Agricultural sprayer boom

Abstract

A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer comprises an elongate frame supporting a plurality of liquid application devices, liquid delivery means connected to the application devices, and an elongate tray attached to, and extending along, the boom. The tray is movable between a first position in which the tray extends substantially horizontally beneath one or more of the application devices to prevent material from leaking onto the ground below, and a second position in which the tray is located clear of delivery paths of the liquid application devices.

Claims

1. A boom for mounting to an agricultural sprayer, the boom comprising: an elongate frame having an elongate axis extending substantially perpendicular to a normal forward direction of travel and supporting a plurality of liquid application devices; at least one pipe connecting the plurality of liquid application devices to a liquid storage tank; and an elongate tray attached to the elongate frame and extending substantially along an entire length of the elongate frame, the elongate tray spaced apart from the plurality of liquid application devices, wherein the elongate tray comprises: a first longitudinal edge proximate a forward side of the elongate frame and comprising a pivot axis parallel to the elongate axis of the elongate frame; and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge; wherein the elongate tray is pivotally mounted to the elongate frame for movement about the pivot axis so as to pivot between a first position in which the second longitudinal edge is proximate a rearward side of the elongate frame such that the elongate tray extends substantially horizontally beneath the plurality of liquid application devices and forms a liquid-retaining receptacle to prevent liquid from leaking from the plurality of liquid application devices onto the ground below, and a second position in which the second longitudinal edge is located forward of and clear of delivery paths of the plurality of liquid application devices and the elongate tray extends downward to impact upon an airflow incident thereon as the sprayer moves across a field.

2. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate frame comprises a first longitudinal member relative to the elongate axis of the elongate frame, and wherein the elongate tray is pivotally mounted to the first longitudinal member.

3. The boom of claim 1, further comprising a latch configured to secure the second longitudinal edge to the elongate frame when the elongate tray is in the second position.

4. The boom of claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is disposed below the plurality of liquid application devices.

5. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray comprises a first tray pivotally mounted to a front edge of the elongate frame and a second tray pivotally mounted to a rear edge of the elongate frame, wherein each of the first and second trays are pivotally movable between a first position in which the first and second trays extend substantially horizontally beneath the plurality of liquid application devices, and a second position in which the first and second trays are located clear of delivery paths of the plurality of liquid application devices.

6. The boom of claim 5, wherein the first and second trays overlap when both are in their respective first positions.

7. The boom of claim 5, wherein respective longitudinal edges of the first and second trays meet along a sealed seam below the plurality of liquid application devices when both trays are in their respective first positions.

8. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray comprises a double-skin structure.

9. The boom of claim 8, wherein the elongate tray defines at least one inlet and at least one vent, wherein the at least one inlet is in communication with a source of pressurized air when the elongate tray is in the second position.

10. The boom of claim 9, wherein the double-skin structure defines a passage for the pressurized air between the at least one inlet and the at least one vent.

11. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray is substantially rectangular in shape.

12. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray exhibits a concave profile for collecting liquid.

13. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray comprises a lip around its periphery.

14. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate tray comprises a plastic material.

15. The boom of claim 1, wherein the elongate frame comprises a hollow structural section member under which the plurality of liquid application devices and the at least one pipe are mounted.

16. An agricultural sprayer comprising a boom, the boom comprising: an elongate frame having an elongate axis extending substantially perpendicular to a normal forward direction of travel and supporting a plurality of liquid application devices; at least one pipe connecting the plurality of liquid application devices to a liquid storage tank; and an elongate tray attached to the elongate frame and extending substantially along an entire length of the elongate frame, the elongate tray spaced apart from the plurality of liquid application devices, wherein the elongate tray comprises: a first longitudinal edge proximate a forward side of the elongate frame and comprising a pivot axis parallel to the elongate axis of the elongate frame; and a second longitudinal edge opposite the first longitudinal edge; wherein the elongate tray is pivotally mounted to the elongate frame for movement about the pivot axis so as to pivot between a first position in which the second longitudinal edge is proximate a rearward side of the elongate frame such that the elongate tray extends substantially horizontally beneath the plurality of liquid application devices and forms a liquid-retaining receptacle to prevent liquid from leaking from the plurality of liquid application devices onto the ground below, and a second position in which the second longitudinal edge is located forward of and clear of delivery paths of the plurality of liquid application devices and the elongate tray extends downward to impact upon an airflow incident thereon as the sprayer moves across a field.

