FR2606299A1 - SPRAY MACHINE, PREFERABLY FOR DISPERSION, PROPORTIONAL TO THE SURFACE, OF THE SPRAY SOLUTION - Google Patents

Abstract

THE SPRAYING MACHINE INCLUDES A CIRCUIT FOR TRANSPORTING THE SOLUTION TO BE SPRAYED CONSTITUTED BY A TANK OF SOLUTION TO BE SPRAYED, A SPRAYING DEVICE, CONNECTING DUCTS, A PUMP AND A PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE PRESSURE SIGNAL TRANSMITTER IS EQUIPPED WITH A UNIT GENERATING PRESSURE SIGNALS 6 PROPORTIONAL TO THE SPEED AND THE CONTROL UNIT 7 CONSTITUTES A PRESSURE CONTROL UNIT THAT IS CAPABLE OF TRANSMITTING THE PULVERIZATION CIRCUIT SIGNALS PROPORTIONAL TO THE SPEED OF THE PRESSURE SIGNAL GENERATOR. APPLICATION TO THE SPRAYING OF PHYTOSANITARY PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR THE PROTECTION OF PLANTS.

Description

SPRAY MACHINE, PREFERABLY FOR

  DISPERSION, PROPORTIONAL TO THE SURFACE,

THE SOLUTION TO SPRAY

  The invention relates to a spraying machine which is mainly used to disperse the spray solution in proportion to a surface and the use of which can be particularly advantageous for the protection of

  in large farms.

  It is a well-known fact of the experts that serious losses in profitability can be expected - especially with expensive or selective plant protection products - when the dispersion of the treatment solution

  is higher or lower than the prescribed doses.

  As it is generally not possible to guarantee that the spraying will be carried out with a constant speed of advance for the spraying machines currently in use, the manufacturers and the manufacturers of such machines have endeavored to build and place on the market machinery

  spraying, the watering of which is proportional to the

  covered or area.

  In this field, according to HU-A-184,335 and French Patent No. 7,925,546, a machine of this type is known on which a microprocessor calculator uses, with the aid of various peripherals, the speed, the pressure or the flow rate of the liquid and adjusts, as required, the pressure regulator of the circuit containing the solution to be sprayed, according to the reference data previously introduced. The spray machine known in the trade under the name "DICKEY-John DJSC1000" constitutes a similar solution in

its principle.

  Moreover, the variation of the quantities to be sprayed makes the variation of the operating pressure established in the circuit conveying the solution to be sprayed inevitable. And this results in a variation of the characteristic of the spray heads, which is quite undesirable.

  Also known is a commercial spraying machine.

  It is known under the name "CONDURIA GDE", on which the liquid chemical is introduced into the water circuit under constant pressure, in an amount proportional to the distance. Dosage is also ensured in this solution by a booster pump but this solution presents the

defects already mentioned.

  Another defect common to the known spraying machines of which we have just spoken lies-if we use disconnectors-in the need to ensure the following point: when changing the working width, the other technical parameters set on the machine spraying

  must not vary. As a result, the complexity of the

  the price increases, along with its price.

  The present invention is intended in particular to eliminate the defects mentioned above, that is to say to create an improved spray machine, which is able to ensure, under satisfactory conditions, a dispersion proportional to the surface of the spray solution, for a relatively low cost and simple constructive equipment.

  The invention is based on the knowledge according to

  that the problem posed can be solved by obtaining a spraying, proportional to the surface, of the solution to be dispersed, under conditions such that it produces

  pressure signals or proportional pressure functions

  speed and that this or these parameters are reproduced

  in the circuit of the solution to be dispersed or transmitted to

  this one -independently of all the other parameters.

  To achieve the objective envisaged, one starts from a spraying machine comprising a transport circuit of the

  spray solution itself equipped with a solu-

  and a spray device connected together by pipes, a pump mounted on this circuit and a pressure regulator; in addition, the machine comprises a speed signal transmitter and a control unit connected to the regulator

pressure it controls.

