NZ212302A - Pollinating plants by electrostatic spraying - Google Patents

Description

\ 2 12302 Priority Date<s): Complete Specification Filed: 4.-Swifts Class: .&(?dB5/0O ft.Q.W./fi'S. • 3bWfri98T." Publication Date: P.O. Journal, No: .1590.

Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ELECTROSTATIC PLANT SPRAYER tyWe CURTIS-DYNA PRODUCTS CORPORATION, a corporation of * the State of Indiana, United States of America, of sV r^euZrU- Westfield, Indiana 46074, United States of America do hereby declare the invention for which ?/we pray that a Patent may be granted to fW/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: . i . (followed by page la) 212302 la Background of the Invention Field of Invention: This invention is in the field of agricultural devices and more specifically those directed to pollinating plants.

Description of Prior Art: Great reliance is placed on 5 bees to pollinate plants. In the case of the Kiwi plant, the bees are not strongly attracted to the plants due to a lack of a strong scent. It is therefore the practice to release a large quantity of bees in a Kiwi plant field with the expectation that the excess bee population will 10 result in satisfactory pollination. Unfortunately, complete pollination does not occur especially, under rainy or windy conditions when bees do not work. It is therefore desirable to manually pollinate the plants by means of dispersing the pollen through the air and onto 15 the plant. A slight amount of wind may misdirect the pollen released to the atmosphere with the result of incomplete pollination and the waste of pollen and the labor required to disperse the pollen. The pollen is fragile and too much agitation will cause a loss of 20 viability of the pollen. The tool disclosed herein applies a curtain of ground potential air to the plant r- J..T i&VtJ, - neutralizing any electrical charge on the plant at least until an electrically charged mixture of liquid and air is directed towards the plant. The result is attraction of the pollen onto the plant minimizing pollen waste and increasing the overall pollination of the plants. 212302 3 Summary of the Invention One embodiment of the present invention is a plant pollinating device comprising a source of power, a source of air operably connected to the source of power and having an outlet of pressurized air, electrical means 5 connected to the source of air to control the electrical charge of the pressurized air, air dispensing means connected to the outlet and operable to direct a curtain of air having the electrical charge against the plants to be dispersed, a reservoir of liquid to be dispersed on the. 10 plants, pollen dispensing means connected to the reservoir of liquid being operable to dispense a mixture of the liquid and pressurized air against the plants once the curtain of air is directed thereagainst, and, electrostatic means connected to the pollen dispensing 15 means and operable to impart a charge on the mixture dispersed therefrom different from the electrical charge of the pressurized air.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a plant pollinator comprising frame means movable adjacent to 20 plants to be pollinated, electrical grounding means, an electrical source of power mounted to the frame means, air blower means connected to the electrical source of power and to the electrical grounding means, the blower having an outlet of pressurized air at ground potential, air |25 means connected to the outlet and operable to direct I pressurized air at ground potential at the plants, a reservoir of pollen and a liquid carrier mounted on the frame means and connected to the outlet of pressurized air, dispensing means connected to the reservoir and the 30 outlet operable to direct a mixture of pollen, liquid carrier and pressurized air at the plants once same have been electrically neutralized by the pressurized air from the air means, and electrical charging means connected to the source of electrical power and the dispensing means 21E302 and operable to impart an electrical charge to the mixture.