17. The agricultural sprayer of claim 16, wherein the elongate tray in the second position extends forwardly of the elongate frame with respect to the normal forward direction of travel of the agricultural sprayer.

18. The agricultural sprayer of claim 16, further comprising a first baffle located behind and above the plurality of liquid application devices with respect to the normal forward direction of travel of the agricultural sprayer, and a second baffle extending forwardly of the elongate frame and configured to funnel an airflow created by movement of the agricultural sprayer into an open section in a front side of the boom, the airflow being deflected downwardly by the first baffle.

19. The agricultural sprayer of claim 18, wherein second baffle comprises the elongate tray.

20. The agricultural sprayer of claim 18, wherein the second baffle further comprises an upper baffle plate extending along the front side of the boom and being mounted along one edge to the elongate frame above the open section and extending upwardly and forwardly, to guide a further portion of the airflow into the front side of the elongate frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages will become apparent from reading the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic side representation of a tractor and a pull-type sprayer;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic plan representation of the tractor and sprayer of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear view of the sprayer of FIG. 1 showing the multi-section boom in an unfolded configuration;

(5) FIG. 4 is a part exploded, perspective view of a boom section comprising a hollow structural section frame member;

(6) FIG. 5 is a part exploded perspective view showing some of the brackets, plumbing and guard members of the boom of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of one U-shaped bracket together with clamps for securing the pipework;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a part exploded, perspective view of the bracket and clamp assembly of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows an exploded, perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 6;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of part of the boom of FIG. 4 omitting the frame member for clarity and shown fitted with a number of windshields;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a windshield of FIG. 9 with associated bracket portions;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of part of a boom in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention having a pivotable drip tray shown in an open position;

(13) FIG. 12 is an end view of the boom of FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 is an end view of the boom of FIG. 11 showing the drip tray in a closed position;

(15) FIGS. 14 and 15 show an end view of the functional attachment portion of a boom according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising an alternative pivotable drip tray shown in an open position and a closed position respectively;

(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of part of a boom in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

(17) FIG. 17 is perspective view of part of a boom in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

(18) FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 each show an end view of the functional attachment portion of the boom of FIG. 17 showing the pivotable baffles in different positions;

(19) FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a boom section according to alternative construction;

(20) FIG. 22 shows a vertical section taken through the boom of FIG. 21;

(21) FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a boom section;

(22) FIG. 24 shows a vertical section taken through the boom of FIG. 23;

(23) FIGS. 25 and 26 show vertical section views of a boom in accordance with an fifth embodiment of the invention showing a flexible drip tray in an open and a closed position respectively;

(24) FIGS. 27 through 29 each show vertical section views of a boom in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention showing two flexible baffles in different positions;

(25) FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of a boom section;

(26) FIG. 31 shows a vertical section taken through the boom shown in FIG. 30;

(27) FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of boom in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; and,

(28) FIGS. 33 and 34 show end on views of the boom of FIG. 32 showing the baffle plates provided in an operating and non-operating position respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(29) With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a pull-type agricultural sprayer 10 is represented in schematic form from various views. The sprayer 10 is attached to the rear of a tractor 12 by means of towing hitch 14 associated with the tractor and a drawbar tongue 16 forming part of the chassis of the sprayer 10. The sprayer 10 includes a storage tank 18 which serves to store the liquid material to be applied to a crop field.

(30) A transversely-extending multi-section boom 20 is formed from five separate boom sections 20a to 20e which are connected by hinge means and aligned with one another in the operating configuration shown. In this configuration the boom 20 extends substantially at right angles to the forward direction of travel, represented by arrow F in FIG. 1.

(31) A central boom section 20c is fixed to the rear of the sprayer 10 by a suitable linkage represented at 22. As in known sprayer machines, the linkage 22 may permit raising and lowering of the boom to adapt to different crops and conditions.

