WO2012088014A1

WO2012088014A1 - Manifold plumbing in a sprayer system

Info

Publication number: WO2012088014A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/065983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petrus Bouten
Original assignee: Agco Corporation
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-20
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluid distribution system (22) on a boom arm (20) of crop sprayer (10). The fluid distribution system includes a fluid supply line (34) connected to a supply of fluid (18) and a plurality of spray nozzles (30) mounted along the boom arm (20). The fluid distribution system (22) also includes a distribution manifold fluidically connecting the fluid supply line (34) to the plurality of spray nozzles (30). The distribution manifold (60) has an inlet port (64) and a plurality of outlet ports (68), wherein the inlet port (64) connects to the supply line (34) and each spray nozzle (30) of the plurality of spray nozzles (30) is connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports (68) with a fluid conduit (70).

Description

MANIFOLD PLUMBING IN A SPRAYER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to plumbing for a boom arm on a crop sprayer, and more particularly to fluid distribution system connecting a plurality of spray nozzles along the boom arm to a fluid supply line through a manifold such that the location of the spray nozzles is not determined by the position of the supply line.

Description of Related Art

[0002] The high crop yields of modern agribusiness require application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Dispersing these chemicals onto high acreage fields requires specialized machines mounted on or towed by a vehicle. An example of such a machine is the self-propelled sprayer.

[0003] A common design for a self-propelled crop sprayer includes a dedicated chassis with a tank, boom arms, and nozzles connected to the boom arms. The tank contains fluid such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Boom arms extend outward from the sides of the dedicated chassis. Boom plumbing contains supply lines and a plurality of nozzles spaced apart along the length of the boom arms at a standard spacing distance which corresponds to the spray pattern of the nozzles. In operation, as the crop sprayer crosses the field, fluid is pumped from the tank through the supply lines along the boom arms, and out through the nozzles. This allows the self-propelled sprayer to distribute the fluid along a relatively wide path. The length of conventional boom arms may vary from, for example, 6 meters (18 feet) up to 46 meters (150 feet), but smaller or longer booms are possible. The boom arms typically swing in for transport and out for operation.

[0004] Conventionally, the nozzles are connected in series such that the product flows through a pipe and/or hose from one nozzle to another. Booms have been of the "wet boom" type, where the boom comprises a frame member with a pipe mounted thereon, where the fluid passes through the pipe into nozzles mounted on the pipe and fluidly connected thereto, or a "dry boom" type, where the nozzles are mounted to the frame member and fluid passes to the nozzles through a hose which is connected between the nozzles. The nozzles are attached to the pipe or frame with brackets at desired intervals along the boom arm.

[0005] Based on the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a fluid distribution system on the boom arm that is easily configurable to accommodate different nozzle spacing intervals along the boom arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, the invention relates to a fluid distribution system on a boom arm of crop sprayer. The fluid distribution system includes a fluid supply line connected to a supply of fluid and a plurality of spray nozzles mounted along the boom arm. The fluid distribution system also includes a distribution manifold fluidically connecting the fluid supply line to the plurality of spray nozzles. The distribution manifold has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, wherein the inlet port connects to the supply line and each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles is connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports with a fluid conduit. In one embodiment, the boom arm contains more than one distribution manifold along its length such that the boom arm is divided up into a plurality of boom sections, with each distribution manifold supplying the nozzles in its respective boom section.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for supplying fluid to a plurality of nozzles spaced along a boom arm of a crop sprayer. The method includes spacing a plurality of spray nozzles along the boom arm of the crop sprayer and providing a fluid supply line to a tank on the crop sprayer, said tank containing a supply of fluid to be dispersed by said plurality of spray nozzles. Each of spray nozzles is fluidically connected to the fluid supply line through a distribution manifold. The distribution manifold has an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, wherein the inlet port connects to the supply line and each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles is connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports with a fluid conduit. The number of spray nozzles spaced on the boom arm may be reduced by removing at least one spray nozzle and capping the outlet port in the distribution manifold that the removed spray nozzle was previously connected to. Additionally, the number of spray nozzles spaced on the boom arm may be increased by adding at least one spray nozzle and placing a previously unused outlet port in service by connecting said outlet port to the at least one added spray nozzle.

