GB2580034A

GB2580034A - Agricultural sprayer with heated product tank

Info

Publication number: GB2580034A
Application number: GB1820707.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Schell Daan
Original assignee: AGCO International GmbH
Current assignee: AGCO International GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-19
Filing date: 2018-12-19
Publication date: 2020-07-15
Also published as: GB201820707D0

Abstract

An agricultural crop sprayer (10, fig 1) includes a tank 18 for holding a solution (eg, pesticide, insecticide or fungicide), and a dispensing system 23 (eg, sprinkler). A plumbing network 28, 29, 30, 32, 34 fluidly connects the tank 18 and the dispensing system 23. A heat source 40, 42 is included to heat the solution in the tank 18. The heat source can be from a prime mover 16, a hydraulic pump (25, fig 3), a liquid fuel burner or an electrically powered immersion heater. The prime mover can be an internal combustion engine. The waste heat can be scavenged and transferred using a heat exchanger 42. The heat exchanger can have a thermostat 43 to regulate the temperature of the solution. The sprayer can include a rinse tank 20.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER WITH HEATED PRODUCT TANK

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an agricultural sprayer and a method of operating such a sprayer.

Description of Related Art

[0003] Agricultural sprayers are used in the application of various materials to field crops. Such systems apply various chemicals in the form of a spray for the purposes of crop protection, e.g. through the use of appropriate pesticides or herbicides, or for the purposes of limiting or promoting plant growth, e.g. through use of liquid growth regulators and fertiliser respectively. Agricultural sprayers may be provided as self-propelled sprayers, or as systems to be mounted to an agricultural tractor, e.g. as a towed or hitch-mounted implement.

[0004] Agricultural crop sprayers typically comprise a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product, and a product dispensing system for applying the solution to the field or crop. The product dispensing system is commonly provided by a series of nozzles spaced along a boom which itself extends transversely with respect to a forward direction of travel. A plumbing network is provided to fluidly connect the product tank with the nozzles and typically comprises hoses and controllable valves to direct the fluid as required.

[0005] Sprayers are used in many different environments which include a wide range of operating temperatures. Moreover, the temperature of water sources used to fill the sprayers varies significantly. A paper published by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service titled "Water Temperature and Herbicide Performance", the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes some research carried out into the effect of water temperature on herbicide efficacy and performance. The paper shows that an effect on herbicide performance was observed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an agricultural crop sprayer comprising a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product, a product dispense system, and a plumbing network which fluidly connects the product tank and the product dispense system, wherein the sprayer further comprises a heat source configured to heat the solution.

[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating an agricultural crop sprayer, the crop sprayer comprising a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product and a product dispense system, the method comprising heating the solution above ambient temperature using a heat source located on the crop sprayer.

[0008] By heating the product solution above ambient temperature using an onboard heat source the efficacy or performance of the product can be improved during a spray operation thus without increased downtime. Moreover, improved dissolution of a granular product can be achieved by heating the water into which it is dissolved.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment a prime mover provides the heat source. The prime mover may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor by way of example. It will be recognised that sprayers typically include an engine whether that be an engine of a self-propelled sprayer or an engine of a tractor towing a trailed sprayer. The prime mover may serve to deliver a driving torque to ground engaging wheels for propulsion of the sprayer.

[0010] Prime movers typically expel significant quantities of waste energy in the form of heat. Advantageously, this waste heat can be exploited to heat the product solution. A heat exchange system may be configured to transfer waste heat from the prime mover to the solution wherein a first heat exchanger is arranged to extract waste heat from the prime mover.

[0011] Waste heat from the prime mover can be transferred to the rinse fluid using one of several different arrangements. In one embodiment of this aspect, the heat exchange system involves a closed fluid circuit which includes the heat exchanger associated with the prime mover and a second heat exchanger located inside the product tank. In this arrangement a closed cooling circuit of the prime mover is extended so as to transfer the waste heat to the rinse fluid indirectly. The second heat exchanger may, for example, comprise a coil immersed in the product solution inside the product tank.

[0012] In yet another embodiment a hydraulic system provides the heat source. The hydraulic system may include a hydraulic pump and one or more hydraulic consumers for powering various systems on the sprayer. In one example, a trailed sprayer comprises a hydraulic pump that is driven mechanically from a power takeoff shaft of a tractor attached to the sprayer. Waste heat generated by the hydraulic system may be collected and transferred to the product solution by a heat exchange system which may include a closed fluid circuit.

[0013] The heat exchange system may further comprise a thermostat to regulate the temperature of the rinse fluid.

[0014] In the case of scavenged waste heat serving as the heat source, whether that be from a prime mover or from a hydraulic system, a further advantage is a reduced dedicated cooling requirement and thus a cooling system of a reduced size. In other words, the extraction of the waste heat itself serves to cool the prime mover or hydraulic system.

