AU2021106509A4

AU2021106509A4 - A lineal air duct sprayer

Info

Publication number: AU2021106509A4
Application number: AU2021106509A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Emilio PASTRO
Original assignee: Pastro Custom AG Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Pastro Custom AG Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-16
Filing date: 2021-08-23
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-23
Also published as: AU2023100092A4; AU2021106509A6

Abstract

The invention comprises a sprayer for spraying plants comprising an assembly of at least two lineal air ducts modules wherein each lineal air duct module comprises an axial fan mounted upon a single duct manifold wherein the air flow generated by the axial fan is directed into the single duct manifold which has a single lineal duct outlet which has mounted in the duct outlet plurality of vanes and spray nozzles for depositing liquid droplets into the air flow and directing the air flow containing the aerosolised particles towards the plants and wherein the duct manifold comprises a tapered duct in which the portion of the duct adjacent the axial fan has a wider cross section than the portion of the duct adjacent the bottom of the lineal duct outlet and wherein the vanes contained within the duct outlet are adjustable and the duct further comprises at least one air deflector for directing the airflow exiting the lineal air duct towards the subject plants. 23/08/21 1/13 10 26 16 15 - . .30 12 12 18 20 21 13 22 Fig I

Description

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AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 ORIGINAL INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT: PASTRO-CUSTOM AG Pty Ltd (ACN 134 240 832)

INVENTOR: PASTRO, John Emilio

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: Maxwells Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys Pty Ltd PO Box R1466 Royal Exchange Sydney, NSW, 1225

INVENTION TITLE: A LINEAL AIR DUCT SPRAYER

PRIORITY: AU 2021 901 122 - 16 April 2021

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to the applicant/s:

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A LINEAL AIR DUCT SPRAYER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural spraying apparatus are used in orchards and vineyards to

apply chemicals to crops and plants.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Agricultural air assist sprayers are used to spray orchards and vineyards are often towed behind a tractor and are comprised of a tank, one or more fans or turbines which cause the movement of a vast amount of air and atomisers and sprayers which deposit the liquid to be applied to the plants into the stream of air created by the turbines or fans. Fig. 18 depicts a prior art spray unit having an axial fan for generating airflow and atomisers or sprayers arranged around the fan. These tend to apply more spray to the sides of the trees adjacent the sprayer. Fig. 19 also depicts a prior art sprayer. This type of sprayer employs a turbine instead of a fan and communicates the airflow generated by the turbine via ducts and outlets which can be set at height. However these sprayers suffer the problem of uneven application including striping where certain areas receive more chemical than other areas due to the ducts. Uneven application of chemicals can result in crop losses. Further, both are bulky and not suited for narrow rows which are utilised in many horticultural crops such as table grapes. One distinct disadvantage of many prior art sprayers is the inability to widen or narrow the distance between the spray heads that spray the trees or crops on either side of the sprayer. In some cases the spray nozzles or outlets will be too far from the trees or crops to be sprayed in other cases too close. It is an object of the present invention provide an agricultural sprayer which at least ameliorates some of the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sprayer

for spraying plants comprising an assembly of at least two lineal air ducts modules wherein each lineal air duct module comprises an axial fan mounted upon a single duct manifold wherein the air flow generated by the axial fan is directed into the single duct manifold which has a single lineal duct outlet which has mounted in the duct outlet plurality of vanes and spray nozzles for depositing liquid droplets into the air flow and directing the air flow containing the aerosolised particles towards the plants and wherein the duct manifold comprises a tapered duct in which the portion of the duct adjacent the axial fan has a wider cross section than the portion of the duct adjacent the bottom of the lineal duct outlet and wherein the vanes contained within the duct outlet are adjustable and the duct further comprises at least one air deflector for directing the airflow exiting the lineal air duct towards the subject plants.

Preferably the at least two lineal air duct modules are mounted on a

frame whereby the distance between each lineal air duct module can be

altered.

More preferably the distance can be varied by up to 900mm between the

modules.

More preferably the frame is adapted to have mounted upon it, multiple

pairs of lineal air duct modules which are configured to spray multiple row of

plants to be treated with chemicals.

Preferably each lineal air duct module further comprises, below the hub

of the axial fan, a central internal cone to streamline the airflow within the

manifold

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig 1 is perspective view of an assembly of lineal air ducts modules of

the lineal air duct sprayer that comprises a first embodiment of the invention

shown without the axial fans and mounted together;

Fig 2 is a rear view of a second embodiment of the lineal air duct sprayer

comprising two lineal air duct modules mounted on a frame which in turn is mounted on a spray tank in a narrow row of plants or trees with the lineal air duct sprayer modules mounted close together; Fig 3 depicts the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig 2 in a wider row with the lineal air duct sprayer modules mounted further apart so they are closer to the trees to be sprayed;

Fig 4 is rear view of the lineal air duct sprayer embodiment of fig 1 with

fans and fan mounting frame;

