US20220264864A1

US20220264864A1 - Agricultural product system and methods for an agricultural applicator

Info

Publication number: US20220264864A1
Application number: US17/327,195
Authority: US
Inventors: Mitchell Sandey; Scott Allen Long; Nathan Paul Brooks
Original assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
Current assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
Priority date: 2021-02-22
Filing date: 2021-05-21
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: AU2022201208A1; BR102022002934A2; US11787385B2; AU2022201191A1; US20220267136A1; BR102022003285A2; US11932231B2; BR102022003271A2; BR102022003080A2; US20220266286A1; AU2022201133A1; AU2022201160A1; AU2022201158A1; BR102022003272A2; BR102022002921A2; AU2022201141A1; US20220264862A1; BR102022003212A2; US11904830B2; AU2022201212A1

Abstract

A system for an agricultural sprayer is provided herein that includes a tank fluidly coupled with a flow assembly. A nozzle assembly is positioned along a boom assembly and is fluidly coupled with the flow assembly. A purge system is configured to remove agricultural product from the flow assembly. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the purge system. The computing system is configured to receive an input to initiate the boom purge system; activate a valve of the purge system; determine whether one or more predefined conditions are detected; and exhaust the agricultural product from the flow assembly through the purge valve when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/151,921, filed Feb. 22, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural sprayers for performing spraying operations within a field and, more particularly, to a purge system for a sprayer.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural applicators or sprayers have been used within the industry for delivering an agricultural product to a ground surface of a field. The agricultural product may be in the form of a solution or mixture, with a carrier (such as water) being mixed with one or more active ingredients, such as a pesticide(s) (e.g., an herbicide(s), insecticide(s), rodenticide(s), etc.) and/or a nutrient(s). Typically, an applicator or sprayer is pulled as an implement or is self-propelled, and includes a tank, a pump, a boom assembly, and a plurality of spray nozzles carried by the boom assembly at spaced-apart locations.
During a spray operation, the agricultural product is transferred from the tank, through the plurality of spray nozzles, and dispensed onto the underlying field. However, once the spray operation has been completed, a portion of the agricultural product is maintained with the boom assembly. Accordingly, an improved system and methods that may allow the agricultural product to be drained from of the boom would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the technology will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology.
In some aspects, the present subject matter is directed to a system for an agricultural sprayer. The system includes a tank fluidly coupled with a flow assembly. A nozzle assembly is positioned along a boom assembly and is fluidly coupled with the flow assembly. A purge system is configured to remove agricultural product from the flow assembly. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the purge system. The computing system is configured to receive, through a user interface, an input to initiate the purge system; activate, through the computing system, a valve of the purge system; determine, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected; and exhaust the agricultural product from the flow assembly through the purge valve when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected.
In some aspects, the present subject matter is directed to a method for operation of a system for an agricultural sprayer. The method includes receiving, through a user interface, an input to initiate a purge system. The method further includes actuating, through a computing system, a first valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position. The method also includes determining, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. Furthermore, the method includes increasing, through the computing system, a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, wherein the engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system. Lastly, the method includes activating, through the computing system, a movement device fluidly coupled with the first valve of the purge system.
In some aspects, the present subject matter is directed to a system for an agricultural sprayer that includes a tank fluidly coupled with a flow assembly. A nozzle assembly is positioned along a boom assembly and is fluidly coupled with the flow assembly. A purge system is configured to remove agricultural product from the flow assembly. A computing system is communicatively coupled to the purge system. The computing system is configured to receive, through a user interface, an input to initiate the purge system; actuate, through the computing system, a valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position; determine, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected; increase, through the computing system, a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, wherein the engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system; and activate, through the computing system, the movement device fluidly coupled with the flow assembly and powered by the engine.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present technology will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present technology, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an agricultural sprayer in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the agricultural sprayer in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the sprayer system in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic representation of the sprayer system in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic representation of the product system of FIG. 4 operating in a first application process in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic representation of the product system of FIG. 4 operating in a second application process in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic representation of the product system of FIG. 4 operating in a third application process in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic representation of the product system operating in a purge process in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram providing example control logic for operating the product system in a purge process in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for the operation of a product system in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify a location or importance of the individual components. The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative direction with respect to an agricultural product within a fluid circuit. For example, “upstream” refers to the direction from which an agricultural product flows, and “downstream” refers to the direction to which the agricultural product moves. The term “selectively” refers to a component's ability to operate in various states (e.g., an ON state and an OFF state) based on manual and/or automatic control of the component.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” and “substantially,” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or apparatus for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent margin.
Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described in relation to exemplary embodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, unless specifically identified otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition or assembly is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition or assembly can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
In general, the present subject matter is directed to a system for an agricultural sprayer. The system can include a product tank configured to store an agricultural product. A product delivery line is fluidly coupled with the product tank and configured to deliver the agricultural product from the product tank to one or more nozzle assemblies during an application process. In some instances, the one or more nozzle assemblies can be mounted on a boom assembly and configured to selectively dispense the agricultural product onto underlying plants and/or soil.
In various embodiments, the system further includes a purge system configured to remove agricultural product from the boom through one or more purge valves. In some instances, the purge system may also include an air supply that is fluidly coupled with the product delivery line. In such instances, with one or more purge valves actuated from a closed position to an open position the movement device may provide pressurized fluid or gas to the product line to exhaust the agricultural product from the product delivery line.
