Abstract: An irrigation management system includes a water pump, at least one mobile irrigation system, and a pump controller. The mobile irrigation system includes a water pressure sensor for generating water pressure data indicating water pressure in the irrigation system. The pump controller is configured to receive the water pressure data generated by the water pressure sensor, to compare a target water pressure with the sensed water pressure data to determine a difference between the target water pressure and the sensed water pressure, and to adjust operation of the water pump to increase or decrease water pressure to the irrigation system in a manner that resolves the difference between the target water pressure and the sensed water pressure.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system having a rotating reservoir insert and a cartridge body. The rotating reservoir insert having a plurality of reservoirs in communication with ports on the external surface of the insert. The ports are positioned such that upon rotation the port is in-line with a fluid extracting device, such as a syringe, capable of extracting fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicle having a tire fire suppression system includes a vehicle body for transportation of occupants or cargo. A plurality of combustible tires is connected to the body. The tires are susceptible to auto-ignition in response to exposure to an elevated temperature condition. The fire suppression system is connected to the body and includes a container of a fire suppressant. At least one temperature sensor is positioned in close proximity to at least one of the tires. The temperature sensor is adapted to be activated in response to the elevated temperature condition and before the auto-ignition. At least one nozzle is positioned to direct the suppressant toward the tire. An actuator connects the container to the nozzle for the suppressant to be dispersed from the nozzle in response to activation of the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle including a ground speed sensor arranged to detect the speed of travel of the vehicle on the ground and including a wave transmitter arranged to transmit waves toward the ground, a wave receiver arranged to received waves reflected from the ground and a processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver to determine the speed of travel based on the transmitted waves and received waves. The waves are transmitted in pulses or modulated such that the processor is able to determine the distance between a wave-transmission and reception point and the ground (by time of flight for ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves or phase difference-for electromagnetic waves) and the velocity of the vehicle (using Doppler analysis).

Abstract: A device which is neural networked with other such devices to control the irrigation of various irrigation zones. Each neural networked irrigation controller commences irrigation for its zone, provided sufficient water is available, either when a preselected period of time arrives or sensed zonal conditions so dictate. The determination of adequacy of water in the source forms the basis for neural networking. Each controller senses water level or pressure in the source and has its own initial water threshold value—a level or pressure at which irrigation will be permitted to commence. Optionally, each controller may have its own terminal water threshold value—a level or pressure which must be maintained in order for irrigation of the zone to continue. Thus, the controllers communicate hydraulically with one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of distributing a liquid composition over the ground from travelling equipment, the composition comprising an active ingredient, in which method the concentration of the active ingredient in the liquid composition is varied in dependence on the speed of the travelling equipment over the ground, the liquid composition also comprising a viscosity modifying agent, the method comprising varying the relative proportion of the viscosity modifying agent in the liquid composition in dependence on the speed of the travelling equipment, thereby to control the viscosity of the liquid composition. Also disclosed is equipment for use in the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A road marking machine comprising a spray gun and a combination of two displacement pumps for supplying the marking substance to the spray gun, wherein the combination is driven in proportion with the traveling speed and wherein the pumps, each after starting the positive displacement operation thereof, which starts during the supply operation of the corresponding other displacement pump, pre-compress the marking substance, then stops and continues the pressure stroke when the other displacement pump ends its supply, with hydraulic cylinders for driving the displacement pumps.

Abstract: A mobile system for delivering a fluid to a fluid application area includes a vehicle, an arm carried by the vehicle and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a fluid delivery system carried by the vehicle and including at least one fluid delivery device coupled too the arm, a mechanism for maneuvering the arm between the retracted position and the extended position, a sensor mounted on the vehicle for sensing the approach of an obstacle in the path of the arm, and a control circuit responsive to the sensor for causing the arm maneuvering mechanism to retract the arm towards the retracted position when the sensor detects an approaching potentially interfering obstacle and for extending the arm towards the extended position when the relative positions of the arm and the obstacle are no longer potentially interfering. A safety breakaway mechanism is incorporated into the system for enabling the arm to deflect when struck by an undetected obstacle.