(32) The boom 20 further comprises a left-hand boom assembly and a right-hand boom assembly each hingeably mounted to respective ends of the central boom section 20c for pivoting movement around a substantially vertical axis. Left-hand boom assembly comprises an inner boom section 20b mounted to the central boom section 20c and an outer boom section 20a hingeably connected to the inner boom section 20b. Right-hand boom assembly comprises an inner boom section 20d mounted to the central boom section 20c and an outer boom section 20e hingeably connected to the inner boom section 20d.

(33) The pivoting connections between the respective boom sections 20a-e allow the multi-section boom 20 to be folded into a transport configuration represented schematically by dashed 20′. It should be recognized that the folding mechanism and construction of the boom 20 is shown in highly schematic form and is not particularly relevant to the invention. Moreover, it should be noted that the central boom section 20c may be lighter in construction because it does not encounter the large bending forces experienced by the other boom sections 20a, 20b, 20d, 20e.

(34) The various embodiments of the invention to be described below relate to the construction of a boom (or boom section) for mounting to an agricultural sprayer such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be understood that the boom constructions described hereinafter can be used in conjunction with different types of agricultural sprayer including mounted, trailed and self-propelled.

(35) The following description makes reference to “booms” but it should be understood that the constructions described can be applied to a single boom section of a multi-section boom, and the term “boom” shall encompass “boom section” also.

(36) The boom constructions described hereinafter embody one or more inventive aspects which will be described in turn for clarity and highlighted, where possible, with sub-headings.

(37) HSS Boom Construction

(38) With reference to FIG. 4 a boom section 100 comprises a frame member 101 formed from a length of hollow structural section (HSS). The frame member 101 comprises a top plate 102, a bottom plate 103, a front plate 104 and a rear plate 105 together forming a trapezium-shaped profile wherein the top plate 102 is narrower than the bottom plate 103. Tubular strengthening members 106 are provided in each corner of the profile and extend through the length of the frame member 101. FIG. 12, for example, shows a vertical section of the frame member 101 having the trapezium-shaped profile.

(39) The frame member 101 is formed from an extrusion process which is a well-known technique in producing HSS members. Alternatively the frame member 101 may be formed from a pultrusion process.

(40) The frame member 101 is preferably formed from aluminum. Alternatively, a composite material may be used.

(41) The unitary frame member 101 provides the structural strength of the boom and withstands the bending moment subjected thereon. Being hollow, the frame 101 is lighter than conventional truss-based booms thus reducing the stresses on the hinges between adjacent boom sections. Moreover, the bending-induced stresses are spread along the length of the extruded member rather than being focused at peak points as in known truss-based constructions. The overall boom construction is therefore more capable of tolerating the stresses associated with being driven over rough ground. The lighter construction facilitates greater design freedom in producing longer booms whilst keeping within stress tolerances.

(42) The use of extrusion to produce the boom frame delivers a significant cost saving over conventional truss-based booms available on the market today. Lengths of HSS can be stockpiled by manufacturers and simply cut to the desired length when required. Advantageously, this allows a ‘just-in-time’ approach to supplying parts to the assembly line without having to stock several different parts and still allowing a wide range of boom lengths to be assembled on the same line.

(43) Turning back to FIG. 4, a plurality of liquid application devices in the form of nozzles 107 are mounted to the underside of the HSS frame member 101. It should be understood that, today, the nozzles employed may form part of multi-nozzle devices which may include integrated valves and permit the operator to select the nozzle most suited to the application in hand. It should be understood that the multi-nozzle devices 107 illustrated in FIG. 4 may be replaced by basic single nozzles without deviating from the scope of the invention.

(44) The nozzles 107 serve to apply the pesticide or nutrient solution to the crop from above in the form of a jet or mist in a known manner.

(45) Liquid delivery means connected to the nozzles 107 are also mounted to the underside of the HSS frame member 101.

(46) The term liquid delivery means is intended to encompass the plumbing required to convey liquid from the storage tank 18 to the nozzles 107. The plumbing may comprise return lines used for flushing the pipe work after completion of the spraying operation. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, three linear pipes 108, 109, 110 are shown extending along the length of the boom section 100. First pipe 108 conveys fluid to an adjacent boom section 100. Second pipe 109 conveys fluid to the nozzles 107. Third pipe 110 is a return pipe.