  This set has been developed according to the invention as follows: the speed signal transmitter is designed as a unit for calling and transmitting pressure signals proportional to the speed, while the control unit constitutes a pressure signal generating unit which is able to transfer, as a pressure control member, the pressure signals from the unit generating these signals to the circuit carrying the pressure signal.

spray solution.

  A very simple embodiment in principle allows all the execution modes in the case where a unit generating pressure signals proportional to the speed is designed as an additional liquid transport circuit, on which a pump is rigidly connected to a wheel the spraying machine or drive thereof; it is furthermore provided with a throttle, preferably adjustable, the control line of which is connected to

the servo organ.

  It is advantageous to get on the circuit of the uni-

  generating pressure signals an oil reservoir, which makes it possible to operate the liquid circuit with oil, or with a reservoir of the solution to disperse itself or

some other liquid.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the pressure control member comprises a piston provided with axial mobility in the body and whose end faces are connected to closed chambers, one of the

  rooms being connected to the control line of the general unit

  pressure signal generator and the other chamber to

  the discharge of the spray solution. In addition, the

  pressure control unit comprises a control unit for controlling the pressure regulator, which is

  connected to the piston so as to cooperate with it.

  Although such solutions contribute to the provision of other benefits, their implementation requires a great deal of professional experience; possible repairs

  can only be done by specialized workshops.

  In addition, these machines are very expensive and can hardly be

consider a wide dissemination.

  Regarding the technical level, the French spray machine known under the name "EVRARD" already meets more the requirements of agriculture. Indeed, one of the wheels drives on the spraying machine a forced flow pump. The amount of liquid delivered, which is proportional to the distance traveled, is distributed by a regulating device on the liquid circuit which leads to the spraying device on the one hand, and, moreover, to a secondary recycling circuit, which returns the solution

  in excess to its original tank. The defect of this provision

  This is because the power to be taken from the wheels is limited and therefore such a solution can only be used in reduced spray areas. In addition, it requires a complicated regulator device if it is desired to be able to adjust with an acceptable degree of accuracy the amount of liquid discharged by the pump - suitably sized for a maximum flow of liquid. However, such a regulation can obviously only be carried out

job.

  The above solutions have, in addition, a common defect: the mixing requires the mounting of an additional pump, usually a centrifugal pump, which in turn

further increases the cost price.

  Where appropriate, the pressure control member may comprise on the control side a manually adjustable spring-loaded member whose spring cup is supported on the front side of the piston on a pressure integrator capable of axial mobility. It is advantageous that each of the two

  front faces of the piston rests on a diaphragm of

  elasticity, whose rim is also fixed in a throat of the body. This allows to separate in the way the

  simpler the different fluid chambers.

  The control unit is engaged in a U-shaped recess advantageously arranged on the side of the piston of the pressure control member and is in the form of a two-sided ball puck, constituted in such a way that the rod command that moves relies on the ball in the

  direction of movement of the piston. In addition, a feed pipe

  the fluid to be adjusted is connected to the connection tubing.

  entry and a control line is connected to the

ordered tubing.

  When it is desired to ensure, in addition to a spraying proportional to the surface, the achievement of a constant spray pressure, such an embodiment where the spraying machine is complementarily equipped with a control circuit. pure water, itself provided with a pump, a pressure regulator and a water tank, appears in accordance with the purpose. Her

  discharge pipe is connected to a pressure integrator

  addition of the servo-control device

  if we. It will be mounted, preferably, an adjustable throttle

  on its discharge pipe of the solution to be dispersed.

  Other goals, advantages and characteristics

  reading the description of various modes of

  1 of the invention is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the spraying machine according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the axis of the control unit of the machine according to the invention;

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the control unit

  tion of the machine according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the spraying machine according to the invention, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

  the axis of the control unit of Figure 4.

