GB2147483A

GB2147483A - An agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2147483A
Application number: GB08421298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Friedrich Oberheide
Original assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Amazonen Werke H Dreyer SE and Co KG
Priority date: 1983-08-31
Filing date: 1984-08-22
Publication date: 1985-05-15
Also published as: NL8402327A; DK383484A; GB2147483B; FR2551311B1; DE3331413C1; FR2551311A1; DK383484D0; GB8421298D0

Abstract

An agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids, more particularly liquid plant- treating agents and liquid fertilisers, including a storage container (1), a feed pipe (5, 7) which is connected to a pump (2) driven by the power take-off shaft of a tractor, a regulator (3) which is connected to the feed pipe (5, 7) and has constant-pressure mountings (10) for the discharge nozzles, a return pipe (12) which is connected to the regulator (3) and is joined to the storage container (1), and a constant-pressure return pipe (13) which is connected to the regulator device (3) and is joined to the storage container (1) a measuring and/or injecting container (4) being disposed on the apparatus. In order to simplify considerably the manner in which the quantity of liquid actually discharged is determined by the apparatus, the constant-pressure return pipe (13) is connectable to the measuring or injecting container (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids The present invention relates to a agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids, more particularly liquid plant-treating agents and liquid fertilisers, including a storage container, a feed pipe which is connected to a pump driven by the power take-off shaft of a towing vehicle, a regulator which is connected to the feed pipe and has constantpressure fittings for the discharge nozzles, a return pipe which is connected to the regulator and communicates with the storage container, and a constant-pressure return pipe which is connected to the constant-pressure fittings and is joined to the storage container, an injecting container being disposed on the apparatus.

Such an apparatus has been described in the prospectus entitled "Agrotechnik PK '83/1" belonging to Maschinenfabrik Rau.

With this apparatus it is possible to add pulverous and liquid plant-treating agents or liquid fertilisers in a simple manner via the injecting container to the water present in the storage container. It is especially advantageous that the pulverous agents can be dissolved in a very simple and convenient manner.

However, the method of determining the quantity of liquid plant-treating agents, or fertilisers respectively, actually discharged per unit area is very complicated with such an apparatus. To determine the quantity of liquid actually discharged per unit area, a collecting vessel is provided beneath each individual nozzle at the injection linkage system of the apparatus.

A pre-determined distance is then travelled at a specific rate of travel and the quantity of liquid discharged by the nozzles is then collected in the collecting vessels. Finally, the quantity of liquid which has been collected is poured from the individual collecting vessels into a measuring container. The quantity actually discharged per unit area is then ascertained on the basis of this quantity of liquid collected.

The present invention seeks to simplify considerably the manner in which the quantity of liquid actually discharged is determined by the above-described apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided an agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids including a storage container, a feed pipe which is connected to a pump drivable by the power take-off shaft of a towing vehicle, a regulator which is com ected to the feed pipe and has constant-pressure device for discharge nozzles, a return pipe which is connected to the regulator and is joined to the storage container, a constantpressure return pipe which is com ected to the constant-pressure device and is joined to the storage container, and a measuring or injecting container being disposed on the apparatus; wherein the constant-pressure return pipe is connectable to the measuring or injecting container.

Thus according to the present invention, the object is achieved when the constant-pressure return pipe being connectable to a measuring or injecting container. As a result, when the feed pipes extending to the nozzles are shutoff, the quantity of liquid corresponding to the nozzle discharge is conducted into the measuring or injecting container-now serving as a measuring container-via the constant-pressure return pipe and is collected in said (rinsing) measuring or injecting container.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, markings which indicate the contents, or discharge quantity respectively, are provided in the region of the injecting container. This permits the quantity of liquid actually discharged per unit area to be readoff immediately at the rinsing container, or permits the quantity of liquid which has been discharged per unit area to be ascertained.