(47) A plurality of U-shaped brackets 111 are secured to the underside of the frame member 101 in a spaced relationship. The example shown in FIG. 4 illustrates seven brackets 111 but it should be understood that more or less may be employed as required. The brackets 111 serve to support the pipes 108, 109, 110 together with a front tubular guard member 112 and a rear tubular guard member 113. Nozzles 107 (including associated valves) are clamped and plumbed to the pipes 108, 109, 110 as required.

(48) The brackets 111 and attached functional components are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. As can best been seen from FIG. 6, each bracket 111 has an upside down U-shaped profile having a linear central section 112 and two, curved, end sections 113, 114. Each bracket 111 is secured to the base plate 103 by means of bolts or rivets (not shown) which pass through holes 115 provided in the straight section 112.

(49) To provide increased modularity each bracket 111 is formed from two identical portions 116, 116′ that interlock with one another and shown in separated form in FIG. 8. Each portion 116, 116′ includes a straight segment 112′ and a respective one of the two end sections 113, 114. At the open end of each straight segment 112′ a T-shaped peg 117 is provided. Each straight segment 112 includes a shoulder 118 in which a corresponding T-shaped slot 119 is provided. The pegs 117 each slideably engage into a respective one of the slots 119 provided on the other portion up to a position in which respective faces 120 provided in the straight segments 112′ abut. The reason for providing a two-part bracket structure will be explained further below.

(50) The pipes 108, 109, 110 are secured to each bracket 111 by means of a two-part clamp having an upper part 121 attached to the bracket 111 and a lower part 122 secured to the upper part 121. Interlocking means are provided to facilitate simple mounting of the pipework to the frame. Firstly, the upper part 121 is mounted to the bracket 111. Best seen in FIG. 7, a T-shaped peg 123 provided in the straight segment 112′ of each bracket portion 116, 116′ is slideably received in a corresponding T-shaped slot 124 provided in the top surface of top clamp portion 121.

(51) The pipes 108, 109, 110 are then located into position in recesses 125, 126, 127 formed in the top clamp portion 121. The lower clamp portion 122 is then placed into position and secured to the top portion 121 by means of screws inserted through holes 128 provided in both portions and the bracket 111. (It should be understood that the pipes 108, 109, 110 are omitted from FIGS. 6 and 7 for clarity.)

(52) The clamping portions 121, 122, when secured in place, exert a clamping force on the pipes 108, 109, 110 to prevent movement of the pipework relative to the frame 101. Alternatively, the clamps may simply serve to retain the pipes 108, 109, 110 and permit a degree of linear movement so as to accommodate flexing of the boom section 100 without detrimental effects to the plumbing joints associated therewith.

(53) As briefly mentioned above, each bracket 111 holds in place a front tubular guard member 129 and a rear tubular guard member 130, each serving to provide protection to the nozzles 107, plumbing, and pipework from impacts with external objects. It shall be understood from FIGS. 5 to 8 that each guard member 129, 130 snap fits into a receiving recess 131, 132 provided at the extreme ends of each bracket 111. Each recess 131, 132 has an associated pair of elliptical retainers 133 each having a small hole for receiving a securing pin (not shown) and a larger hole 135 through which the associated guard member 129, 130 is inserted and retained in position. It should be understood that FIG. 7 shows the retainers 133 for the rear guard member 130 in exploded form.

(54) Some boom constructions demanded by customers may require only one of a front or rear guard member. By forming the brackets 111 from two portions 116, 116′, the manufacturer has the option to fit only one portion thus providing modularity in assembly. For example, if a customer requires only a front guard member 129 the rear portion 116 of each bracket 111 can be simply omitted, thereby saving cost. Furthermore, since the two portions of bracket 111 are identical, savings can be made through economies of scale and the number of different required components on the assembly line is reduced.