Yet a further embodiment of the present invention is an electrostatic device comprising a main frame, an engine mounted on the main frame, air means powered by the engine 5 and operable to emit pressurized air, a tank of liquid mounted on the main frame and connected to the air means for the pressurization of the tank, an air curtain emitter connected to the air means to direct pressurized air therefrom in the form of a curtain, dispensing means 10 connected to the tank and the air means operable to dispense into the atmosphere the liquid and pressurized air in the form of a mixture, first means connected to the emitter and operable to control the electrical charge of the pressurized air in the curtain, and, second means 15 connected to the dispensing means and operable to provide an electrical charge on the mixture different than the electrical charge of the pressurized air in the curtain.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method of pollinating a plant comprising the steps of 20 directing pressurized gas of predetermined e'lectrical charge against the plant, and, directing a mixture of pressurized gas, pollen and liquid having an electrical charge different than the predetermined electrical charge against the plant.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved plant pollinator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic plant pollinating device.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention 30 to provide a new and improved method for pollinating plants.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description: ( 13 JAN 1987 i» PECgVEP Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the plant pollinating device incorporating our new invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along 5 the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the pollinator shown connected to a prime mover and in position to pollinate plants. 212302.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will ^ nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally 10 occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown the plant pollinating device incorporating the present invention. A conventional engine 15, such as a 15 gasoline engine, is mechanically connected to an air blower 16 and electrically connected to a biattery 17. Air blower 16 is a positive displacement blower capable of delivering 300 cubic feet of air per minute"and is placed at ground potential by means of a plurality of chains 18 20 connected to the air blower and main frame of the pollinator with the chains being in contact with the ground. The air blower has an outlet connected by means of conventional tubing 19 to an air storage container 20 which in turn is connected by means of conduit 21 to a pollen reservoir 22. Within reservoir 22 is a mixture of pollen and a liquid carrier which is forced outwardly from the reservoir through conduit 23 by means of the pressurized air applied to the reservoir via conduit 21. A solenoid valve 24 is provided on conduit 23 which in 30 turn is connected to a manifold 25 mounted to the pollen dispensing means 26 having a plurality of nozzles 27. The outlet of the air blower 16 is also connected via tube 28 to a pair of outwardly extending tubes 29 and 30 in fluid communication with the pollen dispensing means 26 and air ; i -7 212302 curtain emitter 31. A high voltage circuit 32 is connected by line 39 extending between battery 17 and the pollen dispensing means 26 and is operable to provide a high voltage to the mixture of pollen and liquid dispensed with pressurized air through nozzles 27.

The various elements depicted in Fig. 1 are mounted atop a frame 13 (Fig. 3) in turned cantileverdly mounted to a rearwardly extending hitch 14 of a prime mover 11, such as a tractor. The tractor is operable to hold from 13 above ground and to pull the pollinator beneath the plants 12 growing upon a conventional arbor. In the case of Kiwi plants, the plants are positioned on the arbor approximately 5 to 6 feet above ground level. Thus, as the pollinator 10 is pulled beneath the plants, a curtain of air from emitter 31 is directed against the plants. A plurality of chains 18 are connected to the air blower 16 and are pulled along the ground thereby grounding the air blower and insuring that the pressurized air exiting the air blower is at ground potential. The ground potential curtain of air thereby neutralizes any electrical charge existing on the plants. Continued movement of the tractor results in the air curtain moving past the plants with the pollen dispensing means 26 then being positioned beneath the plant. Nozzles 27 are pointed in a generally upward direction to direct a low pressure mist having a negative electrical charge. The mist is composed of pollen and liquid carrier which is propelled by the pressurized air and immediately attracted toward the electrical neutralized plants insuring that the pollen is efficiently deposited onto the plants. The individual droplets of pollen and liquid within the mist are of uniform size in the range of 30 to 100 microns.

The pollen dispensing means 26 includes a horizontally extending rigid tube 35 sealed at its opposite ends and connected to the outwardly extending tube 29 to receive the pressurized air from blower 16. Thus, the hollow interior N.Z, PATENT of r ict" "j 17 FEE 1987 j 312302 8 of tube 35 is filled with pressurized air with the air flowing outwardly through apertures 36 of each of the six nozzles 27. Tube 29 is connected at the midpoint of rigid tube 35 to insure uniform pressure distribution of the air throughout the length of the pollen dispensing means. A metal tube 37 is rigidly mounted interiorly at the location of each nozzle 27 with each tube 37 electrically connected by wire 38 via insulated wire 39 to the high voltage circuit 32. Likewise, each metal tube 37 is connected at its proximal end to manifold 25 receiving the pressurized mixture of liquid and pollen from reservoir 22. The metal tube 37 terminates at its distal end within each nozzle 27 allowing the pollen and liquid carrier to flow outwardly mixing with the pressurized air within tube 35 as the pressurized air exits each nozzle through aperture 36. The high voltage applied to each of the six metal tubes 37 thereby imparts a negative electrical charge to the mixture of pollen and liquid exiting tubes 37 with the resulting mixture of pressurized air, pollen and liquid emitted by the nozzles having a negative electrical charge thereby being attracted to the neutralized plants. A plurality of conical vanes 40 are mounted near the distal end of each metal tube 37 to accelerate the pressurized air flowing outwardly from the nozzle. Rigid tube 3 5 is produced from a non-conductive material such as plastics for safety reasons. An orifice 48 is provided within metal tube 37 to control the amount of liquid flowing therethrough.

