WO2024031154A1

WO2024031154A1 - Apparatus to assist spreading of particles

Info

Publication number: WO2024031154A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/050762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Louis GUZZOMI; Harrison Thomas CADDY
Original assignee: The University Of Western Australia
Priority date: 2022-08-12
Filing date: 2023-08-11
Publication date: 2024-02-15

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle. The apparatus may have a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support. The baffle may define a fluid flow path such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

Description

Apparatus to assist spreading of particles

Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that assists with spreading particles such as by altering a flow of fluid in which the particles may be entrained in.

Background

The agricultural sector often spreads particles such as ameliorates, seeds, fertiliser and seed before, during and after seeding to improve crop yield. Although uniform particle spreading is desired, in practice it is difficult to achieve. For example, disc spreaders aim to spread fertiliser as uniformly and as quickly as possible, but vehicle travel speed during spreading can generate adverse apparent wind conditions that make it difficult to spread smaller particles widely, leading to heterogeneous spreading. It is estimated that uneven spreading of urea can reduce crop returns by $25 to $40/ha. Curtains have been used to help minimise adverse apparent wind conditions, but their use tends to provide only modest gains in spreading efficiency.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary

An embodiment provides an apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an elongate support having a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from the first end, the elongate support being connectable to the vehicle; and a plurality of baffles mounted to the support between the first end and second end where each baffle has an in-use front portion and in-use rear portion, the plurality of baffles spaced from one another and arranged to define a fluid flow path between adjacent baffles such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

The apparatus may manipulate the flow of fluid so that the particles are seeded into the manipulated flow downstream of the apparatus. Put another way, the apparatus is configured so that particles can become entrained in the fluid exiting the fluid flow path downstream of the apparatus.

An embodiment provides an apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

An embodiment provides an apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus configured so that the particles can become entrained in fluid downstream of the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path downstream of the apparatus is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

The baffle may have an in-use front portion and in-use rear portion.

An embodiment provides an apparatus configured to change a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

An embodiment provides an apparatus configured to be mounted to a vehicle that can spread particles, the apparatus comprising: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path configured such that, in use, particles spread from the vehicle become entrained in fluid exiting the fluid flow path downstream of the apparatus to be directed laterally away from the vehicle. In an embodiment, the baffle has a front portion and a rear portion, and the front portion and rear portion are angled relative one another such that the baffle defines a curved fluid flow path.

The term “particles” as used herein is to mean particular matter that can be spread and can include an ameliorant, aerolised liquid, particulates, sprayed liquid, seed including encapsulated seed, fertiliser, biomass such as manure, sewage sludge, castings, frass and particularised vegetation such as dried pomace or marc and straw and chaff that has passed through a straw chopper on a combine harvester.

The term “vehicle” as used herein is to mean a vehicle that is used in the spreading of particles. A vehicle may include land vehicles such as agricultural machinery including tractors, machinery fitted with spreaders such as fertiliser spreaders and combine harvesters. A vehicle may also include civil and construction machinery including those used in the construction of roads and engineered geostructures such as embankments and the like. A vehicle may also include aquatic machinery such as those used in aquaculture, a boat, and a subsea vehicle. A vehicle may also include low-flying machinery such as an aircraft including planes and drones. The vehicle may be user controlled, remotely operated and/or autonomous.

At least one baffle of the plurality of baffles may have the front portion and rear portion be angled relative one another. The front portion and/or the rear portion may be curved. The front portion may have a first longitudinal axis and the rear portion may have a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis may be angled relative one another at an angle ranging from about 80° to about 120°. At least one baffle of the plurality of baffles may have an aerofoil or aerofoil-like profile.

The apparatus may comprise at least three baffles. One or more of the plurality of baffles may be pivotably mounted to the support such that the fluid flow path can be adjusted by rotating the one or more baffles about their respective pivot point. The apparatus may further comprise an actuator that can rotate the one or more of the plurality of baffles.

The support may include a pair of arms that are joined at the first end and extend parallel to one another to terminate at the second end. The baffles may be mounted to the arms. The baffles may be mounted to the arms at the front portion of the baffles. The support may further comprise a pair of secondary arms that connect the baffles to one another. The secondary arms may be connected to the rear portion of the baffles. The baffles may be connected to the pair of arms and secondary arms in such a way to form a four-bar linkage.

The elongate support may be connectable to the vehicle with a hinge mechanism such that the support can be raised and lowered relative the vehicle about an axis of the hinge mechanism.

The apparatus may further comprise a lifting actuator for raising and lowering the elongate support about the axis of the hinge mechanism. The particles may include one or more of an ameliorate, aerolised liquid, particulates, sprayed liquid, seed, encapsulated seed, fertiliser, biomass, manure sewage sludge, castings, frass and particularised vegetation, dried pomace, dried marc, straw and/or chaff.