(55) In addition to guard members 129, 130, front and rear windshields 136, 137 (FIG. 9) may be provided to shield the sprayed liquid from ambient air flow thus reducing spray drift. Each windshield 136, 137 comprises a plate shaped to conform substantially to the curved profile of brackets 111 and bent to include a cylindrical sleeve 138 (FIG. 10). During assembly one of the guard members 129, 130 is inserted through the sleeves 138 of the respective windshields 136, 137 to hold them in place. Screws 139 are inserted through holes 140 provided in the windshield, the screws securing the windshield to tabs 141 provided by the brackets 111.

(56) The modularity offered by the construction allows any combination of front and/or rear windshields to be included. The construction of the front windshields 136 is preferably identical to that of the rear windshields 137 so as to reduce the components present on the assembly line and reduce costs further.

(57) It should be understood that FIG. 9 shows one of the front windshields omitted for clarity together with pipes 109, 110 and extruded frame member 101.

(58) The brackets 111 are preferably molded from a plastic material. Alternatively aluminum or a composite material may be used. The commonality between the brackets 111 applied to a multitude of boom sections in the same machine provides cost saving through economies of scale.

(59) Moveable Drip Tray

(60) A boom 200 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the construction of which is essentially the same as that described above but with the addition of an elongate drip tray 242 pivotally mounted along a front lower edge of the boom 200. The drip tray 242 is substantially rectangular and has a double-skin structure having an outer skin 243 and an inner skin 244. The tray 242 is preferably formed also from an extrusion process and may be formed from a plastic material for minimizing weight and cost. In the embodiment shown, the outer skin 243 is substantially planar, and the inner skin 244 has a concave profile.

(61) The tray 242 is pivotally mounted along an axis defined by the front tubular guard member 129 which itself is supported by the bracket 111. Various means of hinging the tray 242 along the axis are envisaged but may, for example, include a plurality of spaced sleeves integrated within the double skin and through which the front guard member 129 is inserted.

(62) In an operating configuration (FIGS. 11 and 12) the tray 242 extends forwardly of the frame 101 with respect to the normal direction of travel F and downwardly away from the frame so as to impact upon an airflow incident thereon as the sprayer moves across a field. Arrows X shown in FIG. 12 represents the airflow. The sprayed liquid is shielded from the airflow X thus reducing drift. In other words, the drip tray 242 acts as a baffle plate to shield the applied liquid from ambient wind.

(63) In a second, transport, configuration (FIG. 13) the drip tray 242 is in a closed position and extends substantially horizontally beneath the nozzles 107 to prevent the applied material from leaking onto the ground below. The concaved profile of the drip tray 242 serves to collect any drips in a smaller area thus making it easier to mop up or collect as required.

(64) The provision of a drip tray on the boom itself offers significant advantages over the current state of the art. There is growing pressure from sprayer manufacturers to provide means to prevent potentially harmful pesticide from dripping on to the ground when not in operation for environmental reasons. The bulky nature of a drip tray has been found to hinder the folding functionality of a multi-section boom and has thus so far only been provided as an item that is fixed to the spray vehicle below the folded boom.

(65) A drip tray that is pivotally mounted on the boom can also serve as a baffle plate which reduces drift as described above. Actuator means (not shown) such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders may be employed to move the drip tray 242 between the open and closed positions to avoid the need for the operator to leave his cab. For example, a simple hydraulic cylinder may be connected between a fixed position on the boom 200 and the drip tray 242 to pivot the latter as required. However, it is envisage that the drip tray 242 may be moved manually between the open and closed positions and, in addition, latch means may be provided to secure the drip tray 242 in one or both positions.

(66) The design of the upside down U-shaped brackets 111 is particularly attractive when used in conjunction with a pivotable drip tray as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. An axis defined by the front guard member 129 is particularly suitable for providing a hinge axis for the drip tray 242 because it resides below the nozzles 107. Furthermore, the opposite end of the brackets 111 approximate the rear lower edge and the rear guard member 130 offers a suitable stop means upon which the drip tray 242 can abut when in closed position (FIG. 13). Advantageously, this reduces movement of the drip tray 242 when in the closed position and provides a more secure seal for the collected material.