[0015] In yet another embodiment a dedicated heat source is provided. For example the heat source may be a liquid fuel burner or an electrically-powered immersion heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Further advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the following description of specific embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure. 1 is an illustration of an agricultural crop sprayer according to an aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of a sprayer system according to a first embodiment of the invention, for use with the sprayer of Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a sprayer system according to a second embodiment of the invention, for use with the sprayer of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

[0018] Use of directional terms such as "front", "rear'', "longitudinal" and "transverse" in the following description of specific embodiments is made in relation to the normal forward direction of travel of an agricultural crop sprayer having a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of travel.

[0019] Various embodiments are illustrated and described. Like components that are common to multiple embodiments will share the same reference numerals for ease of understanding.

[0020] Figure 1 shows an agricultural crop sprayer 10 used to apply crop protection products to agricultural crops in a field. Agricultural crop sprayer 10 comprises a chassis 12 and a cab 14 mounted on the chassis 12. Cab 14 may house an operator and a number of controls for the sprayer 10. An internal combustion engine 16 may be mounted on a forward portion of chassis 12 in front of cab 14 or may be mounted on a rearward portion of the chassis 12 behind the cab 14. The engine 16 may comprise, for example, a diesel engine or a gasoline powered internal combustion engine. The engine 16 provides torque to propel the agricultural sprayer 10 and also to provide energy used to power the on-board spray systems which will be described below.

[0021] Although a self-propelled crop sprayer is shown and described hereinafter, it should be understood that the embodied invention is applicable to other agricultural sprayers including pull-type or towed sprayers and mounted sprayers, e.g. mounted on a 3-point linkage of an agricultural tractor.

[0022] The sprayer 10 further comprises a product tank 18 used to store a liquid solution of plant protection product to be sprayed on the field. The solution can include chemicals or plant protection products (PPPs), such as but not limited to, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators, and/or fertilizers. Product tank 18 is mounted on chassis 12, either in front of or behind cab 14. The crop sprayer 10 can include more than product tank 18 to store different chemicals to be sprayed on the field. The stored chemicals may be dispersed by the sprayer 10 one at a time or different chemicals may be mixed and dispersed together in a variety of mixtures.

[0023] A sprayer system according to one aspect of the invention is illustrated in a schematic outline in Fig. 2 at 50. The sprayer system 50 is suitable for implementation on sprayer 10. System 50 further comprises a rinse tank 20 for holding a rinse fluid which can be used to rinse the product tank 18 and associated plumbing after or during a spraying operation.

[0024] At least one boom 22 on the sprayer 10 is used to distribute the fluid from the product tank 18 over a wide swath as the sprayer 10 is driven through the field. The boom 22 is mounted to the rear of the chassis 12 and extends transversely away the chassis 12. The boom is provided as part of a product dispense system 23, which further comprises an array of spray nozzles 24 arranged along the length of the boom 22.

[0025] A plumbing network is provided which fluidly connects the product tank 18, the product dispense system 23 and the rinse tank 20. The plumbing network will be understood to comprise any suitable valves, tubing or piping arranged for fluid communication of these components.

[0026] In more detail, the plumbing network comprises suction portion connected to a suction side of fluid pump 25 and a pressurised portion connected to a pressure side of pump 25. Pump 25 is driven in this embodiment by a drive connection 26 which derives torque from engine 16.

[0027] The suction portion of the plumbing network includes an input valve or manifold 28 which selectively connects a respective outlet of the product tank 18 and the rinse tank 20 to a suction side of the pump 25. A boom recirculation line 29 is also connected to the input manifold 28. The pressurised portion of the plumbing network comprises a distribution valve 30 which selectively directs pressurised fluid from the pressure side of pump 25 to one of a boom supply line 32 and a tank rinse line 34. The manifolds 28,30 can comprise any suitable configuration of valve elements, e.g. a single multi-port valve element, or an array of individual elements.

[0028] The sprayer 10 further comprises an electronic control unit (ECU) 36, which is configured to control the operation of the various components of the system, e.g. the distribution valve 30, the input valve 28, the pump 25, the nozzles 24 and the boom arm 22 position. The ECU 36 can operate in response to commands issued by an operator in the sprayer cab 14, or based on pre-programmed operating routines, which may be triggered by operator action.

[0029] During a spraying mode of operation the pump 25 draws PPP solution from product tank 18 via input manifold 28 and delivers the solution at pressure to the product dispense system 23 via distribution valve 30 and boom supply line 32. The pressurised solution is dispensed to the field by nozzles 24.

[0030] Optionally, when the rate of application is low, the PPP solution may be recirculated via boom recirculation line 29.

[0031] During a rinse mode of operation the pump 25 draws rinse fluid from rinse tank 20 via input manifold 28 and delivers the rinse fluid at pressure to a set of tank rinse nozzles 38 via tank rinse line 34. The tank rinse nozzles 38 are mounted inside the product tank 18 and are positioned so as to direct a cleaning jet of fluid at the internal surfaces of the product tank 18.

[0032] Optionally, the rinse mode of operation may involve the distribution manifold 30 directing some or all of the pressurised rinse fluid through the boom supply line 32 and the boom recirculation line 29 so as to rinse chemical residue therefrom.