An embodiment provides an agricultural machine fitted with the apparatus as set forth above. The agricultural machine may be towed or self-propelled. The agricultural machine may have two apparatus, one apparatus being mounted on a left side and the other apparatus being right side of the agricultural machine. The apparatus may be part of a unit, where the unit comprises a right apparatus and a left apparatus. In this way, a single unit may be mounted to the agricultural machine so that an apparatus is positioned on the right side and left side of the agricultural machine. The agricultural machine may include a disc spreader, a fertiliser spreader and/or a combine harvester.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric front view of an embodiment of an apparatus.

Figure 2 is an isometric rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a baffle.

Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a baffle.

Figure 6a is a plan view of another embodiment of a baffle.

Figure 6b is a plan view of another embodiment of a baffle.

Figure 7 is a close-up of region A in Figure 1 .

Figure 8 is an isometric front view of an agricultural machine fitted with an embodiment of the apparatus. Figure 9 is close-up isometric rear view of region B in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is close-up isometric front view of region B in Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a schematic rear end view of the agricultural machine of Figure 8 with the apparatuses in a down configuration.

Figure 12a is a schematic rear end view of the agricultural machine of Figure 8 with the apparatuses in an embodiment of an up stowed configuration.

Figure 12b is a schematic top view of the agricultural machine of Figure 8 with the apparatuses in an embodiment of a rear stowed configuration.

Figure 13a is a schematic plan view of baffles in a first orientation.

Figure 13b is a schematic plan view of the baffles in Figure 13a in a second orientation.

Figure 13c is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an apparatus.

Figure 14 shows schematic plan view of an embodiment of an apparatus.

Figure 15 shows a schematic plan view of a vehicle fitted with an embodiment of the apparatus.

Figure 16 shows simulated domain boundary and boundary conditions.

Figure 17 shows the distribution of spread width without and with an embodiment of the apparatus under the headwind condition and with a forward vehicle speed.

Figure 18 shows the distribution of spread pattern for increasingly dense domains (coarse, medium and fine meshes), and a refined mesh with local volumetric meshing controls (refined mesh).

Figure 19 shows the distribution of particle masses landing on the ground surface. Heavier particles (in red) are observed to travel further than lighter particles (in blue).

Figure 20 shows streamlines generated with a 25km/h vehicle forward ground speed and headwind of 10km/h for (a) a vehicle without and (b) with an embodiment of the apparatus. Figure 21 shows streamlines generated with a 25km/h vehicle forward ground speed and tailwind of 10km/h for (a) a vehicle without and (b) with an embodiment of the apparatus. Figure 22 shows the distributions of mass particles reaching the ground plane for a vehicle without (left) and with an embodiment of the apparatus (right) in a 10 km/h headwind (A & B) and tailwind (C & D) condition with a vehicle forward ground speed of 25km/h.

Figure 23 shows: pressure variation for a vehicle without (A: plan view, C: side view) and with an embodiment of the apparatus (B: plan view, D: side view) under conditions of 10 km/h headwind and vehicle forward ground speed of 25km/h; and air velocity for a vehicle without (E: plan view, G: side view) and with an embodiment of the apparatus (F: plan view, H: side view) under conditions of 10 km/h headwind and vehicle forward ground speed of 25km/h. Figure 24 shows: pressure variation for a vehicle without (A: plan view, C: side view) and with an embodiment of the apparatus (B: plan view, D: side view) under conditions of 10 km/h tailwind and vehicle forward speed of 25km/h; and air velocity for a vehicle without (E: plan view, G: side view) and with an embodiment of the apparatus (F: plan view, H: side view) under conditions of 10 km/h tailwind and vehicle forward speed of 25km/h.

Detailed Description

Embodiments provide an apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle. The particles may include one or more or an ameliorate, aerolised liquid, particulates, sprayed liquid, seed including encapsulated seed, fertiliser, biomass such as manure, sewage sludge, castings, frass and particularised vegetation such as dried pomace or dried marc, and straw and chaff that has passed through a straw chopper on a combine harvester. The fluid is generally air but may be or include a liquid.

As shown in Figures 1-3, apparatus 10 has an elongate support 15 to which a plurality of baffles 14 are mounted. The support 15 is elongate and in one embodiment takes the form of arms 16. The arms 16 have an upper arm 16a and lower arm 16b. In an embodiment, the support 15 includes only one arm.

Throughout this disclosure, relative terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “side” and the like are described with reference to the orientation(s) depicted in the Figures and do not limit the apparatus to any specific orientation unless context makes it clear otherwise.

