHI (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Aravind BHARADWAJ (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Shankar VENUGOPAL (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Ananda KUNDU (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Ram Mohan SITARAMAN (Tamil Nadu, IN)
- Dayan SHERIFF (Tamil Nadu, IN)
Cpc classification
B05B14/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A01M7/0042
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B05B12/32
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
A01M7/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01C23/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01C23/04
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B05B12/32
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
An agricultural sprayer unit 700 and a spray deflecting mechanism 70 thereof for the sprayer unit 700 is provided. The agricultural sprayer unit 700 includes a control valve 702, a controller unit 703, a plurality of sprayer nozzles 704, a sprayer tank 706, a sprayer pump 708 and a spray deflecting mechanism 70. The spray deflecting mechanism 70 includes a spray defecting arrangement 72A and a collecting means 70T. The spray deflecting arrangement 70A is adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which the spray deflecting arrangement 72A is adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from at least one sprayer nozzle 704 to the collecting means 70T thereby restricting wastage of chemical agent/biological agent where the spraying is not required and also to restrict spraying of chemical agent/biological agent to healthy plants.
Claims
1. A spray deflecting mechanism 70 for an agricultural sprayer unit 700 comprising a plurality of sprayer nozzles 704, said mechanism 70 comprising: a spray deflecting arrangement 70A and at least one collecting means 70T adapted to be provided in fluid communication with a sprayer fluid tank 706, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A is adapted to be moved to a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting arrangement 72A is adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said at least one sprayer nozzle 704 to said collecting means 70T.
2. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a spray deflecting element 72, wherein said spray deflecting element 72 is at least a cover adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting element 72 is disposed closer to said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting element 72 is disposed away from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704.
3. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spray deflecting element 72 is adapted to be hinged to a mounting means; and said spray deflecting element 72 is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
4. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a first spray deflecting element 72F; and a second spray deflecting element 72S, wherein said first spray deflecting element 72F and said second spray deflecting element 72S are covers adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting elements (72F and 72S) are disposed closer to corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting elements (72F and 72S) are disposed away from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704.
5. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said spray deflecting element (72F and 72S) is adapted to hinged to a mounting means; and each of said spray deflecting element (72F and 72S) is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
6. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a plurality of first spray deflecting elements 72X; and a plurality of second spray deflecting elements 72Y, wherein each of said first spray deflecting element 72X and each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y are covers adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting elements (72X and 72Y) are disposed closer to corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting elements (72X and 72Y) are disposed away from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704.
7. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said spray deflecting element (72X and 72Y) is adapted to hinged to a mounting means; and each of said spray deflecting element (72X and 72Y) is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
8. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 7 comprising, a plurality of first actuators 74HF, where each of said first actuator 74HF is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said first spray deflecting element 72X and provided in communication with a controller unit 703; a plurality of second actuators 74HS, where each of said second actuator 74HF is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y and provided in communication with the controller unit 703; and at least one control valve 74CV adapted to be provided in fluid communication with said actuators (74HF and 74HS), wherein said control valve 74CV is adapted to regulate fluid flow to said actuators (74HF and 74HS); and each of said actuator (74HF and 74HS) is adapted to move corresponding each of said deflecting element (72X and 72Y) between the deflecting position and the stowed position.
9. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said actuator (74HF and 74HS) is at least one of a hydraulic cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.
10. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a plurality of first spray deflecting elements 72PX; and a plurality of second spray deflecting element 72PY, wherein said spray deflecting elements (72PX and 72PY) are at least plates adapted to be movably connected to corresponding mounting means and adapted to be moved to a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting plates (72PX and 72PY) are adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said sprayer nozzle 704 to said collecting means 70T.
11. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 10 comprising an actuator arrangement adapted to move each of said spray deflecting element (72PX and 72PY) to the deflecting position.
12. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a first spray deflecting element 72M adapted to be coupled between a first resilient means 74A and a second resilient means 74B; and a second spray deflecting element 72N adapted to be coupled between a third resilient means 74C and a fourth resilient means 74D, wherein said first spray deflecting element 72M and said second spray deflecting element 72N are baffles adapted to be moved to a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting baffles (72M and 72N) are adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from said sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T; and said resilient means (74A-74D) are adapted to maintain said spray deflecting elements (72M and 72N) at the deflecting position.
13. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 12, wherein said resilient means (74A-74D) are at least springs.
14. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 70A includes, a spray deflecting element, wherein said spray deflecting element is at least an extendable and retractable cover adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting element is disposed closer to said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting element is disposed away from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704.
15. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 14, wherein said spray deflecting element is adapted to be movably supported by a mounting means; and said spray deflecting element is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
16. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a first spray deflecting element; and a second spray deflecting element, wherein said first spray deflecting element and said second spray deflecting element are extendable and retractable covers adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting elements are disposed closer to corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting elements are disposed away from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704.
17. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said spray deflecting element is adapted to movably supported by a mounting means; and each of said spray deflecting element is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
18. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 6 comprising, a plurality of first actuators, where each of said first actuator is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said first spray deflecting element 72X; and a plurality of second actuators, where each of said second actuator 74 is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y, wherein each of said actuator is adapted to move corresponding each of said deflecting element (72X and 72Y) between the deflecting position and the stowed position.
19. The mechanism 70 as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of said actuator is at least one of an electric stepper motor and an electric timer motor.
20. An agricultural sprayer unit 700 comprising: a plurality of sprayer nozzles 704; a control valve 702 adapted to be provided in fluid communication with said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704; a controller unit 703 adapted to be provided in communication with said control valve 702; and a spray deflecting mechanism 70 comprising a spray deflecting arrangement 70A and at least one collecting means 70T adapted to be provided in fluid communication with a sprayer fluid tank 706, wherein said control valve 702 is adapted to regulate fluid flow to each of said sprayer nozzle 704 based on the input received from said controller unit 703; and said spray deflecting arrangement 72A is adapted to be moved to a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting arrangement 72A is adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said at least one sprayer nozzle 704 to said collecting means 70T.
21. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 20, wherein said spray deflecting arrangement 72A includes, a plurality of first spray deflecting elements 72X; and a plurality of second spray deflecting elements 72Y, wherein each of said first spray deflecting element 72X and each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y are covers adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which said spray deflecting elements (72X and 72Y) are disposed closer to corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means 70T, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting elements (72X and 72Y) are disposed away from corresponding said sprayer nozzles 704.
22. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of said spray deflecting element (72X and 72Y) is adapted to hinged to a mounting means; and each of said spray deflecting element (72X and 72Y) is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant.
23. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 22 comprising, a plurality of first actuators 74HF, where each of said first actuator 74HF is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said first spray deflecting element 72X and provided in communication with a controller unit 703; a plurality of second actuators 74HS, where each of said second actuator 74HF is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y and provided in communication with the controller unit 703; and at least one control valve 74CV adapted to be provided in fluid communication with said actuators (74HF and 74HS), wherein said control valve 74CV is adapted to regulate fluid flow to said actuators (74HF and 74HS); and each of said actuator (74HF and 74HS) is adapted to move corresponding each of said deflecting element (72X and 72Y) between the deflecting position and the stowed position.
24. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 23, wherein each of said actuator (74HF and 74HS) is at least one of a hydraulic cylinder and a pneumatic cylinder.
25. An agricultural sprayer unit 700 comprising: a plurality of sprayer nozzles 704; a plurality of control valves, where each of said control valve is adapted to be provided in fluid communication with corresponding each of said sprayer nozzle 704; and a controller unit 703 adapted to be provided in communication with each of said control valve 702, wherein said controller unit 703 is adapted to selectively actuate said control valves 702 to regulate fluid flow from said control valves to said sprayer nozzles 704.
26. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 25 comprising a sprayer fluid tank 706 adapted to be provided in fluid communication with said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 through a sprayer pump (708) and adapted to store at least one of at least one chemical agent and at least one biological agent.
27. The sprayer unit 700 as claimed in claim 26, wherein said sprayer fluid tank 706 having a plurality of chambers, where one chamber is used to store a first chemical agent, another chamber is used to store a second chemical agent, another chamber is used to store a first biological agent and another chamber is used to store a second biological agent.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016] and
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve an agricultural sprayer unit and a spray deflecting mechanism for deflecting and re-directing unutilized dispensed fluid from sprayer nozzles to a sprayer fluid tank in an agricultural sprayer unit. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
[0020]
[0021] In one embodiment, the agricultural sprayer unit 700 includes at least one control valve 702. The control valve 702 is used to regulate the fluid flow from the sprayer pump 708 to the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 based on the input received from the controller unit 703. The control valve 702 is provided in fluid communication with the sprayer pump 708, the sprayer fluid tank 706 and the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704. The control valve 702 is provided in communication with the controller unit 703. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the control valve 702 in communication with a controller unit of the vehicle V. In an embodiment, the control valve 702 is at least a servo valve. In another embodiment, the control valve 702 is at least one of a solenoid valve and a directional valve. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of control valves for controlling the fluid flow to the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the control valve 702 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0022] In another embodiment, the agricultural sprayer unit 700 includes a plurality of control valves, where each control valve is provided in fluid communication with corresponding each sprayer nozzle 704. Each control valve 702 is used to regulate the fluid flow from the sprayer pump 708 to corresponding each sprayer nozzle 704 based on the input received from the controller unit 703. Each control valve 702 is provided in fluid communication with the sprayer pump 708, the sprayer fluid tank 706 and corresponding each sprayer nozzle 704. Each control valve 702 is provided in communication with the controller unit 703. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each control valve 702 in communication with a controller unit of the vehicle V.
