IL125879A - Method for spraying field crops and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for spraying field crops, especially useful for spraying the undersides of the crop canopy, comprising creating at least two high velocity air streams (6, 7), directing said air streams into colliding paths (8), and placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of said air streams prior to said path collision, wherein said air streams are oriented so that path collisions result in an updraft (9) of said liquid carrying air streams towards the undersides of the crop canopy.

Description

WWtf^ nro i rnw ^ΠΤΛ oio TIU A METHOD FOR SPRAYING FIELD CROPS AND APPARATUS USING SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a method for spraying field crops with a liquid (i.e. insecticide, pesticide, or fungicide), and to an apparatus for spraying field corps using the said method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method in which high velocity air streams containing an atomized liquid are brought to collide, resulting in an updraft of the air streams, depositing the contained liquid onto the crop in an improved dispersal between undersides and upper sides of the crop canopy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a growing worldwide demand to use environment friendly insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides. These environmentally friendly substances are relatively less toxic than their classical counterparts. They thus require a delivery method having an improved quality for covering the crop's internal canopy parts, dense growth, and canopy undersides in order to effectively compete with more classical high toxicity substances. Existing spraying methods and apparatuses do not achieve adequate spraying coverage, especially onto the canopy undersides.

The method of the present invention allows the effective insertion of the spray into the canopy, including onto the canopy undersides. This insertion uses colliding air streams as a delivery vehicle for penetrating into the canopy parts, dense growth, and canopy undersides. Furthermore, the method of the present invention creates turbulent updrafts whereby the sprayed substances are effectively distributed in the high velocity air streams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for spraying field crops. This method is comprised of (a) creating at least two high velocity air streams, (b) directing the air streams into colliding paths, and (c) placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of the air streams. Furthermore, the air streams are oriented in such mutual angles so that they result in an updraft of the liquid carrying air streams toward the undersides of the crop canopy (wherein the upper sides of the canopy receive the liquid pass through and fall down by gravity).

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for spraying field crops by the method of the present invention. The apparatus is comprised of: (a) At least one air blower, for creating a high velocity air flow. (b) At least two air ducts. Each duct is connected at one end to the air blower for receiving air flow, and having outlet at its other end for creating a high velocity air stream. The outlets of at least two ducts are aligned in such directions causing at least two high velocity air streams to collide in appropriate angle for producing an updraft of the (liquid carrying) air streams onto the crop canopy undersides. According to the present invention, the air stream collision may be achieved in two alternative ways: (A) by utilizing the ground surface (of the sprayed area) for reflecting the streams upwards, or (B) by a direct collision between two air streams without using the ground as a reflector, but as a boundary.

The said appropriate angle required for producing an updraft between each at least two air streams, depends on said alternatives. In case that the ground surface is used as a reflector (alternative "A"), the mutual required angle between two air streams is between 0 and 180 degrees. In case that the •ground surface is involved in the spraying procedure as a boundary (alternative "B"), the mutual angle between two air streams will be 180 degrees or more, (wherein in both alternatives the angle is measured between the streams and frtfm the apparatus direction).

The two alternatives may be implemented in one apparatus having ducts with adjustable orientation (e.g. by using resilient connections between the ducts and the air blower). (c) At least one spray nozzle connected to a liquid reservoir. The nozzles are located in or near the air streams for placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of the air streams, prior to the air stream collisions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the context of the present invention, liquid relates to substances which (a) are used in agriculture for improving the quantity or the quality of field crop laterally by the ground toward each other.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for spraying field crops (by the method as defined). This apparatus is comprised of at least one air blower, at least two ducts each connected at one end to the air blower, and at least one spray nozzle connected to a liquid reservoir.

The air blower is for creating a high velocity air flow. The ducts are each connected at one end to the air blower (for receiving the air flow). The ducts have outlets at the other ends (for creating air streams), and the outlets are oriented in a direction (for causing at least two high velocity air streams to collide).

These nozzles are located in or near the air streams (for placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of the air streams). Furthermore the air stream collisions are oriented to produce an updraft of the liquid carrying air streams onto the crop canopy undersides.

According to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, a pump for pressurizing liquid is part of the connection between the liquid reservoir and the spray nozzles. According to other embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, the liquid is either (a) gravity fed to the nozzles and/or (b) sucked from the nozzles into the low pressure of the high velocity air streams (wherein each nozzle's orifice is located in an air stream).

There are three basic nozzle placement embodiments. According to one basic nozzle placement embodiment, the spray nozzles are located in the ducts. According to another basic nozzle placement embodiment, the spray nozzles are located just outside of the outlets of the ducts. According to the third basic nozzle placement embodiment, the spray nozzles are located outside of the ducts. According to all of these basic nozzle placement embodiment, the nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams emitted (or to be emitted) from the outlets of the ducts.