In some instances, a computing system is communicatively coupled to the purge system. The computing system may be configured to receive, through a user interface, an input to initiate the boom purge system. The computing system may also be configured to determine, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. In addition, the computing system may be configured to actuate, through the computing system, a valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected. During the purge process, if at any time before the purge process has been completed, any of the predefined conditions are no longer detected, the process may self-cancel and/or a notification can be generated. In some instances, the operator will not be prompted that a specific predefined condition is no longer detected so that the user may remedy the condition to allow for a continuation of the purge process.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, differing views of an agricultural sprayer 10 are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the sprayer 10 with its boom assembly in a working or unfolded position and FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the sprayer 10 with its boom assembly in a transport or folded position. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural sprayer 10 is configured as a self-propelled agricultural sprayer. However, in alternative embodiments, the agricultural sprayer 10 may be configured as any other suitable type of agricultural sprayer 10 configured to perform agricultural spraying operations, such as a tractor or other vehicle configured to haul a spraying or application implement.
As shown in FIG. 1, the agricultural sprayer 10 may include a chassis 12 or frame configured to support or couple to a plurality of components. For example, a pair of steerable front wheels 14 (one is shown) and a pair of driven rear wheels 16 (one is shown) may be coupled to the chassis 12. The wheels 14, 16 may be configured to support the agricultural sprayer 10 relative to the ground and move the agricultural sprayer 10 in a direction of travel (e.g., as indicated by arrow 18 in FIG. 1) across a field. In this regard, the agricultural sprayer 10 may include an engine 38 and a transmission 40 configured to transmit power from the engine 38 to the wheels 14, 16. However, it will be appreciated that, in further embodiments, the front wheels 14 of the agricultural sprayer 10 may be driven in addition to or in lieu of the rear wheels 16. The chassis 12 may also support an operator's cab 24 that houses various control or input devices (e.g., levers, pedals, control panels, buttons, and/or the like) for permitting an operator to control the operation of the work sprayer 10. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the agricultural sprayer 10 may include a human-machine or user interface 22 for displaying message windows and/or alerts to the operator and/or for allowing the operator to interface with the vehicle's controller or computing system. In some embodiments, the user interface 22 may include joysticks, buttons, knobs, and/or any other suitable input devices that allow the operator to provide user inputs to an associated controller or computing system.
Furthermore, the chassis 12 may also support at least one or more product tanks 26 and/or one or more auxiliary tanks 42. Each product tank 26 is generally configured to store or hold an agricultural product, such as a pesticide, an herbicide, a nutrient, and/or the like. The auxiliary tank 42 may be configured to store or hold clean water and/or any other product, which may be different from the agricultural product within the product tank 26.
The chassis 12 may further support a frame or boom assembly 28 mounted on the chassis 12. A plurality of nozzle assemblies 68 are mounted on the boom assembly 28 and configured to selectively dispense the agricultural product stored in the associated product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 via the nozzle assemblies 68 onto underlying plants and/or soil. The nozzle assemblies 68 are generally spaced apart from each other on the boom assembly 28 along a lateral direction 50. Furthermore, fluid conduits may fluidly couple the nozzle assemblies 68 to the tank(s) 26, 42. Each nozzle assembly 68 may include a nozzle valve and an associated spray tip or spray nozzle. In several embodiments, the operation of each nozzle valve may be individually controlled by an associated controller or computing system such that the valve regulates the flow rate and/or another spray characteristic of the agricultural product through the associated spray nozzle.
In some embodiments, to improve the agricultural product application quality and/or operator comfort, the sprayer 10 can be equipped with a passive, semi-active, or active suspension system 31 (FIG. 2) to dampen movement of the sprayer 10 during operation. For instance, the suspension system 31 may be configured to isolate the cab 24 and/or the boom assembly 28 from vibrations caused by uneven terrain. Such suspension system can include vibration isolators mounted between the chassis 12 and the wheels 14, 16 of the sprayer 10. Passive systems use passive vibration isolators (e.g., rubber isolators, springs with friction, or viscous dampers) to damp vibrations with different isolators used to damp different frequencies. Semi-active systems achieve control and isolation between the chassis 12 and the cab 24 and/or boom assembly 28 by controlling a damper to selectively remove energy from the system in response to movement of the cab/boom (e.g., as monitored via sensors). Active systems use one or more sensors to sense movement and an associated controller or computing system to generate control signals for an actuator which applies a force to the cab 24 and/or boom assembly 28 to cancel vibrations transmitted to the cab/boom by the chassis 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the boom assembly 28 of the agricultural sprayer 10 may generally be movable between a working or unfolded position (FIG. 1) and a transport or folded position (FIG. 2). In the working position, various sections of the boom assembly 28 are fully extended such that the boom assembly 28 extends over as wide a section of a field as possible. In the transport position, the various sections of the boom assembly 28 are fully retracted to reduce the width of the sprayer 10 for travel. As will be described below, the boom assembly 28 may include a plurality of fold actuators coupled between adjacent boom sections 30, 32, 34 of the boom assembly 28 for moving the boom assembly 28 between the working and transport positions.
As shown in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the boom assembly 28 includes a central boom section 30, a left boom arm 32, and a right boom arm 34. The left boom arm 32 includes a left inner boom section 32A pivotably coupled to the central boom section 30, a left middle boom section 32B pivotably coupled to the left inner boom section 32A, and a left outer boom section 32C pivotably coupled to the left middle boom section 32B. Similarly, the right boom arm 34 includes a right inner boom section 34A pivotably coupled to the central boom section 30, a right middle boom section 34B pivotably coupled to the right inner boom section 34A, and a right outer boom section 34C pivotably coupled to the right middle boom section 34B. Each of the inner boom sections 32A, 34A is pivotably coupled to the central boom section 30 at pivot joints 44. Similarly, the middle boom sections 32B, 34B are pivotally coupled to the respective inner boom sections 32A, 34A at pivot joints 46 while the outer boom sections 32C, 34C are pivotably coupled to the respective middle boom sections 32B, 34B at pivot joints 48.
As is generally understood, pivot joints 44, 46, 48 may be configured to allow relative pivotal motion between adjacent boom sections 30, 32, 34 of the boom assembly 28. For example, the pivot joints 44, 46, 48 may allow for articulation of the various boom sections 30, 32, 34 between a fully extended or working position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1), in which the boom sections are unfolded along the lateral direction 50 to allow for the performance of an agricultural spraying operation, and a transport position (FIG. 2), in which the boom sections are folded inwardly to reduce the overall width of the boom assembly 28 along the lateral direction 50. It will be appreciated that, although the boom assembly 28 is shown in FIG. 1 as including a central boom section 30 and three individual boom sections 32, 34 coupled to each side of the central boom 30 sections, the boom assembly 28 may generally have any suitable number of boom sections. For example, in other embodiments, each boom arm 32, 34 may include four or more boom sections or less than three boom sections.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the boom assembly 28 may include inner fold actuators 52 coupled between the inner boom sections 32A, 34A and the central boom section 30 to enable pivoting or folding between the fully-extended working position and the transport position. For example, by retracting/extending the inner fold actuators 52, the inner boom sections 32A, 34A may be pivoted or folded relative to the central boom section 30 about a pivot axis 44A defined by the pivot joints 44. Moreover, the boom assembly 28 may also include middle fold actuators 54 coupled between each inner boom section 32A, 34A and its adjacent middle boom section 32B, 34B and outer fold actuators 56 coupled between each middle boom section 32B, 34B and its adjacent outer boom section 32C, 34C. As such, by retracting/extending the middle and outer fold actuators 54, 56, each middle and outer boom section 32B, 34B, 32C, 34C may be pivoted or folded relative to its respective inwardly adjacent boom section 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B about a respective pivot axis 46A, 48A. When moving to the transport position, the boom assembly 28 and fold actuators 52, 54, 56 are typically oriented such that the pivot axes 44A, 46A, 48A are parallel to the vertical direction 58 and, thus, the various boom sections 32A, 34A, 32B, 34B, 32C, 34C of the boom assembly 28 are configured to be folded horizontally (e.g., parallel to the lateral direction 50) about the pivot axes 44A, 46A, 48A to keep the folding height of the boom assembly 28 as low as possible for transport. However, the pivot axes 44A, 46A, 48A may be oriented along any other suitable direction.
