Abstract: A system and method for operating various farming devices at a location remote from the device. A hand-held radio transmitter is programmed to transmit Dual Tone Multiple Frequency tones in specific patterns so as to communicate directions to a controller located at the power plant of the farming device. The controller is formed by a companion microprocessor which is used to receive and decode and also encode and transmit Dual Tone Multiple Frequency tones, and a primary microprocessor which is used to monitor decoded Dual Tone Multiple Frequency tones and then control the power plant and transmission of the farming device. Directions transmitted from the hand-held radio transceiver to the controller can, in various embodiments of the present invention, direct such functions as, for example, moving of an irrigation wheel-line, turning off and on the engine of the wheel-line, starting and stopping pumps of a pump system, monitoring the moisture levels in soils.

Abstract: A spray painting nozzle designed as a spindle supporting a gas bearing and incorporating a stationary part and a part rotatably supported in relation thereto, which latter carries a rotatable spray painting cup and being adapted to be driven by a drive unit, whereby the spray painting cup is equipped with a supporting system comprising mutually plane-parallel bearing surfaces formed in the stationary and in the rotatable parts, and with a supply of a gaseous medium for causing a slot generated as an axial gas bearing therebetween, the rotatable part being radially guided by a magnetic force for centering the rotatable part in relation to the stationary part, the supporting system further being equipped with symmetrically provided holder magnets for limitation of the size of the slot, and where for supply of spray medium to the spray painting cup, there is provided a supply path extending through the plane of the gas bearing.

Abstract: A dropleg row crop sprayer senses boom height and tilt from ground-contacting droplegs signalling through potentiometers to a boom control mechanism. The droplegs follow crop row wandering through a driven carriage. Dropleg attitude is assisted by a cam control system. The boom also has a passive suspension system including damped frictional abutment of boom portions. A signal actuator controls boom attitude. The spray direction is fore/aft of the row.

Abstract: A fuel injector that has an integral hydraulically driven mechanically actuated dual action intensifier and a solenoid control valve/spring assembly that accurately controls the movement of the injector intensifier piston, and the amount and timing of fuel ejected by the injector.

Abstract: A sprinkler system for distributing water from a source substantially evenly over an area of terrain comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet connected to an outlet extending at an angle to the inlet, and at least one nozzle detachably mounted in the outlet and having an indicator tab visible from above for indicating at least one of the arc, spacing and precipitation rate.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus is disclosed, in which a manipulator consisting of a plurality of articulations (linear movement articulations and rotational movement articulations) is mounted on a carriage and a spraying nozzle member is mounted on the last stage rotational movement articulation, which are so constructed that material to be sprayed is supplied to this spraying nozzle member through a hose, and a piping path is formed in the interior of at least rotational movement articulations, for which it is feared that the hose becomes tangled therewith or twisted. A sensor is mounted on either the nozzle or the manipulator to detect the distance between the nozzle and the surface being sprayed. A controller responds to the signals produced by the sensor to maintain the nozzle at a substantially constant distance from the surface during spraying.

Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes a drive mechanism, fixed, rotating and jetting cylinder sections connected in order, first rotation transmission mechanism connected to the drive mechanism and having a first operating element, second rotation transmission mechanism connected to the drive mechanism and having a second operating element, the rotational speed of the second rotation transmission mechanism being slightly different from that of the first rotation transmission mechanism, a first operating rod connected at its one end to the first rotation transmission mechanism through a position change mechanism and at its other end to the jetting cylinder section, a second operating rod connected at its one end to the second rotation transmission mechanism and at its other end to the rotating cylinder section, and a detector for detecting the positions of the first operating element and the second operating element and reversing the direction of rotation of the drive mechanism when both operating elements are p

Abstract: A spray boom system for mounting on a vehicle with opposite sides includes a pair of boom assemblies with proximate and distal ends. The boom assemblies are mounted on the vehicle and are swingable between laterally-extending field positions and folded travel positions generally alongside the vehicle. Hinged connector assemblies are attached to the boom assembly proximate ends for permitting the swinging movement of the boom arms and also permit the boom arms to be independently raised and lowered by a pair of hydraulic cylinders which are also connected to the boom assembly proximate ends. The operation of the cylinders for raising and lowering the boom assemblies is controlled by a height control system which utilizes ultrasonic signals for determining heights of the boom assemblies above a field or crop surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to accumulator injectors for a gas and/or liquid fueled diesel engine fuel injection system. Such structures of this type, generally, allows for variable injection timing and duration while providing a multiple fuel capability by changing the fuel distribution/atomization nozzle.

Abstract: A spray gun pressurized air control system includes an air adjusting knob, a trigger, a trigger seat within a housing, and a control ring. The air adjusting knob comprises a knob at one end having indicia marked thereon, and a hollow shank at the other end to receive a spring therein. An inner end of the spring engages with one end of an enlarged portion of a pin. The other end of the enlarged portion engages with the bottom portion of an L-shaped plate extending downward from one end of the trigger. By adjusting the knob to a predetermined position, pressurized air may be released from a valve controlled by the trigger.

Abstract: A deodorizer which comprises a deodorant member, an electric motor, a fan fixed to the electric motor, a receptacle having these members accommodated therein, and a solar cell provided in the receptacle and adapted to supply a driving electric power to the electric motor, whereby, owing to the blowing action of the fan, air is caused to enter the interior the receptacle from an air suction port and pass therethrough and is blown out from an air blowout port to outside the receptacle, and the air is caused to flow around a portion of the receptacle where the solar cell is installed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus (10) for cataloging or dividing a given field, under irrigation by an irrigation system (100), into a plurality of zones which can be monitored for irrigation water and chemical requirements and then, delivering by way of the irrigation system, the appropriate amount of irrigation water and/or chemicals to each zone as so defined. Each of the sprinkler assemblies (105) is independently controlled by a solenoid operated valve (16), responsive to a control module (15). The control modules (15), in turn, are electronically interconnected with a data acquisition and control unit (12) which is capable of sending to the control modules (15) coded signals for either activating the sprinkler head (105) or deactivating each individual sprinkler head (105).

