LASER SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A laser system for agricultural applications, the purpose of which is to broaden, supplement or replace the functions performed by conventional implements, aimed at performing pruning, harrowing, cutting, drying and photostimulation, by means of one or more lasers, with a power-supply module, control module, compressed gas and/or ventilation module, temperature control module, distribution module, laser module, laser light containment and guidance module and wheels, having the advantages of reduced dimensions and weight, being able to move at relatively high speeds with low fuel consumption and low operating costs, being able to operate or not operate in environments with positive pressure to avoid damage to the optical parts or along the path of the laser, the modularity of the system and its adaptability to any size of field.

Claims

1. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, comprising a main module equipped with a power supply module comprising a dedicated combustion electric generator, an electric generator, a battery bank or other photovoltaic system, filters, rectifiers, fuses, circuit breakers, residual circuit breakers, surge protection devices, frequency inverters, power protection and control systems, plus cables and connections; a control module comprising controllers for operating regime, trip, current, voltage, power, polarization, focus, frequency, bandwidth and wavelength; a temperature control module a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a ventilation system, thermoelectric pads; a distribution module comprising a set of cables and hoses; a secondary module which can be replicated and multiplied, providing the system with the ability to expand or reduce the total coverage area, by changing the number of secondary modules connected to the main module, equipped with laser modules, which can be replicated and multiplied in the same secondary module; and a user protection module comprising plates made of acrylic material, glass, metal, wood, or a combination thereof, provided they are barriers to the laser light, wherein the power supply module is connected to the a power outlet, or auxiliary shaft, of the a towing vehicle and bidirectionally connected to the control module, a ventilation module, the temperature control module, and positioning wheels, the control module connected bidirectionally to the laser modules and a laser light guidance, the compressed gas and/or ventilation module comprising a compressor, reservoir, a filter, a dryer, a pressure gauge, electrical connections, and a gas generating positive pressure, and connected bidirectionally to the laser light guidance; the temperature control module and bidirectionally connected to the laser modules and the laser light guidance; the distribution module bidirectionally connected to modules the main module, a secondary module, the laser modules, the laser light guidance, and the positioning wheels; the secondary module, with expansion capability in a long structure and articulated between the modules, equipped with the laser module, with expansion capability for several modules in the same secondary module, comprising solid state light emitting instrument with semiconductors or crystals, such as Nd:YAG, gas, such as CO and CO.sub.2, fiber optics, employing dopants such as Erbium, Ytterbium and Holmium or nonlinear effects or similar ones connected unidirectionally to the laser light guidance; a confinement module and the laser light guidance comprising refractive elements and mirrors with options of arrangements, which may have up to 6 degrees of freedom, 3 linear and 3 rotational, and directs the a laser emission to the a plant through straight ends emitting at 0 degrees, in “L-shaped” emitting at 90 degrees, in “L-shaped” emitting at any angle α1 (alpha1), in “Z-shaped” emitting at any angle α1 (alpha1), and also with other shapes made by angles α1 (alpha1) and α2 (alpha2); and the positioning wheels comprising horizontal, vertical and rotational positioners, distance detectors and manual and/or automatic mono, bi and tri-axial positioning controllers.

2. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 1, comprising constructive configuration for plant cutting comprising the main module with the power supply module, the control module, with the compressed gas and/or ventilation module, with the temperature control module and with the distribution module, the secondary module with the laser modules positioned on a mechanical structure, with an individual confinement module and the laser light guidance positioned at any angle of interest with respect to the plant bed rows, and comprising the refractive elements and the mirrors, with each element being either fixed or mobile, with the user protection module and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels.

3. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 1, comprising constructive configuration for plant pruning,comprising the main module with the power supply module the control module, with the compressed gas and/or ventilation module, with the temperature control module and with the distribution module; the secondary module with the laser modules positioned on a mechanical structure, with an individual confinement module and the laser light guidance positioned at any angle of interest in relation to the plant bed rows and comprising the refractive elements and the mirrors, each element being either fixed or mobile, and with the user protection module; and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels.

4. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 1, comprising constructive configuration for weeding of plants and weeds comprising the main module with the power supply module, the control module, with the compressed gas and/or ventilation module, with the temperature control module and with the distribution module; the secondary module with the laser modules positioned on a mechanical structure, with an individual confinement module and the laser light guidance positioned at any angle of interest with respect to the a row of plant beds and weeds and comprising the refractive elements and the mirrors, each element being either fixed or mobile, and with the user protection module; and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels.

5. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 1, comprising constructive configuration for desiccation of plants and weeds comprising the main module with the power supply module, the control module, with the compressed gas and/or ventilation module, with the temperature control module and with the distribution module; the secondary module with the laser modules positioned on a mechanical structure, with an individual confinement module and the laser light guidance positioned at any angle of interest with respect to the plant bed rows and weeds and comprising the refractive elements and the mirrors, each element being either fixed or mobile, and with a user protection module; and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels.

6. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 1, comprising constructive configuration for photostimulation of plants comprising the main module with the power supply module, the control module, with the compressed gas and/or ventilation module, with the temperature control module and with the distribution module; the secondary module with the laser modules, positioned on a mechanical structure, with an individual confinement module and the laser light guidance positioned at any angle of interest with respect to the plant bed rows and weeds and comprising the refractive elements and the mirrors, each element being either fixed or mobile, and with the user protection module; and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels.

7. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, wherein plant cutting is done in the following sequence: a) A laser beam is directed through the a guide, and has height adjustment, with hexaxial control; 3 linear and 3 rotational; automatic or manual cutting, with or without feedback; b) positioning wheels can be moved in up to three axis, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the plant bed rows and do not damage the cultivated plants; c) the laser beam is directed at the a region of the plant’s stem to perform a; the cut can be performed in an orthogonal manner to the rows or axially, or at any other angle between them; d) The cut can be performed with or without the presence of thermal effects, promoting or not promoting cauterization of the plant, the a laser configuration is responsible for this distinction; e) The cut is usually made parallel to the ground, but be made with varied inclinations, and in the case of more than one laser A) both in the same secondary module and in different secondary modules, each laser can have its vertical height control and individual angulations; f) The system can cut either a single row of plants or numerous rows simultaneously; g) The ability to extend the secondary modules in a long and articulated structure between the modules, allows large extensions to be processed with the movement of the equipment over the crop, ensuring the correct height for pruning even with the elevation of the terrain; and h) The ability to extend the laser modules into a single secondary module allows for more effective control and action in the cutting process.

8. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 7, wherein the cutting of the plant structure, such as leaves, stem, twigs, and branches, is performed in the following sequence: a) Cutting with hexaxial height control; 3 linear and 3 rotational; b) The control is accomplished by positioning the laser beam output with mirrors as well as with refractive elements, with each element being either fixed or movable; c) the laser beam is directed to the apical region of the plant to make the a cut, the cut can be made in an orthogonal manner to the plant bed rows or axially, or at any other angle between them; d) The positioning wheels can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the cultivated plants; e) The cut is usually made parallel to the ground, but can be made with varied inclinations, and in the case of more than one laser both in the same secondary module and in different secondary modules, each laser can have its own vertical height control and individual angulations; f) the beam is directed at the region of the plant’s stem to perform the a cut, the cut can be performed orthogonal to the rows or axially, or at any other angle between them; g) The laser beam can also be perpendicular to the movement of the equipment, consequently perpendicular to the plant bed rows, as well as parallel or at any other angle between them; h) The system can prune either just one row of plants or numerous rows simultaneously; i) The ability to extend the secondary modules in a long and articulated structure between the modules, allows large extensions to be processed with the movement of the equipment over the crop, ensuring the correct height for pruning even with the elevation of the terrain; and j) The ability to extend the laser modules into a single secondary module allows for more effective control and action in the cutting process.

9. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 7, wherein weeding is performed in the following sequence: a) The laser beam is directed, through the guide, to the regions where it is necessary to carry out cleaning within the same or different rows, or between rows, with the objective of cutting, burning, and/or eliminating the invasive species or weeds present in the crops; b) The positioning wheels can be moved, automatically or manually, with tri-axial control, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the cultivated plants; c) Cutting processes are carried out, with or without thermal effects, to promote the death and following extinction and/or reduction of invasive species; d) The action of the laser on an invasive species between the rows of a crop is intended to cut the stem of the plant close to the ground, or at any other height of interest, and consequently kill the plant; e) The ability to extend the secondary modules in a long and articulated structure between the modules, allows large extensions to be processed with the movement of the equipment over the crop, ensuring the correct height for weeding even with the elevation of the terrain; and f) The ability to extend the laser modules into a single secondary module allows for more effective control and action in the weeding process.

10. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, according to claim 7, wherein the desiccation is performed in the following sequence: a) The laser beam is directed, through the guide, to the regions where desiccation needs to be carried out in order to eliminate and/or speed up the process of killing the plants present in the crops; b) The positioning wheels can be moved, automatically or manually, with triaxial control, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the cultivated plants; c) The intensity of the laser radiation and the exposure time on the plant, such as the wavelength, among other parameters of the laser operating regime, will determine whether the end result will be complete extinction of the plant, instantaneously, or whether lethal damage will be generated in such a way as to cause the plant to die within a few days, as in the case intended for plants of all types, including forage, weeds and pests, or to advance the ripening for harvesting; d) Multiple lasers can be used in the same secondary module, operating in such a way that their beams can be positioned in the same plane, in different planes, parallel to the ground or not, so that the cut is more efficient, or one laser with scanning, to illuminate the greatest possible extension of either the plant or the crops; e) The ability to extend the secondary modules in a long and articulated structure between the modules, allows large extensions to be processed with the movement of the equipment over the crop, ensuring the correct height for desiccation even with the elevation of the terrain; and f) The ability to extend the laser modules into a single secondary module allows for more effective control and action in the desiccation process.

11. A laser system operating process for agricultural use, wherein photostimulation is performed in the following sequence: a) a laser beam is directed through the a guide to the regions where stimulation is needed in order to bring benefits to the plants present in the crops; b) The intensity, wavelength, modulation, and exposure time of the laser beam will influence the type of stimulation desired and the plant species stimulated; c) Multiple lasers operating in parallel, or a scanning laser, can be used to illuminate the widest possible area of the plant or crops; d) positioning wheels can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the cultivated plants; e) The ability to extend the secondary modules in a long and articulated structure, allows large extensions to be processed with the movement of the equipment over the crop, ensuring the correct height for photostimulation even with the elevation of the terrain; and f) The ability to extend the laser modules into a single secondary module allows for more effective control and action in the photostimulation process.

Description

[0039] For better understanding of the present invention the following drawings are attached:

[0040] FIG. 1, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for the mobile laser system proposed in the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for an example of application of the mobile laser system on a tractor and of the modularity of the system.

[0042] FIG. 3, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for emission of the laser beam applied to the system proposed in the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 4, which shows a flowchart of the existing connections between the modules.

[0044] FIG. 5, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for an example of a plant cutting application, for example, cutting the base of the plant stem in the harvesting process as a replacement for the cutting platforms of harvesters.

[0045] FIG. 6, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant cutting application example.

[0046] FIG. 7, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant pruning application example.

[0047] FIG. 8, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant pruning application example.

[0048] FIG. 9, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant weeding application example.

[0049] FIG. 10, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant desiccation application example.

[0050] FIG. 11, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for a plant desiccation application example.

[0051] FIG. 12, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for an example of an application for plant stimulation.

[0052] FIG. 13, which shows one of the possible schematic configurations for an example of an application for plant stimulation.

[0053] According to the aforementioned figures, the system of the present patent comprises a main module (1) equipped with a power supply module (1-A) comprising a dedicated combustion electric generator, an electric generator connected to the power take-off, or auxiliary shaft, of the towing vehicle, a battery bank or, further, photovoltaic system, filters, rectifiers, fuses, circuit breakers, residual circuit breakers, surge protection devices, frequency inverters, among other components and power protection and control systems, besides cables and connections, and connected bidirectionally to modules (1-B, 1-C, 1-D and 3); control module (1-B) consisting of controllers for operation regime, trip, current, voltage, power, polarization, focus, frequency, bandwidth, wavelength, among others, and connected bidirectionally to modules (2-A, 2-B); compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C) consisting of compressor, reservoir, filter, dryer, pressure gauge, electrical and gas connections, among other devices, and connected bidirectionally to module (2-B); temperature control module (1-D) consisting of the compressor, condenser, evaporator, heat exchanger, expansion valve, ventilation system, thermoelectric pads, among others, and bidirectionally connected to modules (2-A and 2-B); distribution module (1-E) consisting of a set of cables, hoses, among others, and bidirectionally connected to modules (1, 2, 2-A, 2-B, and 3); secondary module (2), with magnifying capability in a long structure articulated between modules, provided with laser module (2-A), with magnifying capability for several modules in the same secondary module (2), consisting of solid state light emitting instrument with semiconductors or crystals, such as Nd:YAG, gas, such as CO and CO2, fiber optics, employing dopants such as Erbium, Ytterbium and Holmium or nonlinear effects or the like and unidirectionally connected to the module (2-B); confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B) consisting of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2) with options of arrangements, which may have up to 6 degrees of freedom each, 3 linear and 3 rotational, and directs the laser emission (L) to the plant (P) through straight edges emitting at 0 degrees, in “L-shaped” emitting at 90 degrees, in “L-shaped” emitting at any angle α1 (alpha1), in “Z-shaped” emitting at any angle α1 (alpha1), and also with other shapes given by angles α1 (alpha1) and α2 (alpha2); user protection module (2-C) consisting of plates made of acrylic material, glass, metal, wood, or a combination of these, provided they are barriers to the laser light in question; and positioning wheels (3) consisting of horizontal, vertical, and rotational positioners, distance detectors, and manual and/or automatic mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning controllers.