In some embodiments, the boom assembly 28 may include a mast coupled to a frame that, in combination, can support the boom assembly 28 relative to the sprayer chassis 12. For example, the mast may be configured to couple to the chassis 12 via a linkage assembly to transfer a load of the frame to the mast. Furthermore, a boom suspension 124 (FIG. 3) can extend between the frame and the mast and can be configured to dampen the movement of the frame relative to the mast, thereby providing a stable platform for the boom assembly 28. In some examples, the boom suspension 124 can include one or more actuators that can be configured to mechanically interconnect the frame to the mast. The one or more actuators may be capable of generally leveling the boom assembly 28 relative to the ground surface. In addition to aiding in leveling the boom assembly 28, the adjustable suspension can also provide various damping levels and/or rigidly couple the frame and the mast to one another.
It will be appreciated that, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sprayer 10 may also include various sensors configured to capture data indicative of one or more operating conditions or parameters associated with the performance and/or operation of the sprayer 10. For instance, in some embodiments, sensors may, for example, be installed on the boom assembly 28 to allow operating parameters/conditions associated with the boom to be monitored. However, in other embodiments, one or more sensors may be installed relative to or in association with any other suitable components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10.
Referring further to FIGS. 1 and 2, in various embodiments, the sprayer 10 may include an agricultural product system 120 that may be configured to operate in an application process in which the agricultural product is dispensed from the associated product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 to the field via the various nozzle assemblies 68 spaced apart along the length of the boom assembly 28 through a flow assembly 122. In some embodiments, the flow assembly 122 can include a pump 158, restrictive orifices, valves, and/or the like to regulate the flow of the agricultural product from the product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 to the nozzle assemblies 68.
Further, the product system 120 may include a purge system 142, which can be operated in a purge process to exhaust at least some of the agricultural product positioned within the flow assembly 122 after the completion of the application process. In various embodiments, the purge system 142 may include a movement device 144 that is operably coupled with the flow assembly 122 and one or more purge valves 146. In some instances, one or more purge sensors 148 (FIG. 3) may be configured to detect an amount of agricultural product positioned within the boom assembly 28, an amount of agricultural product exhausted from the boom assembly during the purge process, and/or any other information.
During the application process, the one or more purge valves 146 may be placed in the closed position. Conversely, during the purge process, at least one of the one or more purge valves 146 may be actuated to the open position. In some instances, the purge valves 146 may be sequentially actuated between the closed position and the open position to ensure that various portions of the flow assembly 122 exceeds a predefined pressure to exhaust the agricultural product through the open purge valve 146. For example, a first purge valve 146 may be fluidly coupled with a first section of the flow assembly 122, a second purge valve 146 may be fluidly coupled with a second section of the flow assembly 122, and a third purge valve 146 may be fluidly coupled with a first section of the flow assembly 122. In some instances, during the purge process, the first valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the second valve and the third valve remain in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the second valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve and the third valve remain in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the third valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve and the second valve remain in a closed position. Further, more than one valve may be placed in the open position while other remaining valves may be placed in a closed position.
The purge valves 146 may be electronically controllable valves, such as electronically actuated ball valves, solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, and/or the like. In some instances, prior to the actuation of the purge valves 146 from a closed position to an open position and/or prior to initial or continued activation of the movement device 144, a computing system 102 (FIG. 3) operably coupled with the purge system 142 may determine whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. The valves may be actuated to the open position and/or the movement device 144 may be activated when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected.
It will be appreciated that the specific configuration of the agricultural sprayers 10 described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided only to place the present subject matter in an exemplary field of use. In this regard, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present subject matter may be readily adaptable to any manner of machine configuration that is consistent with the disclosure provided herein.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic view of a sprayer system 100 configured to form part of or otherwise be associated with an agricultural sprayer 10 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the system 100 will be described herein with reference to the sprayer 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it will be appreciated that the disclosed system 100 may generally be utilized with sprayers or other agricultural applicators having any suitable configuration consistent with the disclosure provided herein.
In several embodiments, the system 100 may include a computing system 102 and various components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems configured to be communicatively coupled to the computing system 102. In general, the computing system 102 may be configured to perform various computer-related functions or tasks, including, for example, receiving data from one or more components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10, storing and/or processing data received or generated by the computing system 102, and/or controlling the operation of one or more components, features, systems and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10.
In general, the computing system 102 may correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the computing system 102 may generally include one or more processor(s) 104 and associated memory devices 106 configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the methods, steps, algorithms, calculations, and the like disclosed herein). As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device 106 may generally include memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device 106 may generally be configured to store information accessible to the processor(s) 104, including data 108 that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, and/or stored by the processor(s) 104 and instructions 110 that can be executed by the processor(s) 104.
In several embodiments, the data 108 may be stored in one or more databases. For example, the memory device 106 may include various databases for storing data associated with the operation of the sprayer 10, such as operation data, sensor data, field data, map data, application data, agricultural product data, correlation tables, and/or the like. Such data may include, for example, information received from one or more components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the computing system 102 may be communicatively coupled to a positioning system(s) 112 that is configured to determine the location of the sprayer 10 by using a GPS system, a Galileo positioning system, the Global Navigation satellite system (GLONASS), the BeiDou Satellite Navigation and Positioning system, a dead reckoning system, and/or the like. In such embodiments, the location determined by the positioning system(s) 112 may be transmitted to the computing system 102 (e.g., in the form location coordinates) and subsequently stored within a suitable database for subsequent processing and/or analysis.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the computing system 102 may be communicatively coupled various sensors 170 for monitoring one or more operating conditions or parameters associated with the sprayer 10, including monitoring operating conditions/parameters associated with any suitable components, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10. Suitable sensors may include position sensors, flow sensors, pressure sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.), vision sensors (e.g., cameras, LIDAR devices, etc.), radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and/or the like, depending on the specific operating condition(s)/parameter(s) being monitored. In such embodiments, the data provided from the sensors may be transmitted to the computing system 102 and subsequently stored within a suitable database for subsequent processing and/or analysis.