The upper arm 16a and lower arm 16b each have a first end 17 and extend along a longitudinal direction to terminate at a second end 19. The first end 17 for both the upper arm 16a and lower arm 16b are connected or joined to a frame member 32 such that the upper arm 16a and lower arm 16b are parallel to one another. In this way, the combination of the arms 16 and frame member 32 defines a U-shape. Thus, the support 15 may be U-shaped. In use of the apparatus 10, the arms 16 extend transverse to a vehicle to which the apparatus 10 is mounted to, as is explained with reference to Figures 8-11 .

The support 15 also has a mounting structure 20 that is used to mount the apparatus 10 to a vehicle. The mounting structure 20 has a beam 24 and mounting arms 22 and 26. In an embodiment, the mounting arms 22 and 26 are fixed to a chassis of a vehicle, which in an example may be around the vehicle wheels. In an embodiment, the frame member 32 of the support 15 is pivotably connected to the beam 24 with a hinge mechanism (not shown). The hinge mechanism allows the apparatus to pivot about the beam 24 so that the apparatus 10 can be raised and lowered thus adjusting a roll angle. To assist with raising and lowering the apparatus, a lifting actuator 30 can be mounted to the frame member 32. The actuator may be hydraulic, pneumatic electronic, or manually adjustable such as with a turnbuckle arrangement. The lifting actuator 30 allows a relative angle of the apparatus 10 to the mounting structure 20 to be adjusted. However, the lifting actuator 30 is not required in all embodiments. For example, in one embodiment the apparatus 10 is rotationally fixed to the beam 24, such as by welding and/or bolting the frame member 32 to the beam 24, or by replacing lifting actuator 30 with a fixed-length tie rod.

The apparatus 10 also has a plurality of baffles 14. As shown in the Figures, four baffles 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are mounted to the upper arm 16a and lower arm 16b and are spaced apart from one another between the first end 17 and the second end 19. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, each baffle 14 has an in-use front portion 34 and in-use rear portion 36. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the arms 16a and 16b are mounted to the front portion 34. However, in an alternate embodiment, the arms 16a and 16b are mounted to the rear portion 36 of the baffles 14 (not shown). The baffles 14 are spaced apart from one another to define a fluid flow path 21 , as shown in Figure 3 as a dashed line. Fluid, such as air, enters the apparatus 10 and travels through the fluid flow path 21 to exit the apparatus 10. Fluid may enter the apparatus 10 by relative movement of the apparatus 10 through a fluid. For example, when the apparatus 10 is mounted to a vehicle, movement of the vehicle causes an apparent airflow that is directed through the apparatus along fluid flow path 21 .

Upon exiting the apparatus 10, the fluid is directed in a direction generally away from the first end 17 or towards the second end 19. When the apparatus 10 is mounted to a vehicle, as is described below with reference to Figures 8 to 10, the fluid is directed laterally away from the vehicle upon exiting the apparatus 10. The fluid exiting the apparatus 10 forms an accelerated stream of fluid that helps to spread particles that become entrained in the accelerated stream of fluid. The accelerated stream of fluid can be considered as being a jet stream.

In an embodiment, one or more of the baffles 14 has an aerofoil profile or aerofoil-like form.

The term “aerofoil” is used to describe a general shape of the baffle 14 and does not necessarily imply that the baffle with an aerofoil-like form will generate lift in use as would be the case for an aerofoil used in e.g. aviation.

In an embodiment, one or more of the baffles 14 is curved. For example, as best shown in Figure 4, in one embodiment the baffle 14 is an aerofoil that has a generally linear front portion 34 and a curved rear portion 36. The front portion 34 has a leading edge or nose 38 and extends generally along a first longitudinal direction as represented by chord line 35. The rear portion 36 has a trailing edge 40 that terminates in a direction extending along a second longitudinal direction which is shown as tangential line 37. The curved rear portion 36 helps to direct fluid transversely away from the chord line 35. In an embodiment, an angle 0 formed between the chord line 35 and tangential line 37 ranges from about 80° to about 120°. In an embodiment, angle 0 ranges from about 100° to about 105°. The angle 0 formed between the chord line 35 and tangential line 37 is the angle which fluid is ejected from the baffle 14 and thus apparatus 10. Accordingly, the angle 0 can also be considered as forming a fluid ejection angle.

Another embodiment of the baffle 14 is shown in Figure 5. Baffle 14' has a curved front portion 34' and generally linear rear portion 36'. The front portion 34' has front chord line 35' and the rear portion 36' has rear chord line 37'. Similar to baffle 14, an angle 0 is formed between the front chord line 35' and rear chord line 37', and ranges from about 80° to about 120°.

