AN ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT FOR ELIMINATING WEEDS BY CONTACT ELECTROCUTION

Abstract

An arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds by contact electrocution comprising: —a general support (1) formed by a first connection means (2) associated with the proximal end of a deformable frame (3), and a first mounting means (5); —a first electrode support (8) associated with said general support (1) by said first connection means (2); —a second electrode support (22) associated with said general support (1) by the distal end (4) of said deformable frame (3); wherein said first electrode support (8) includes a first electrode (15); and wherein said second electrode support (22) includes at least one electrode (29).

Claims

1. An arrangement of electrodes for eliminating weeds by contact electrocution comprising: a general support (1) formed by a first connection means (2) associated with the proximal end of a deformable frame (3), and a first mounting means (5); a first electrode support (8) associated with said general support (1) by said first connection means (2); and a second electrode support (22) associated with said general support (1) by the distal end (4) of said deformable frame (3); wherein said first electrode support (8) includes a first electrode (15); and wherein said second electrode support (22) includes at least one electrode (29).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode support (8) comprises a first structural part (10) and a second structural part (12) associated with each other by a common axis (9), a first elastic means (14) being arranged between said first and second structural parts (10,12).

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said first structural part (10) is comprised of a second connection means (11) connecting said first electrode support (8) to said general support (1) through said first connection means, and said second structural part (12) consists of a pivoting arm (12) which pivots, at its proximal end, around said common axis (9), and is constantly pressed down by said first means elastic (14), and having mounted, at the distal end of said pivoting arm (12), a second mounting means (13), a first insulating element (16), and said first electrode (15).

4. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said pivoting arm (12) is a fork made up of two arms joined together in an H-shape, which holds said first electrode (15) on both sides.

5. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said first elastic means (14) includes at one of its ends an elastic tension regulating means (41).

6. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said first electrode (15) is insulatingly separated from said second mounting means (13) by said first insulating element (16), said first electrode (15) being connected electrically to an electricity generator by means of a frictional contact by coals housed inside a cup (17) mounted on said pivoting arm (12), electrically insulated by an insulating material separating part (18).

7. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said first electrode support further includes a penetration depth control means (19).

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said penetration depth control means (19) is at least one leveling wheel integral with said first electrode (15), which comprises a rolling surface (20) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said first electrode (15), associated with a third mounting means (21) by which it is connected to said first electrode (15).

9. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said penetration depth control means (19) is a sliding skate.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second electrode support (22) includes a support means (24) for mounting, by means of a clamping means (28), at least one intermediate part (27) manufactured with insulating and resilient material, associated with said at least one second electrode (29), said second electrode support (22) being associated with the distal end (4) of said deformable frame (3) by means of a second fixing means (25) and second insulating elements (26) that electrically isolate said second electrode support (22) from said general support (1).

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said deformable frame (3) takes the form of a parallelogram and rotates freely around pivot axes (43,44) arranged at its proximal end.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said deformable frame (3) includes a second elastic means located between the arms of the parallelogram, or between one of said arms and said general support (1), wherein in any of the ends of said second elastic means, means for regulating the elastic force of said deformable frame (3) are provided.

13. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second electrode (29) is formed from a metal sheet having a curvilinear contact surface (30), with rounded edges and no vertices (31), and at least one intermediate part (27) is mounted below said by means of a third fixing means (32), and is connected to said electricity generator by means of at least one connector (33).

14. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second electrode (29) takes the form of a wheel of conductive material, associated with said second electrode support (22) by means of a pivoting means, electrically insulated from said second electrode support (22) by means of an insulating material separating means, associated with said electricity generator.

15. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second electrode (29) is insulated from the surrounding environment by means of an insulating frame (34) consisting of an enclosure of insulating material surrounding said at least one second electrode (29), with a ventral opening allowing the contact of said at least one second electrode (29) with the ground or plant matter, said ventral opening of said insulating frame 34 extending on a front surface (46) and on a rear surface (47) to allow the circulation of plant matter (48), and its contact with said at least one second electrode (29); and the lateral surface (67) of said insulating frame (34) prevents contact between said at least one second electrode (29) and the foliage of the crop to be protected (68).

16. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second electrode support (22) further includes an anti-fire device (35) composed of a fluid reservoir (49), a fluid impeller (50), and a fluid distributor conduit (51) connecting said fluid impeller (50) with a fluid distributor (52), at the ends of which spray nozzles (53) are mounted.

17. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said first electrode support (8) further includes a height regulating means (55) consisting of a combination of multiple perforations in said second connection means (11) with a fourth fixing means (56) that crosses said first connection means (2).

18. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said first electrode support (8) further comprises a height regulating means (55) consisting of a combination of multiple perforations in said second connection means (11) with a fourth fixing means (56) that crosses said first connection means (2).

19. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second electrodes (29) which are mounted on at least two separate fixing lines (60,61) and distributed in such a way that the projection of the contact surface (62) of each of said second electrodes (29) on a plane perpendicular (63) to the travel direction (64) of a vehicle, is at least adjacent, and preferably generates a surface superimposed (65) with the contact surface (62) of another of said second electrodes (29), thereby covering the entire effective application surface (66) between the first and the last of the second electrodes (29) of said plurality of second electrodes (29).