  As can be seen in Figure 1, the 2606t9 machine

  according to the invention comprises a transmission circuit.

  carrying the solution to disperse constituted by a known pump

  in itself 1, a pressure regulator 2 and a reservoir 3 containing

  the spray solution; this circuit is connected by a discharge line 4 to a spray frame 5. In addition, the spray machine has a speed signal transmitter which is connected to a control unit 7 of the spray solution circuit, which ensures the

  adjustment of the pressure regulator 2.

  According to the invention, the speed signal transmitter is designed as a unit generating pressure signals 6 proportional to the speed. In the version shown in FIG. 1, the signal generator unit of FIG.

  pressure 6 is constituted by a complementary liquid circuit

  internal circulation chamber comprising a pump 9 which is connected to drive it to a non-driving wheel 8 of the spraying machine, as well as a throttle 10 and, in the present case, a reservoir 11, intended for example to receive the oil, the control line 12 being, by

  elsewhere, connected to the control unit 7.

  The flow of liquid discharged by the proportional pump 9

  the distance and the speed is therefore firstly returned to the tank 11, and the control unit 7 will receive, on the other hand, via a control line 12, signals of pressure proportional to the speed, that is to say pressure functions as

control signals.

  The control unit 7 is shown in detail

  2 and 3. According to the invention, the control unit 7 is constituted in such a way that it transmits to the circuit containing the solution to be dispersed the pressure signals, that is to say the unit pressure functions

  generating pressure signals 6, in the form of pulses.

  In the present case, the control unit 7 comprises a piston

  axially movable tone 14 inside a body 13, whose two end faces are respectively in

  connection with an upper chamber 15 and a lower chamber

  16. The upper chamber 15 is connected through the

  12 of the control line 12, to the pressure signal generating unit 6, and the lower chamber 16 is connected to the pressure regulator via the pressure signal line 17 which is connected to the discharge line. 4. A fluid separation diaphragm 18 of known type is mounted on the signal transmission pipe 17

pressure (Figure 1).

  In FIG. 2, the piston 14 is supported by its two

  front faces that seal, on diaphragms

  19, which can be constituted, for example, by rubber membranes. Their edge is inserted in throats

radial members 20 of the body 13.

  The lower disc 22 of a load integrator 21 which is also arranged in the upper chamber 15 is supported by the diaphragm 19 on the upper end face of the piston 14. The load integrator 21 is connected, by the lower disk 22 and by means of a central rod 23, to an upper disk 24 on which rests a manual load transmitter 25 housed at the top. The rod 23 is guided through an opening 26 of the body 13 and its sealing is

  provided by a sealing ring 27.

  The load transmitter 25 has several functions.

  It allows, for example, to set different pressure values on the spraying machine - for measurements in the upright position - or to use this possibility for a pressure setting for constant pressure spraying. In the latter case, the manual load transmitter 25 is provided with a spring bowl 28 on which a compression spring 29 rests, which has the effect of

  load the upper disk 24 of the load integrator 21.

  The prestressing of the spring can be effected by means of a disc 32 movable in the axial direction, on which the axis 31 of a flywheel 30 is engaged with a thread. To relieve the compression spring 29, the spring bowl 28 can be detached from the disc 24, for example, by turning the eccentric stud 33 provided in the body 13, which is obtained by pushing down a handle 34. We can put

  out of order the manual load transmitter 25.

  It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the piston 14 comprises

  on the side a U-shaped recess 35.

  The regulating unit 37 which effectively controls the pressure regulator 2, is pressed into an opening 36 of the piston body 13 and into the recess 35.

  An example of the execution of the regular unit can be seen

  37 as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3. As shown, the regulating unit 37 comprises a body 38, in which there is a two-seat ball valve. The ball bears the reference number 39, the upper valve seat

  and the lower seat, which are tapered, bear the

  40 and 41 and the chamber housed under the lower seat 41 is 42. A control rod

  vertical 43, centered on the ball, is based on it.