According to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, there are means for maintaining the outlets of the ducts at a constant height. This allows the controlled delivery of the liquid onto the desired plant part target regions (e.g. the crop's internal canopy parts, dense growth, or canopy undersides).

As in the method of the present invention, there are two primary embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention: a horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment and a vertical air stream apparatus embodiment. Furthermore, there are innumerable other apparatus embodiments of the present invention wherein other angular definitions of the air streams result in an updraft of these liquid carrying air streams (toward the undersides of the crop canopy). However, the apparatus may comprise any conventional (manual or automatic) means for adjusting the orientation of the ducts, such that the innumerable embodiments may be all implemented in one apparatus having ducts with adjustable orientation (which, for example, may be achieved by using flexible connections between the ducts and the air blower).

According to the horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment of the present invention, the ducts direct the air streams horizontally prior to the air stream collisions; and the outlets of each pair of these ducts are directed each pointed at the other.

According to the vertical air stream apparatus embodiment, the outlets of the ducts direct the air streams downward prior to the air stream collisions; and the collision resulting updraft occurs after these air streams are diverted laterally by the ground. The preferred effective control mechanism for this embodiment requires use of the means for maintaining the outlets of the ducts at a constant height. An alternate control mechanisms for this embodiment would require increasing the air stream velocity for each measured increase in the height of the ducts' outlets, thus increasing the height reached by the updraft streams.

The present invention will be further described and clarified in detail by Figures 1-5. These figures are solely intended to illustrate the preferred apparatus embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic frontal view of air stream collision from a horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic f ontal view of air stream collision from an angular air stream apparatus embodiment.

Figure 4 illustrates a frontal view of a vertical air stream apparatus embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic frontal view of air stream collision from a vertical air stream apparatus embodiment.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment. An apparatus for spraying field crops (by the method of the present invention) is shown, comprising an air blower (not shown) - for creating a high velocity air flow; at least two ducts (1) (2) connected at one end (3) to the air blower (for receiving the air flow), and the ducts have outlets at the other end (4) (4a, seen from its backside), and the outlets are oriented in a direction for causing at least two high velocity air streams (6) (7) to collide (8); and at least one spray nozzle (enumerated hereinafter) connected to a liquid reservoir (not shown), and the nozzles are located in or near the air streams for placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of the air streams prior to the air stream collisions; wherein the air stream collisions are oriented to produce an updraft (9) of the liquid carrying air streams onto the crop canopy undersides.

The ducts' outlets direct the air streams horizontally prior to the air stream collisions, and the outlets of the pair of the ducts are directed each pointed at the other.

There are spray nozzles (10) (11) located just outside of the outlets of the ducts, and these nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams emitted from the outlets of the ducts.

There are also spray nozzles (12) (13) located outside of the ducts, and these nozzles direct the liquid onto the air streams emitted from the outlets of the ducts.

This apparatus embodiment also has means for maintaining the outlets of the ducts at a constant height. This apparatus embodiment is for use attached to a tractor (or truck) which pulls the apparatus in the direction (14) along the line of the planted crop rows to be sprayed. This attachment is sufficiently rigid so as to prevent the apparatus from dragging on the ground; and simultaneously is substantially maintained at a constant height.

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic frontal view of air stream collision from a horizontal air stream apparatus embodiment. Two horizontal air streams (22) (23) are directed each toward the other; substantially along the ground (24). Two nozzles (25) (26) place atomized liquid onto the air streams. A plant (27) is located about in the region where the air streams collide.

The collision of the liquid carrying air streams results in an updraft (28) in which the liquid is also carried. Because the plant is in the updraft, liquid in the updraft is deposited onto the plant (especially onto the undersides of the leaves). The turbulence of the updraft and of the resultant vortices from air stream (flow) collisions with plants results in a permeation of the air carried atomized liquid into the entire crop canopy. Simultaneously, the force of the updraft and of these resultant vortices is controlled by limiting the velocity of the air streams, to prevent damage to critical plant parts (e.g. flowers, buds, etc.), and to prevent lift of ground particles (dust).

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic frontal view of air stream collision from an angular air stream apparatus embodiment. Two angular air streams (29) (30) (at angle "beta") are each directed toward the ground; and from there diverted laterally with the majority of each air stream proceeding horizontally to a common intersection location. Two nozzles (25) (26) place atomized liquid onto the air streams. A plant (27) is located about in the region where the air streams collide.

The collision of the liquid carrying air streams results in an updraft (28) in which the liquid is also carried. Because the plant is in the updraft, liquid in the updraft is deposited onto the plant (especially onto the undersides of the leaves).