Referring still to FIG. 3, in several embodiments, the instructions 110 stored within the memory device 106 of the computing system 102 may be executed by the processor(s) 104 to implement one or more modules 114, such as a data analysis module or an active control module. For example, a data analysis module may be executed or implemented by processor(s) 104 to analyze data received from one or more components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10 (e.g., sensors, etc.).
For instance, the data analysis module may receive data from a flow path sensor 172 (FIG. 4) that is associated with a volume of the agricultural product transferred from the product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 to the flow assembly 122. In addition, the data analysis module may receive data indicative of an activation state of a product pump 158, a state of one or more components of a drive system 125, a position of the boom assembly 28, and/or from any other component.
The active control module may be capable of altering or adjusting the operation of one or more components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10. For instance, in some embodiments, the computing system 102 may utilize the active control module to adjust or control or the operation of one or more components of an agricultural product system 120, such as by controlling the mode of operation of the product system 120 (e.g., one or more pumps, valves, and/or the like) that regulates the supply of the agricultural product to and from the product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42. For example, the computing system 102 may utilize the active control module to adjust or control the operation of one or more components of an agricultural product system 120 during an application process, such as by controlling the operation of the flow assembly 122 to regulate the supply of agricultural product between the product tank 26, and/or the auxiliary tank 42, and the nozzle assemblies 68, by controlling the operation of the nozzle assemblies 68 (e.g., by controlling the nozzle valves using a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique), and/or by controlling any other suitable component of the agricultural product system 120 (e.g., a boom suspension 124). Additionally or alternatively, the computing system 102 may utilize the active control module to adjust or control the operation of one or more components of an agricultural product system 120 during a purge process, such as by controlling the operation of a purge system 142 that includes a movement device 144 configured to move the residual agricultural product through one or more purge valves 146.
In addition, various other components may be adjusted or controlled by the computing system 102 via execution or implementation of the active control module. For instance, the computing system 102 may be configured to adjust or control or the operation of one or more components, sub-systems, or systems of a sprayer drive system 125, such as by controlling the operation of a powertrain control system 126, a steering system 128, the sprayer suspension system 31, and/or the like.
In some examples, the user interface 22 may be operably coupled with the computing system 102. The user interface 22 may be mounted within a cockpit module, an instrument cluster, and/or any other location within the cab 24. In various examples, the user interface 22 of the disclosed system 100 may include a display 132 having a touchscreen 134. The display 132 may be capable of displaying information related to the operation of the sprayer 10. In some embodiments, the display 132 may include an input device in the form of circuitry within the touchscreen to receive an input corresponding with a location over the display 132. Additionally, the user interface 22 may also include various other types or forms of input devices 136, such as one or more joysticks, buttons, knobs, levers, input pads, and/or the like.
In several embodiments, the computing system 102 may be configured to communicate via wired and/or wireless communication with one or more remote electronic devices 118 through a communications device 140 (e.g., a transceiver). The network may be one or more of various wired or wireless communication mechanisms, including any combination of wired (e.g., cable and fiber) and/or wireless (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) communication mechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologies when multiple communication mechanisms are utilized). Exemplary wireless communication networks include a wireless transceiver (e.g., a BLUETOOTH module, a ZIGBEE transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, an IrDA transceiver, an RFID transceiver, etc.), local area networks (LAN), and/or wide area networks (WAN), including the Internet, providing data communication services. The electronic device 118 may include a display for displaying information to a user. For instance, the electronic device 118 may display one or more graphical user interfaces and may be capable of receiving remote user inputs associated with adjusting operating variables or thresholds associated with the sprayer 10. In addition, the electronic device 118 may provide feedback information, such as visual, audible, and tactile alerts and/or allow the operator to alter or adjust one or more components, features, systems, and/or sub-systems of the sprayer 10 through the usage of the remote electronic device 118. It will be appreciated that the electronic device 118 may be any one of a variety of computing devices and may include a processor and memory. For example, the electronic device 118 may be a cell phone, mobile communication device, key fob, wearable device (e.g., fitness band, watch, glasses, jewelry, wallet), apparel (e.g., a tee shirt, gloves, shoes, or other accessories), personal digital assistant, headphones and/or other devices that include capabilities for wireless communications and/or any wired communications protocols.
With further reference to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the powertrain control system 126 includes an engine output control system 150, a transmission control system 152, and a braking control system 154. The engine output control system 150 is configured to vary the output of the engine 38 (FIG. 1) to control the speed of the sprayer 10. For example, the engine output control system 150 may vary a throttle setting of the engine 38 to adjust a rotational speed of the engine 38, a fuel/air mixture of the engine 38, a timing of the engine 38, and/or other suitable engine parameters to control engine output. In addition, the transmission control system 152 may adjust gear selection within a transmission 40 (FIG. 1) to control the speed of the sprayer 10. Furthermore, the braking control system 154 may adjust braking force, thereby controlling the speed of the sprayer 10. While the illustrated powertrain control system 126 includes the engine output control system 150, the transmission control system 152, and the braking control system 154, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include one or two of these systems, in any suitable combination. Further embodiments may include a powertrain control system 126 having other and/or additional systems to facilitate adjusting the speed of the sprayer 10.
Referring still to FIG. 3, the computing system 102 may be configured to operate the product system 120 in an application process in which an agricultural product is provided from the product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 to the field via the various nozzle assemblies 68 spaced apart along the length of the boom assembly 28. In some embodiments, a product pump 158 is fluidly coupled with the flow assembly 122 to regulate the flow of the agricultural product from the associated product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 to the nozzle assemblies 68.
Further, the product system 120 may be operated in a purge process to exhaust the agricultural product from the flow assembly 122. In some embodiments, a user may provide an input through the user interface 22 or the remote electronic device 118 for the product system 120 to be placed in the purge process. Upon receiving the input, the computing system 102 may be configured to determine whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. In various embodiments, the one or more predefined conditions can include the vehicle transmission 40 being in a parked state, the boom assembly 28 being positioned in an unfolded position, the boom assembly 28 being in a spray state, the vehicle engine 38 (FIG. 1) is in an operating state, and/or the product pump 158 operably coupled with the flow assembly 122 being in a deactivated state.
