Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.

Other

Andrew J Holtz

Jeffrey John Grimm

Jesse Koch

Duane Needham

Adam Madison

Paul Thaddeus Casucci

Eva Terez Casucci

Kyle Emery Peterson

A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies includes a body defining a fluid passage, an inlet connected to the manifold for receiving fluid flow into the fluid passage, a spray outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid passage, an electrically actuated valve fluidly connected between the inlet and the spray outlet, and a pressure dampener connected in fluid communication with the fluid passage between the inlet and the spray outlet. The electrically actuated valve is configured to control fluid flow through the fluid passage, and the pressure dampener is configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the fluid passage.

Fluid application systems including pressure dampeners

A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a controller communicatively connected to valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly, and a portable electronic device connected in communication with the controller. The portable electronic device includes a user interface. The portable electronic device is configured to retrieve a stored user profile including at least one prestored value that relates to a physical characteristic of the system or an operating parameter of the system, and populate at least one user input field of the user interface with the at least one prestored value. At least one of the controller and the portable electronic device is configured to retrieve the stored user profile and determine the at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly based on the physical characteristic of the system or the operating parameter of the system.

Systems and methods for spraying an agricultural fluid on foliage

An aerial fluid dispersal system includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold a quantity of fluid, a manifold assembly in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a fluid pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the manifold assembly, a plurality of nozzle assemblies coupled in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and a controller coupled to the fluid pump and the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve, a spray nozzle fluidly coupled downstream of the electrically-actuated valve, and a check valve fluidly coupled in series with the electrically-actuated valve. The controller is configured to control the operating parameter of the electrically-actuated valve of each nozzle assembly.

Aerial fluid dispersal systems including electrically and mechanically actuated valves

A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway for fluid flow therethrough and a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies includes a body defining a fluid passage, an inlet connected to the manifold for receiving fluid flow into the fluid passage, and a spray outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid passage. Each nozzle assembly also includes an electrically actuated valve fluidly connected between the inlet and the spray outlet and configured to control fluid flow through the fluid passage. Each nozzle assembly further includes a pressure dampener connected in fluid communication with the fluid passage upstream of the electrically actuated valve. The pressure dampener is configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the fluid passage.

A system includes a fluid supply line, a plurality of nozzle assemblies positioned and oriented to spray portions of a target, and a plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies configured to control fluid flow to the nozzle assemblies. The system also includes a controller connected in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies and configured to individually actuate the valve assemblies between a closed position and an open position. The controller is configured to receive an orientation of each nozzle assembly relative to the target and determine a duty cycle of each valve assembly based on the orientation of the respective nozzle assembly. The controller is configured to actuate each valve assembly based on the respective orientation to provide a desired fluid characteristic of the fluid emitted from the respective nozzle assembly.

A system includes a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with a fluid supply line, a plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies to control fluid flow through the nozzle assemblies, and a controller communicatively connected to the valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly. A portable electronic device is connected in communication with the controller, and is configured to display an image including at least a portion of the system and a target, and to receive a user input that identifies a location and/or an orientation of each of the plurality of nozzle assemblies on the image. At least one of the controller and the portable electronic device is configured to determine the at least one operating parameter based on an overlap amount between a spray path projection of each nozzle assembly and the target in the image.

A fluid application system includes a fluid supply line connected to a fluid supply, a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with the fluid supply line, and a return line. Each nozzle assembly includes an inlet connected to the fluid supply line, a nozzle defining a spray outlet, a return line outlet, and an electrically actuated three-way valve fluidly connected between the inlet and each of the spray outlet and the return line outlet. The three-way valve is configured to alternately direct fluid from the inlet to the return line outlet and the spray outlet. The return line is connected in fluid communication with the return line outlet of each nozzle assembly, and is configured to direct fluid from the return line outlet to the fluid supply line.

Fluid application system including electrically-actuated valves and fluid return line

An electric solenoid valve, methods for operating and/or actuating the solenoid valve, valve system diagnostics, and applications for use are described. The valve may be designed to actuate in a manner so as to control liquid flow into and/or through a device, such as a spray nozzle. By altering the characteristics of the electrical signal transmitted to the solenoid valve, the instantaneous pressure across the valve and duration of fluid flow through the valve can be controlled with a single actuator. Controlled cyclic durations of flow may be implemented to regulate the exact timing of flow through the valve. Alternatively, cyclic durations may occur with a pulse-width modulation technique in which the duty cycle regulates average flow rate through the valve.

Methods for controlling operation of a valve

Electrically actuated valve for control of instantaneous pressure drop and cyclic durations of flow

The storage system includes multiple cabinets within an enclosure mounted in a bed of a truck, such as a pickup truck bed. The cabinets each include rear walls which are hinged together at rear corners thereof to allow the cabinets to pivot relative to each other. An innermost one of a series of cabinets is slidably mounted within the enclosure so that it can slide into and out of the enclosure along with the other cabinets hinged thereto. Each cabinet has doors which can be selectively opened to allow for access into an interior of the cabinets. The cabinets have a storage position where they are contained within the enclosure and a deployed position where they are slid out of the enclosure and pivoted to provide easy access to contents of the cabinets outside of the truck bed.

Growing community of inventors

Berryton, KS, United States of America

Andrew J Holtz