[0007] These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above mentioned and other features of this invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crop sprayer;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a boom arm on the crop sprayer of

FIG. 1 showing a fluid distribution system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the fluid distribution system of FIG. 2 with portions of the boom arm removed for clarity; and

[0012] FIG. 4 is another view of a portion of the fluid distribution system of FIG. 2; and

[0013] FIG. 5 is another enlarged perspective view of a portion of the fluid distribution system of FIG. 2.

[0014] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The invention will now be described in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments are described in detail to enable practice of the invention. Although the invention is described with reference to these specific preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these preferred embodiments. But to the contrary, the invention includes numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents as will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a crop sprayer 10 used to deliver chemicals to agricultural crops in a field. Crop sprayer 10 includes a chassis 12 and a cab 14 mounted on the chassis 12. Cab 14 may houses an operator and a number of controls for the crop sprayer 10. An engine 16 may be mounted on a forward portion of chassis 12 in front of cab 14 or may be mounted on a rearward portion of the chassis 12 behind the cab 14. The engine 16 may be commercially available from a variety of sources and may comprise, for example, a diesel engine or a gasoline powered internal combustion engine. The engine 16 provides energy to propel crop sprayer 10 and also may provide energy used to spray fluids from the crop sprayer 10. [0017] The crop sprayer 10 further includes a storage tank 18 used to store a fluid to be sprayed on the field. The fluid may include chemicals, such as but not limited to, herbicides, pesticides, and/or fertilizers. Storage tank 18 may be mounted on chassis 12, either in front of or behind cab 14. Crop sprayer 10 may include more than one storage tank 18 to store different chemicals to be sprayed on the field. The stored chemicals may be dispersed by crop sprayer 10 one at a time or different chemicals may be mixed and dispersed together in a variety of mixtures.

[0018] A boom arm 20 on the crop sprayer 10 is used to distribute the fluid from the tank 18 over a wide swath as the crop sprayer 10 is driven through the field. As best seen in FIG. 2, the fluid is conveyed by way of a fluid distribution system 22 to various spray nozzles 30 spaced along the boom arm 20. The fluid distribution system 22, which may be mounted on the boom arm 20, includes at least one supply line 34 connected to the tank 18. As is known in the art, a pump (not shown) pumps fluid from the tank 18 through the supply line 34. The spray nozzles 30 are mounted along the boom arm 20 at an interval required by the particular spraying requirements. From each spray nozzle 30, the fluid may be sprayed as the crop sprayer 10 is driven through the field to distribute chemicals onto crops in the field. An operator of the crop sprayer 10 may use controls (not shown) located in the cab 14 to control movement of the boom arm 20 and to turn on and to shut off the fluid flow to the plurality of spray nozzles 30.

[0019] In one embodiment best seen in FIG. 4, the spray nozzle 30 consists of a spray nozzle body 44, which is provided with an inlet 46 and a nozzle head 48. It should be understood that any type of spray nozzle head 48 can be used. For example, it is possible to use a spray nozzle 30 having a number of spray nozzle heads 48 which are fitted by means of a revolver-type construction on the spray nozzle body 44, so that the correct spray nozzle head 48 can be selected depending on the conditions in which spraying is to be carried out and the fluid which is to be sprayed. In one embodiment, the nozzle head 48 includes a rotor 49 having a plurality of outlets 50. Fluid flows into nozzle body 44 and exits the nozzle body 44 from one of the plurality of outlets 50. The spray nozzle 30 and spray nozzle head 48 desirably are conventional, commercially available components. However, one skilled in the art will understand that other known spray nozzles 30 may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, according to the invention, fluid flows from the supply line

