Multi-outlet sprayer

Abstract

The invention relates to a sprayer of the type comprising a turbine generating an air flow that is conveyed through a main duct to a distributor from where the air flow is conveyed through ports to a plurality of secondary ducts which direct the air flow to the exterior, bringing same into contact with the product mixture metered by nozzles located in the area through which the outgoing air stream flows, where the invention is characterised in that the air flow from the secondary ducts can be regulated by means of opening and closure elements that operate in a coordinated manner with at least one overflow channel, such as to help maintain a constant pressure inside the air ducts, preventing air from flowing back to the turbine, which could alter the operating conditions selected for the equipment.

Claims

1. A MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER including a turbine with vanes therein, a main duct that conveys air generated by the turbine to a distributor connected to a plurality of ports associated with secondary ducts that direct air current to outside of the turbine, carrying with the sprayer, product to be sprayed metered by a series of nozzles arranged in an area of influence of the air current, the multi-outlet sprayer comprising: Closing elements configured to regulate the air current in the secondary ducts; a Control means, including a processor, configured for controlling the air current inside the sprayer, wherein the control means further comprises: a. At least one overflow channel at a point between the turbine and the closing elements of the secondary ducts; b. At least one mechanism for opening and closing the at least one overflow channel; c. Means for coordinating the closing elements of the secondary ducts with the opening and closing mechanism of the at least one overflow channel; and d. Means for controlling the speed of rotation of the turbine, to either keep the speed constant or vary the speed of rotation.

2. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein the turbine further comprises a gear box.

3. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein the turbine is electric and further comprises a power regulator.

4. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein the turbine is configured to change a position of the vanes.

5. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening and closing mechanism of the at least one overflow channel comprise at least one valve.

6. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein the closing elements of the secondary ducts act in a synchronised manner in two or more of the secondary ducts.

7. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, further comprising the means for opening and closing the secondary ducts being arranged in the ports.

8. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein in at least one secondary duct there is a specific overflow channel.

9. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 8, wherein a common flow regulation element is associated with the specific overflow channel and with the secondary duct.

10. The MULTI-OUTLET SPRAYER according to claim 1, wherein the at least one overflow channel further comprises a shared overflow channel and is arranged between the turbine and the ports.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the basic elements of the sprayer, with the turbine (1) arranged in this case at the rear of a container trailer (2), although it can also be arranged at the rear of a tractor, the main duct (3), the distributor (4), the overflow channel, in this case an overflow channel (5) shared with the opening and closing mechanism of the shared overflow channel (6), the ports (7) and the secondary ducts (8).

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment representing at three different moments in time a secondary duct (8) incorporating its specific overflow channel (9) and where the sealing element of the secondary duct is at the same time the closing mechanism of the specific overflow channel, and is referred to as the common flow regulation element (10). For sake of clarity this secondary duct is shows at three different moments, where in the first moment (12) the specific overflow channel (9) is completely closed and the air flow, represented by arrows, runs inside the secondary duct (8), while at the second moment (13) the common flow regulation element (10) is partially displaced allowing the air flow, represented by arrows, to circulate in part through the secondary duct (8) and in part to reach the outside through the specific overflow channel (9), and at the third time (11) the common flow regulation element (10) is completely displaced, closing the secondary duct (8) thereby preventing the air flow, represented by arrows, from circulating through the secondary duct (8) reaching the outside through the specific overflow channel (9).

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(3) An embodiment of the invention is described in a non-limiting sense for purposes of illustration only.

(4) The invention relates to a multi-outlet sprayer, that is, a sprayer with multiple spray ducts referred to herein as secondary ducts (8).

(5) It is desirable to control the air flow leaving the ducts or even to close one or some of these, closing the air passage thereof, which is achieved by closing elements arranged in this embodiment in the ports (7) with which the secondary ducts are associated.

(6) Said closing elements comprise a piston that acts on a gate which closes completely or partially the air passage area of the secondary ducts. In the embodiment described herein there is one piston for each secondary duct.

(7) The total or partial closure of one or some ducts generates a return flow due to the air flow that cannot leave through them, increasing the pressure inside the sprayer as the turbine (1) continues to introduce air in the main duct (3), which air cannot reach the distributor (4).

(8) In the distributor (4) is a shared overflow channel (5) with an apertured adjustable via an opening and closing mechanism (6) of the overflow channel.

(9) The opening and closing mechanism (6) of the overflow channel acts in coordination with the closing elements of the secondary ducts arranged, in this embodiment, in the ports (7) for which the sprayer has an electronic element that governs both, calculating that the free aperture in the overflow channel allows the exit of the air flow rejected by the closure, total or partial, of the secondary ducts.

(10) A device such as that described comprises: 1. A turbine (1), which in this case is a constant flow turbine but could be an adjustable flow turbine. 2. A main duct (3) that carries the air generated by the turbine towards a distributor. 3. A distributor (4). 4. A series of ports (7) associated with as many secondary ducts (8). 5. A series of closing elements for the secondary ducts. 6. Means for controlling the air flow inside the sprayer, which comprise: a. A shared overflow channel (5) arranged in the distributor (4) b. A mechanism (6) for opening and closing the overflow channel. c. Means for coordinating the closing elements of the secondary ducts with the opening and closing mechanisms of the overflow channel.

(11) In an embodiment in which the turbine can be regulated to control the air flow, either by varying the rotation speed or by varying the position of the vanes, the sprayer comprises means for coordinating the air flow generated by the turbine, the closing elements of the secondary ducts and the opening or closing mechanism of the overflow channel.