Abstract: A robot arm mounted apparatus for high speed streaming of high viscosity, two-part adhesive onto a workpiece. The apparatus employs a shortened, temperatured-conditioned mixing tube and a compact, end effector package of dispense metering equipment associated directly with the mixing tube on the end of the robot arm, rather than mounted remotely as in prior art systems. In a preferred form a pressurized cylinder, displacement rods and chambers, dispense metering valves and shortened, temperature-conditioned mixing tube are connected to one another directly in serial fashion on the end of the robot arm. The mixing tube is preferably modified with a removable, damage-resistant nozzle designed especially for streaming.

Abstract: An injection type chemical sprayer (30) including interior and exterior cleaning systems. The interior cleaning system can include a rinsing nozzle (58) located within the concentrated chemical tank (52). Rinsing nozzle (58) can be selectively connected to the pressure side of a spray pump (34). The chemical rinsate can be dispensed by means of a rinsate pump (64) in combination with a rinsate nozzle (66). Following the rinsing operation, the concentrated chemical tank (52) can be reconnected to an injection pump (56), and then the concentrated chemical tank (52) can be filled with clean water which is then pumped through the injection system to completely flush it of the chemical being injected. System (30) also preferably includes an exterior cleaning system which can include a spray gun (60) selectively connected to the pressure side of the spray pump (34).

Abstract: A method of preparing a mixture of a carrier liquid and an active liquid in required proportion including: providing a flow of carrier liquid, controlling a liquid flow to an appropriate portion of the carrier liquid flow from pressure drop measurements of the proportional liquid flow, displacing active liquid with the proportional liquid flow without liquid contact, and including the displaced active liquid in the carrier liquid flow, thereby producing a liquid mixture in the required proportion without a flow meter. The mixed liquid may be used in at least one of a sprayer and a nutrient film equipment. The displacement medium may be provided from the carrier liquid supply.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one pesticide container (16), and a dosage pump (18) for the container or the containers, respectively, or for each container this pump or each of the existing pumps comprising a step motor controlled precision pump of the radial type which is connected via a pressure and check valve (21) to a mixing chamber (22) to be connected to one or more nozzle ramps (14) and having an inlet for water, to which the pesticide is to be added. The dose control apparatus also comprises a control unit (35) for adjusting the pump flow or the pump flows, respectively, in dependence on definite parameters, the driving speed being one.

Abstract: An injection mixing apparatus is provided for use with a spraying system carried on a mobile vehicle of the type including a spray bar, a carrier reservoir for holding a supply of a liquid carrier medium, a main pump interposed between the carrier reservoir and the spray bar, a flow control valve interposed between the main pump and the spray bar, a ground speed sensor for developing a ground speed signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure across the spray bar and developing a corresponding pressure signal and a supply of chemical agent to be mixed with the carrier at a desired concentration for delivery at the spray bar. The injection mixing apparatus comprises at least one injection control loop with an injection pump coupled intermediate the supply and the main pump for injecting the chemical agent into the carrier ahead of the main pump, and an injection controller for controlling the injection pump.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system (10) is provided for delivering at least one chemical (26) onto a field in a desired concentration. A carrier fluid (67) is provided for diluting the farm chemical (26). The mixture is pumped through a spray boom (18) onto the field by a main fluid pump (74). The chemical (26) is delivered to the inlet port (76) of the main fluid pump (74) by a chemical pump (54). The chemical pump (54) is operated by a variable speed stepping motor (56). The speed of the stepping motor (56) is controlled by a speed sensing wheel (88) to provide a uniform concentration of chemical on the field independent of vehicle speed. The motor speed is also controlled by a thumbwheel switch (116) to deliver a desired concentration on the field compensating for drive vehicle wheel slippage. The motor speed is also adjusted to calibrate the delivery concentration to the nozzle pattern through calibration switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing and dispensing extinguishing fluids mixed with adjuvants. The adjuvants are drawn in by suction in a metered manner and fed to a suction or intake pipe of an extinguishing fluid pump. A partial volume of the extinguishing fluid proportional to the quantity of extinguishing fluid conveyed in the delivery pipe is withdrawn from the delivery pipe. A negative pressure is generated thereby, by means of which the adjuvant is drawn in by suction and mixed with the extinguishing fluid. The extinguishing fluid mixed with additive is then fed to the suction or intake pipe of the extinguishing fluid pump.