20. The arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of second electrodes is connected to an electricity generator in an equipotential manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds by contact electrocution of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds by contact electrocution of the invention, in the working position.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds by contact electrocution of the invention, where two sectors of electrodes are illustrated, one of said sectors with an enlarged view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement of electrodes for removing weeds comprising a general support 1 associated with a coupling means 6 of a housing or chassis of a vehicle (not shown). Said general support 1 is, in turn, associated with a first electrode support and a second electrode support 8, 22. Said general support 1 comprises a first connection means 2, which can be a bushing, an axis or the like, for the assembly of said first electrode support 8, associated with the proximal end of a deformable frame 3, preferably in the form of a parallelogram, at the distal end 4 of which said second electrode support 22 is mounted; and a first mounting means 5, such as flanges, which allow the assembly of the arrangement of electrodes by means of a first fixing means 7 to said coupling means 6 included in the chassis or housing of a vehicle.

[0035] Said first electrode support 8 is made up of a first structural part 10 and a second structural part 12 associated with each other by a common axis 9. Between said first structural part 10 and said second structural part 12 there is a first elastic means 14.

[0036] Said first structural part 10 consists of a second connection means 11, for example, a bushing coaxial to a rod, which connects said first electrode support 8 to said general support 1 by said first connection means 2. Said second structural part 12 consists of a pivoting arm 12 which pivots, at its proximal end, around said common axis 9, and is constantly pressed down by said first elastic means 14. At the distal end of said pivoting arm 12 a second mounting means 13 is attached, such as a hub, a first insulating element 16, and a first electrode 15. In some cases a penetration depth control means 19 of said first electrode 15 may also be included. Said pivoting arm 12 allows the angular movement of said first electrode 15, and said first elastic means 14 presses said first electrode 15 against the ground on which the vehicle carrying said arrangement of electrodes moves.

[0037] Said pivoting arm 12 may take the form of a fork constituted by two arms joined together in an H-shape, which holds said first electrode 15 on both sides.

[0038] Preferably, said first electrode 15 takes the form of a smooth agricultural cutting disc, and is insulatingly separated from said second mounting means 13 by said first insulating element 16, so that there is no electrical contact between said first electrode 15 and said general support 8. The electrical connection between said first electrode 15 and an electricity generator (not shown) is achieved by a friction contact by coals housed within a cup 17, mounted on said pivoting arm 12, electrically insulated by an insulating material separating part 18.

[0039] Said first electrode 15 may adopt other configurations, such as: a metal wheel that supports on the ground, electrically connected and insulated from said first electrode support 8, and electrically connected to an electricity generator; or a sheet of conductive material that slides on the ground, such as a skate-shaped structure, electrically connected to and insulated from said first insulating element 16 of said first electrode support 15, by suitable fixing means, and electrically connected to a generator of electricity through fixed contacts.

[0040] Consequently, said first electrode 15 can adopt other multiple configurations in which there is no penetration into the ground, which would be within the expertise of any average technical expert.

[0041] Said penetration depth control 19 can be a leveling wheel integral with said first electrode 15, which comprises a rolling surface 20 of a diameter smaller than the diameter of said first electrode 15, associated with a third mounting means 21, such as a flange, whereby it is connected to said first electrode 15. The combination between said rolling surface 20 and the pressure generated by said first elastic means 14 allows the homogeneous penetration of said first electrode 15 in any suitable ground condition. As previously mentioned, said penetration depth control 19 can adopt other configurations such as, for example, a sliding skate, which would be within the expertise of any average technical expert.

[0042] Said second electrode support 22 includes a support means for mounting, by means of a clamping means 28, at least one intermediate part 27 made of insulating and resilient material, associated with at least one second electrode 29. Said second electrode support 22 is associated to the distal end 4 of said deformable frame 3 by a second fixing means 25 and a second insulating element 26 that electrically insulates said second electrode support 22 from said general support 1.

[0043] Said at least one second electrode 29 is preferably manufactured from a metal sheet having a curvilinear contact surface 30, with rounded edges and no vertices 31, the geometric characteristics of which are intended to optimize the sliding thereof on the ground, avoid jamming and entrainment of plant matter, evenly distribute the electric field, and minimize the risk of voltaic arc formation. Said at least one second electrode 29 is mounted below said at least one intermediate part 27 by a third fixing means 32, and is associated with said electricity generator through at least one connector 33, so that said at least one second electrode 29 remains electrically insulated from the rest of the arrangement of electrodes.

[0044] Yet another form that said at least one second electrode 29 may take is that of a wheel of conductive material, associated with said second electrode support 22, by means of a pivoting means, electrically insulated from said second electrode support 22 by means of an insulating material separating part, associated with said electricity generator.