(67) Although shown as mounted to a boom having a hollow structural section frame 101, it is envisaged that a pivotable drip tray in accordance with the invention may be fitted to alterative boom constructions. For example, FIGS. 32,33, and 34 illustrate a boom 1100 that includes a truss like frame reference generally at 1101. A drip tray 1142 is shown schematically as extending along the boom 1100 and being hingeably attached so as to pivot around an axis defined by a front tubular guard 1129 in a similar manner to that described above. It can be seen from FIGS. 32 and 33 that the drip tray 1142 extends both forwardly and downwardly to shield the sprayed jet Y from ambient airflow X thus reducing spray drift. When not in operation the drip tray 1142 can be pivoted into a closed position as shown in FIG. 34.

(68) The functional attachment structure 300′ (that is excluding the frame member) of a boom according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. The double-skin drip tray 242 of the boom 200 illustrated in FIG. 11 is replaced with a single skin drip tray 342 which is similarly pivotally mounted to the front lower edge of the brackets 111. The drip tray 342 is profiled with a concave surface for collecting the drips in a similar manner in to that described above. A hook-like projection 345 is provided at the open end of the drip tray 342 opposite to the pivot axis and serves to abut the lower rear edge of brackets 111 proximate to the rear guard member 130 when in the closed position (FIG. 15).

(69) Although shown so far as pivoting around an axis that is disposed along a lower edge of the boom, it is envisaged that the axis may reside higher up provided the drip tray is shaped accordingly and/or has a suitable linkage to allow the tray to reside under the nozzles when in the closed position.

(70) In an alternative construction shown in FIGS. 17 to 20 front and rear baffle plates 542, 546 are pivotally mounted along the front and rear lower edges of a boom 500 respectively wherein each plate pivots between an open configuration (FIGS. 17 and 18) and a closed configuration (FIG. 19). It should be understood that each baffle plate 542, 546 can be hingeably mounted in a similar manner to that described above with reference to FIG. 14 for example. In the open configuration the baffle plates 542, 546 may extend downwardly and outwardly from the boom frame and serve to protect the delivery paths of the nozzles 107 from ambient airflow thereby reducing spray drift.

(71) The effect of providing both a front and rear baffle plate delivers superior protection against drift when compared to the embodiments described above which include a single baffle plate.

(72) In the closed configuration the baffle plates 542, 546 are pivoted into a closed position one at a time to provide a drip tray having similar functionality to that described above. The like concave profiles of the front and rear plates 542, 546 allows the two plates to nest together when in the closed position thereby providing a better seal and which prevents leakage of the collected drips. The configuration shown in FIG. 20 will be described in more detail below.

(73) Maintaining the concept of a drip tray which is moveable to a position clear of the nozzle delivery paths, FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a boom 800 having a dual skin baffle plate 842 which includes an elongate flexible section 842′ to facilitate configuration change. The baffle plate 842 is shown secured along an elongate edge to a front lower edge of the boom 800. The flexible region 842′ allows the lower part of the plate 842 to flex between an open position (FIG. 25) and a closed, drip tray, position (FIG. 26).

(74) In yet an alternative construction shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, a boom 900 includes a drip tray that is provided by flexible front and rear baffle plates 942, 946 which are each secured to respective front and rear lower edges of a boom 900. In open positions (FIGS. 27 and 28) the baffle plates 942, 946 serve to shield the delivery paths of the nozzles 107. In a closed position (FIG. 29) the baffle plates 942, 946 flex so as to extend horizontally beneath the nozzles and meet in a central zone 947.

(75) Self-Generating Airflow Acceleration

(76) The boom 400 illustrated in FIG. 16 is identical to the boom 200 illustrated in FIG. 11 except for the omission of the front windshield members 136. The end-on illustration shown in FIG. 12 can also be used to illustrate boom 400 shown in FIG. 16.

(77) By omitting the front windshield 136 an elongate opening, designated generally by 450, is provided along the length of the boom 400 having a top edge defined by a lower edge of the front plate 104 and a lower edge coinciding with the front guard member 129.

(78) The forwardly extending orientation of drip tray 242 serves to guide the airflow incident thereon toward and through the opening 450. As the sprayer moves across the field therefore, air is funnelled in through the opening 450.