If each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may actuate one or more purge valves 146 of the purge system 142 from a closed position to an open position. Additionally or alternatively, the computing system 102 may actuate one or more purge valves 146 upon receiving the input prior to determining whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. In such instances, If each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may activate the movement device.
In addition, in several embodiments, if each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may alter an engine parameter, which, in turn, provides additional power to the movement device 144 of the purge system 142. For example, the engine parameters can include throttle setting of the engine 38 to adjust a rotational speed of the engine 38, a fuel/air mixture of the engine 38, a timing of the engine 38, and/or other suitable engine parameters to control engine output. For instance, the computing system 102 may increase the rotational speed of the engine 38 from a first rotational speed (e.g., less than 1,000 RPM), or a first output, to a second rotational speed (e.g., greater than 1,000 RPM).
In some examples, if one or more conditions are not detected, a notification may be generated by the computing system 102. The notification may be provided to the user interface 22, a related vehicle notification system 116 (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device 118. In addition to providing a notification, the computing system 102 may additionally or alternatively cease operation of the purge process until each of the predefined conditions is again detected.
Referring to FIGS. 4-8, schematic diagrams of the sprayer system 100 are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the sprayer system 100 may utilize various components thereof to operate the sprayer during an application process, a purge process, and/or a standby process (i.e., no product is exhausted from the boom assembly 28). In various instances, while operating in the application process, the nozzle assemblies 68 mounted along a boom assembly 28 are configured to selectively dispense the agricultural product stored in the associated product tank 26 and/or the auxiliary tank 42 onto underlying plants and/or soil. While operating in the purge process, at least a portion of residual agricultural product within the flow assembly 122 is exhausted through one or more purge valves 146. It will be appreciated, however, that the agricultural product may additionally or alternatively be exhausted from the nozzle assemblies 68 in addition to or in lieu of the purge valves 146 while the system 100 is operated in the purge process.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4-8, the product tank 26, the auxiliary tank 42, and the nozzle assemblies 68 may be fluidly coupled with one another through the flow assembly 122. The flow assembly 122 can include one or more pumps 158 and/or plumbing-type components that may collectively define a product circuit 160 having various flow paths that are selectively defined through the flow assembly 122 to achieve corresponding functions of the product system 120. The product pump 158 may be any device that moves the agricultural product through the flow assembly 122. Plumbing-type components include interconnected lines, such as tubes, pipes, hoses, and valve systems with actuatable valves, including electronically controllable valves. Some of the components may be shared between various flow paths as the product system 120 is operated in the various modes described herein.
As illustrated, the product circuit 160 may include a pump inlet line 174 that is fluidly coupled with the product tank 26 and an inlet of the pump 158 on opposing ends thereof. A product valve 176 is mounted within the pump inlet line 174 and can be actuated to selectively allow or prevent flow from the product tank 26 to the pump 158. A pump outlet line 178 delivers the agricultural product in a downstream direction from the product pump 158 to towards a flow path sensor. The flow path sensor 172 is configured to monitor a product flow rate during the application process. A product check valve, shown as check valve 180, has one-way operation and automatically opens to allow flow in a downstream direction from the flow path sensor 172 and closes to prevent upstream flow to the flow path sensor 172.
Still referring to FIG. 4, downstream of the product check valve 180, the pump outlet line 178 is fluidly coupled to a boom line 182 that extends along the boom assembly 28. In the illustrated example, the boom assembly 28 includes a plurality of spray sections 162, 164, 166 that selectively receive the agricultural product and/or air from other components or systems within the system 100. A boom branch line 184 extends from the boom line 182 to each of the spray sections 162, 164, 166. The section feed valves 186 are mounted in the boom branch lines 184 and can be actuated to selectively allow or prevent flow to the spray sections 162, 164, 166 from the boom branch lines 184. Downstream of each section feed valve 186, a spray section line 188 extends across the respective spray section 162, 164, 166. The nozzle assemblies 68 of each spray section can connect to the spray section line 188 of the corresponding spray section 162, 164, 166.
With further reference to FIG. 4, an auxiliary tank outlet line 190 fluidly couples the auxiliary tank 42 to the pump inlet line 174. An auxiliary tank outlet valve 192 may be mounted in the auxiliary tank outlet line 190 and can be actuated to selectively allow or prevent flow of an auxiliary tank solution from the auxiliary tank 42 to the product outlet line 178. In some instances, an auxiliary tank check valve, shown as check valve 194, has one-way operation and automatically opens to allow flow in a downstream direction from the auxiliary tank 42 and closes to prevent upstream flow to the auxiliary tank 42.
The purge system 142 includes a movement device 144 fluidly coupled with a purge line 196. The purge system 142 further includes a purge valve 146 fluidly coupled with each spray section 162, 164, 166. As provided herein, each purge valve 146 is configured to actuate from a closed position to an open position to drain the agricultural product out of the respective spray section 162, 164, 166.
A delivery valve 198 is positioned within the purge line 196 and can be actuated to selectively allow or prevent flow from the movement device 144. As provided herein, the movement device 144 may be implemented as a pump, a blower, a compressor, a fan, and/or any other practicable device, which may be configured to provide pressurized fluid or gas (e.g., air) to the pump outlet line 178 downstream of the product check valve 180. With at least one of the purge valves 146 in an open position, the pressurized fluid or gas may be configured to move the residual agricultural product within the product circuit 160 downstream of the product check valve 180 through the open purge valve 146. In some instances, a purge line check valve, shown as check valve 200, has one-way operation and automatically opens to allow flow in a downstream direction from the delivery valve 198 and closes to prevent upstream flow from the pump outlet line 178.
The computing system 102 is configured to control the flow assembly 122 to selectively define the fluid flow path(s) through the sprayer 10 (FIG. 1) during the application process or the purge process. As provided herein, the computing system 102 can include a power supply and an on-board logic controller, along with corresponding software and suitable memory for storing such software and hardware including interconnecting conductors for power and signal transmission 40 for detecting states or characteristics within the sprayer system 100 or other systems of the sprayer 10 (FIG. 1), as well as controlling electronic, electro-mechanical, and hydraulic components of these systems.
In some examples, a user interface 22 may also be operably coupled with the computing system 102 and allows an operator to control the operation of various components of the system. For example, the user interface 22 may be used to place the sprayer 10 in various modes. In addition, the computing system 102 may receive data from various other systems (e.g., the drive system 125) and selectively define the flow path when various conditions are detected.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, various flow paths of the product system 120 based on a mode of operation are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, 5-7 illustrate the product system 120 of some embodiments in various application processes and FIG. 8 illustrates the product system 120 of some embodiments during the purge process.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, various application processes are schematically illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a flow path in which the agricultural product is provided from the product tank 26 to the product pump 158 and to the nozzle assemblies 68. FIG. 6 illustrates a flow path in which the agricultural product is provided from the auxiliary tank 42 to the product pump 158 and to the nozzle assemblies 68. FIG. 7 illustrates a flow path in which the agricultural product of the product tank 26 is combined with the agricultural product of the auxiliary tank 42 upstream of the product pump 158.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow path of the flow assembly 122 with the product system 120 in a purge process is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the product pump 158 may be deactivated during the purge process. Rather, a movement device 144 may be activated to provide a pressurized fluid or gas to the flow assembly 122. The pressurized fluid or gas is configured to exhaust at least a portion of the residual agricultural product from the flow assembly 122.