To prevent the quantity of liquid which has been collected in the container from unintentionally flowing out of the container, a shut-off tap is disposed at the lower end of the injecting container. To permit the quantity of liquid which has been collected to be removed from the injecting container in the simplest and most convenient manner, a suction pipe is connected to the shut-off tap and discharges via an injector into the feed pipe.

In a simple and preferred embodiment of the present invention, a rapid coupling means is disposed in the constant-pressure return pipe, and the constant-pressure return pipe is connectable to the injecting container by said rapid coupling means. In a minimum space of time, therefore, it is possible for the constantpressure return pipe to be connected either to the storage container or to the injecting container, as required. In such a case, a member of the rapid coupling means is advantageously disposed on the injecting container and is connectable to the member of the rapid coupling means disposed on the constant-pressure return pipe.

In an additional embodiment, a three-way tap is disposed in the constant-pressure return pipe, and a pipe which connects the constantpressure return pipe to the injecting container is connected to the three-way tap. As a result, if the quantity of liquid actually discharged needs to be collected, it is only necessary to change the position of the three-way tap.

After the collecting process, the three-way tap is then to be re-established in its spraying position.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accom panying drawing which is a schematic view illustrating the connection between individual components of the agricultural apparatus.

An agricultural apparatus according to the present invention for the metered discharge of liquids is in the form of a field sprayer. The field sprayer includes a storage container 1, a pump 2, a regulator 3 and a measuring or injecting container 4, in addition to various pipes. At the base of the forage container 1.

a feed pipe 5 is connected to a filter 6 and said fad pipe 5 has the pump 2 disposed therein. The pump 2 is driven by the power take-off shaft of a towing tractor in known manner (not shown). The pump 2 draws-off liquid from the storage container 1 via the feed pipe 5 and urges this liquid towards the regulator 3 via additional feed pipe 7.Depending on the spraying pressure, which is set by the regulating screw 8 and can be read-off from (manometer) pressure gauge 9 the desired quantity of liquid is supplied to the spraying nozzles (not shown) in known manner via the constant-pressure fittings 10 and the hoses 11 which are connected via the constant-pressure fittings 1 0. If too much liquid has been sumped, the surplus quantity of liquid is conducted back into the storage container 1 via the return pipe 1 2 which is connected to the regulator 3. The constantpressure fitting 10 is still connected to constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 which discharges into the storage container 1.A rapid coupling means 14 is disposed in the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 directly in front of the discharge opening into the storage container 1, and the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 can be disconnected from and connected to the storage container 1 in a very rapid and simple manner by said rapid coupling means 14. When individual partial widths of nozzles of the discharge linkage system are shut-off by the quick-acting shutoff taps 1 5, the constant-pressure fitting 10 seeks to maintain a counter-pressure equivalent to that applied by the particular partial width.The quantity of liquid, which corresponds to the actual partial width which has been shut-off, is then conducted back into the storage container 1 via the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3. The regulator 3 also includes a central tap 1 6 by means of which, in known manner, the supplied quantity of liquid is supplied only to the return pipe 1 2 in the "off" position and is supplied mainly to the constantpressure fitting and the injection nozzles in the "on" position.

The rinsing container 4 is mounted alongside the storage container 1 by means of a holder 1 7. At the regulator 3, upstream of the constant-pressure fitting 10, the rinsing pipe 18 is connected to a shut-off tap 1 9 and discharges into the rinsing container 4 via the rinsing nozzles 20 which are disposed in the rinsing container 4. A shut-off tap 21 is disposed in the base of the container 4 and a suction pipe 22 is connected to the shut-off tap 21. The suction pipe 22 discharges via an injector 23 into the feed pipe 5. At its upper end, the container 4 has an opening 24 which is sealed by the detachable cover 25.A member 26 of rapid coupling means 27 is disposed in the lid 25 for connection with other member 28 of the rapid coupling means 1 4 disposed on the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3. Calibrations 29, which indicate the contents, are provided on the rinsing container 4. The injecting container 4 has a volumetric capacity which is suitable for measuring the contents of the apparatus in litres and is at least 20 litres.

Instead of providing the rapid coupling means 14 and 27 for connecting the constant-pressure return pipe either to the storage container 1 or to the rinsing container 4. a three-way tap 30 may be disposed in the constant-pressure return line 1 3 which is connected to the storage container, said threeway tap 30 being indicated by dash-dot lines.

A pipe 31, also shown by dash-dot lines. is connected to this three-way tap 30 and permits the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 to be connected to the injecting container 4. By changing the position of the three-way tap 30, the liquid flowing through the constantpressure return line 1 3 is conducted into either the storage container 1 or the injecting container 4. Because the embodiment provided with the three-way tap 30, there is no need to detach the constant-pressure retuin pipe 13.

The known tasks of the injecting container and the individual operational steps will firstly be explained: 1. Injecting of liquid plant-treating agents or liquid fertilisers The storage container 1 is initially filled with water. The central tap 1 6 at the regulator 3 is then set to "on" and partial widths are closed by means of the rapid shut-off taps 1 5 and the pump 2 is switched-on. An agitator mechanism (not shown) disposed in the storage container 1 is switched-on in known manner. The injecting container 4 is filled with the plant-treating or fertiliser concentrate.

The shut-off tap 21 at the base of the rinsing container 4 is now opened, so that the desired mean quantity can be drawn by suction into the storage container 1. When the desired mean quantity has been drawn-off by suction, the shut-off tap 21 is closed again.

The drawn-off mean quantity is ascertained by the calibrations 29 provided on the container 4. The residual quantity which remains in the injection container 4 and is in excess of the mean quantity is used for the subsequent operation of filling the storage container.

2. Rinsing of pulverous plant-protecting-prepa rations The storage container is initially filled with water. The central tap 1 6 of the regulator 3 is then set to "on" the partial widths are closed by means of the rapid shut-off taps 1 5 and the pump 2 is switched-on, so that the agitator mechanism disposed in the storage container 1 is switched-on in known manner. The shut-off tap 19, which is disposed on the regulator 3 and is provided for the rinsing nozzles 20, is opened, as is the shut-off tap 21 at the base of the rinsing container 4. The desired quantity of pulverous plant-treating preparation or fertiliser is now poured into the rinsing container 4. The pulverous preparation is dissolved by the water sprayed into the rinsing container 4 via the rinsing nozzles 20.

After the pulverous preparation has been dissolved, the rinsing nozzles 20 are shut-off by the shut-off tap 19, so that the injecting container 4 can be emptied by suction via the suction pipe 22. If necessary, the container 4 can be further fed with liquid or flushed-out via the rinsing nozzles 20 if the shut-off tap 1 9 is opened. After closure of the shut-off tap 19, the injecting container 4 can then be emptied by suction prior to closure of the shutting-off tap 21 at the base of the container 4.

In addition, the discharge quantity of the apparatus can be measured in litres in the manner according to the invention with the container 4 and via the constant-pressure fitting 10; this means that the quantity of liquid actually discharged per unit area can be ascertained without the need for the quantity of liquid discharged from each nozzle to be collected separateiy. In this case, the injecting container is used as a measuring container.

This method of measuring the contents in litres, in accordance with the invention, will now be described: The storage container 1 is initially filled with liquid for spraying which is in substantially the above-described form. The constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 at the rapid coupling means 14 is then detached from the storage container 1 and re-connected to the lid 25 of the rinsing container 4 by the rapid coupling means 27, the members 28 and 26 of the rapid coupling means 14 and 27 being joined together in said lid 25. The central tap 1 6 is now set to "off" and the partial widths are closed via the rapid shut-off taps 1 5. The pump 2 is then switched-on and left to run at the speed at which spraying is also to be effected subsequently.The central tap is now set to "on" and the spraying pressure is set by the regulating screw 8 and the pressure gauge 9 in accordance with the spraying table which the manufacturer supplies with the apparatus. In such a case, it is important that the constant-pressure fitting is adapted to the nozzles which are used. The central tap 1 6 is then set to "off" and, by opening the shut-off tap 21, it is possible to empty by suction the rinsing container 4 which serves as a measuring container. After the rinsing container 4 has been emptied, by suction the shut-off tap 21 is closed again.