[0045] In turn, said at least one second electrode 29 is electrically insulated from the surrounding environment by means of an insulating frame 34, consisting of an enclosure of surrounding insulating material, with a ventral opening that allows its contact with the ground or plant matter. Said insulating frame 34 prevents involuntary access by the operator to said at least one second electrode 29 when it is energized, and prevents its contact with the vegetation adjacent to the passage of the vehicle carrying the arrangement of electrodes (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0046] Said second electrode support 22 also includes an anti-fire device 35 (partially visible in FIG. 1 and in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3), formed by a fluid distributor conduit that enters through the upper face of said insulating frame 34.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the arrangement of electrodes in its working position. In said FIG. 2 both the first electrode 15, and the at least one second electrode 29 are seen on a the terrain 36, with a first large slope 37 in a first portion of said terrain 36, and a second small slope 38 in a second portion of said terrain 36. The image of dotted lines to the left represents said first electrode 15 crossing said first slope 37, while the image of dotted lines at the right end represents at least one second electrode in its natural position without deformation.

[0048] It can be seen that the angular movement of said pivoting arm 12 and the reaction of said first elastic means 14 favor the permanent support of the rolling surface 20 of said penetration depth control 19 on the ground or plant matter. In this way, the penetration depth 39 of said first electrode 15 is uniform across the deformations of said terrain 36. Likewise, a stop 40 included in said first structural part 10 limits the rotation of said pivoting arm 12 clockwise. On the other hand, the limitation of anti-clockwise rotation of said pivoting arm 12 is determined by the maximum allowable elastic tension of said first elastic means 14. Additionally, said first elastic means 14 may include, at one of its ends, an elastic tension regulating means 41 to thereby achieve uniform penetration of said first electrode 15 in any suitable terrain 36.

[0049] The freedom of rotation 42 of said deformable frame 3 can also be observed around pivot axes 43, 44, arranged at its proximal end, allowing the integral movement of said second electrode support 22 to overcome large deformations of the ground, as in the case of said first slope 37. The weight itself attached to the distal end of said deformable frame 3 with respect to said pivot axes 43, 44 serves as sufficient pressure to maintain the contact of said at least one second electrode 29 on said terrain 36.

[0050] Still another form of regulating the pressure of the deformable frame 3 can be achieved by a second elastic means (not shown) located between the arms of the parallelogram, or between one of said arms and said general support 1, where at one of the ends of said second elastic means suitable means to regulate the elastic force thereof would be located.

[0051] Said at least one intermediate part 27, due to its resilient property, deforms upon crossing said second slope 38, recovering its original position 45 once said second slope 38 has been overcome. Thus, said at least one second electrode 29 slides into contact with the plant matter or the ground, avoiding the formation of dielectrics that favor the generation of voltaic arcs.

[0052] The ventral opening of said insulating frame 34 extends on a front surface 46 and on a rear surface 47 thereof to allow the circulation of plant material 48, and its contact with said at least one second electrode 29.

[0053] As can be seen, said fire device 35 is composed, more specifically, of a fluid reservoir 49, a fluid impeller 50, both located remotely with respect to the arrangement of electrodes of the invention, and a conduit 51 that connects said fluid impeller 50 with a fluid distributor 52, at thee ends of which spray nozzles 53 are mounted. Said spray nozzles 53 are distributed over an application area and allow generating an anoxic atmosphere 54 within said insulating frame 34, the function of which it is to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the region proximal to said at least one second electrode 29, avoiding ignition of the flammable plant material.

[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the arrangement of electrodes, and includes an enlarged three-dimensional view of the connection between said general support 1 and said first electrode support 8.

[0055] A height regulating means 55 of said first electrode support 8 can be observed by combining multiple perforations in said second connection means 11 with a fourth fixing means 56, for example, an elastic pin that crosses said first connection means 2, which also includes multiple perforations. Through this height adjustment it is possible to adapt the arrangement of electrodes of the invention to several vehicle housings or chassis. In addition, a drift limiter 57 of said first electrode 15 can be observed, which is obtained by inserting a locking element 58 in a cavity made in said first structural part 10. Said drift limiter 57 allows the rotation of said first electrode 15 around said second connection means 11 within a turning arc 59 imposed by said locking element 58, so that soil tillage is avoided when the vehicle carrying the arrangement of electrodes of the invention travels along winding paths, reducing the mechanical power consumption and favoring the uniform contact of said first electrode 15 with the terrain 36. As previously mentioned, both said height regulating means 55 and said drift limiter 57 can adopt other configurations which would be within the expertise of any average technical expert.

[0056] In this same bottom view, the particular case of a plurality of second electrodes 29 mounted on at least two separate fixing lines 60,61 is shown, wherein said plurality of second [electrodes] 29 are distributed such that the projection of the contact surface 62 of each of said second electrodes 29 on a plane perpendicular 63 to the travel direction 64 of the vehicle, is at least adjacent, and preferably generates an overlapping surface 65 with the contact surface 62 of another of said second electrodes 29, covering in this way the entire effective application surface 66 between the first and the last of the second electrodes 29 of said plurality of second electrodes 29. Around said plurality of second electrodes 29, said insulating frame 34 can be seen, the lateral surface 67 of which prevents contact between said plurality of second electrodes 29 and the foliage of the crop to be protected 68. Obviously, said plurality of second electrodes 29 will be correspondingly associated with a plurality of intermediate parts 27 and a plurality of connectors 33, and is connected to an electricity generator in an equipotential manner.