34 through a distribution manifold 60, broadly a distributor, which feeds the fluid to several spray nozzles 30 fluidically connected to the distribution manifold 60. Desirably, the boom arm 20 may contain more than one distribution manifold 60 along its length such that the boom arm 20 is divided up into a plurality of boom sections 62, with each distribution manifold 60 supplying two or more nozzles 30, and in the illustrated embodiment between about four and ten nozzles 30, in its respective boom section 62. However, one skilled in the art will understand that each distribution manifold 60 may supply fewer or more nozzles in a boom section 62 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] Turning now to FIG. 3, the distribution manifold 60 has an inlet port 64 that connects to the supply line 34 with a suitable connector 65. As is known in the art, the connector 65 may connect the inlet port 64 with the supply line 34 using hose barbs, ring clamps, push-locks or other known fasteners. The distribution manifold 60 additionally has a number of outlet ports 68. In one embodiment, a section of hose 70 or other piping fluidically connects each outlet port 68 to a nozzle 30. Connectors 72 between the hose 70 and the outlet port 68 on the manifold 60 and between the hose 70 and the nozzle 30 may be any suitable water tight connector that ensures a tight fit such as known quick couplers, ring clamps, push- locks, hose barbs, or other known connectors. The manifold 60 may also include individual nozzle valves and/or group nozzle shut-off valves 73. Desirably, the individual and group nozzle shut off valves may be solenoid operated valves such that they can be remotely operated from the cab 14 of the crop sprayer 10. In one embodiment, the manifold 60 is provided with an end cap 74. However, the manifold 60 may also be formed with a female thread such that a plug may be used, and also with a closed body such that there is no need for a cap or plug, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 4, if fewer nozzles 30 are required in the boom section 62 than the manifold 60 has capacity to supply, extra outlet ports 68 may be capped with a cap 76 or closed with individual outlet valves such that fluid does not flow through the extra outlet ports 68. Alternately, the manifold 60 may be replaced with a smaller manifold 60 having fewer outlet ports 68. Additionally, the fluid distribution system makes it relatively easy to attach extra nozzles 30 in the boom section 62 (such as when a 10 inch nozzle interval is required instead of a 15 inch interval). If additional nozzles 30 are required, unused outlet ports 68 may be uncapped or outlet valves opened and then connected with hoses 70 or other piping fluidically connected to the new nozzles 30. Alternately, the manifold 60 may be replaced with a larger manifold 60 having additional outlet ports 68 or additional modular outlet ports 68 may be attached to the manifold by removing end cap 74, attaching the additional outlet ports 68, and then replacing the end cap 74 on the outlet port 68 now at the end of the manifold 60. [0023] The manifold 60 may also be equipped with additional outlets and/or inlets for different options such as a flowback to the tank 18, a rinse system, and/or a pressure regulator without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, it is evident that many alternatives, combinations, modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of this invention, as set forth above are intended to be illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid distribution system on a boom arm of crop sprayer comprising:

a fluid supply line connected to a supply of fluid;

a plurality of spray nozzles mounted along the boom arm; and a distribution manifold fluidically connecting the fluid supply line to the plurality of spray nozzles, the distribution manifold having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, wherein the inlet port connects to the supply line and each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles is connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports with a fluid conduit.

2. The fluid distribution system of claim 1 wherein the boom arm contains more than one distribution manifold along its length such that the boom arm is divided up into a plurality of boom sections, with each distribution manifold supplying the nozzles in its respective boom section.

3. The fluid distribution system of claim 2 wherein each distribution manifold supplies between four and ten nozzles in its respective boom section.

4. The fluid distribution system of claim 2 wherein the manifold comprises individual nozzle shut-off valves and/or group nozzle shut-off valves.

5. The fluid distribution system of claim 2 wherein the manifold comprises at least one group nozzle shut-off valve.

6. A crop sprayer comprising the fluid distribution system of claim 1.

7. A method of supplying fluid to a plurality of nozzles spaced along a boom arm of a crop sprayer, the method comprising:

spacing a plurality of spray nozzles along the boom arm of the crop sprayer; providing a fluid supply line to a tank on the crop sprayer, said tank containing a supply of fluid to be dispersed by said plurality of spray nozzles;

fluidically connecting each of said plurality of spray nozzles to the fluid supply line through a distribution manifold, the distribution manifold having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, wherein the inlet port connects to the supply line and each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles is connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports with a fluid conduit.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising reducing the number of spray nozzles spaced on the boom arm by removing at least one spray nozzle and capping the outlet port in the distribution manifold that the removed spray nozzle was connected to.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising increasing the number of spray nozzles spaced on the boom arm by adding at least one spray nozzle and placing a previously unused outlet port in service by connecting said outlet port to the at least one added spray nozzle.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising uncapping said previously unused outlet port to place said outlet port in service.