Abstract
In a device and method for introducing high voltage into a substrate containing biological material, an applicator module having two or more applicators with simultaneously differently polarized applicators is used, through which the electrical high voltage is delivered in metered quantities to change the substrate. Different variants make it possible to introduce the high voltage into the substrate in controlled manner and selectively.
Claims
1. A device for introducing high voltage into a substrate that contains biological material, comprising two or more applicators simultaneously having different polarities, by which a measured quantity of electrical high voltage flows to change the substrate.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the applicators forms an intermediate space having a length from 0.5 to 20 cm.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate space is filled with non-conducting elements, which preferably have similar mechanical properties to the applicators.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the non-conducting elements are elastic.
5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the non-conducting elements are arranged so densely that it is not possible to obtain direct visual contact between the applicators even during operation, to preferably prevent flashover sparks and the deposit of conductive substrate parts.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are made from static, sweeping or rotating metal vanes, brushes, ridges or plates, which are arranged with two polarities on top of and/or beside each other.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators include rotating two- or thee-winged applicator arms, folding applicator arms or brushes with or without horizontal or vertical epicyclic rotation in order to brush as completely as possible around round objects as they travel past.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are arranged on applicator carriers, to which further applicators or mechanical/physical devices are attached.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators have one or more output-limited individual modules, each with an independent high voltage generator and current and voltage controller to deliver the high voltage and the associated current flows in metered amounts and control same.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicators are mounted directly on a central transport module, preferably such as a tractor, are guided loosely by a central transport module or move autonomously as self-propelled vehicles.
11. A method for using the device according to claim 1, wherein cut plant parts or other substrates are transported between two moving, closely positioned applicators in the form of drums, brushes or belts.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein statically stored, cut plant parts or other substrates are cut through between two or more moving, closely positioned applicators in the manner of a breaker plough.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pole located closest to the plant part that is to be protected is the pole with the near-earth reference voltage.
Description
[0036] Various embodiments are represented in the drawing and will be described in greater detail in the following text. In the drawing:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows various applicator modules on applicator carriers,
[0038] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a single applicator module,
[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a single, self-propelled applicator module,
[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement of the single applicators,
[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-section through statically attached applicators,
[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly with three arms,
[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly with two arms,
[0044] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly with brushes,
[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the treatment of a plant with water sprouts,
[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
[0047] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,
[0048] FIG. 12 shows an applicator in the form of a drum,
[0049] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a drum-like applicator in use,
[0050] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of an applicator assembly with alternating polarities in use,
[0051] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a downward working applicator with strap applicators arranged side by side in use,
[0052] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of a top acting applicator with strap applicators arranged one behind the other in use,
[0053] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a side acting applicator with strap applicators arranged one behind the other in use,
[0054] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic representation of a belt feed system,
[0055] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of a belt feed system, and
[0056] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of an applicator assembly for compacted substrate layers.
[0057] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the smallest unit of an applicator module 1 with two simultaneously oppositely polarised applicators 2, 3 (here identified with +/) with an insulating intermediate layer 4 on an applicator carrier 5. The next diagram shows an alternating extension of a longer applicator series 6 and arrangement variants with applicators that are rotatable about a vertical axis 7 and a horizontal axis 8.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a preferred variant of a single applicator module 10 with installed high voltage transformation unit 11, which travels and brushes over the ground 12 between two rows of plants 13, 14. Module 10 is guided by a strut 15 with a pulling and power supply cable 16 (preferably normal voltage) which is towed over the field behind a mobile unit (e.g., a tractor). The plants on either side are touched with two or more (here two) applicators 17, 18 of different polarities which are arranged closely one on top of the other and conduct high voltage through a short section of the plant, changing it structurally. The applicators 17, 18 may be of different shapes and may be attached statically or dynamically.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a single, self-propelled applicator module 20, preferably with installed high voltage transformation unit 21, energy store 22 and navigation unit 23, which travels over the ground 24 between two rows of plants 25, 26. Module 20 is guided mechanically in the row with higher-level control via GPS. The plants on either side are touched with two or more (two are shown here) applicators 27, 28 and 29, 30 of different polarities which are arranged closely one on top of the other and conduct high voltage through a short section of the plant, changing it structurally there. This line is indicated symbolically with a semicircle 31, 32. The applicators may be of different shapes and may be attached statically or dynamically.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an arrangement of the single applicators in an applicator assembly 40 consisting of two different applicators arranged one above the other, shown here in plan view. The individual brushing applicators consist of elastic metal sheets or elastic plastic/rubber/metal composite units 41, flexible straps 42 or brush units 43 which are electrically conductive on the contact side. An insulating area 46 made from geometrically similar materials is installed between each of the applicator poles 44, 45 as insulation.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of statically attached applicators in cross-section and from the front. The single applicators 50, 51 brushing along the plant may consist of brushes, flat wire rows, straight, curved or segmented metal sheets or passively or actively rotating circular brushes. An insulating area 52 of geometrically similar materials is installed between each of the applicator poles as insulation.