Circuit 3 2 is conventional in nature and includes a DC to AC power inverter, a high, voltage transformer, and a full wave rectifier circuit to create a negative voltage of 40,000 volts DC. Six limiting resistors are provided between each nozzle to isolate one nozzle from another and to limit the current flow to each nozzle. Air curtain emitter 31 is a hollow rigid plastics tube sealed at its opposite ends and connected to outwardly extending tube 30 212302 9 to receive the pressurized air from the air blower.

Emitter 31 is provided with a plurality of apertures 45 which direct a curtain of air generally in an upward direction. Since the air blower is at ground potential via chains 18, the air within tubes 28 and 30 and within the emitter 31 is at ground potential. Thus, the curtain of air is also at ground potential and is effective to neutralize any charge existing on the plants until at least the nozzles are in position to direct the negatively charged pressurized air, pollen and liquid.

The pollinator shown in the drawing is specifically designed for application of solutions of liquid and pollen to the flowers of the Kiwi plant. In the preferred embodiment, engine 15 is an 18-horsepower gasoline engine and the air blower 16 is capable of delivering 300 cubic feet of air per minute through a six nozzle distribution system which may be operated with or without electrostatic assists. The material to be dispersed is mixed and placed into reservoir 22 and a tubing system connects the reservoir to the distribution system on the. back of the nozzle supports. When material is to be expelled, the three-way solenoid valve 24 connects the nozzle pressure to the reservoir causing the liquid to be moved through the lines. When the solenoid valve is turned off, the reservoir pressure exhausts to atmosphere and the liquid flow stops. In the same embodiment, the entire system is propelled beneath the plants at an approximate speed of from 2 to 5 miles per hour. The pollen is mixed with deionized water within reservoir 22 with the mixture of pollen, liquid and pressurized air exiting the nozzles 27 at a pressure of less than 2 atmospheres. Excellent results have been obtained with an exit pressure of from 5 to 10 psi.

Many variations in the present invention are contemplated and included herein. For example, a motor driven stirring device 33 is mounted to pollen reservoir 2!23>0& 22 and extends therein to keep the pollen suspended in the liquid.

It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a new and improved pollinator. It will be farther obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a new and improved method of pollinating Kiwi plants.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that changes and modifications as will be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Lj3JANI987 RECEIVED S«2309 11

Claims (19)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A plant pollinating device comprising: (a) a source of power; (b) a source of air operably connected to so as to be driven by said source of power and having an outlet of pressurized air; (c) grounding means connected to said source of air to maintain at electrical ground the electrical potential of said pressurized air; (d) air dispensing means connected to said outlet and operable to direct a curtain of air having said electrical charge against the plants to be pollinated; (e) a reservoir of liquid and pollen mixture to be applied on said plants; (f) dispensing means connected to said reservoir of liquid and pollen and operable to dispense said liquid and pollen and pressurized air against said plants upon the direction of said curtain of air thereagainst; and, (g) electrostatic means connected to said dispensing means and operable to impart an electrical charge on said mixture dispersed therefrom, said electrical charge being different in polarity from said electrical charge of said pressurized air.

2. The pollinating device of claim 1 wherein: said air dispensing means includes a horizontal extending air tube with a plurality of upwardly directed apertures from which said curtain of air is emitted; and said dispensing means includes a horizontal extending additional tube with a plurality of upwardly directed nozzles from which said liquid, pollen and air are emitted. .WKtBtr'i*;I 13 JAN 1987;RECEIVED;12;2\2sm;

3. The pollinating device of claim 2 wherein:;said liquid, pollen and air emitted by said nozzles is at a pressure less than two atmospheres.;

4. The pollinating device of either of claims 2 and 3 and further comprising:;a main frame having said source of air mounted thereon with said grounding means connected to said main frame applying ground potential to said source of air and providing a neutral charge via said curtain of air to said plants.;

5. The pollinating device of any one of the preceding claims wherein:;said reservoir includes a liquid with pollen therein to pollinate said plants when dispersed thereon.;

6. The pollinating device of claim 4 wherein:;said frame includes hitching means to mountingly secure said frame to a vehicle movable beneath said plants positioning said curtain of air on said plants neutralizing any charge thereon and then positioning said pollen having an electrical charge on said plant.;