[0054] The constructive configuration for plant cutting (P) consists of a main module (1) with supply module (1-A), control module (1-B), with compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C), with temperature control module (1-D) and with distribution module (1-E), secondary module (2) that can be in the quantity that fits the application and articulated among themselves to conform to the application terrain, with laser modules (2-A), positioned on a mechanical structure and that may be in various quantities in the same secondary module (2) to increase the efficiency of the process, with a confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B) individually positioned at any angle of interest in relation to the plant beds, and composed of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2), with each element being fixed or mobile, and with a user protection module (2-C); and positioning wheels (3) mono, bi, and tri-axial.

[0055] The constructive configuration for pruning plants (P), especially soybeans and beans, but not limited to them, has a main module (1) with supply module (1-A), control module (1-B), with compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C), with temperature control module (1-D) and with distribution module (1-E); secondary module (2) that can be in the quantity that suits the application and articulated among themselves to conform to the application terrain, with laser modules (2-A), positioned on a mechanical structure and can be in varied quantities in the same secondary module (2) to increase the efficiency of the process, with individual confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B) positioned at any angle of interest relative to the plant beds and consisting of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2), with each element being able to be fixed or mobile, and with user protection module (2-C) and positioning wheels (3) mono, bi, tri-axial.

[0056] The constructive configuration for plant (P) and weed (ED) weeding has a main module (1) with supply module (1-A), control module (1-B), with compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C), with temperature control module (1-D) and with distribution module (1-E); secondary module (2) that can be in the quantity that suits the application and articulated among themselves to conform to the application terrain, with laser modules (2-A), positioned on a mechanical structure and can be in varied quantities in the same secondary module (2) to increase the efficiency of the process, with individual confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B), positioned at any angle of interest in relation to the plant beds, and to the weeds (ED) and consisting of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2), with each element being able to be fixed or mobile, and with user protection module (2-C) and positioning wheels mono, bi, tri-axial (3).

[0057] The constructive configuration for desiccation of plants (P) and weeds (ED) has a main module (1) with supply module (1-A), control module (1-B), with compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C), with temperature control module (1-D) and with distribution module (1-E); secondary module (2) that can be in the quantity that suits the application and articulated among themselves to conform to the application terrain, with laser modules (2-A), positioned on a mechanical structure and can be in varied quantities in the same secondary module (2) to increase the efficiency of the process, with individual confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B) positioned at any angle of interest with respect to the plant beds and weeds (ED) and consisting of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2), with each element being able to be fixed or mobile, and with user protection module (2-C) and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels (3). The laser beam leaving the system covers a wide area in order to promote the illumination of at least one focused line, or of a wider area, with at least the same length as the laser.

[0058] The constructive configuration for photostimulation of plants (P) has a main module (1) with supply module (1-A), control module (1-B), with compressed gas and/or ventilation module (1-C), with temperature control module (1-D) and with distribution module (1-E); secondary module (2) that can be in the quantity that interests the application and articulated among themselves to conform to the application terrain, with laser modules (2-A), positioned on a mechanical structure and can be in varied quantities in the same secondary module (2) to increase the efficiency of the process, with individual confinement module and laser light guidance (2-B), positioned at any angle of interest in relation to the plant beds, and to the weeds (ED) and consisting of refractive elements (2-B-1) and mirrors (2-B-2), with each element being able to be fixed or mobile, and with user protection module (2-C) and mono, bi, and tri-axial positioning wheels (3). The laser beam leaving the system covers a wide area in order to promote the illumination of at least one focused line, or of a wider area, with at least the same length as the laser.