[0023] In an embodiment, the controller unit 703 is used to actuate the control valve 702 based on the information received by the controller unit 703. The controller unit 703 is provided in communication with at least one electronic device to receive information about at least one of type of crop disease, type of disease severity and crop location co-ordinates. The electronic device is at least one of a smart phone and a computing means. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a personal computer, a notebook, a tablet, desktop computer, a laptop, a handheld device or any other electronic device for providing the information to the controller unit 703. The controller unit 703 is provided in communication with at least one control valve 702. The controller 703 can include a processor, a micro-controller, a memory, a storage unit, an input output unit, a display unit and so on. The controller 703 can be configured to analyze a prescription plan for at least one region under cultivation. The prescription plan may be generated based on imagery information, sensory information and geo-position information corresponding to region under cultivation. The controller unit 703 is used to determine the level of chemical agent/biological agent in the sprayer fluid tank 706 through sensors and accordingly provides inputs to the user.
[0024] The plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 is used to spray the fluid (chemical agent and/or biological agent) to at least one of crops, plants and trees in a region. In an embodiment, each sprayer nozzle 704 is provided in fluid communication with at least one control valve 702. The plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 includes a plurality of left side sprayer nozzles (not shown) and a plurality of right side sprayer nozzles (not shown). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 in any other configuration, pattern and orientation according to the spraying requirement without otherwise deterring the intended function of the sprayer nozzles 704 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0025] The sprayer fluid tank 706 is used to store at least one of at least one chemical agent and at least one biological agent. In one embodiment, the sprayer fluid tank 706 includes at least one chamber (not shown) which is used to store at least one of at least one chemical agent and at least one biological agent. In another embodiment, the sprayer fluid tank 706 includes a plurality of chambers (not shown), where one chamber (not shown) is used to store a first chemical agent, another chamber (not shown) is used to store a second chemical agent, another chamber (not shown) is used to store a first biological agent, another chamber is used to store a second biological agent, and similarly other chambers are used to store different chemical agent or biological agents. The sprayer fluid tank 706 is provided in communication with the sprayer pump 708 and at least one control valve 702.
[0026] In an embodiment, the sprayer pump 708 is used to pump the fluid from at least one chamber in sprayer fluid tank 706 to at least one sprayer nozzle 704 through at least one control valve 702. The sprayer pump 708 is provided in fluid communication with at least one chamber in the sprayer fluid tank 706. The sprayer pump 708 is provided in fluid communication with at least one sprayer nozzle 704 through at least one control valve (703).
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030] In another embodiment, the spray deflecting mechanism 70 includes a plurality of first actuators (not shown) and a plurality of second actuators (not shown). Each of said first actuator is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said first spray deflecting element 72X and provided in communication with a controller unit 703. Each of said second actuator is adapted to be coupled to corresponding each of said second spray deflecting element 72Y and provided in communication with the controller unit 703. Each of said actuator is adapted to move corresponding each of said deflecting element between the deflecting position and the stowed position. Each first actuator and second actuators are at least one of electric motors, electric stepper motors and electric timer motors. The controller unit 703 is configured to receive information about at least one of type of crop disease, type of disease severity and crop location co-ordinates through at least one electronic device and actuate selectively said at least one actuator. In another embodiment, the electric motors are actuated through a manual control arrangement.
[0031]
[0032]
[0033] The collecting means (not shown) of the spray deflecting mechanism 70 is adapted to collect the deflected fluid from at least one spray deflecting element (72, 72F, 72S, 72PX, 72PY, 72M, 72N, 72X and 72Y). The collecting means (not shown) is at least a tray. Each pipe (not shown) is adapted to transfer the collected fluid from the collecting means (not shown) to the sprayer fluid tank 706.
[0034] In another embodiment, the spray deflecting mechanism 70 includes a spray deflecting element (not shown), at least one collecting means and a plurality of pipes (not shown). The spray deflecting element is at least an extendable and retractable cover adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which the spray deflecting element is disposed closer to the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means, and a stowed position in which said spray deflecting element is disposed away from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704. The spray deflecting element 72 is adapted to be movably supported by a mounting means (not shown). The spray deflecting element 72 is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant such as hydrophobic agent.
[0035] In another embodiment, the spray deflecting mechanism 70 includes a first spray deflecting element, a second spray deflecting element (not shown), at least one collecting means and a plurality of pipes (not shown). The first and second spray deflecting element are at least extendable and retractable covers adapted to be moved between a deflecting position in which the first and second spray deflecting elements are disposed closer to the plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 and adapted to deflect and re-direct unutilized dispensed fluid from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704 to said collecting means, and a stowed position in which said first and second spray deflecting elements are disposed away from said plurality of sprayer nozzles 704. The first and second spray deflecting elements are adapted to movably supported by corresponding mounting means. Each spray deflecting element is provided with a concave inner portion adapted to be coated with a surfactant such as hydrophobic agent.
[0036] Therefore, an agricultural sprayer unit 700 and a spray deflecting mechanism 70 for deflecting and re-directing unutilized dispensed fluid from sprayer nozzles to a sprayer fluid tank of the agricultural sprayer unit to restrict wastage of chemical agent/biological agent where the spraying is not required and also to restrict spraying of chemical agent/biological agent to healthy plants is provided.
[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.