NZ195145A - Spray unit uses controlled droplet applicator - Google Patents

Description

195145/ 196701 ' NEW ZEALAND i PATENTS ACT, ] 953 No.: 195,145/196,701 * Date: 3 October 1980/1 April 1981 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION J'AN1932 u **' "SPRAYING APPARATUS" JOHN FREDERICK HART, a New Zealand citizen, of Tiritea Valley, Palmerston North, New Zealand, hereby declare the invention for which I / pray that a patent may be granted to me/st§{, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 195145 195701 This invention relates to spraying apparatus. More particularly it relates to spraying apparatus of a light weight design for use with light weight vehicles such as motorbikes or all terrain tricycles and associated trailers but is not limited thereto and can be used on other light weight all terrain vehicles.

It is known to mount sprayer heads in gangs on apparatus mounted on or towed behind large prime movers such as tractors. Such spraying apparatus can employ a large variety of components without concern for weight or volume. However spraying apparatus of such design is uneconomic for use in smaller paddocks and is cumbersome on steeply sloping terrain and because of its weight and bulk causes damage to crop or ground.

It is an object of this invention to go some way towards overcoming these disadvantages or at least to offer the public a useful choice.

Accordingly the invention may be said broadly to consist in spraying apparatus comprising a reservoir for fluid to be sprayed, a spraying head in the form of a controlled droplet applicator, a pump and a conduit for pumping fluid from said reservoir to said head, flow control means in said conduit and a boom, said spraying head being moun-table at the free end of said boom, the arrangement being such in use the apparatus may be mounted on a light weight vehicle and driven by a power source on said vehicle or alternatively on a trailer pulled by a vehicle and driven by _ o _ ,;o! o" — Z // * . -<N\ •;'V i^l9'F£BI986!*j 195145196701 a power source either on said trailer or on said pulling vehicle.

Preferably said vehicle is a two or three wheeled vehicle.

Preferably there are three of said spraying heads and three said booms, one head being mounted on each said boom.

Preferably there are a pair of said spraying heads and a pair of booms, one head being mounted on each said boom.

Preferably there are five said spraying heads eguidistantly spaced from one another on three booms.

Preferably said booms are pivotally mounted on the rear of a motorcycle or all terrain tricycle.

Preferably each said boom has a portion normal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle on which it is mounted and a second portion extending at an angle rearwardly therefrom.

Preferably each said head is spaced from the vehicle on which it is to be mounted a distance of at least equal to the radius of spraying of said head and is spaced from each other said head a distance at least equal to the radius of spraying of said head.

In one alternative when said apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a trailer and said reservoir is a tank designed to be carried in said trailer.

Preferably said pump is carried in said trailer. ■ ;. -■ 3 19514 5^/ 196701 Preferably said pump is a double or triple diaphragm 12 volt D.C. pump.

Preferably said flow control means comprises a pressure regulating valve in combination with a pressure sensitive check valve calibrated to cut off flow to said spraying head(s) when the flow pressure falls below a predetermined level.

Preferably said vehicle is a motorbike or an all terrain tricycle.

The invention may be more fully understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the spraying-apparatus according to the invention mounted on a motor bike.

Figure 2 is a detailed side view of the right hand spraying head.

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the pump mounted on the vehicle.

Figure 4 is an isometric view partly in ghost of an embodiment of the invention which is entirely portable from vehicle to vehicle.

Figure 4A is a rear elevation of a variation to the right end boom of figure 4 showing an extension portion thereto.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention mounted on an. all terrain tricycle. 195145/ 196701 Figure 5A is a view of a hand held sprayer and connector variation on the invention.

Referring to the general view in figure 1, the apparatus of this embodiment comprises a reservoir in the form of a straddle tank 10 which is mounted over the rear fender of a Motorbike 24. The motor bike 24, in a preferred embodiment, is a trail bike provided with a 12 volt battery. Extending rearwardly from under the straddle tank 10 is a rectangular frame 11 of angle cross-section. A pair of mounting points 13 are mounted on frame member 11. Boom arms 12 extended to either side of pivot points 17 and are spring loaded into the extended position by springs 16. Pivot points 17 allow the booms to be pivoted inwardly and upwardly so that'they do not extend to either side of the bike more than the width of the handle bars when folded and not in use. The booms can be so pivoted either singly or together and suitable retaining means are provided. Spraying heads 14 and 15 respectively are mounted at the end of each of boom arcs 12. Plastic tubing 20 conducts the fluid to be sprayed to the spraying heads 14 and 15. Mounted on the forward side of frame 11 between the frame 11 and tank 12 is a pressure regulator and gauge. In front of each of the spraying heads 14 and 15 is a guard 22 to protect the spraying heads should the booms come too close to the ground. Also visible in figure 1 is an auxiallary bar 46 across the handle bars of the motor bike on which are mounted five hand controls. 195145/ |9670] Referring to figure 2 at the end of the right hand boom arm 12 is spraying head 15. This head is a controlled droplet applicator manufactured under the trade mark "MICRON MICROMAX" by Micron Sprayers Limited capable of producing droplet sizes of between 75 and 250^/um diameter. The motor 30 of this spraying head is driven by the twelve volt battery.

