Fluid application systems including pressure dampeners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10130028-B2
Application number	US-201615343691-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 4, 2016
Priority date	Mar 1, 2016
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway, a plurality of electrically actuated valves for controlling fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, where each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles, and a pressure dampener connected to the manifold and configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seed planting system for dispensing fluid on or adjacent to seeds dispensed from the system, the system comprising:
a seed dispenser configured to dispense seeds through at least one of a plurality of seed dispensing outlets and into a furrow;
a manifold defining an internal passageway for fluid flow therethrough;
a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway, each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles located proximate to a respective one of the plurality of seed dispensing outlets;
a plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles; and
a pressure dampener connected to an end of the manifold and configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.

2. The seed planting system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller communicatively connected to each of the plurality of electrically actuated valves, wherein the controller is configured to control the plurality of electrically actuated valves independently of one another.

3. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure dampener comprises a standpipe.

4. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure dampener comprises a sidewall defining a cavity and a membrane separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the second compartment is connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway.

5. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the end is a first end, and wherein the manifold includes a second end opposite the first end.

6. The seed planting system of claim 5 , wherein the pressure dampener is a first pressure dampener and is connected to the first end of the manifold, the system further comprising a second pressure dampener connected to the second end of the manifold.

7. The seed planting system of claim 6 , wherein the manifold further comprises a fluid inlet positioned approximately midway between the first end and the second end.

8. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the manifold extends horizontally, the pressure dampener extending vertically upwards from the manifold.

9. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure dampener comprises a sidewall defining a cavity having a volume containing gas therein.

10. The seed planting system of claim 9 , wherein the internal passageway has a volume, and wherein a ratio between the volume of the cavity and the volume of the internal passageway is between 1:40 and 3:10.

11. The seed planting system of claim 1 , wherein the seed dispenser includes a seed meter configured to dispense seeds into the furrow at a seed frequency.

12. A fluid application system comprising:
a manifold defining an internal passageway and an inlet for fluid flow into the internal passageway, the internal passageway extending from a first end of the manifold to a second end of the manifold;
a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway;
a plurality of electrically actuated valves for controlling fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles;
a first pressure dampener connected to the first end of the manifold; and
a second pressure dampener connected to the second end of the manifold, the first pressure dampener and the second pressure dampener configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.

13. The fluid application system of claim 12 wherein the first and second pressure dampeners each comprise a sidewall defining a cavity having a volume containing a gas therein.

14. The fluid application system of claim 13 , wherein the manifold extends along a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, and wherein the sidewall defines a cylindrical shape about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the manifold.

15. The fluid application system of claim 13 , wherein each pressure dampener further comprises a membrane separating the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the second compartment is connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway.

16. The fluid application system of claim 12 further comprising a controller communicatively connected to each of the plurality of electrically actuated valves, wherein the controller is configured to control the plurality of electrically actuated valves independently of one another.

17. The fluid application system of claim 12 , wherein the inlet is positioned approximately midway between the first end and the second end of the manifold.

18. The fluid application system of claim 12 , wherein the fluid includes at least one of water, a liquid fertilizer, and a pesticide.

19. A method of assembling a fluid application system including a manifold defining an internal passageway, the method comprising:
connecting a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the internal passageway;
connecting a plurality of electrically actuated valves in fluid communication between the internal passageway and the plurality of nozzles such that each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles; and
connecting a pressure dampener to an end of the manifold such that the pressure dampener dampens fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein connecting a pressure dampener to an end of the manifold comprises connecting a first pressure dampener to a first end of the manifold, the method further comprising connecting a second pressure dampener to a second end of the manifold opposite the first end.

Assignees

• Capstan Ag Systems Inc

Inventors

• Kolb Troy C
• Madison Adam

Classifications

• B05B13/005

  mounted on vehicles or designed to apply a liquid on a very large surface, e.g. on the road, on the surface of large containers · CPC title

• B05B9/007

  At least a part of the apparatus, e.g. a container, being provided with means, e.g. wheels, for allowing its displacement relative to the ground · CPC title

• B05B1/30

  designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages {(B05B11/0094 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B05B9/0423

  for supplying liquid or other fluent material to several spraying apparatus · CPC title

• A01C7/06 Primary

  Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus · CPC title