AU2016231654A1 - Crop spraying - Google Patents

Abstract

A manifold 5 for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row. The first crop-row is separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing. The manifold includes a chamber (maneuverable along the inter-row space), an 5 inlet (for receiving fluid into the chamber), one or more first outlets (each of which is co-operable with a respective fluid-directing nozzle 7 to direct fluid toward the first row) and one or more second outlets (each of which is co-operable with a respective fluid-directing nozzle 7 to direct fluid toward the second row). Each of the outlets is one of a head 5d (co-operable with a socket 7a of its respective fluid 10 directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid directing nozzle is re-directable) and a socket (co-operable with a head of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable). 5b 5 lib ha 5a Fig 2 Fig 1 7c "-N7a 7b Fig 7 Fig 5 Fig 6

Description

CROP SPRAYING

FIELD

The invention relates to spraying row crops.

BACKGROUND

Commercial crops are often planted in parallel rows spaced by inter-row spacings. From time to time, it is necessary or desirable to spray such crops with agents such as pesticides and herbicides. This is typically achieved by a suitable sprayer being moved along each inter-row spacing.

It is desirable to make efficient use of agricultural agents to minimise the direct costs of wasted agent and the deleterious effects of overspray. For this purpose, various attempts have been made to more carefully direct the agent from the spray rig to the crop. Of course, the ideal direction varies from crop to crop and can change as the crop grows. Indeed, the ideal direction of the agent can vary from row to row.

Some existing contrivances entail fans mounted to be conveniently redirected as required. Nonetheless, the present inventors have recognised that such existing contrivances can be less than ideal in some circumstances. As such, at least preferred forms of the invention aim to provide improvements in and for spraying crops, or at least to provide an alternative for those concerned with spraying crops.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a manifold for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the manifold including a chamber maneuverable along the inter-row space; an inlet for receiving fluid into the chamber; one or more first outlets each of which is co-operable with a respective fluiddirecting nozzle to direct fluid toward the first row; and one or more second outlets each of which is co-operable with a respective fluiddirecting nozzle to direct fluid toward the second row; wherein each of the outlets is one of a head co-operable with a socket of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable; a socket co-operable with a head of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable.

The manifold preferably includes at least three of the first outlets and at least three of the second outlets. Preferably at least one of the head and socket joints is a ball joint.

Optionally each of the outlets is a head co-operable with a socket of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluiddirecting nozzle is re-directable.

The manifold preferably at least predominantly consists of a single integral body of material.

Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the apparatus including the above manifold and the fluid-directing nozzles.

The apparatus may include a blower, for driving fluid into the inlet, and/or an agent delivery system for delivering agent to be carried by the fluid to the crop-rows.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of configuring an apparatus; the apparatus being for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving a fluid-directing nozzle about a head and socket joint to direct fluid from a manifold towards a target region of the first crop-row; and moving another fluid-directing nozzle about another head and socket joint to direct fluid from the manifold towards a target region of the second crop-row.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving along the inter-row spacing an apparatus configured in accordance with the above method.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving along the inter-row spacing the above apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a rear view of a crop spraying apparatus;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the module member of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the spraying apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of a nozzle member;

Figure 6 is an end view of a nozzle member;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a nozzle member;

Figure 8 is a side view of a nozzle member;

Figure 9 is an end view of a nozzle member;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a nozzle member; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a nozzle member.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The spray rig 1 incorporates a fluid-driver (which in this example takes the form of a blower 3), a manifold 5, fluid-directing nozzles 7 and a support structure 9 (most evident in Figures 2 and 4).

The manifold 5 is an upright hollow body which in this example is a single integral body of material.

For the avoidance of doubt, ‘integral’ is used herein in its conventional sense to refer to formation from a single continuous body of material. As such, the term takes in components formed by conventional moulding and machining operations. It also takes in bodies formed by welding, but does not take in components formed by mutually fastening separate bodies with the aid of typical fasteners or typical adhesives.

In this example, the manifold 5 includes a central body portion 5a which has a height H of about 2.2 m. The manifold further includes an inlet 5b which in this example takes the form of a tubular portion projecting beyond a top of the main body 5a. The outlet 5b has a diameter of about 0.3 m and follows a short arcuate path to mate with an outlet of the blower 3. The arcuate path is selected so that an inlet of the blower 3 sits in registration with the vertical centerline of the manifold 5.

Figure 4 shows a front of the manifold 5 including its aligned formations 5c co-operable with the support structure 9 to rigidly connect the manifold to the support structure 9. The support structure 9 is a steel construction structurally supporting and mutually connecting the manifold 5 and the blower 3 and providing a convenient mounting point by which the rig 1 may be attached to a tractor or other suitable vehicle by which the rig 1 may be maneuvered about.

The manifold 5 and the nozzle 7 are preferably formed by roto-moulding. In this example, they are formed of polyethylene and have a typical wall thickness of about 5 mm.

On one side of the manifold 5 is a first set 11a of seven nozzles 7 for directing fluid to a first crop-row. On the other side of the manifold 5 is a second set 11 b of seven nozzles 7 for directing fluid towards a second crop-row. As evident in this view, the nozzles of each set 7 are arrayed about an arc to enable the nozzles 7 of the set to direct fluid along initial trajectories which at least in elevation converge. By ‘initial trajectory’ it is meant the trajectory of the fluid as it emerges from the nozzle 7. In this example, the nozzles of each set are arrayed about an arc of about 2.3 m.