The spraying heads 14 and 15 are spaced from the motor bike at least the distance of the radius of spraying of the discs 14 and 15 and spaced from each other twice the radius of spraying. The spraying creates an umbrella effect so that the distance of the spraying heads above the ground is not important.

The rate of flow of fluid to spraying head 15 is controlled by a calibrating plate 32. This plate has a series of orifices of different diameters which can be placed in the flow path in conduit 20. Fluid which is passed through plate 32 travels along tubing 28 to a T joints 26 where it is divided to go into the spraying head 15. Solenoid valve 34 starts or shuts off flow of fluid to the sprayer head 15.

On the front of tank 10 there is provided a sight gauge in the form of transparent tubing 42 extending from a lower outlet 40 to an upper outlet in the front of the tank.

A pipe 41 extends from lower outlet 40 out of the lowest point of the right hand lower portion of straddle tank 10. 195145/ 196 A second corresponding pipe extends from the left hand lower portion to meet at a T-junction behind pump 36. The leg of the T-junction feeds tubing 43 which leads to filter 38. A piece of tubing 34 joins filter 38 to pump 36. Pump 36 is a non-fluctuating, non-intermittent flow Holley automotive vane-type fuel pump although the pump described below in relation to the second embodiment may also be used. It supplies up to 3 litres per minute at pressures up to 10 psig and is powered by 12 volt battery. Tube 44 leads directly from the pump 36, under the centre of tank 10, to the pressure regulating gauge 18 mounted on the front of j frame 11. - In operation', the tank 10 is loaded up to its desired capacity (a maximum of 60 litres) with the liquid to be sprayed such as herbicide. Calibrating plates 32 are then set to the desired flow rate by adjusting the corresponding orifice to be in the flow path along tubing 20. The five I control switches on bar 46 can then be activated. One switch starts the pump 36, a pair activate the solenoid valves 34 and another pair activate the motors of spraying heads 14 and 15 so that spraying may commence. In one embodiment a cut off switch is provided next to the hand grip of the handle bars.

The flow rates of each head can be calibrated to deliver a maximum of up to 1 litre per minute or a minimum Of 75 ml per minute. In field trials when both spraying heads were 195145/ 196701 calibrated at 500 ml per minute and 35 litres of spraying mixture in the tank with the spraying heads spaced 6 feet apart the apparatus was capable of spraying 2 hectares in approximately 30 minutes.

An advantage of this apparatus over known sprayers is its capability of providing carefully controlled volumes of spray chemical per area of land. This produces economics of operation and can also be important in controlling excessive use of spray chemicals. As each spraying head can be operated independently a single boom can be in its operating position spraying by a roadside while the other boom is in a retracted position. - In an embodiment not illustrated the tank is 'adapted to be fitted onto an all terrain tricycle having low pressure balloon type tyres. The tank is fitted above the rear axle substantially between the pair of wheels and lower portions of the tank extend in front of the front portions of the mudguards.

In the embodiment illustrated in figure 4 there is provided a frame made substantially of box section steel which retains in place a tank 50. Tank 50 is preferably of some plastics material which is preferably translucent, A volume scale can be stamped on the outside of the tank 50 to allow for ease for measuring volumes of spray chemical. The tank is preferably of a self draining design. A filler cap 52 is provided in the top of tank 50. A removable filter basket 1 9 514 5 J 1 967Q] is fitted in the mouth of tank 50 below filler cap 52.

Filler cap 52 has' a built in poppet valve to allow air displacement into the tank 50.

Mounted on a bracket on a cross piece of frame 48 at the front thereof is a pump 54. Pump 54 is a positive displacement, double or triple diaphragm, intermittent duty series demand pump sold under the trade mark "SHURflo". The pump incorporates two independent pump chambers in a conical shape valve system. The pump employed in a preferred embodiment has a continuous duty twelve volt DC drive option. This pump can be used in place of the pump desired for use with the embodiment of figures 1 to 3.