  In the case presented here, the upper valve seat 40 is arranged on the lower end face of a hollow screw 44 and the external thread of the hollow screw 44 is engaged with a tapping of the body 38. Unscrewing or screwing allows to adjust the relative position of the upper valve seat. The hollow screw 44 is fixed by a nut 45 in a set position. The hollow screw 44 has a central bore 46, the

  diameter is chosen so as to constitute around the enve-

  outer lug of the control rod 43 an annula-

  re 47 which communicates with the region of the upper valve seat

40.

  The inlet 48 of the control fluid opens into the chamber 42; it is connected, in this case, to a source

  compressed air through a pipe 49. On the other hand, a

  50 of the regulating unit 37 is connected by a conductor

  41 to the pressure regulator 2 of the circuit carrying the

spray solution (Figure 1).

  It can be seen in Figure 2 that the upper extremity

  The free end of the control rod 43 cooperates with the upper horizontal surface of the U-shaped recess 35 of the piston 14. As the piston 14 moves downwards, the control rod 43 will therefore push towards the lower the ball 39 and press it on the lower valve seat 41. Thus, the arrival path of the compressed air is closed. But the pressure established in the pipe 51 can be discharged thanks to the annular space 47, because the upper valve seat 40

is open.

  When starting the spray machine according to the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the liquid is, accordingly, recirculated by the pump 9 driven by the wheel 8 and the pressure function which is produced in the control line 12 is transmitted to the pressure regulator 2 of the liquid circuit to be sprayed by the control unit 7 which acts as a slave

  pressure. It is thus possible, by means of

  very simple, to obtain at all times a dispersion of

  spray solution proportional to the speed, that is to say

say proportional to the surface.

  If the operating pressure is lower than the pressure value initially set, the pressure will be reduced in the pressure signal line 17 and, consequently, in the lower chamber 16 of the control unit which slaves the pressure. But it follows that the sum of the pressure

  originally set manually on the char-

  ge 25 and the pressure acting on the integrator of char-

  21 by the control line 12 has the effect of moving the piston 14 downwards. The regulator unit 37 then intervenes in the manner described above; in other words, the ball 39 closes the lower valve seat 41 and the air under pressure, which is in the pipe 51, is expelled by

  the outlet 50 and the annular space 47.

  But since the pressure regulator 2 of the liquid circuit to be sprayed is subjected, via the regulating pipe 51, to a reduced pressure, the regulator

  pressure 2 increases the pressure in the discharge pipe.

  4. We note that, in the present case,

  pressure sensor 2 corresponds to a negative control valve (which guarantees, in a manner known per se, the application of a pressure of increasing importance to the solution to be sprayed for an increasingly reduced control pressure) . If the value of the operating pressure is higher than the value initially set, the piston i4 moves upwards, while the control rod 43 allows the ball 39 to rise upwards. The ball 39 is then pressed against the valve seat 40 for admission of the compressed air flowing to the inlet 48 and the compressed air thus has a free passage through the outlet 50. As the setting pressure in the pipe 51, the pressure reducer 2 goes, likewise, to control the circuit of the solution to be sprayed in

  the meaning of a pressure reduction.

  Note that it is also possible to use, if necessary, a positively controlled adjustment valve as a pressure regulator 2, or that the present valve can be mounted in the

  body 13, after a rotation of 180.

  Although we have not shown in Figure 1 the

  spray pattern 5 only in schematic form, one mentions

  Here, it will be possible to close the spray frame 5 in sections on the spray machine according to the invention, without this modifying the pressure established in FIG.

  4. This constitutes an important advantage.

  both in favor of the solution according to the invention. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a variant which does not comprise a special oil reservoir 11 associated with the speed-proportioning signal generation unit, this liquid circuit being connected -without additional reservoir-to the spray solution tank. . It is thus possible to envisage, in the case in question, any other suitable device for the creation of a known pressure function proportional to the speed, as a unit for generating signal signals.

pressure.