[0033] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the PPP solution is heated by waste heat from the engine 16. A heat exchange system 40 comprises a closed fluid circuit having a heat exchanger 42 immersed in the PPP solution inside the product tank 18. The heat exchanger 42 is fluidly connected in the fluid circuit to a further heat exchanger that is associated or integrated with engine 16. The fluid circuit includes a heated line 40H and a cooled line 40C.

[0034] The heat exchange system 40 may operate during a spraying mode of operation so as to scavenge and exploit the waste heat from engine 16 to heat the PPP solution. Heating of the product solution helps to maintain an optimum temperature for product efficacy or performance. Furthermore, exploitation of an onboard heat source allows for this heating to be carried out during a spray operation, or even during transport between farm and field, therefore avoiding any downtime to achieve this benefit.

[0035] A thermostat 43 is provided in the heat exchange system so as to regulate the temperature of the PPP solution. For example, the thermostat 43 may be adapted to regulate the temperature around 25-30°C. Although a connection is not shown, the thermostat 43 may be in communication with the ECU 36, wherein the ECU 36 may be configured to control the temperature of the PPP solution dependent upon operating conditions or upon operator commands.

[0036] With reference to Figure 3, a second embodiment of a spray system 70 utilises waste heat from parts of an on-board hydraulic system, in this case the pump 25. It should be understood that engine 16 and the input manifold control line has been omitted from Figure 3 only for reasons of clarity. In this embodiment waste heat from the pump 25 is recovered and transferred indirectly to the PPP solution using a closed-circuit heat exchange system 62 which operates on a similar principal to that system 40 described above.

[0037] The heat exchange system 62 comprises a heat exchanger 64 that is mounted proximate to, or integrated with, the pump 25. The heat exchanger 64 is connected in a fluid circuit having a heated line 62H and a cooled line 620. A further heat exchanger 66 immersed in the PPP solution inside the product tank 18. The heat exchanger 66 is fluidly connected in the fluid circuit to heat exchanger 64 that is associated or integrated with pump 25.

[0038] Although waste heat from the pump 25 of the sprayer system 70 is extracted in this embodiment, it is envisaged that waste heat from other components of a hydraulic system could instead be scavenged whilst remaining in the scope of the invention.

[0039] Although the above-described embodiments have involved the scavenging of waste heat from prime movers or hydraulic systems it is envisaged that dedicated heating sources may be provided to heat the product solution in the product tank 18. For example, a diesel burner or an electrically-powered immersion heater could be provided in a not illustrated embodiment.

[0040] Although the focus of the above-described embodiments has been on a self-propelled crop sprayer, it is envisaged that aspects of the invention can be implemented on trailed sprayers. In one embodiment heat may be scavenged from an engine or exhaust of a tractor to which the sprayer is attached. In another embodiment, heat may be scavenged from a PTO-driven pump mounted to the chassis of a trailed sprayer.

[0041] In summary there is provided an agricultural crop sprayer which includes a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product and a product dispense system. A plumbing network fluidly connects the product tank and the product dispense system. A heat source is provided to heat the PPP solution. The heat source may be a prime mover or a hydraulic pump wherein waste heat is scavenged therefrom.

[0042] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An agricultural crop sprayer comprising a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product, a product dispense system, and a plumbing network which fluidly connects the product tank and the product dispense system, wherein the sprayer further comprises a heat source configured to heat the solution.
2. A crop sprayer according to Claim 1, further comprising a prime mover which provides the heat source, and a heat exchange system configured to transfer waste heat from the prime mover to the solution and including a first heat exchanger arranged to extract waste heat from the prime mover.
3. A crop sprayer according to Claim 2, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a closed fluid circuit which includes the first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger located inside the product tank.
4. A crop sprayer according to Claims 2 or 3, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a thermostat to regulate the temperature of the solution.
5. A crop sprayer according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a flow control valve in communication with an electronic controller, wherein the flow control valve is controlled so as to regulate a temperature of the solution.
6. A crop sprayer according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the prime mover is an internal combustion engine.
7. A crop sprayer according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, configured as a self-propelled crop sprayer.
8. A crop sprayer according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, further comprising ground engaging propulsion means which derive a driving torque from the prime mover.
9. A crop sprayer according to any preceding claim, further comprising a hydraulic system which provides the heat source, and a heat exchange system configured to transfer waste heat from the hydraulic system to the solution
10. A crop sprayer according to Claim 9, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic pump to generate a source of pressurised hydraulic source, wherein the hydraulic pump provides the heat source.
11. A crop sprayer according to any preceding claim, further comprising a rinse tank connected to the plumbing network.
12. A crop sprayer according to Claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises a liquid fuel burner.
13. A crop sprayer according to Claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises an electrically-powered immersion heater.
14. A method of operating an agricultural crop sprayer, the crop sprayer comprising a product tank for holding a solution of plant protection product and a product dispense system, the method comprising heating the solution above ambient temperature using a heat source located on the crop sprayer.
15. A method according to Claim 14, wherein the heat source is a prime mover.