(79) The underside 103 of HSS frame member 101 and the rear windshields 137 together serve as baffle means which deflect the funnelled airflow downwardly in the direction of the spray delivery paths. Advantageously, the airflow in the vicinity of the applied liquid is accelerated downwardly towards the crop having two effects. Firstly, the applied liquid is, itself, accelerated thus reducing drift. Secondly, the downward airflow, which can be considered as a pressurized air curtain, serves to open up the crop canopy thus improving the penetration of the applied liquid into the standing crop.

(80) The concept of providing a pressurized airflow in a downward direction along a boom is not new. However, existing solutions require a source of pressurized air which may include pumps, fans and reservoirs and which are expensive and cumbersome to accommodate on the machine. By providing means to funnel and deflect an airflow created by movement of the sprayer, a downward accelerating pneumatic force is provided in a simple and cheap manner using existing components.

(81) The boom 1100 illustrated in FIGS. 32 to 34 also embodies the concept of a self-generating accelerating airflow. The pivoting drip tray 1142 described above is angled forwardly and downwardly when in the open position as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. The drip tray 1142 in this position serves as an elongate baffle plate which, when the sprayer is in motion, serves to guide the incident airflow X upwardly into the front opening 1150.

(82) An upper baffle plate 1152 is secured to the frame 1101 above the open section 1150 and is angled upwardly and forwardly away from the frame 1101 so as to funnel the airflow X downwardly into the open section 1150. Although shown as having a similar construction to the lower baffle plate/drip tray 1142, the upper baffle plate 1152 may take any suitable form and may, for example, comprise a curved profile to accentuate the funnelling effect.

(83) In a similar manner to the boom 400 (FIG. 16) described above, a rear windshield 1137 acts together with a ‘ceiling’ baffle plate 1153 to serve as internal baffle means which guides the funnelled airflow X downwardly past the nozzles 107 in the direction of the sprayed liquid. The downwardly-exiting airflow is represented by arrows Y in FIG. 33. Advantageously, the downwardly-angled baffled plate 1142 also serves to shield the downwardly directed airflow Y, therefore increasing its effect and minimizing drift further.

(84) For completeness, FIG. 34 shows the boom 1100 in a transport configuration wherein the lower baffle plate 1142 is folded under the nozzles 107 to form a drip tray as described above, and the upper baffle plate 1152 is pivoted around a pivot axis upwardly against the frame 1101. Advantageously, this reduces the size of the boom profile to ease folding of the boom sections with respect to one another as described in relation to FIG. 3 above.

(85) Turning back to boom 500 illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20, the self-generated accelerating airflow can be created by angling the front baffle plate 542 upwardly (FIG. 20). In this configuration, the front baffle plate 542 (which may also serve as a drip tray) serves to funnel the incident airflow X downwardly, under the front windshields 537. The rear baffle plate/drip tray 546 serves as a rear baffle to direct the incident airflow X downwardly. The base plate 103 of the HSS serves as a ceiling to prevent the airflow from escaping upwardly past the nozzles 107. Together, the base plate 103 and rear baffle plate 546 deflect the airflow X downwardly creating the beneficial effects describe above.

(86) In yet another alternative boom construction that embodies the self-generated accelerated airflow, the HSS frame member 1001 of a boom 1000 is exploited to direct a funnelled airflow downwardly producing a similar effect similar to that described above. With reference to FIGS. 30 and 31, a HSS frame member 1001 having a trapezium-shaped profile includes a top plate 1002, a base plate 1003, a front plate 1004 and rear plate 1005, formed preferably by an extrusion process. In a similar manner to the HSS frame described with reference to FIG. 4, the frame member 1001 includes corner reinforcing tubes 1006 extruded in to the profile.

(87) Cut into the front plate 1004 are a plurality of holes 1055 each having a tapered cone 1056 configured to funnel an incident airflow in through the hole 1055. With the provision of end plates (not shown) the hollow structural section frame member 1001 thereby forms a chamber that is pressurized as the sprayer moves forwardly across the field. A front set of vents 1057 provided in the base plate 1003 vent the funnelled air downwardly substantially in the direction of the sprayed liquid as represented by arrows Y in FIG. 31.