In some embodiments, a user may provide an input through the user interface 22 or the remote electronic device 118 for the product system 120 to be placed in the purge process. Upon receiving the input, the computing system 102 may be configured to determine whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. In various embodiments, the one or more predefined conditions can include the vehicle transmission 40 (FIG. 1) being in a parked state, the boom assembly 28 being positioned in an unfolded position, the boom assembly 28 being in a spray state, the vehicle engine 38 (FIG. 1) is in an operating state, and/or the product pump 158 operably coupled with the flow assembly 122 being in a deactivated state.
If each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may actuate one or more purge valves 146 of the purge system 142 from a closed position to an open position. Additionally or alternatively, the computing system 102 may actuate one or more purge valves 146 upon receiving the input prior to determining whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. In such instances, If each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may activate the movement device.
In addition, in several embodiments, if each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected, the computing system 102 may alter an engine parameter, which, in turn, provides additional power to the movement device 144 of the purge system 142. For example, the engine parameters can include throttle setting of the engine 38 to adjust a rotational speed of the engine 38, a fuel/air mixture of the engine 38, a timing of the engine 38, and/or other suitable engine parameters to control engine output. For instance, the computing system 102 may increase the rotational speed of the engine 38 from a first rotational speed (e.g., less than 1,000 RPM), or a first output, to a second rotational speed (e.g., greater than 1,000 RPM).
In some examples, if one or more conditions are not detected, a notification may be generated by the computing system 102 and the computing system 102 may prevent the purge process from being initiated until the condition is detected. The notification may be provided to the user interface 22, a related vehicle notification system 116 (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device 118. In various embodiments, the notification may provide instructions to remedy the undetected condition.
If the purge process is active and one or more conditions are no longer detected by the computing system 102, such as the vehicle being removed from a parked state, an additional notification may be provided to the user interface 22, a related vehicle notification system 116 (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device 118. In addition to providing a notification, the computing system 102 may additionally or alternatively cease operation of the purge process until each of the predefined conditions is again detected.
Additionally or alternatively, the computing system 102 may initiate the purge process automatically (e.g., without operator input between the completion of the application process and the initiation of the purge process) based on one or more predefined circumstances.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram of example control logic 300 that may be executed by the computing system 102 (or any other suitable computing system) for operating the product system is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, the control logic 300 shown in FIG. 9 is representative of steps of an example of a purge process algorithm that can be executed to move the agricultural product contained within the flow assembly through one or more purge valves. Thus, in several embodiments, the control logic 300 may be advantageously utilized in association with a system installed on or forming part of an agricultural sprayer to allow for control of the product system. However, in other embodiments, the control logic 300 may be used in association with any other suitable system, application, and/or the like for actuating the product system.
As shown in FIG. 9, at (302), the control logic 300 includes receiving an input to initiate the boom purge system. As provided herein, in some embodiments, a user may provide an input through a user interface or a remote electronic device.
At (304), the control logic 300 includes actuating a valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position. As provided herein, the boom assembly may include one or more sections with each section having one or more nozzle assemblies and one or more purge valves. Each of the purge valves may be concurrently in the open position and/or a first valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while a second valve remains in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the second valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve remains and/or returns to a closed position. Further, more than one valve may be placed in the open position while other remaining valves may be placed in a closed position or vice versa.
At (306)-(314), the control logic 300 includes determining whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. Although shown being sequentially detected in FIG. 9, it will be appreciated that any or all of the predefined conditions may be concurrently detected without departing from the teachings provided herein. It will also be appreciated that the predefined conditions shown in FIG. 9 are exemplary and additional conditions may be detected and/or less than each of the predefined conditions shown may be implemented by the control logic 300 without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
In the illustrated example of FIG. 9, at (306), the control logic 300 includes detecting whether the vehicle transmission is in a parked state, which may be provided to the computing system from a drive system of the vehicle.
At (308), the control logic 300 includes detecting that the boom assembly is in an unfolded position, which may be determined by one or more sensors 170. Suitable sensors may include position sensors, pressure sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.), vision sensors (e.g., cameras, LIDAR devices, etc.), radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and/or the like, which may each be capable of detecting whether the boom assembly is in the working or unfolded position, as generally illustrated in FIG. 1, or a transport or folded position, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2.
At (310), the control logic 300 includes detecting whether the boom assembly is in a spray state, which may be determined by one or more sensors 170. Suitable sensors may include position sensors, pressure sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.), vision sensors (e.g., cameras, LIDAR devices, etc.), radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and/or the like.
At (312), the control logic 300 includes detecting whether a power source is in an operating state. As used herein, the operating state may be any state in which the power source is not in an OFF state and/or capable of receiving a command and altering an operational parameter of the power source based on the command.
At (314), the control logic 300 includes detecting whether a product pump operably coupled with the flow assembly is in a deactivated state. In some instances, the activation state of the product pump may be indicative of an operational mode of the product system. In order to operate the purge process separately from the application process, the state of the product pump may be monitored.
If any of the predefined conditions are not detected, indicating that a defined component of the sprayer system is not in a correct state, at (306), (308), (310), (312), (314), the control logic 300 may generate a notification at (316). The notification may be provided to the user interface, a related vehicle notification system (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device. In addition to providing a notification, the computing system may additionally or alternatively cease operation of the purge process until each of the predefined conditions is again detected.
At (318), the control logic 300 may determine if the purge system is still active. In some instances, the purge system may become inactive if a notification is not acknowledged by the user and/or remedied within a defined time period. If the purge system becomes inactive, the control logic 300 may cease operation of the purge process at (320). If the purge system is activated, the control logic 300 may return to (306) to detect whether the predefined conditions (306), (308), (310), (312), (314) are each detected.
If each of the predefined conditions is detected, at (322), the control logic 300 includes altering an engine (or another power source) parameter, which, in turn, provides additional power to the movement device of the purge system. For example, the engine parameters can include the throttle setting of the engine to adjust a rotational speed of the engine, a fuel/air mixture of the engine, a timing of the engine, and/or other suitable engine parameters to control engine output. For instance, the computing system may increase the rotational speed of the engine from a first rotational speed (e.g., less than 1,000 RPM), or a first output, to a second rotational speed (e.g., greater than 1,000 RPM).