Once these preparations have been completed for measuring the contents in litres, a predetermined distance is travelled under operative conditions with the regulator 3 switched-on; this means that the central tap is switched to "on" at the beginning of the measured distance and switched to "off" at the end of the measured distance. The quantity of liquid which would otherwise be sprayed is collected via the constant-pressure fitting 10 in the injecting container 4 which serves as a measuring container. Since the partial widths are closed by the rapid shut-off taps 15, the liquid is conducted into the injecting container 4, which serves as a measuring container, via the constant-pressure return pipe 1 3 and collected in said container 4. The quantity of liquid which is collected can be read-off with reference to the markings 29.On the basis of the quantity of liquid collected, the quantity of liquid actually discharged per unit area can be calculated or ascertained from tables. If the quantity of liquid actually discharged is ascertained and is not equivalent to the desired quantity to be discharged, it is necessary to alter the spraying pressure via the regulating screw 8. The injecting container 4 can then be emptied by suction when the shut-off tap 21 is opened.

After the emptying process, the shut-off tap 21 has to be closed again. The measured distance is now travelled once more with the regulator 3 switched-on, as described above, and the quantity actually discharged is determined once more. This procedure for correcting the spraying pressure is repeated until the desired quantity of liquid is identical to the quantity of liquid actually collected in the injecting container 4 which serves as a measuring container.

When the desired quantity has been reached, the injecting container 4 is emptied for the last time, in that the quantity of liquid which has been collected is drawn-off after the shut-off tap 21 has been opened. Once the injecting container 4 has been emptied by suction, the shut-off tap 21 is closed again.

Before spraying can be commenced in the field, it is still necessary for the constantpressure return pipe 1 3 to be re-connected to the storage container 1 by the rapid coupling means 14.

Claims

1. An agricultural apparatus for the metered discharge of liquids including a storage container (1), a feed pipe (5,7) which is connected to a pump (2) drivable by the power take-off shaft of a towing vehicle, a regulator (3) which is connected to the feed pipe (7) and has constant-pressure device (10) for dis charge nozzles, a return pipe (12) which is connected to the regulator and is joined to the storage container, a constant-pressure return pipe (13) which is connected to the constantpressure device and is joined to the storage container, and a measuring or injecting container being disposed on the apparatus; wherein the constant-pressure return pipe (13) is connectable to the measuring or injecting container (4).

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which calibrations (29), which indicate the contents, or discharge quantity respectively, are provided in the region of the measuring or injecting container (4).

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a shut-off tap (21) is disposed at the lower end of the measuring injecting container (4).

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 3, in which a suction pipe (22) is connected to the shut-off tap (21) and discharges via an injector (23) into the feed pipe (5).

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a rapid coupling means (14) is disposed in the constant-pressure retuin pipe (13), and the constant-pressure return pipe (13) is connectable to the measuring injecting container (4) by said rapid coupling means (14).

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which a member (26) of the rapid coupling means (14, 27) is disposed on the measuring injecting container (4) and is connectable to the member (28) of the rapid coupling means (14) disposed on the constant-pressure retu n pipe (13).

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a three-way tap (30) is disposed in the constant-pressure return pipe (13), and a pipe (31) which connects the constant-pressure retu n pipe (1 3) to the measuring or injecting container (4) is connected to the three-way tap (30).

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the measuring or injecting container (4) has at least the volumetric capacity suitable for measuring the contents of the apparatus in litres.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the volumetric capacity is at least 20 litres.

10. An agricultural apparatus constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.