Turning to Figure 3, the manifold 5 includes a respective head for each of the nozzles 7. In this example, each of the heads 5d takes the form of a ball having a spherical diameter of about 150 mm. The nozzle 7, at its inlet end, has a spherical socket 7a complementary to the head 5d. In this example, the socket 7a has a spherical interior and that spherical interior has a nominal spherical diameter of 152 mm. The head 5d and socket 7a co-operate to form a ball joint by which the nozzle 7 can be spherically pivoted to a desired orientation relative to the manifold 5.

The spherical fit (nominally 0150 v nominally 0 152), in conjunction with the tolerances expected from roto-moulding and the characteristics of polyethylene, results in a convenient fit which is loose enough to enable convenient maneuvering by hand to a desirable orientation but is stiff enough to hold that orientation until deliberate action is required to move the nozzle.

In this example each head 5d and its complementary socket 7a presents to each other complementary spherical surfaces although this is not essential. By way of example the spherical interior of the socket 7a could in principle be replaced by a plurality of spherically spaced contact points. Head and socket joints other than ball joints are also contemplated. By way of example the heads 5d and socket 7a may have complementary cylindrical forms to enable the nozzle 7 to pivot so that each nozzle 7 can be mounted to pivot about a respective single pivot axis.

In this example, the rig 1 is configured to deliver streams of air from the nozzles 7. In use, the rig is equipped with a fluid delivery system for delivering agent to be carried by that air to the crops. Preferably the fluid delivery system incorporates a respective liquid-dispensing nozzle mounted adjacent the outlet 7b of each nozzle 7 and configured to deliver an atomised spray of liquid agent to be carried by the air to the crops. Of course, other agent delivery mechanisms are possible, e.g. agent could be supplied into the interior of the manifold, potentially with the aid of a suitable agent-outlet in the vicinity of the inlet 5b.

In this example the fluid-conveying heads 5d each have an outlet diameter of about 100 mm from which fluid is supplied into the nozzle 7. Each head 5d (including its 'neck' by which it is supported) and socket 7a are configured so that the nozzles 7 can, on the one hand be pivoted within a working range to selected orientations for delivering fluid, and on the other hand be pivoted beyond this operating range so that the socket 7a substantially occludes the opening of its respective head. In this way selected ones of the nozzle 7 can be easily and conveniently deactivated as required. This makes it convenient to selectively activate nozzles to suit the crops.

To facilitate easy placement and removal of the nozzles 7, each nozzle 7 incorporates a break 7c, which in this example takes the form of a triangular cut-out, by which the inlet (in this case circular inlet) of the nozzle is broken so that it may more readily elastically expand over the head 5d.

According to preferred variants of the disclosed method, different nozzles such as the nozzles 7, nozzles 7' or nozzles 7" may be selected based on the desired action on the crop. By way of example, the nozzle 7' may be selected over the nozzle 7 where a narrower, more energetic, jet of air is desirable to deliver agent deeper into the foliage of the crop. On the other hand, nozzle 7" might be selected to waft agent over the crop’s outer foliage.

As suggested in Figure 4 the set 11a of nozzles 7 may be made up of different nozzle members to the set 11 b and/or each set of nozzles may be made up of two or more different types of nozzles.

Likewise, the nozzles 7 can be separately maneuvered, potentially from row to row, based on the characteristics of the crop to be treated. By way of example, if a farmer observes a row of crops in which pest infestation is most prevalent in the upper portions of the crop, the nozzles may be more upwardly directed to so target that upper portion.

The invention is not limited to the details set out in the preceding discussion. Rather the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims (10)

1. A manifold for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the manifold including a chamber maneuverable along the inter-row space; an inlet for receiving fluid into the chamber; one or more first outlets each of which is co-operable with a respective fluiddirecting nozzle to direct fluid toward the first row; one or more second outlets each of which is co-operable with a respective fluiddirecting nozzle to direct fluid toward the second row; and wherein each of the outlets is one of a head co-operable with a socket of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable; a socket co-operable with a head of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable.

2. The manifold of claim 1 wherein at least one of the head and socket joints is a ball joint.

3. The manifold of claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the outlets is a head co-operable with a socket of its respective fluid-directing nozzle to form a head and socket joint by which the respective fluid-directing nozzle is re-directable.

4. The manifold of any one of claims 1 to 3 least predominantly consisting of a single integral body of material.

5. An apparatus for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the apparatus including the manifold of any one of claims 1 to 4 and the fluiddirecting nozzles.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a blower for driving fluid into the inlet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including an agent delivery system for delivering agent to be carried by the fluid to the crop-rows.

8. A method of configuring an apparatus; the apparatus being for simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop- row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving a fluid-directing nozzle about a head and socket joint to direct fluid from a manifold towards a target region of the first crop-row; and moving another fluid-directing nozzle about another head and socket joint to direct fluid from the manifold towards a target region of the second crop-row.

9. A method of simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving along the inter-row spacing an apparatus configured in accordance with claim 8.

10. A method of simultaneously spraying a first crop-row and a second crop-row; the first crop-row being separated from the second crop-row by an inter-row spacing; the method including moving along the inter-row spacing the apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 7.