Parameter sensing for a liquid applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12419298-B2
Application number	US-202017754514-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 2, 2020
Priority date	Oct 4, 2019
Publication date	Sep 23, 2025
Grant date	Sep 23, 2025

Abstract

A parameter sensor for an agricultural sprayer is mounted to an applicator and configured to determine liquid parameters of the liquid flowing through the spray nozzle. The parameter sensing module includes one or both of a flow meter and a pressure sensor. The parameter sensor includes sensor circuitry configured to determine a flow rate based on data generated by the flow meter and determine a liquid pressure based on data generated by the pressure sensor.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A parameter sensing module for mounting to an applicator of an agricultural sprayer such that the parameter sensing module is disposed in a flow path between a pressurized boom of the sprayer and an outlet of the applicator, the parameter sensing module comprising:
a first end configured to mount to the applicator;
a second end disposed opposite the first end;
a housing extending between the first end and the second end;
a flow meter at least partially disposed in the housing, the flow meter comprising a cyclonic flow meter;
a pressure sensor disposed at a pressure sensor port through the housing; and
sensor circuitry operatively connected to the flow meter and the pressure sensor, the sensor circuitry configured to receive flow data from the flow meter and determine a flow rate based on the flow data, the sensor circuitry further configured to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and determine a pressure based on the pressure data.

2. The parameter sensing module of claim 1 , wherein the flow meter comprises:
projections extending radially inward relative to the housing towards a central member, wherein the projections and central member define cyclonic flow paths through the flow meter;
a ball disposed proximate the second end, the ball configured to rotate about the central member;
a rotational sensor disposed adjacent a rotational path of the ball, the rotational sensor configured to sense rotations of the ball and generate flow data based on the sensed rotations of the ball.

3. The parameter sensing module of claim 2 , wherein the rotational sensor comprises an emitter and a receiver.

4. The parameter sensing module of claim 3 , wherein the emitter comprises a light emitting diode and the receiver comprises a photodiode.

5. The parameter sensing module of claim 2 , wherein the rotational sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

6. The parameter sensing module of claim 5 , wherein the rotational sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor.

7. The parameter sensing module of claim 2 , wherein the flow meter further comprises a meter body disposed in the housing, and wherein the projections extend radially inward from the meter body.

8. The parameter sensing module of claim 2 , wherein the flow meter defines:
an outer flowpath extending between an inlet path extending through the applicator, the inlet path configured to receive liquid from the boom; and
an inner flowpath surrounded by the outer flowpath and extending to an outlet path through the applicator, the outlet path configured to provide liquid to a turret of the applicator;
wherein the outer flowpath includes the cyclonic flow paths; and
wherein the inner flowpath extends through the central member.

9. The parameter sensing module of claim 8 , wherein the flow meter is configured to direct liquid in a first axial direction through the outer flowpath and in a second axial direction through the inner flowpath, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction.

10. A nozzle for use in an agricultural sprayer, the nozzle comprising:
a nozzle body configured to receive fluid from a pressurized boom;
a spray tip fluidly connected to the nozzle body, the spray tip configured to generate a liquid spray; and
a parameter sensing module disposed in a flow path through the nozzle between the boom and the spray tip, the parameter sensing module including
a first end;
a second end disposed opposite the first end;
a housing extending between the first end and the second end;
a flow meter at least partially disposed in the housing;
a pressure sensor disposed at a pressure sensor port through the housing; and
sensor circuitry operatively connected to the flow meter and the pressure sensor, the sensor circuitry configured to receive flow data from the flow meter and determine a flow rate based on the flow data, the sensor circuitry further configured to receive pressure data from the pressure sensor and determine a pressure based on the pressure data.

11. The nozzle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a pulse width modulated (PWM) valve supported by the nozzle body and disposed in the flow path, the PWM valve configured to pulse between an open state and a closed state.

12. The nozzle of claim 10 , further comprising:
a controller operatively connected to the parameter sensing module, wherein the controller is configured to receive parameter information generated by parameter sensing module and to communicate that parameter information to a user interface.

13. The nozzle of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to control a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) valve supported by the nozzle body and disposed in the flow path based on the parameter value.

14. The nozzle of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a nozzle status based on the parameter value.

Assignees

• Intelligent Agricultural Solutions Llc
• Prec Planting Llc

Inventors

• Maurer Garrett
• Wood Jr Daniel R

Classifications

• B05B12/06

  for effecting pulsating flow {(nozzles, spray heads or other outlets with means for generating a discharge of pulsating nature B05B1/08)} · CPC title

• B05B12/008

  integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun · CPC title

• A01M7/0042

  Field sprayers, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted · CPC title

• A01C23/047

  Spraying of liquid fertilisers · CPC title

• A01C23/007

  Metering or regulating systems · CPC title