At (324), the control logic 300 includes activating a movement device fluid coupled with the valve of the purge system. The activation of movement assembly provides a pressurized fluid or gas to the product circuit to exhaust at least a portion of the residual agricultural product from the flow assembly. The movement device may be configured as a pump, a blower, a compressor, a fan, and/or any other practicable device that is powered by the power source.
At (326), the control logic 300 includes actuating the purge valve from the open position to the closed position. In addition, in some instances, the movement device may be deactivated prior to the purge valve returning to the closed position.
At (328), the control logic 300 includes determining whether additional spray sections are to be purged. As provided herein, the purge valves may be sequentially actuated between the closed position and the open position to ensure that various portions of the flow assembly include sufficient pressure to exhaust the agricultural product through the open purge valve. For example, a first purge valve may be fluidly coupled with a first section 162 (FIG. 4) of the flow assembly, a second purge valve may be fluidly coupled with a second section 164 (FIG. 4) of the flow assembly, and a third purge valve may be fluidly coupled with a third section 166 (FIG. 4) of the flow assembly. In some instances, during the purge process, the first valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the second valve and the third valve remain in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the second valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve and the third valve remain in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the third valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve and the second valve remain in a closed position. Further, more than one valve may be placed in the open position while other remaining valves may be placed in a closed position. If at (328) the control logic 300 determines that additional spray sections are to be purged, the control logic 300 may return to (304) and open a purge valve of the additional spray section. If at (328) the control logic 300 determines that there are not any remaining spray sections to be purged, the control logic 300 may end at (330).
In some instances, a notification may be generated that the purge process has been completed at (320) and/or at (330). The notification may be provided to the user interface, a related vehicle notification system (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device. In various embodiments, the notification may provide instructions to remedy the undetected condition.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of some embodiments of a method 400 for the operation of a product system is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the method 400 will be described herein with reference to the sprayer 10 and the sprayer system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-9. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed method 400 may generally be utilized with any suitable agricultural sprayer 10 and/or may be utilized in connection with a system having any other suitable system configuration. In addition, although FIG. 10 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 10, at (402), the method 400 includes receiving an input to initiate the purge system. As provided herein, in some embodiments, a user may provide an input through a user interface or a remote electronic device.
At (404), the method 400 includes actuating a first valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position. As provided herein, the boom assembly may include one or more sections with each section having one or more nozzle assemblies and one or more purge valves. Each of the purge valves may be concurrently in the open position and/or a first valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while a second valve remains in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the second valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve remains and/or returns to a closed position. Further, more than one valve may be placed in the open position while other remaining valves may be placed in a closed position or vice versa.
At (406), the method 400 includes determining whether one or more predefined conditions are detected. As provided herein, in various embodiments, the one or more predefined conditions can include the vehicle transmission being in a parked state, the boom assembly being positioned in an unfolded position, the boom assembly being in a spray state, the vehicle engine is in an operating state, and/or the product pump operably coupled with the flow assembly being in a deactivated state.
At (408), the method 400 includes generating a notification when at least one of the one or more predefined conditions is not detected. The notification may be provided to the user interface, a related vehicle notification system (e.g., including components configured to provide visual, auditory, or haptic feedback, such as lights, speakers vibratory components, and/or the like), and/or a remote electronic device. In various embodiments, the notification may provide instructions to remedy the undetected condition.
At (410), the method 400 includes increasing a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed. The engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system. In some instances, the second rotational speed can be at least twice the first rotational speed.
With the engine operating at the second rotational speed, at (412), the method 400 includes activating the movement assembly to provide a pressurized fluid or gas to a product circuit to exhaust at least a portion of residual agricultural product from a flow assembly of the sprayer through the purge valve. The movement device may be configured as a pump, a blower, a compressor, a fan, and/or any other practicable device that is powered by the power source.
At (414), the method 400 can include actuating the first valve of the purge system from the open position to a closed position and actuating a second valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position. As provided herein, the boom assembly may include one or more sections with each section having one or more nozzle assemblies and one or more purge valves. Each of the purge valves may be concurrently in the open position and/or a first valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while a second valve remains in a closed position. Additionally or alternatively, during the purge process, the second valve may be actuated from a closed position to an open position while the first valve remains and/or returns to a closed position. Further, more than one valve may be placed in the open position while other remaining valves may be placed in a closed position or vice versa.
At (416), the method 400 includes monitoring each of the one or more predefined conditions while the first valve and/or the second valve is in the open position. If any of the predefined conditions are no longer detected, at (418), the method 400 includes generating a notification when a change in one or more predefined conditions is detected.
At (420), the method 400 includes actuating the first valve and/or the second valve from the open position to a closed position after a predefined amount of time has elapsed. Additionally or alternatively, the flow assembly may include one or more sensors that provide data to the computing system indicative of a flow rate and/or flow volume of the agricultural product from the purge system. When the sensor provides data indicating that the flow rate and/or flow volume is below a predefined threshold, the first valve and/or the second valve may be actuated from the open position.
It is to be understood that the steps of any method disclosed herein may be performed by a computing system upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the computing system described herein, such as any of the disclosed methods, may be implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium. The computing system loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer-readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the controller, the computing system may perform any of the functionality of the computing system described herein, including any steps of the disclosed methods.
The term “software code” or “code” used herein refers to any instructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of a computer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directly executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, a human-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled in order to be executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which is produced by a compiler. As used herein, the term “software code” or “code” also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller.
This written description uses examples to disclose the technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for an agricultural sprayer, the system comprising:

