Self-aligning liquid coupler systems and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12404052-B2
Application number	US-202318153867-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 12, 2023
Priority date	Sep 8, 2019
Publication date	Sep 2, 2025
Grant date	Sep 2, 2025

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a first link to rotate about a pin joint, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, the second link having a nozzle at a first end and a weight at a second end opposite the first end, and a fluid inlet including a funnel portion and an opening, the funnel portion having a conical taper converging towards the opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A nozzle, comprising;
a first link rotatably coupled to a base;
a second link rotatably coupled to the first link opposite the base;
a nozzle head disposed on a first end of the second link; and
a weight disposed on a second end of the second link opposite the first end, the weight to urge the nozzle to a position vertically above the weight.

2. The nozzle of claim 1 , further including a fluid channel extending between the nozzle and a pump.

3. The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the first link includes a central opening, the central opening to receive the fluid channel.

4. The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the fluid channel is a first fluid channel, further including a second fluid channel fluidly coupled to a reservoir containing fluid fertilizer.

5. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head includes a contact sensor.

6. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head includes a check valve.

7. The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the weight causes the nozzle to rest approximately 10 millimeters horizontally displaced from the weight.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Barker Mark E
• Wagher Nikhil V

Classifications

• B64U10/14

  with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters · CPC title

• B64U2101/45

  for releasing liquids or powders in-flight, e.g. crop-dusting · CPC title

• B67D7/406

  the hose carrier comprising a pivoting unit · CPC title

• B67D7/302

  using electrical or electro-mechanical means (B67D7/307 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B67D7/0294

  Combined with valves · CPC title