Precision Planting, Inc.

Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC

Agco Corporation

Daniel R Wood, Jr

Marshall T Bremer

Nicholas Lloyd Butts

Garrett Maurer

Bradley K Schleusner

Todd A Meidinger

Benjamin J Wolbaum

Michael D Schmidt

A spray nozzle for an agricultural sprayer includes a first actively controlled valve configured to control flow through the spray nozzle. A first pressure sensor is disposed upstream of the valve and a second pressure sensor is disposed downstream of the valve. The position of a valve member of the valve can be sensed, and a size of a restrictive orifice defined by the valve can be determined based on the sensed position of the valve member. A controller is configured to determine a flow rate through the valve based on a difference between a first pressure reading from the first pressure sensor and a second pressure reading from the second pressure sensor.

Pressure-based flow meter for a spray nozzle

A parameter sensor for an agricultural sprayer is mounted to an applicator and configured to determine liquid parameters of the liquid flowing through the spray nozzle. The parameter sensing module includes one or both of a flow meter and a pressure sensor. The parameter sensor includes sensor circuitry configured to determine a flow rate based on data generated by the flow meter and determine a liquid pressure based on data generated by the pressure sensor.

Parameter sensing for a liquid applicator

A spray system includes nozzles spaced along a distribution line. Each nozzle actuates the position of one or more internal valves based on a spray command received from a system control module. Sensors generate position information regarding the actuation of the valves. The actual valve positions are compared to expected valve positions to determine a deviation between the two. The deviation can be compared to a threshold to determine a status of that nozzle. A normal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being less than the threshold. An abnormal nozzle status can be generated based on the deviation being equal to or exceeding the threshold.

Nozzle fault detection

A continuously variable nozzle system includes a nozzle body () with an inlet and an outlet. A conduit is defined between the inlet and the outlet by a series connection of components which includes a flow meter (). The flow meter () has a chamber () with internal helical splines () that are configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber () and create a cyclone-like effect. A sphere () is located inside the chamber () for free movement along a circular path (). A sensor is located outside of the chamber () and configured to detect motion of the sphere () and generate an output () signal in response to detected motion.

Continuously-variable nozzle system with integrated flow meter

A spray pattern monitoring system includes a spray sensor disposed proximate an outlet of a spray nozzle. The spray sensor has one or more optical sensors configured to emit directional light, such as laser pulses, towards the expected position of a liquid spray emitted from the nozzle. The spray sensor can detect the absence or presence of the liquid spray based on returns of the directional light to the optical sensor.

Growing community of inventors

Fargo, ND, United States of America

Daniel R Wood, Jr