[0059] The system of the present patent works as follows:

[0060] In the case of cutting:

[0061] According to FIGS. 5 and 6, during the cutting process, the laser beam (L) is directed through the guide (2-B), and has automatic or manual height adjustment, with or without feedback. The positioning wheels (3) can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the rows of plant beds and do not damage the crop plants (P). Typically, the beam (L) is directed at the base of the plant (P) to perform the cut, but it’s not limited to this height (FIG. 5). The cut can be performed in an orthogonal manner to the rows or axially. The cut can be performed with or without the presence of thermal effects, and the laser configuration (2-A) is responsible for this distinction. The system can cut either a single row of plants or numerous rows simultaneously. The function performed by a classic cutting platform of harvesting machines can be performed by laser cutting in substitution of mechanical cutting. With the advantages of reducing the waste of grain generated by the mechanical impact of the blades against the plants, and also increasing the precision of the cuts in terms of height and position of the first crops.

[0062] According to FIGS. 7 and 8, the specific process of cutting plant structures (P), such as leaves, stem, branches, twigs and apical region (RA), in this case called apical pruning. The pruning in cultivar crops of large extensions, benefits from a cut with vertical position control from the ground (FIG. 7). The vertical control of the height where the cut is made can be adjusted by manual or automatic control, with or without feedback, with or without the aid of sensors. The positioning wheels (3) can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the plant beds rows and do not damage the crop plants (P). The cut is usually made parallel to the ground, but not limited to this angle, and cuts can be made with varied inclinations, and, in the case of more than one laser (2-A), each laser can have its individual vertical height control. The laser beam (L) can also be perpendicular to the movement of the equipment, and consequently perpendicular to the rows, as well as being parallel to them. The system can perform the pruning of only one row of plants or of several rows simultaneously.

[0063] In the case of weeding:

[0064] According to FIG. 9, when weeding is performed, the laser beam (2-A) is directed, through the guide (2-B), to the regions where it is necessary to perform the cleaning, that is, to remove plant species different from the objective of cultivation (ED), from the same or different rows, or between rows, with the objective of cutting, burning and/or eliminating the invasive or weed species present in the crops. The positioning wheels (3) can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the crop plants (P). In this case, cutting processes are employed, with or without thermal effect, to promote the death and subsequent extinction and/or reduction of invasive species (ED). FIG. 9 illustrates the action of the laser on an invasive species between the rows of a crop to cut the stem of the plant near the ground and consequently kill the plant.

[0065] In the case of desiccation:

[0066] According to FIGS. 10 and 11, the desiccation procedure employing laser radiation (2-A) does not aim to cause cuts in the plants, or in parts of them, but to irradiate the plant (P) in its entirety, or as much as possible (FIG. 9), and it can be used in only one plant bed, or in many, to promote intense dehydration, leading the plant to death. The positioning wheels (3) can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the beds and do not damage the crop plants (P). The intensity of the laser radiation and the exposure time on the plant, as well as the wavelength, among other parameters of the laser operation regime, will determine whether the final result will be the complete extinction of the plant, as in the case intended for weeds and pests (ED), or to advance the ripening for harvesting.

[0067] In the case of photostimulation:

[0068] According to FIGS. 12 and 13, the stimulation to laser radiation (L) occurs from the irradiation of the plant, in its entirety or in its majority (FIG. 11), favoring the structures responsible for photosynthesis and optical absorption. The laser operating regime (2-A) should promote the action of electronic excitation for stimulation of the plant. The laser radiation (L) reaches the plant (P) in its totality, and may be in only one plant bed row, or in several rows. The intensity, wavelength, modulation, and exposure time, among other variables, of the laser will influence the type of stimulation desired and the species of plant affected. Multiple lasers (2-A) can be used operating in parallel, or a scanning laser, as in the example in FIG. 13, to illuminate as much of the plant or crop as possible. The positioning wheels (3) can be moved, automatically or manually, so that they are positioned between the rows and do not damage the crop plants (P).