  The second embodiment of the spraying machine

  The invention is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. This installation can be used opportunely.

  when it is important that a proportional spray

  surface and speed should also be performed

under constant pressure.

  The embodiment of Figure 4 differs from the solution

  FIG. 1 shows that this is the basic solution, and in the case of delivery in the liquid form, the chemical itself which is actually stored in the spray solution tank. of constant service which is necessary for the supply of the spraying heads of the spraying frame 5 - which is not

  shown in detail here- is provided by an additional circuit

  of liquid carrying pure water, which is con-

  stored by a tank 52, a pump 53 and a regulator of

pressure 54.

  The adjustment of the operating pressure applied to the spray frame 5 is effected, in this case, in the

  liquid water circuit and, by its very nature, is inde-

  during the running speed of the spraying machine

  tion. The discharge line of the water liquid circuit

  pure is marked 55 in Figure 4. The refueling

  4 which carries the basic solution is connected thereto and has a throat 56 disposed upstream of the connection point. This adjustable constriction 56 provides

a pressure reduction.

  The circuit assigned to the basic solution thus proceeds to a dosage in a liquid circuit, which is in overpressure state. A pressure signal line 58 transmits to the control unit 7 configured as a pressure control device the possible pressure of this liquid circuit via another diaphragm 57 for separating fluids.

  Figure 5 clearly shows that the unity of

  The method used here differs significantly from the embodiment of FIG. 2 in that an additional load integrator 59 is mounted between the load integrator 21 and the spring cup 28 and likewise operates via a elastic diaphragm 60. With regard to the constructional form of the load integrator 59, it reproduces exactly that of

load integrator 21.

  Its lower disc 61 is axially movable in the chamber 62, into which the conduct of

pressure 58.

  When the solution of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are actuated, the pressure proportional to the velocity, on the one hand, and the pressure of the pure-water liquid circuit,

  on the other hand, influence together, through the -

  pipe 58 pressure signals, on the controlled side of the control unit 7. It is thus ensured a dosing of chemicals independent of the respective pressure of the

circuit of liquid with pure water.

  An essential advantage of this embodiment is that the spray pressure is always constant at the level of the spray frame. The result is at the same time a formation of drops of a quality always invariable in the spray heads. This provides - according to our

  tests- excellent performance results.

  Finally, it will be pointed out that the mechanical unit for generating pressure signals 6, which has been described in the examples

  presented, is appropriate for the formation of a func-

  second degree (parabolic).

  This means that it proved very beneficial during our tests to design a parabolic pressure function. It goes without saying that other pressure functions that differ from them can be used as needed. In addition, it is not absolutely necessary for the throttle 56 to be constituted by a throttling valve, since this can be replaced, for example, by a nozzle chosen from

  consequently, or by a series of nozzles.

  Returning to the execution according to Figure 4, the foreign

  Adjustable frame 10 is also used here to precisely adjust the desired spray. It is advisable to arrange it so that the device has a double adjustment possibility. On the one hand, the nominal value is adjusted, while the other possibility makes it possible to reduce or increase the amount of spray solution during service. This is desirable when plant crops have to alternate

  within the same scope, or when dealing with characteristics

  different soil conditions and this needs to be taken into account.

  Another advantage of the solution according to the invention lies in the fact that the relatively simple construction principle results in a much less expensive spraying machine and safer operation than the solutions known until now. The spraying machines according to the invention can be easily repaired in agricultural repair shops and their maintenance is very flexible. Finally, the driving of these machines does not require

  experience or special knowledge.

  In addition, an appreciable advantage of the solution according to the invention lies in that the device can be adjusted in the standing position to the necessary pressure (for example according to

  tables or calibrated data) by means of the steering wheel 30.