Another embodiment of the baffle 14 is shown in Figure 6a. Baffle 14" has a straight front portion 34" and straight rear portion 36". An apex 39 is formed between the front portion 34" and rear portion 36". The front portion 34" and flat rear portion 36" and be formed by folding sheet material, such as sheet metal. Similar to baffle 14, an angle 0 is formed between the front chord line 35' and rear chord line 37', and ranges from about 80° to about 120°. As shown in Figure 6b, in another embodiment, baffle 14"' has a curved transition 39a between the front portion 34"' and rear portion 34'". The rolled transition 39a may help to eliminate sharp edges and corners. Baffle14"' may be formed by rolling sheet material such as sheet metal.

In an embodiment, the baffle is a planar material that is arranged relative the arms 16 such that the plane of the planar material is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the arms (not shown). In this embodiment, the ejection angle is the angle formed between the plane of the planar material and the longitudinal direction of the arms. Accordingly, the baffles used in the apparatus 10 may be flat or curved. With reference to Figure 7, the baffles 14 have opposed end faces 42 and 43, and side faces 44 and 46 extending between the end faces 42 and 43. From the orientation of the baffle 14 in Figure 7, end face 42 is a top face and end face 43 is a bottom face. However, these terms are used relatively and do not limit the baffle 14 to a specific orientation. In an embodiment the baffle 14 is hollow, where the side faces 44 and 46 act as a skin that covers an underlying frame structure of the baffle. The side faces 44 and 46 may be formed from a single skin, such as sheet metal. In an embodiment, the baffle 14 is solid. For example, the baffle 14 could be milled or extruded from plastic or metal, or formed from a composite material such as fibre- reinforced plastic covering a foam interior. The end faces 42 and 43 may be spaced apart from one another by 50 cm to 150 cm. In an embodiment, end faces 42 and 43 are spaced apart by at least 80 cm. The distance between faces 42 and 43 forms a baffle height, which is depicted in Figure 7 and reference H. The use of the term “height” in reference to the baffle does not limit the orientation of the baffles 14 to that shown in the Figures, and the term “height” may instead be considered as defining a width of the baffle extending between faces 42 and 43. A baffle height H of the baffles 14 may be dependent on the ejection trajectory of the particles that are being spread and being assisted by the apparatus 10, mass distribution of the particles, velocity distribution of the particles, the spread characteristic of the particles, and the number of baffles 14 mounted to the apparatus 10.

In an embodiment, one or more of the baffles 14 is pivotably mounted to the arms 16. Having one or more baffles 14 be pivotable or rotatable allows the fluid flow path 21 to be adjusted by rotating the one or more baffles 14 about their respective pivot point, which is shown as pivot axis 48 in Figure 7. A pin or shaft 52 extending along pivot axis 48 can be fixed to the arms 16 and extend through the front portion 34 of the baffle 14. As the arms 16 are fixed, the baffles 14 rotate about pivot axis 48. Put another way, the baffles 14 pivot about their front portion 34, as shown in Figures 13a and 13b. For ease of viewing, some features have been omitted from Figures 13a and 13b, such as rod 18.

Having one or more baffles 14 be rotatable allows an entry direction or angle be adjusted. As best seen in Figure 13a, the entry direction is shown as dashed line 23. As the baffle 14 is rotated, the entry direction 23 is adjusted relative a zero or reference line 60 to adjust an angle of entry 01 , as shown in Figure 13b. The reference line 60 is generally set as the zero angle that is parallel to a normal in-use direction of travel of the apparatus 10, such as a direction of travel of a vehicle to which the apparatus is mounted to. In an embodiment, baffle 14 is pivotably mounted to the upper arm 16a or the lower arm 16b. Accordingly, both arms 16a and 16b are not required in all embodiments, and the support may include an arm rather than a pair of arms.

When the baffles 14 are pivotably mounted to the arms 16, an actuator may be used to adjust the angle of entry 01 of the baffles 14. In an embodiment, an actuator 33 (see Figure 2 and 3) is pin connected to baffle 14a. The actuator 33 may be mounted to beam 24, or alternatively to a structure associated with a vehicle to which the apparatus 10 is mounted. In an embodiment, the actuator 33 is pivotably mounted to the mounting structure 20, such as to beam 24.

A pair of secondary arms in the form of trailing rods 18 are pivotably connected to the rear portion 36 of the baffles 14a-14d in such a way that the baffles 14 can rotate about pivot axis 50. The trailing rods 18 have an upper rod 18a and lower rod 18b. In an embodiment, only one of trailing rod 18a or 18b is used. Movement of the actuator 33 causes baffle 14a to rotate away from beam 24 about pivot axis 48, and at the same time causes rods 18 to move thereby also moving baffles 14b to 14d simultaneously at the same time as baffle 14a. Accordingly, the actuator 33 moves the baffles 14 in unison. The use of the arms 16, rods 18 being pivotably connected to the baffles 14 and beam 24 (as an “earth link”) forms a four-bar linkage.