[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly 60 in plan view along a row of plants, the trunks of which are to be touched as extensively as possible. In this case, a three-wing applicator assembly 61 attached to a boom arm 62 rotates passively or actively following the contour of the trunk 63 and brushes almost the entire circumference thereof. The applicators are attached to both sides of all arms. If a ground applicator is also fitted on the underside of the arms, it may also control weeds on the ground at the same time in one work pass.
[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly 70 along a row of plants, each of which has a trunk 71, the trunks of which are to be touched as extensively as possible. In this case, a two-wing applicator assembly 72 attached to a boom arm 73 rotates actively following the contour of the trunk 71 and brushes almost the entire circumference thereof. Applicators 74, 75 are attached to both sides of the arm 76. If a ground applicator is also fitted on the underside of the arms, it may also control weeds on the ground at the same time in one work pass.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of the dynamic motion of an applicator assembly 80 along a row of plants 81, 82, the trunks of which are to be touched as extensively as possible. In this case, an applicator assembly 80 consisting of soft, horizontally rotating brushes 83 and attached to a boom arm 84 actively follows the contour of the trunks of the plants 81, 82 and brushes almost the entire circumference thereof. The applicators 85, 86 are attached to one side of the arm 87.
[0065] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a plant 90 with water sprouts 92 growing randomly on the trunk 91 which are to be atrophied. They are contacted via a brush 93 which is guided in an up and down motion in the external area close to the trunk mechanically or by sensors. The area of the brush 93 closest to the trunk has a pole 94 which is polarised close to the ground, while the area 95 farthest from the trunk consisting of insulating bristles 96 after an intermediate layer has the opposite polarity 96. Consequently, electric current only passes through the water sprouts.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment 100 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, but in this case the applicators 101, 102 may have the same or different polarities and conduct the high voltage through a short section 103 of the plant 104, changing its structure, or follow a path over a short section of the ground 106 to the root 105.
[0067] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment 110 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, in which the applicators 111, 112 may have the same or different polarities and conduct the high voltage through a short section 113 of the plant 114, changing its structure, or follow a path over a short section of the ground 116 to the root 115.
[0068] FIG. 12 shows an applicator in the form of a drum which touches the densely matted plants from above with both poles at spaced intervals to reduce the water flow in the shoot area, where harvest material for ripening is also located and must be touched and shaken as little as possible so that, for example, seed contents which are already ripe do not fall to the ground and become lost. The current flow takes place in the matter shoot sections. Star-shaped, fixed bristles with flexible ends may be used instead of a drum. Because of the large spaces between the applicators, insulation is not required.
[0069] Drum applicator 120 has a different polarity 122, 123 on hanging single contacts 121. In the embodiment shown, these single contacts 121 are curved, and are weighted at the top end 124 or brought into a favourable starting position for deep, low-friction insertion into the matted plant layer by spring force. Drum applicator 120 is rotated actively during the pass,
[0070] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a drum-like applicator 130 with central rotation axle 131, rigid inside bristle carriers 132 fixed permanently to the rotation axle, and flexible, connected long bristles 133 of flat material with good electrical conductivity for lateral stabilisation with alternating polarities 134, 135. These flexible bristles 133 plunge into the plant substrate 136 and create cross-contacts, which change the plant material and cause it to dry out more quickly. This results in better ripening of the plant seeds as the upper stalk areas slowly shrivel up.