  This pressure value is set, the spray setting

  5 being disconnected, using the throttle 10 for the prescribed feed rate. The apparatus is thus in a condition to proceed with the spraying. The above adjustment can even be made on the road, without resulting in

losses of chemicals.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown and is capable of numerous variants accessible to the man of

  art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

  1.- Spraying machine mainly designed for dispersion proportional to the surface of solution A   to spray, which includes a system for transporting the solu-   spraying device consisting of a reservoir of the spray solution, a spraying device, conduits connecting the latter to each other, a pump and a pressure regulator, and which further comprises a speed signal transmitter and a control unit connected to the pressure regulator which it controls, characterized in that the transmitter of the speed signals is in the form of a unit generating the pressure signals (6) proportional to the speed and in that the unit of control (7) is furthermore constituted as a pressure control device which transmits to the circuit of the spray solution the pressure signals proportional to the speed of the generating unit pressure signals (6).   2. Spray machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal generator unit of   pressure (6) is an additional transport circuit   of liquid in which a pump (9) is mounted which is forcibly connected to a wheel (8) of the   spraying machine and a throttle (10)   adjustable, and in addition that the control   (12) is connected to the servo control unit of pressure (7).   3. Spray machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the additional liquid circuit of the generating unit of the pressure signals (6) comprises a reservoir (11) for receiving the control liquid. subjected to forced recycling.   4. Spray machine according to one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit (7) comprises a piston (14) movable inside a body (13) in the axial direction, each of the end faces of which is connected with a closed chamber (15) and (16), one of the chambers (15) being connected by one. control line (12) to the generating unit of the pressure signals (6) and the other   chamber (16) to the discharge line (4) via   of a pressure signal line (17), and that the control unit (7) is additionally provided with a unit   regulator (37), itself connected to the regulator   (2) of the spray solution circuit for adjustment, while the regulator unit (37) and the piston (14) are connected to cooperate.   5. Spray machine according to claim 4,   characterized in that the control unit (7) is   provided on its control side with a manually adjustable load transmitter (25) including the spring bowl (28)   relies on the front face of the piston (14), via   load integrator (21) which is mobile in the   axial direction inside the chamber (15).   6. Spray machine according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a diaphragm (19) elastic and sealed, whose edges fit into the grooves (20) of the body (13), is arranged on each of the two front faces piston (14).   7.- Spray machine according to one of the claims-   4 to 6, characterized in that the regulating unit (37) of the control unit (7) is arranged in the opening (36) of the body (13) and laterally engaged in the recess (35). U-shape of the piston, furthermore, in that it is designed as a ball valve having two valve seats (40,   41) with, relying on the ball (39), a control rod   of (43) arranged in the direction of movement of the piston (14) and whose free end cooperates with the front face of   the recess (35) of the piston (14), that a seat of   ve (41) is in communication with the flow of the regular fluid   latch (49) and the other seat (40) is connected to a discharge path, preferably constituted by an annular space (47), and furthermore that the location of the regulating unit (37), which supports the ball, is provided with a channel-shaped outlet outlet (50) which is connected to the connected pipe (51) to the pressure regulator (2).   8. Spray machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the axial distance separating the two 260O6299   conical valve seats (40, 41) of the regulating unit (37) can be modified by means of the hollow screw (44) connected to the body (38) by means of a thread.   9. Spray machine according to one of the claims   1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an additional circuit of liquid carrying pure water, which is   consisting of a reservoir (52), a pump (53) and a regula-   pressure vessel (54), whose discharge pipe (55) is connected to the spray frame (5), furthermore   the discharge pipe (4) of the liquid circuit of the reservoir   see the spray solution (3) which contains   the basic solution is linked to the driving force   (55) by means of an adjustable throat (56) and furthermore that the pure water liquid circuit is connected with   with another charging integrator (59) of the communication unit   Mande (7), via a separation diaphragm   fluid (57) and a pipe of the pressure signals (58).   10. Spray machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the load integrator (59) of the control unit (7) is arranged between the first load integrator (21) and the load transmitter. (25), while an elastic and watertight diaphragm (60) is mounted between the   adjacent disks of the two load integrators (21, 59).