a tank fluidly coupled with a flow assembly;

a nozzle assembly positioned along a boom assembly and fluidly coupled with the flow assembly;

a purge system configured to remove agricultural product from the flow assembly; and

a computing system communicatively coupled to the purge system, the computing system being configured to:

receive, through a user interface, an input to initiate the purge system;

activate, through the computing system, a valve of the purge system;

determine, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected; and

exhaust the agricultural product from the flow assembly through the purge valve when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a product delivery line operably coupling the nozzle assembly to a product tank, wherein the purge system includes an air delivery line operably coupled with the product delivery line upstream of the nozzle assembly.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes a vehicle transmission being in a parked state.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes the boom assembly being positioned in an unfolded position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes the boom assembly being in a spray state.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes a vehicle engine is in an operating state.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes a product pump operably coupled with the flow assembly being in a deactivated state.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing system is further configured to:

generate a notification when at least one of the one or more predefined conditions is not detected.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the computing system is further configured to:

increase, through the computing system, a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, wherein the engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein exhausting the agricultural product from the flow assembly through the purge valve when each of the one or more predefined conditions are detected further comprises activating a movement device fluidly coupled with the flow assembly to supply a pressurized fluid to a product circuit.

11. A method for operation of a system for an agricultural sprayer, the method comprising:

receiving, through a user interface, an input to initiate a purge system;

actuating, through a computing system, a first valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position;

determining, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected;

increasing, through the computing system, a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, wherein the engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system; and

activating, through the computing system, a movement device fluidly coupled with the first valve of the purge system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

actuating, through the computing system, the first valve of the purge system from the open position to a closed position; and

actuating, through the computing system, a second valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating, through the computing system, a notification when at least one of the one or more predefined conditions is not detected.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second rotational speed is at least twice the first rotational speed.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring each of the one or more predefined conditions while the first valve is in the open position; and

generating, through the computing system, a notification when a change in at least one of the one or more predefined conditions is detected.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

actuating, through the computing system, the first valve from the open position to a closed position after a predefined amount of time has elapsed.

17. A system for an agricultural sprayer, the system comprising:

a tank fluidly coupled with a flow assembly;

receive, through a user interface, an input to initiate the purge system;

actuate, through the computing system, a valve of the purge system from a closed position to an open position;

determine, through the computing system, whether one or more predefined conditions are detected;

increase, through the computing system, a rotational speed of an engine from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, wherein the engine provides power to a movement device of the purge system; and

activate, through the computing system, the movement device fluidly coupled with the flow assembly and powered by the engine.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more predefined conditions includes at least one of a vehicle transmission being in a parked state, the boom assembly being positioned in an unfolded position, the boom assembly being in a spray state, a vehicle engine is in an operating state, or a product pump operably coupled with the flow assembly being in a deactivated state.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the second rotational speed can be at least twice the first rotational speed.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the computing system is further configured to: