GB2238698A

GB2238698A - A spraying system

Info

Publication number: GB2238698A
Application number: GB8923435A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Doherty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-18
Filing date: 1989-10-18
Publication date: 1991-06-12
Also published as: GB8923435D0

Abstract

A hydrodynamic distribution system is described comprising a pumping unit (1) which is mounted on a lawn mower (2). The pumping unit is driven from the lawn mower motor (3) to pump a supply of water fed to an inlet (4). A second supply of fluid, e.g. liquid or powdered fertiliser is fed to an inlet (5) of the pumping unit. The pumping unit incorporates a mixing chamber in which the water and second fluid product are intermixed, the mixed fluids being fed along a flexible hose (6) to a high-pressure gun (7) for distribution. <IMAGE>

Description

A HPDRODYNAMIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM This invention relates to a hydrodynamic distribution system more particularly but not exclusively for horticultural purposes.

Various methods and implements are used to distribute fertilisers, which may take the form of liquids, powders or granules. With such fertilisers it is important to effect an equal distribution and it is essential that they be watered in the soil within 48 hours of distribution failing which scorching of the crop may occur or windy conditions can often disperse dry fertilisers causing an imbalance in nutriment, with the result of patchy growth and discoloration.

The implement hitherto used for dry fertilisers was a wheeled spreader or sprinkling by hand whereas liquid fertilisers were sprinkled using a watering can. All these methods are reliant on ideal weather conditions.

Other problems arise in the application of weedkillers and insectacides which must be dispensed far more accurately than fertilisers, particularly when applying these to elevated areas such as tall fruit trees and bushes. This procedure can be hazardous to the gardener due to the light weight atomising containers which have a limited reach. The force of the spray is slight and gusts of wind can misdirect the spray.

An aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages and provide a hydrodynamic distribution system which has a wide application.

According to the present invention there is provided a hydrodynamic distribution system comprising a pumping unit for pumping fluid materials, an inlet to the pumping unit for the supply of water and a second inlet to the pumping unit for the supply of a second fluid material, means to intermix the water and second fluid material and a distribution metering device for the distribution of the mixture from the pumping unit onto a surface.

Preferably, the distribution metering device is a flexible hose connected to a high pressure spray-gun.

Conveniently, the pumping unit is driven by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.

In a present preferred arrangement the system is mounted on and driven by the motor of a grass cutting machine.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a lawn mower fitted with a hydrodynamic distribution system; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic elevation of one embodiment of a mixing device according to the invention; Figures 3a to 3f show diagrammatic views of accessories for use with the hydrodynamic distribution system.

The hydrodynamic distribution system comprises a pumping unit 1 which is mounted on a lawn mower 2. The pumping unit is driven from the lawn mower motor 3 to pump a supply of water fed to an inlet 4. A second supply of fluid, which may be a liquid fertiliser or an insectacide or a powdered or granulated fertiliser or weedkilling product, is fed to an inlet 5 of the pumping unit.

The pumping unit incorporates a mixing chamber in which the water and second fluid product are intermixed.

The mixed fluids are fed along a flexible hose 6 to a high pressure spray gun 7.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the pumping unit 1 is connected to a mixing unit 8 in the form of a "T" junction. One limb 9 of the T-junction is connected to the pumping unit 1, another limb 10 is connected to a flexible length of tube 11, approximately 21 feet long, to the end of which is attached a distribution device, the third limb 12 has a metering device comprising a rotatable collar 13 which has a hole 14 to open or partially close an aperture 15 in the limb 12. The limb 12 has a length of flexible tubing 16 which leads to a container 17 having a supply of dry feed (fertilizer) or sand 18.

The upper limbs 9 and 10 incorporate internal restrictions 19 and 20 which restrict the flow of water to the tube 11 creating a venturi effect in the "T" junction and a partial vacuum in the limb 12 sucking the dry feed or sand 18 from the container which mixes with the water in the tube 11.

Figures 3a to 3f show various accessories for use with the hydrodynamic distribution system. Figure 3a shows an angle poise lance 19 which can be used to distribute various products to relatively inaccessible places, the end of the lance having a suitable distribution device 20.

The accessory shown in Figure 3b is a T-shaped spreader bar 21 having a supporting wheel 22. The spreader bar 21 has a series of spray apertures 23 through which the product to be distributed is sprayed.

Figure 3c illustrates a diagrammatic view of a distributing lance 24 which can be telescoped to extend the length of the lance as may be required to spray high trees with insectacide.

Figure 3d is a diagrammatic perspective view of a root probe 25 one end of which has a spiked attachment 26 to assist in penetrating hard soil or clay.

The lance 27 shown in diagrammatic side elevation in Figure 3e is used to suck sand or granulated fertilizer from a supply container. The end 28 is placed in the sand or fertilizer and a ferrule 29 is rotated to open an aperture 30 creating a suction in the tube 31. Water is drawn through the lance 27 and distributed from the nozzle end 32.

Figure 3f shows a diagrammatic enlarged view of a turbo-lance 33 which is mounted on a supply tube 34 for water at high pressure. The turbo-lance 33 has a plurality of holes 34 which draw air from the ambient atmosphere and as the high pressure water is ejected from the nozzle end of the lance it mixes with the air and creates a turbulence. This accessory, is particularly useful for breaking up hard or clay soils.

Dry feeds and fertilisers are widely used by horticulturalists because they are economical and in particular granular types are compacted in order to provide a delayed prolonged release of nutrients so that a single seasonal application is all that is required.

Liquid feeds however are different in composition and action in that they penetrate almost immediately and are quickly absorbed by the roots of the plants being treated showing early results i.e. within seven days further liquid feed are subsequently more frequently applied.

With the hydrodynamic distribution system described, the fertiliser is precisely metered into the water channel and blended with optimum levels of water.

This enables the mixture to be directly applied to lawns or flower beds without affecting the prolonged release structure of granulated feeds or depleting the effect of powder feeds.

The advantages of applying dry feeds and fertilisers with the pumping system of the invention and the combined feeding apparatus are many. Both feeds and fertilisers are applied in less than a quarter of the time it takes relying on conventional methods, secondly the fertiliser is automatically wetted ensuring absolutely no scorching of the crop taking place.

Distribution is finer and more equally balanced which in turn significantly improves overall coverage cutting out waste. The fertiliser is weighted down by the addition of water, which forces the fertiliser down to the surface of the soil below the blades of grass anchoring each grannule or particle firmly in place which prevent winds from dispersing the fertiliser.

The pure watering capabilities of the system are far more effective and beneficial than any other watering apparatus available today. The system actually imitates rain fall, by pumping water under pressure high into the air at between twelve and fifteen feet, the water disperses into fine droplets and returns to the surface at the same drop-speed as that of rain.This is highly beneficial to both grass and top soil because the droplets, as with rain, help by their impact action to break through the top-soil layer of humus establishing greater natural aeration, in addition the droplets cause the blades of grass to bounce in a flicking action causing the grass generally to become more upright lossening and separating tangled grass's creating greater flow of air and allowing more sunlight to penetrate the dense growth assisting the natural process of photosynthesis, resulting in a strong natural greening with further prolific growth of intermixed finer grass's.

The system of the present invention rejuvenate the lawn, unlike present watering systems, the most common of which is the garden sprinkler, which has a tendency to drench the soil excessive use often causes compaction and panning of the surface soil which impairs drainage, being detremental to the lawns appearance and overall condition, as well as its growth rate.

The integral pumping unit of the system is versatile, in that it can also prepare soils and seed beds. Apart from its feeding and fertiliser application and spreading capabilities, the power thrust of the system coupled with the apropriate outlet high pressure spray-gun and nozzle will break up heavy clay soils, disintegrate rock hard clods of soil and apply, spread and disperse coarse grit and sharp sand to improve drainage and improve soil condition.

In order to fully illustrate these functions, the preparation and the establishment of a new lawn will now be described utilizing all of soil preparation capabilities of the system.

For purposes of explanation and illustration the size of the example lawn is fifty foot by forty foot consisting of hard stoney heavy clay soil, which has for this purpose already been rotovated or dug-over. The total area will be uneven and clumpy with bulky stones both exposed, partly exposed and concealed within large compacted clods of clay.

The initial step is to completely level the surface and create a perfectly flat seed bed, free of stoney obstructions. Using conventional methods, the large clumps and clods of earth are manually broken, by hacking with a French hoe until a fine gravel-like texture is produced, corse sharp grit sand must be worked into the entire area, which requires in this example 30 cubic yards of sand, this being laboriously transferred and deposited, with the use of a wheelbarrow, again in this example some twenty trips per yard of sand totalling sixty trips would be required. Once deposited the sand has to be evenly spread with a garden rake and worked into the surface, having completed these two main tasks the area must be left to weather for a period of between two to four weeks.The surface must then be re-worked with a garden rake to level both troughs and peaks in addition to removing stones brought to the surface, thereafter the area must be rolled with a final raking to finely adjust unevenness exposed by rolling. Rolling will then be required one last time and the area will then require a futher period of weathering of approximately three to four weeks. One week prior to either seeding or turfing the surface needs to be gently raked and a good application of fertiliser worked-in thereafter seeding or the positioning of the turfs can take place.

This overall task, as briefly described, can take between two to three months, and is highly labour intensive.

Traditionally preparation for new lawns take place during late autumn through to early winter. This is primarily due to the fact that weathering conditions frost, rain and winds, are perfect for breaking down soil as in the above illustration almost two months are allowed for this natural process. With the versatile functions of the hydrodynamic distribution system preparation can be carried out at any time of year, save for frost as this is unnecessary weathering is automatically produced using the hydrodynamic distributon system furthermore using the system this work can be completed within eight days, at a leisurely pace, without the physical task of lifting, transferring and depositing sand as well as the constant hacking required to physically break down clods with a French hoe.

The high pressure power of the system spraygun will disintegrate and dissolve clumps and clods at the pull of a trigger, sand is syphoned through its integral pumping system, in the same way as that of dry fertiliser and injected into the soil, the thrust with which sand is carried through the system automatically intermixes sand with the soil further breaking the soil down to a fine seived like texture. After being left to drain off over a period of approximately thirty six hours, all that is required is a light rolling and the raking off of exposed stones. The surface is then left to settle down for a period of two days after which a final application of general fertiliser using the hydrodynamic pumping system after which the entire area is ready for either seeding or turfing.

Various modifications may be made to the system described, for example instead of the high pressure spraygun any other suitable spraying device can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hydrodynamic distribution system comprising a pumping unit for pumping fluid materials, an inlet to the pumping unit for the supply of water and a second inlet to the pumping unit for the supply of a second fluid material, means to intermix the water and second fluid material and a distribution metering device for the distribution of the mixture from the pumping unit onto a surface.

2. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distribution metering device is a flexible hose connected to a high pressure spray-gun.

3. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pumping unit is driven by an electric motor.

4. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the pumping unit is driven by an internal combustion engine.

5. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the means to intermix the water and second fluid material is a T-shaped junction with a venturi aperture in each upper limb of the T, the third limb being provided with a side aperture and means to restrict the aperture.

6. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein one of the upper limbs of the T is connected to a high pressure water supply from the pump unit and the other limb has a connection for the distribution metering device.

7. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the mixed fluid materials are distributed by a T-shaped spreader bar having a supporting wheel and a series of apertures through which the materials are sprayed.

8. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the mixed fluid materials are distributed by a telescopic lance.

9. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the mixed fluid materials are distributed by a root probe one end of which has a spiked attachment to assist in penetrating hard soil or clay.

10. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the mixed fluid materials are distributed by a turbo lance mounted on a supply tube the lance having a plurality of holes to draw air from the ambient atmosphere to create a turbulence with the fluid mixture being dispensed.

11. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system is mounted on and driven by the motor of a grass cutting machine.

12. A hydrodynamic distribution system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the system is mounted on and driven by the motor of an aerator.

13. A hydrodynamic distribution system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.