[0071] In a further embodiment of the apparatus, two or more quasilinear applicators with different or alternating polarities touch the same plant in as many places as possible above the ground to bring about the structural destruction of many cells without directing current to the roots or other subsurface organs. The application may be carried out either from above or from the side.
[0072] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of an applicator assembly 140 with alternating polarities 141, 142 and insulator regions 143 positioned between them, which apply high voltage electrical current to the full height of an entire plant with short conduction paths.
[0073] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a top-acting applicator 150 having polarities 151, 152 that alternate within a small space in the direction of travel for treating leaf masses from above.
[0074] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of a top-acting applicator 160 having polarities 161, 162 that alternate within a small space in the direction of travel for treating leaf masses from above when the root organs must not be damaged (e.g. potatoes). Instead of strap applicators 163 with different polarities 161, 162 arranged one behind the other, brushes, or strap applicators with different polarities arranged side by side in the direction of travel may be used.
[0075] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic representation of a side-acting applicator module 170 having applicators 172, 173 arranged laterally at the top and beside the plant 171. With high conductivity, the applicator 172, 173 brought into contact with the side of the plants may also come into contact with the topsoil, which does not represent a problem.
[0076] This improves biodegradability and encourages breakdown by bacteria, fungi and enzymes in the field or in biotechnological methods rapid drying of the leaf portions, in the case of ground crops such as potatoes, cereals, legumes for example.
[0077] In a further embodiment, the high voltage is introduced into isolated portions of diseased plants or into plants which have been sown to attract harmful organisms. This is carried out by means of rollers, conveyor belts etc. to structurally destroy the highly conductive structures in the plant sections very quickly. The highly conductive structures to be destroyed may be plant parts, fungi, eggs, caterpillars, snails, nematodes or bacteria. The horizontal feed with a conveyor belt serves either as a cantilever for the two applicator rollers, or the conveyor belt itself serves as applicator. In the case of vertical feed, the two applicator rollers are positioned opposite one another. In all cases, the narrowest areas between the applicators are permanently separated (horizontal double roller), or if there is no substrate in the device by an elastic, brush-like insulating layer to prevent flashovers.
[0078] In the case of compacted substrate layers, the applicators are drawn through the substrate in alternating polarities in form of a cutter blade, and the intermediate space in the areas that contain no substrate are held apart by a brush-like insulator.
[0079] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic representation of a belt feed system 180 with cut substrate 181, which is transported under two applicator rollers 183, 184 by the insulating conveyor belt 182 as a counterbalance. The gap 185 between the applicator rollers 183, 184 is fitted with a sweeper-like insulating curtain 186. Alternatively, the conveyor belt 187 may be used as a second applicator. Then the gap between the two applicators, conveyor belt 187 and applicator roller 188 should each be sealed with an insulating sweeper (not shown) while substrate 189 is not present but the system is running.
[0080] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of a belt feed system 190 with cut substrate 191, which is transported under two applicator rollers 192, 193. The gap 194 between the applicator rollers 192, 193 is fitted with a sweeper-like insulating curtain 195. This makes it possible to keep the gap 194 between the two applicators 192, 193 that functions as an insulating curtain 195 closed with an insulating sweeper while substrate 191 is not present but the system is running. The view of the gap in FIG. 19 shows expanded sweeper bristles 196 on the right side and the deflection of the sweeper bristles 197 when substrate passes through on the left.
[0081] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of an applicator assembly 200 for compacted substrate layers through which it is drawn. The applicators 201, 202 with alternating polarities 203, 204 function as cutting blades 205, and intermediate space 206 in the areas where no substrate is present are kept apart by a brush-like insulator 207.
[0082] The result is a thorough structural destruction of the sequestered, treated plant material, improved control of plant diseases by deactivation of the pathogens, greater susceptibility to rapid biodegradability in the ground, in composting facilities, and also in biogas plants, and improved extraction capability of useful contents.