Fig 5 shows a side view of a lineal air duct of Fig 4;

Fig 6 shows a top view of the lineal air duct assembly of Fig 1;

Fig 7 is a rear view of a further embodiment comprising an assembly of

lineal air duct mounted on a boom frame in a narrow configuration;

Fig 8 is a rear view of a further assembly of lineal air ducts modules

mounted on a boom frame in a wider configuration;

Fig 9 is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of the lineal air

duct sprayer showing outline of the axial fans;

Fig 10 is a rear perspective view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig 5;

Fig 11 is a left side view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig 5;

Fig 12 is a rear view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig. 5;

Fig 13 is a bottom view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig. 5;

Fig 14 is a top view is of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig. 5;

FIG 15 is a right side view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig.5;

Fig 16 is a front view of the lineal air duct sprayer of Fig 5;

Fig 17 is a cross sectional view of one of the lineal air ducts of Fig 5

without the outline of the fan depicted;

Fig 18 is a rear view of a prior art sprayer;

Fig 19 is a rear view of further prior art sprayer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 1 there is a

sprayer 10 comprising two lineal air duct modules 12 mounted on a single post

16, shown without the axial fan. Lineal air duct modules 12 are best depicted in

Figs. 9 through to Fig 14 where the fan 24 is shown mounted in the top opening

15 of the lineal air duct shown in Fig 1. As shown in Figs 2, 3, 7 and 8, lineal air

duct modules 12 of sprayer 10 are mounted via their posts 16 to boom frame

14. The distance between the lineal air duct modules 12 can be adjusted in this

configuration. Lineal air duct modules 12 are attached to post 16 via module

mounting points 18.

Each lineal air duct module 12 comprises a single manifold with a single

lineal outlet 13. The outlet 13 has mounted in it, a plurality of vanes 20 upon

which the nozzles 21 are mounted. The nozzles 21 are mounted such that they

do not protrude from outlet 13. This improves the directionality of the

aerosolised droplets produced by nozzles 21. Each vane 20 can be articulated

in the vertical plane by adjusting the angle that the vanes 20 are bolted in

position by bolts 25. In addition to the adjustable vanes there is provided at

least one outlet air deflector 22 which comprise a pivoting portion of the outlet

13 to further adjust the direction of the airflow towards the plants to be sprayed.

Preferably there are two outlet air deflectors 22. The bottom outlet air deflector

22 can be used to direct airflow in an upwards direction. The top outlet air

deflector 22 can be used to direct air in a downwards direction.

Axial fan 24 is mounted in a shroud 26 and driven by an axial fan

hydraulic motor 27 which is attached to fan mount 28. Below axial fan 24 is a

cone 30 which is attached to the lineal air duct manifold by way of mounts 31.

The cone 30 sits in the space below the fan where there is minimal airflow and

as a consequence, prevents the air flow from dispersing into this zone of the manifold. This improves the airflow in the manifold and keeps it directional towards the outlet 13. At its narrowest configuration as shown in Fig 1 and Fig

4, the sprayer 10 is approximately 1.1 metres wide. This makes it ideal for spraying crops grown in narrow rows or trellises.

The shape of the lineal air duct module 12 is important to its performance. The opening 13 is the widest part of the manifold and is where

the fan 24 is mounted. The manifold is tapered from the top to its narrowest

cross section adjacent the bottom.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present inventions have use in the agricultural industry, in particular

the field of spray equipment.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A sprayer for spraying plants comprising an assembly of at least two

lineal air ducts modules wherein each lineal air duct module comprises an axial

fan mounted upon a single duct manifold wherein the air flow generated by the

axial fan is directed into the single duct manifold which has a single lineal duct

outlet which has mounted in the duct outlet plurality of vanes and spray

nozzles for depositing liquid droplets into the air flow and directing the air flow

containing the aerosolised particles towards the plants and wherein the duct

manifold comprises a tapered duct in which the portion of the duct adjacent the

axial fan has a wider cross section than the portion of the duct adjacent the

bottom of the lineal duct outlet and wherein the vanes contained within the duct

outlet are adjustable and the duct further comprises at least one air deflector for

directing the airflow exiting the lineal air duct towards the subject plants.

2. The sprayer of claim 1 wherein the at least two lineal air duct modules

are mounted on a frame whereby the distance between each lineal air duct

module can be modified.

3. The sprayer of claim 2 which comprised of multiple pairs of lineal air

duct modules which are configured to spray multiple row of plants to be treated

with chemicals simultaneously from either side of the row of plants.

4. The sprayer of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein each lineal air duct module

further comprises, below the hub of the axial fan, a central internal cone to

streamline the airflow within the manifold.

23/08/21

5. The sprayer of claim 2 wherein the lineal air duct spray modules can be separated by up to 900mm.

Dated this 2 3 rd day of August 2021

PASTRO-CUSTOM AG Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant MAXWELLS PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS PTY LTD

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