In an embodiment, each baffle 14 has its own actuator to move the respective baffle 14 (not shown). This allows each baffle to be adjusted (i.e. tuned) independent of one another. For example, a fixed front arm or rear arm can extend from the mounting structure 20 and each baffle can be connected to the fixed front arm or rear arm by its own actuator, independent from an adjacent actuator (not shown). As another example, each baffle 14 may be connected to its own stepper motor to control a rotation angle of the baffle. The stepper motor may be housed in the front portion 34 of the baffle 14. In another embodiment of the apparatus 10' as shown in Figure 14, the arms 16 are connected to the rear portion 36 of the baffles 14 and the rod(s) 18 connect the front portion 34 of the baffles 14. Actuator 33 is connected to the front portion 34 of the baffle 14a. In this way, the baffles 14 rotate about the rear portion 36. Accordingly, the baffles 14 can rotate about the front portion 34 (as shown in Figure 13a and 14b) or rotate about the rear portion 36 (as shown in Figure 14).

In another embodiment, the relative angles of each baffle 14 differ. For example, as shown in Figure 13c, baffle 14a has angle of entry 01a, baffle 14b has angle of entry 01 b, baffle 14c has angle of entry 01 c, and baffle 14d has angle of entry 01 d, where 01 a^ 01 b^01c^01d. In an embodiment, the angle of entry 01 increases from baffle 14a-14d e.g. 01 a< 01 b<01c<01d. In the embodiment, each baffle 14 may be connected to a single actuator, such as actuator 33 using a single connecting rod such as rod 18. Optionally, in an embodiment, a single actuator is used to adjust all the baffles 14, but each baffle 14 has its own connecting rod extending from the actuator to the baffle. If each connecting rod has a different length and/or is mounted to a different location on the baffle, activation of the actuator would cause differential rotation of each baffle.

The actuator(s) used to rotate the baffles 14 e.g. actuator 33 can be mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic. The actuator 33 may be adjusted in real-time to adjust the angle of entry 01 in use of the apparatus 10. Alternatively, the actuator may be manually adjusted, such as by adjusting a turnbuckle mechanism.

In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the baffles 14 used in the apparatus 10 are the same. However, in an embodiment a combination of baffle types, such as baffle 14 and baffle 14' may be used in the apparatus 10. For example, the proximal baffle e.g. 14a may be of one type and distal baffle e.g. 14d may be of a different type. In another example, each baffle 14 may be of its own specific type (e.g. aerofoil-like shape).

As the apparatus 10 changes a flow of fluid, it may be considered as forming a grill or diffuser. Thus, apparatus 10 may be referred to as a grill or diffuser.

Although four baffles 14a-14d are shown int he Figures, embodiments are not limited to four baffles. For example, the apparatus may have one or more baffles. In an embodiment, the apparatus has at least three baffles 14.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 may only have one baffle 14. For example, baffle 14' with the extended rear portion 36' may be used as a single baffle. However, any one of baffle 14, 14', 14" and 14"' could be used. When only one baffle is used, the single baffle can form a fluid flow path around the baffle either like an aerofoil, flow director, deflector or vane. Using baffle 14' as an example, the fluid flow path may be formed on a high-pressure or concave side of the baffle 14', as shown by dashed line 21a.

As the apparatus 10 allows fluid to flow through the apparatus along the fluid flow path 21 , the apparatus may help to reduce drag on a machine to which the apparatus 10 is mounted when compared to existing spreading solutions such as use of curtains. In an embodiment, a pitch of the apparatus can be adjusted. For example, it may be desirable to adjust a pitch of the apparatus 10 down (i.e. the front side is angled below the rear side in side view) so that fluid exiting the fluid flow path 21 is directed upwards.

An embodiment of a vehicle 100 fitted with the apparatus 10 is shown in Figures 8 - 10. The vehicle 100 is an agricultural machine that includes a tractor 110 and a fertiliser spreader 112 towed by the tractor 110. The agricultural machine may also include a combine harvester, biomass spreader, truck spreader, and the like. Apparatus 10a is mounted on the right side of the fertiliser spreader 112 and apparatus 10b is mounted on the left side of the fertiliser spreader 112. Although an agricultural machine is depicted in Figures 8 - 10 where the fluid passing through apparatus 10 is air, the disclosure is not limited to use with agricultural machines and the fluid could include e.g. a liquid.

As best shown in Figures 9 and 10, the mounting arms 22 and 26 are mounted to a chassis 114 of the fertiliser spreader 112. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9 and 10, the mounting arms 22 and 26 are mounted around the rear wheel 118. However, the mounting arms 22 and 26 may be mounted at another location on the chassis 114. In an embodiment, the lifting actuator 30 is mounted to the body of the fertiliser spreader 112 via mounting point 31 .

Typically, the apparatus 10b (and also apparatus 10a) is mounted forwardly adjacent to a spreader 116 such that the particles, such as fertiliser, coming off the disc(s) of the spreader 116 are directed along a rear side of the apparatus 10a proximate to the trailing edge 40 of the baffles 14 to be entrained in the accelerated stream of fluid formed behind the apparatus 10. As shown in Figure 15, the accelerated stream of fluid is depicted as dashed area 120. In an embodiment, a trajectory of the particles does not hit the trailing edge. However, it should be appreciated that individual particles may inadvertently impact the baffles 14 near the trailing edge 40, but the majority of particles do not impact the baffles 14. An advantage of having the particles be directed along a rear side of the apparatus 10b (and also 10a) proximate to the trailing edge 40 of the baffles is that the baffles 14 do not need to be hardened to withstand sustained impacts with the particles. For example, if the particles were entrained in the fluid flow to pass through the apparatus 10 along fluid flow path 21 , the baffles 14 would likely require continual maintenance or replacement.

In use, the apparatus 10a and 10b extend laterally away from the fertiliser spreader in a generally horizontal direction. It should be appreciated that the apparatus 10a and 10b extend generally horizontal but may also be inclined upwards (or downwards) so as to be generally parallel to a particle trajectory coming off the spreader 116. For example, the apparatuses may be angled +/- 15° relative a ground on which the vehicle 100 travels. This in-use configuration of the apparatus is shown in Figures 8-11 . When not in use, such as during transport from a shed to a paddock, or during loading the agricultural machine with particles, travelling through gates, and so on, the apparatuses are moved to a non-use or stowed configuration. For example, in an embodiment, the apparatuses 10a and 10b are rotated upwards to be in an up, non-use or stowed configuration as best seen in Figure 12a. In the stowed configuration, the apparatuses 10a and 10b extend generally upward. Movement of the apparatuses 10a and 10b is facilitated by activation of a suitably proportioned respective lifting actuator 30 and frame geometry. In an embodiment, the apparatus(es) are rotated backwards to extend parallel to one another and to the sides of the fertiliser spreader 112 in the stowed configuration, as shown in Figure 12b. In another embodiment, the apparatus(es) 10 are rotated forward in the stowed configuration instead of rotated backwards (not shown). In another embodiment, the apparatus 10 folds up in the stowed configuration where the baffles 14 collapse onto one another, similar to that with louvers. For example, the apparatus 10 may fold down so that adjacent baffles are stacked one on top of another.

In the claims that follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

Non-limiting embodiments will now be described by way of specific examples. The apparatus 10 as described above is referred to a “diffuser array” in the following Examples.

1 Method

Two 3D asymmetrical models were constructed to investigate the aerodynamics; a standard control case consisting of a tractor (representative of a John Deere 8R Series) and a disc spreader (representative of a typical fertiliser spreader with hydraulic conveyor drive), ground drive components and ladder, and the same system with the inclusion of an embodiment of the diffuser array (Figure 8).

1.1 Physics Modelling

The following assumptions were applied:

• Gravity = 9.81 m/s² and acted vertically downward.

• The fluid was: o incompressible gaseous air with a constant density of 1 .184 kg/m³ and a dynamic viscosity of 1 .85x10^-5 Pa-s. o in the turbulent regime and the SST (Menter) K-Omega turbulence model native to STAR-CCM+ was employed to account for turbulent effects. In combination, the All y+ Wall Treatment option was selected.

• The injected urea particles were: o modelled using the Lagrangian multiphase model. o assumed to be solid spherical particles with a constant density of 750 kg/m³ with a mean diameter of 3mm, normally distributed with a standard deviation of 0.3 mm and were constrained to a minimum and maximum size of 1 mm and 6 mm respectively. o subjected to a drag coefficient calculated using the Schiller-Naumann drag force method.

• were two-way coupled with the fluid Boundary Conditions

The domain was simulated to essentially represent a large wind tunnel with a moving floor, achieved through a bounding boxthat was defined in terms of multiples of the vehicle apparatus dimensions summarised in Table 1.

Table 1:

Bounding box dimensions, specified in terms of a multiplied vehicle reference dimensions.

Bounding Box Multiple Vehicle Bounding

Section Factor Reference Section

Dimension Dimension

Length Upstream 2x 10 m 20 m

Length 4x 10 m 40 m

Downstream

Width 4.5x 8 m (with array) 36 m Height 5x 3 m 15 m

The bounding box was split into 3 distinct regions, the inlet wall, outlet wall and wall boundaries of the ground and farfield regions, as per Figure 16. The inlet condition was specified as a relative velocity inlet which introduced airflow at the rate of the ground velocity speed of the vehicle apparatus (25 km/h) with an added or subtracted headwind or tailwind velocity respectively (both 10 km/h). The outlet was specified as a 0 Pa pressure (gauge) outlet and the farfield wall regions were set to slip boundaries. The ground plane boundary was specified as a wall with no slip and a tangential velocity specification opposing the direction of airflow, equal to the speed of the vehicle apparatus (25 km/h).

On the tractor-spreader system (e.g. Figure 8), a number of velocity specifications were prescribed. The wheels of both the spreader and tractor systems were permitted to rotate to achieve the vehicle tangential ground velocity of 25 km/h, the spreader belt was prescribed a rotational velocity of 3.5 RPM and the spinning discs were permitted to counter-rotate at 800 RPM. Simulations of streamlines generated with a 25km/h vehicle forward ground speed and headwind of 10km/h for a vehicle without and with an embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figure 21 and Figure 22.

1.2 Metrics and Solvers

The domain was segmented into 72 equally spaced bands (parallel to the direction of tractorspreader motion) of 0.5 m width and the particle count was sampled within each of these bands to determine the spread width and distribution of the ejected particles over a sampling period of 2 seconds. For clarity of analysis and discussion, particle counts were normalised to yield a percentage of particles received at the ground and the bin widths of 0.5 m were aggregated into 1 m bands. This choice was made due to the rebound probability specification and the diffuser array causing some particles that were ejected directly into the diffuser being “disintegrated”, the masses received at the ground sampling plane were less for the diffuser case than the standard case.

A distribution showing particle count (which is not normalised) and grouped to 0.5 m band widths is displayed below in Figure 17. This is the headwind condition forthe diffuser array and standard cases. This is included as it highlights two interesting points about the simulation. The first is that when the histograms are not normalised to a percentage, it shows that standard cases yield more particles at the ground plane (which is expected due to the breakage rebound model implemented for particles colliding with a surface at high speed). The second is that by grouping the distribution to 0.5 m bands, the distribution is much less uniform and appears to rise and fall between each band. Although this likely occurred due to the injector boundary condition specified, it may also reflect a concern with the methods used to determine spread width in the field, as bins of 0.5 m spacing are used and may make a more uniformly distributed distribution appear to be less uniform than it may actually be in reality. The data for particle count per bin width is no longer normalised and instead represented as a sum total from the 2 second sampling period. The bin widths were set based on the current sizes bins used in the field for spreader characterisation.

The implicit unsteady solver was employed with the segregated flow model. A timestep of 0.025 s was specified with 1^st order temporal discretisation. Absolute residuals for momentum and continuity were permitted to fall to 10^-5, which would trigger the next inner iteration or if the number of inner iterations exceeded 35.

Confidence that mesh independence was achieved was ensured through incrementally increasing the number of cells in the domain and observing the change in spread distribution. A coarse (0.99 million cells), medium (1.81 million cells), fine (3.86 million cells) and refined mesh (5.60 million cells) were tested, as per Figure 18. Note, the distribution excludes the interior portion as the boundary condition specified for the injected particles is simplified to a total of 20 injectors and located to a quarter of the disc. The refined mesh prescribed similar meshing conditions to the fine mesh but with local meshing parameters to better capture the wake downstream of the geometry and ensure the majority of the domain value for non-dimensional Wall Y+ was between a range of 30-300.

To assist in calculating more accurate shear stresses on the ground plane and spreader, a layer of 5 prismatic elements was prescribed at a stretching ratio of 1 .2 and a refinement block encompassing the entire geometry and upstream to the inlet velocity was set with a anisotropic cell size of 0.2 m such that there were at least 100 cells between the inlet boundary and the start of the tractor-spreader geometry. Wake refinement was implemented downstream of the geometry for a distance of 8 m with an isotropic cell size of 0.05 m. These values were set based on best practice documentation for aerodynamic simulations. The final mesh was constructed using the surface remesher and a trimmed cell mesh with prismatic layer elements. A summary of the final meshing parameters for the refined mesh is displayed below in Table 2. Table 2 Meshing parameters for refined mesh.

Meshing Parameter Value Units

Target Surface Size 0.4 m

Maximum Cell Size 0.6 m

Minimum Surface Size 0.005 m

Surface Growth Rate 1 .2

Number of Prismatic Layer 16.0

Elements

Prism Layer Thickness 0.1 m

Prism Layer Stretching Ratio 1 .05

Trimmed Mesh Volume Growth 4.0

Rate

2. Results

Across all simulations it should be noted that, due to the variation in particle size specified, the distribution at the ground plane consisted of larger, heavier particles travelling further from the spinning disks than smaller, lighter particles as depicted in Figure 19. In Figure 19, heavier particles (in red) are observed to travel further than lighter particles (in blue).

Streamlines for the vehicles without and with the diffuser array with a 10km/h headwind can be seen in, respectively, Figures 20a and 20b. Streamlines for vehicles without and with the diffuser array with a 10km/h tailwind can be seen in, respectively, Figures 21 a and 21 b. In both head- and tail-wind cases vehicle ground speed is 25km/h.

2. 1 Spreading Distributions

The variation in spread for the headwind condition for the standard and diffuser cases for a vehicle ground speed of 25km/h can be seen in Figure 22A and Figure 22B. The scale was preserved between all cases. In the headwind condition of 10 km/h, the diffuser array produced a spread width of 25 m compared to standard with a spread width of 21 m; effectively increasing the spread width by ~20%. The M shape peaks (which result from the particles spread ahead of the disc spreading less wide than those within the 180-degree envelope behind the spreader) in the standard case are flattened out using the diffuser array resulting in a more uniform spread.

Similarly, the variation in spread for the tailwind condition for the standard and diffuser cases for a vehicle ground speed of 25km/h can be seen in Figure 22C and Figure 22D. In the tailwind condition of 10 km/h, the diffuser array produced a spread width of 25 m compared to standard with a spread width of 23 m, effectively increasing the spread width by 10%. Although magnitude of the effect is reduced, the M shape peaks in the standard case are still smoothed using the diffuser array resulting in a more uniform spread when compared to the standard configuration.

The flattening of the distribution in both headwind and tailwind suggests that each diffuser array could be tuned as per the baffle or louvre style arrangement of the apparatus to ensure a consistent spread distribution and width depending on the spreading conditions. For example, a right diffuser array (e.g. 10a in Figure 8) may be adjusted separately to a left diffuser array (e.g. 10b in Figure 8). Parameters such as diffuser array angle adjusted by lifting actuator 30 and/or baffle angle adjusted by actuator 33 may be adjusted. Velocity and pressure profiles for the headwind conditions are shown in Figure 23 and velocity and pressure profiles for the tailwind conditions are depicted in Figures 24.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for changing a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an elongate support having a first end and a second end spaced longitudinally from the first end, the elongate support being connectable to the vehicle; and a plurality of baffles mounted to the support between the first end and second end where each baffle has an in-use front portion and in-use rear portion, the plurality of baffles spaced from one another and arranged to define a fluid flow path between adjacent baffles such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one baffle of the plurality of baffles has the front portion and rear portion be angled relative one another.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the front portion and/or the rear portion is curved.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the front portion has a first longitudinal axis and the rear portion has a second longitudinal axis, and the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are angled at an angle ranging from about 80° to about 120°.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one baffle of the plurality of baffles has an aerofoil profile.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least three baffles.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more of the plurality of baffles are pivotably mounted to the support such that the fluid flow path can be adjusted by rotating the one or more baffles about their respective pivot point.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an actuator that can rotate the one or more of the plurality of baffles.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support includes a pair of arms that are joined at the first end and extend parallel to one another to terminate at the second end, wherein the baffles are mounted to the arms. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the baffles are mounted to the arms at the front portion of the baffles. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the support further comprises a pair of secondary arms that connect the baffles to one another. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the secondary arms are connected to the rear portion of the baffles. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the baffles are connected to the pair of arms and secondary arms in such a way to form a four-bar linkage. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the elongate support is connectable to the vehicle with a hinge mechanism such that the support can be raised and lowered relative the vehicle about an axis of the hinge mechanism. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a lifting actuator for raising and lowering the elongate support about the axis of the hinge mechanism. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the particles include one or more or an ameliorate, aerolised liquid, particulates, sprayed liquid, seed, encapsulated seed, fertiliser, biomass, manure, sewage sludge, castings, frass and particularised vegetation, dried pomace, dried marc, straw and/or chaff. An apparatus configured to change a flow of a fluid passing through the apparatus to assist spreading particles and that in use is mounted to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path such that in use fluid exiting the fluid flow path is directed laterally away from the vehicle. An apparatus configured to be mounted to a vehicle that can spread particles, the apparatus comprising: a support that is connectable to the vehicle; and a baffle mounted to the support, where the baffle defines a fluid flow path configured such that, in use, particles spread from the vehicle become entrained in fluid exiting the fluid flow path downstream of the apparatus to be directed laterally away from the vehicle. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the baffle has a front portion and a rear portion, and the front portion and rear portion are angled relative one another such that the baffle defines a curved fluid flow path. An agricultural machine fitted with the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 20, having the apparatus being mounted on a left side and a right side of the agricultural machine. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 20 or 21 , wherein the agricultural machine includes a fertiliser spreader and/or a combine harvester.