7. The pollinating device of either of claim 4 and 6 wherein:;i said source of air includes an air blower mounted on said frame with an upstanding air conduit and a plurality of outwardly extending conduits in fluid communication therewith, said outwardly extending conduits being connected to said air tube and said additional tube directing said pressurized air therein, and said air tube and said additional tube are parallel but spaced apart allowing said curtain of air to be directed against said plants as said;13 JAN 1987;212302.;13;device is moved beneath said plants and then said pollen to be directed against said plants.;

8. A plant pollinator comprising:;(a) frame means movable adjacent plants to be pollinated;;(b) electrical grounding means;;(c) an electrical source of power mounted to said frame means;;(d) air blower means connected to said electrical source of power and to said electrical grounding means, said blower having an outlet of pressurized air at ground potential;;(e) air means connected to said outlet and operable to direct pressurized air at ground potential at said plants;;(f) a reservoir of pollen and a liquid carrier mounted on said frame means and connected to said outlet of pressurized air;;(g) dispensing means connected to said reservoir and operable to direct a mixture of pollen and liquid carrier at said plants once same have been electrically neutralized by said pressurized air from said air means; and;(h) electrical charging means connected to said source of electrical power and said dispensing means and operable to impart an electrical charge to said mixture.;

9. The plant pollinator of claim 8 wherein:;said air means includes a horizontally extending tube with a plurality of outlets positioned therealong directing a curtain of air against said plants;;said dispensing means includes a horizontally extending conduit spaced apart from but parallel with said tube and with a plurality of nozzles directing said mixture against said plants.;N.Z. PATENT QfRCE ~ l;I7FEBIS87 j;" (;, REC £' V t D I;212302;14;

10. The plant pollinator of claim 9 wherein said electrical grounding means includes a metal chain attached to said frame means and in contact with ground as said frame means is moved past said plants.;

11. The pollinator of claim 9 wherein said dispensing means includes a metal tube within said conduit with said metal tube in fluid communication with said reservoir and said conduit in fluid communication with said air blower means, and said electrical charging means is connected to said metal tube applying electrical potential to liquid within said metal tube, said metal tube opening within said conduit at said nozzles allowing said liquid to combine with pressurized air with the resultant mist exiting said nozzles having a electrical charge thereon.;

12. The plant pollinator of claim 11 wherein:;said mist of pollen, liquid, and pressurized air exiting said nozzles is at a pressure of less than two atmospheres.;

13. The plant pollinator of claim 8 further including a tank mounted on said frame means providing a supply of air with said tank being connected to said reservoir and applying pressurized air atop said pollen and liquid carrier within said reservoir.;

14. An electrostatic pollinator comprising:;a main frame;;an engine mounted on said main frame;;air means powered by said engine and operable to emit pressurized air;;15;2123 02;a tank of liquid and pollen mounted on said main frame and connected to said air means for the pressurization of said tank;;an air curtain emitter connected to said air means to direct pressurized air therefrom in the form of a curtain;;dispensing means connected to said tank and said air means operable to dispense into the atmosphere said liquid and said pollen and pressurized air in the form of a mist;;first means connected to said air curtain emitter and operable to maintain at electrical ground the electrical potential of said pressurized air in said curtain; and second means connected to said dispensing means and operable to provide an electrical charge on said mist different in polarity to the electrical charge of said pressurized air in said curtain.;

15. The pollinator of claim 14 wherein:;said dispensing means includes a horizontally extending conduit and said emitter includes a horizontally extending tube both with outlets opening generally upwardly to direct respectively said mist and said curtain in a general upward direction.;

16. The pollinator of claim 15 wherein:;said main frame, conduit and emitter are of not more than ten feet tall.;

17. The pollinator of claim 15 wherein:;said first means includes a device in contact with said main frame and ground to impart ground potential thereto, and said second means includes a high voltage device connected to said dispensing means to impart a high voltage thereto.;212302;16;

18. The pollinator of claim 15 and further comprising: mixing means associated with said tank of liquid and pollen and operable to keep the pollen suspended within said liquid.;

19. A method of pollinating a plant comprising the steps of:;directing pressurized gas of predetermined electrical charge against said plant; and directing a mist of pressurized gas, pollen and liquid having an electrical charge different in polarity than said predetermined electrical charge against said plant.;per:;ATTO . -IT;17 FEB 1987*