When a double diaphragm pump is fitted it incorporates an automatic pressure switch and/or an internal or external by-pass when a triple diaphragm is fitted it has an internal by-pass which is present at 20 psi or higher if required at the factory. When an optional pressure switch is fitted this is present at 50 psi cut off, 40 psi cut on.

A filter 56 is provided next to pump 54. An intake 58 is provided in the bottom of tank 50. Intake 58 comprises an elbow facing downwards into the lower most portion of tank 50 the elbow leads to a ball valve which in turn leads along to filter 56 prior to the pump. The ball valve may be turned off to clean filter 56 when there is liquid in tank 50.

A pressure regulator 60 having a gauge 62, whose face is 195145/ 1n,_ ' I 96701 directed toward the operator of the vehicle, is provided. A main conduit 64 leads from the pressure regulator 60 to an X-joint 66 in which splits the flow along conduits 68a, 68b and 68c. From within each of the longitudinal frame members of the frame 48 extend telescoping frame members 53 having upright members 55 extending therefrom. A main cross boom 57 is mounted in brackets on uprights 55. When the apparatus is installed at an elevated position on a vehicle frame members 53 may be inverted so that members 55 extend downwardly and cross-member 57 is at a level below members 53. The telescoping feature allows the weight of tank 50 to/be kept forward over a load bearing axle. " Boom arms 72a and 72c are provided extending from spring loaded hinges 76a and 76c. A rearward boom 74 is hinged in a hinge 78. Brackets 17af 17b and 17c are mounted at the r,> ends of booms 72a, 74 and 72c respectively. Brackets 17a and 17c are movable, bracket 17b is fixed. On each of the i brackets 17 there is a mounted a controlled droplet applicator 14 of the type described above. At the end of each of conduits 68a, 68b and 68c there is provided a pressure sensitive check valve 70a, 70b and 70c. Each check valve 70 is set to allow flow of liquid into the applicators 14a and 14b and 14c when the pressure in tubes 68a, 68b and 68c reaches or exceeds predetermined value. In one preferred embodiment this value is 7 lbs psig. The check valves 70 are diaphragm type check valves sold by Spraying Systems Ltd. 195145f 19670) On the boom mounting mechanism there is provided a cross stay 80 and a pair of stays 82a and 82c. Pump 54 and the control droplet applicators 14a, 14b and 14c are operated by power source 61, which is a twelve volt DC battery in a preferred embodiment.

There is also illustrated within tank 50 an agitator 59 in the form of a centrifugal pump which agitates suspended solids within the liquid in tank 50 to keep them in suspension.

Figure 4a there is illustrated an extension to the end of boom 72c. A hinge 84 is provided and to this is mounted extension arm 86. A bracket 17'c is mounted at the end of i extension arm 86. Arm 86 is pivotal about pin 83. An additional spraying head can be mounted on bracket 17'c.

The apparatus of figure 4 can be mounted in a trailer to (.• be towed by a light weight vehicle such as an all terrain tricycle. Alternatively it can be placed in the load bed of a light weight pick up truck or a utility vehicle. It will be seen that it is an advantage to employ a vehicle, with an alternator to recharge battery 61 during operation.

Referring to figure 5 most of the components of the embodiment illustrated are common with those in figure 4. The major difference is in the configuration and mounting of the tank 85. Tank 85 has an inlet cap 87 below which there is a filter basket as in the embodiment of figure 4. Preferably there is a baffle in the centre of tank 85 to 195145/ 196701 preclude flow from one tank half to the other. The tank conforms to the shape of the rear of an all terrain tricycle. The lowest points of the tank are a pair of toes 89. Tank 85 is mounted on a conventional tricycle carrier rack 88 and retained by two nylon quick release, non-slip straps. A pair of upright members 90 mount the rack 88 onto a tow bar bracket 92. According to the invention there are provided a pair of upright members 94 extending from bracket 92. These upright members 94 end in mounting portions 100a and 100b to which corresponding upright frame members 55 are mounted. These frame members may be adjusted in height by bolts passing through pairs of holes in members 55 and 100a and 100b.

The rear axle 96 and the two rear tyres 98a and 98b of 19514 bj 196701 the all terrain tricycle are also illustrated.

The pick up inlets for the tank 85 are provided in each of the toes 89 which are connected by tubes to filter 56. There is no agitating pump within tank 85 as sufficient agitation is normally provided by the vehicle travelling over the ground to be sprayed.