The turbulence of the updraft and of the resultant vortices from air stream (flow) collisions with plants results in a permeation of the air carried atomized liquid into the entire crop canopy. Simultaneously, the force of the updraft and of these resultant vortices is controlled by limiting the velocity of the air streams; to prevent damage to critical plant parts (e.g. flowers, buds, etc.).

Figure 4 illustrates a frontal view of a vertical air stream apparatus embodiment. An apparatus for spraying field crops (by the method of the present invention) is shown, comprising an air blower (14) (for creating a high velocity air flow); at least two ducts (15) (16) connected at one end to the air blower (for receiving the air flow), and the ducts have outlets at the other end (17), and the outlets are oriented for directing the air streams (causing at least two high velocity air streams to collide); and at least one spray nozzle (enumerated hereinafter) connected to a liquid reservoir (not shown), and the nozzles are located in or near the air streams for placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of the air streams prior to the air stream collisions; wherein the air stream collisions are oriented to produce an updraft (18) of the liquid carrying air streams onto the crop canopy undersides.

The outlets of the ducts direct the air streams downward prior to the air stream collisions, and the collision resulting updraft occurs after the air streams are diverted laterally by the ground (19).

The spray nozzles (20) (21) are located just outside of the outlets of each duct, and these nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams emitted from the outlets of the ducts.

This apparatus embodiment also has means for maintaining the outlets of the ducts at a constant height. This apparatus embodiment is for use attached to a tractor (or truck) which pulls the apparatus in the direction along the line of the planted crop rows to be sprayed. This attachment is sufficiently rigid so as to prevent the apparatus from dragging on the ground; and simultaneously is substantially maintained at a constant height.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic frontal view of air stream collision from a vertical air stream apparatus embodiment. There are two downward directed air streams (31) (32); each receiving atomized liquid from near by nozzles (33) (34). The liquid carrying air streams collide with the ground (19) and disperse laterally; after which they collide with each other and result in an updraft (18) onto a plant (27) (located about in the region where an updraft occurs).

The collision of the liquid carrying air streams results in an updraft in which the liquid is also carried. Because the plant is in the updraft, liquid in the updraft is deposited onto the plant (especially onto the undersides of the leaves). The turbulence of the updraft and of the resultant vortices from air stream (flow) collisions with plants results in a permeation of the air carried atomized liquid into the entire crop canopy. Simultaneously, the force of the updraft and of these resultant vortices is controlled by limiting the velocity of the air streams; to prevent damage to critical plant parts (e.g. flowers, buds, etc.). 125897/2

Claims (15)

1. A method for spraying field crops, especially useful for spraying the undersides of the crop canopy, comprising creating at least two high velocity air streams, directing said air streams into colliding paths, and placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of said air streams prior to said path collision, wherein said air streams are oriented so that the path collisions result in an updraft of said liquid carrying air streams toward the undersides of the crop canopy.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the air streams prior to collision are horizontal, and pairs of said air streams are directed each pointed at the other.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the air streams prior to collision are downward directed, and the collision resulting updraft occurs after the streams are diverted laterally by the ground.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid contains insecticide, pesticide, or fungicide.

5. An apparatus for spraying field crops by the method as defined in claim 1 , comprising an air blower for creating a high velocity air flow; at least two ducts connected at one end to the air blower for receiving said flow, and said ducts have outlets for creating air streams at their other ends, and said outlets are oriented in directions for causing at least two high velocity air streams to collide; and at least one spray nozzle connected to 125897/2 a liquid reservoir, and said nozzles are located in or near said outlets for placing atomized liquid into or onto at least one of said air streams prior to said air stream collisions; wherein the air stream collisions are oriented to produce an updraft of the liquid carrying air streams onto the crop canopy undersides.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a pump for pressurizing liquid is part of the connection between the liquid reservoir and the spray nozzles.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spray nozzles are located in the ducts, and said nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams to be emitted from the outlets of said ducts.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spray nozzles are located just outside of the outlets of the ducts, and said nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams emitted from outlets of said ducts.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spray nozzles are located outside of the ducts, and said nozzles direct the liquid into or onto the air streams emitted from the outlets of said ducts.

10. The apparatus according to claim 5 having means for maintaining the outlets of the ducts at a constant height.

11. 1 1. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the ducts' outlets direct the air streams horizontally prior to the air stream collisions, and the outlets of each pair of said ducts are oriented each pointed at the other. 125897/2

12. The apparatus according to claims 5 and 10 wherein the ducts' outlets direct the air streams downward prior to the air stream collisions, and the collision resulting updraft occurs after said air streams are diverted laterally by the ground.

13. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the orientation of the ducts.

14. The method for spraying field crops, especially useful for spraying the undersides of the crop canopy, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.

15. The apparatus for spraying field crops substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated. Y