(88) A rear set of vents 1058 provided in the base plate 1003 vent the pressurized air into a dual skin rear windshield 1037 which is secured by suitable means to the rear lower edge of hollow structural section frame member 1001. The vented air represented by arrow Z in FIG. 31 forms a pressurized curtain of air that opens up the crop canopy and/or accelerates the spray downwardly.

(89) Although boom 1000 includes a front set of vents 1057 and a rear set of vents 1058 in conjunction with a double-skin windshield 1037, it is envisaged that different combinations of vents provided in the base plate 1003 are possible. For example, the rear windshield 1037 may be omitted and a simple set of vents that directly vent air in a generally downward direction may be employed instead.

(90) The top plate 1002 and rear plate 1005 of the HSS serve as baffle means to direct the funnelled airflow X downwardly towards the vents 1057, 1058.

(91) Pneumatic Canopy Opening

(92) FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a boom 600 having a trapezium-shaped HSS frame member 601 which has a profile similar to that described in relation to FIG. 4. Mounted to the underside of frame member 601 is a front windshield 636 and a rear windshield 637. Although not shown in detail the windshields 636, 637 may be mounted to the underside of frame member 601 by any suitable means such as bolting, riveting or gluing.

(93) The windshields 636, 637 have a dual skin structure which provides a respective air conveyance channel for channelling an airflow from vents 657, 658 provided in the base plate 603, to downwardly pointing vents 660, 661 provided along the bottom edge of each windshield. The internal chamber provided by the HSS frame member 601 is pressurized by an auxiliary air pump (not shown) provided on the sprayer or by funnel-like devices that are functionally similar to those shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

(94) The pressurized air is vented through vents 657, 658 into the respective cavities provided by the double-skin windshield 636, 637 via appropriate holes 662, 663 provided in the windshields. The air is vented through one or more slots provided along the bottom edge of each windshield 636, 637 so as to provide a pressurized air curtain which impacts upon the standing crop canopy. Arrows Z (FIG. 22) represent the vented airflow.

(95) The vents or holes 660, 661 effectively form one or more air dispensing nozzles. A single linear slot may be provided along the length of the windshield to dispense a substantially planar jet (or curtain) of pressurized air extending in the direction of the boom axis.

(96) FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an alternative construction to boom 600 described above. Boom 700 comprises only a front windshield 636 of dual skin construction and also includes a lower baffle plate 765. Pressurized air within the HSS frame 601 is conveyed, via vents 662, into the cavity of the dual skin front windshields 636 and then into dual skin baffle plate 765. In a similar manner in that described in relation to FIG. 21, the lower edge of baffle plate 765 comprises a plurality of holes (not shown) which serve as air dispensing nozzles to dispense a curtain of pressurized air that is directed into the standing crop below. The baffle plate 765 is angled forwardly to direct the pressurized air curtain forwardly and thus open the crop canopy ahead of the applied liquid.

(97) Boom 800 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 has been described above in relation to the drip tray functionality. The construction and functionally it similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 but with the addition of the double-skin drip tray 842 which can flex between an open position (FIG. 25) and closed position (FIG. 26). The rear windshield 637 may convey a pressurized air curtain as illustrated in FIG. 22 or may be, simply, a passive structure serving as a windshield only.

(98) Furthermore, the double-skin drip tray 843 may comprise nozzles integrated along the longitudinal edge. The cavity provided by the double-skin structure can be used to convey pressurized air from the front windshield 636 to the nozzles which vent a pressurized air curtain into the standing crop canopy.

(99) Boom 900 illustrated in FIGS. 27 to 29, and described above in relation to the drip tray functionality, comprises a front double-skin baffle 942 and rear double-skin baffle 946 each having a flexible portion that permits the baffles to flex between the different positions illustrated. In FIG. 27, for example, a pressurized air curtain may be vented by each of the double-skin baffles 943, 946 to open up the crop canopy either side of a strip directly beneath the nozzles 107. The flexible nature of the double-skin baffles 943, 946 allows the dispensed air curtain to be angled inwardly as shown in FIG. 28.