It will be seen that various combinations of numbers spraying heads may be employed. For trail bikes the number is usually two as illustrated. For all terrain tricycles such as is shown in figure 5 the number may be three or four. For a modular model for trailers or load beds the I number will usually be five although fewer may be employed. For some field operations requiring small droplets it is desirable to have applicators at particularly close spacing. In such applications an additional number of sprayers 14 mounted on brackets 17 may be employed.

In the embodiment shown in figure 5A there is f illustrated a hand held spraying nozzle 102 operated by hand valve 108. Valve 108 is fitted to tubing 67 which has a coupling 104 at its other end. Coupling 104 fits over coupling 106. In its conventional operation coupling 106 is fitted onto cross-coupling 66 to supply the controlled In operation the apparatus both in figure 4 and figure 5 is installed as illustrated in these figures and the boom arms 72a, 72b and 72c are extended as shown. The tanks 50 or 85 are filled to the desired level with the liquid to be 195145/ 196701 sprayed. In the case of tank 50 in figure 4 the agitator 59 is first turned on. A switch turns on pump 54 and another switch turns on the motor driving the control droplet applicators 14a, b and c. Simple electrical switches will serve for this purpose. The switches are fitted into a lightweight plastic box which itself contains a pair of magnets bonded in place. The magnets are magnetized to one face and can be held on any convenient panel steel of the vechicle on which the apparatus is installed. The switches are waterproofed with rubber coverings.

The pressure regulator is set to a predetermined level and when this exceeds the opening pressure for the check i valves 70a, 70b and 70c the flow begins through the controlled droplet applicators. The applicators are preferably tilted at an angle of 15° to the horizontal to give maximum spreading of the liquid. So long as the pressure remains above the predetermined level the liquid will continue to be spread. When it is desired to cease the spraying the switch to pump 54 is turned off and the pressure immediately falls in the line 64 to below the.cut off pressure for the valves 70a, b and c. When a pump with a pressure switch st at 20 psi is employed the regulator 60 maintains the flow to the control droplet applicators at 20 psi and excess liquid is returned to tanks 50 or 85 along by-pass line 65.

When hand spraying is desired the coupling 106 is fitted 195145/ / 196701 into coupling 104 and spraying can be effected from nozzle 102 by use of valve 108. When operating in the hand spraying mode the valve in regulator 60 controlling flow into line 65 is closed. When maximum pressure is reached a pump with external by-pass switches off whereas a pump with internal by-pass does not. As soon as valve 108 is opened the pump with external by-pass switches on. To avoid rapid on/off switching of the pump a simple accumulator may be fitted.

Other configurations of the components of the com- ' ' bination of trhis invention can also be constructed within the scope of this invention.

Among the apparent advantages of the present invention are its light weight, manoeuvrable and compact construction. The lower ground pressure of the vehicles means less crop or ground damage. The light weight construction provides greater fuejl efficiency, lower initial capital cost and lower maintenance costs.

Claims (14)

195145 196701 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A spraying apparatus comprising a reservoir for fluid to be sprayed, a spraying head in the form of a controlled droplet applicator, a pump and a conduit for pumping fluid from said reservoir to said head, flow control means in said conduit and a boom, said spraying head being mountable at the free end of said boom, the arrangement being such that in use the apparatus may be mounted on a light weight vehicle and driven by a power source on said vehicle or alternatively mounted on a trailer pulled by a vehicle and driven by a power source either on said trailer or on said pulling vehicle,- >.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a two or three wheeled vehicle.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 having three said booms, one head being mounted on each said boom.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 including five of said spraying heads equidistantly spaced from one another.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 having a pair of said spraying heads and a pair of booms, one head being mounted on each said boom.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said booms are pivotally mountable on the rear of a motorbike or an all terrain tricycle.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein each said boom has a portion normal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle on which it is mounted and a second portion -J 16 195145jgg^r01 extending at an angle rearwardly therefrom.

8. A.n apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each said head is spaced from the vehicle on which it is to be mounted by a distance at least equal to the radius of spraying of said head and is spaced from any other said head a distance at least equal to double the radius of spraying of said head.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a said trailer and said reservoir is a tank designed to be carried in said trailer.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pump is carried in said trailer.

11. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said pump is a double or triple diaphragm 12 volt D.C. pump.

12. An apparatus according to any one.of the preceding claims wherein said flow control means comprises a pressure regulating valve in combination with a pressure sensitive check valve calibrated to cut off flow to said spraying head when the flow pressure falls below a predetermined level.

13. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said vehicle is a motorbike or an all terrain tricycle.

14. A spraying apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. By His/Jhetr authorised Agent A. J. PARK & SOW Per; c/7?-C£ -17- $9 fkblQtULV,