Abstract: A variable rate "on the go" fertilizer application controller for use with an agricultural earth working implement comprising a controlled metering device mounted on the implement. The control includes a reversible motor that operates a valve in the meter and at the same time a power take-off from the valve actuator drive operates a calibrated dial indicator to be interpreted by an operator so that action may be taken by a remote control device to make adjustments to compensate for variable soil conditions to get optimum crop production.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a string or dab of liquid or plastic substance, such as putty, glue, paint or lubricant, to an object includes a pump for feeding the substance through a conduit to a nozzle having a fine discharge opening. A booster is connected to the conduit between the pump and the nozzle and a pressure medium is supplied to the booster. A substance control valve controls flow of the substance through the nozzle, the substance control valve being connected to the pressure medium and including a valve body which is biased in a closing direction by the substance and which is biased in an opening direction by the pressure medium via an actuator. The actuator includes a pressure member, one side of which is actuated by the pressure medium and the opposite side of which is actuated by the substance, the area of said pressure member being considerably larger than the area of said valve body. The device further includes a pressure medium control valve for controlling the substance control valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the sequential coating of motor-vehicle bodies using a preprogrammed painter-robot is provided. As a result of wear, the signal/response delay times of valves and other control elements deviate from the information stored in the program. According to the subject invention, the actual signal/response delay time is measured and compared with the stored information stored in the program. In the event of unacceptable deviations in the actual verses stored signal/response delay times, the actuating times controlled by the program are changed in response thereto, and signals warning of excessive actual delay time are given.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the construction of improved tank structures employing a pump metering and delivery system which accurately meters, mixes and evenly applies composite materials to form the walls of tanks or containment vessels. Such systems have specific application to the construction of walls of prestressed tanks formed by inflating a membrane and applying rigidifying material outwardly of said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material around the same. Promoters, catalyst, and other chemicals are used to create composite walls, each feeding into individual pump systems comprised of at least two hydraulic cylinders connected to supply cylinders which are coordinated so that their strokes are controlled to arrive at a desired flow. The flow is then channeled through a mixer which mixes the material for spraying through a nozzle. The flow from the nozzle can also be intermixed with chopped glass from a chopper system or with granular materials.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the construction of improved tank structures employing a pump metering and delivery system which accurately meters, mixes and evenly sprays composite materials to form the walls of tanks or containment vessels. Such systems have specific application to the construction of walls of prestressed tanks formed by inflating a membrane and applying rigidifying material outwardly of said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material around the same. Promoters, catalyst, and other chemicals are used to create composite walls, each feeding into individual pump systems comprised of at least two hydraulic cylinders connected to supply cylinders which are coordinated so that their strokes are controlled to arrive at a desired flow. The flow is then channeled through a mixer which mixes the material for spraying through a nozzle. The flow from the nozzle can also be intermixed with chopped glass from a chopper system or with granular materials.

Abstract: An improved metering dispenser system for delivering a fixed or variable measured quantity of a high viscosity material such as adhesives or sealants for application to a substrate is disclosed. It uses an Archimedian screw pump having a stator formed with a spiral cavity therethrough, and a spiral rotor which is driven by a variable speed drive motor. The stator has a nozzle attached to its outlet end, the inlet end thereof being in fluid communication with a reservoir for the material. The dispenser system is adapted for use in combination with a robotic system so that the nozzle is manipulated thereby. The rotational speed of the drive motor is controlled in response to a signal representative of a nozzle velocity so that the nozzle can apply a ribbon of the material with a fixed width to the substrate despite nozzle velocity variations. When the nozzle is about to come to a stop, the drive motor is rotated in a reverse direction so as to cause the nozzle to stop discharging the material instantly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining axial displacement of a rod forming part of a device comprising a member in which are formed at least two chambers containing high-pressure fluid and each defined by a respective surface portion of the rod. The system consists in forming a sliding coupling between the rod portion separating the two chambers and the seat in which the rod slides; in forming, on the aforementioned rod portion, a pair of annular grooves defining an annular surface portion; in forming at least a housing on the aforementioned member; and in fitting inside the housing a proximity transducer for determining displacement of the annular surface portion parallel to the rod.

Abstract: A misting head assembly including a cylindrical rotor having a chordal flat, a center post having a flow passage, a swivel arm having a tubular portion with a radial through opening mounted for swiveling about the rotor and a connecting portion. The swivel arm connecting portion is adapted for removable mounting of a spray nozzle thereto. The rotor flat defines with the center post housing portion and swivel arm tubular portion a longitudinal flow passage for conducting water from the center post to the swivel arm opening to be sprayed outwardly therefrom through the nozzle when the swivel arm is aligned with the chordal flat of the rotor. In one embodiment, seals are provided for sealingly preventing flow of water from the longitudinal flow passage when the swivel arm is swung from alignment with the chordal flat. An indicium is provided on one end of the rotor for indicating the open position of the nozzle.

Abstract: In an irrigation rig made up of sections arranged end-to-end in a line, adjacent sections form angles therebetween, and in so doing form angles therebetween in the transverse movement of the rig. Safety switches are provided between adjacent sections, and when the angle becomes too large, the safety switches are actuated. The present device includes, in one form of the device, a signal transmitter controlled by a battery charged by the circuit driving the rig, and in a second form, a transformer energized by that circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the construction of improved tank structures employing a pump metering and delivery system which accurately meters, mixes and evenly sprays composite materials to form the walls of tanks or containment vessels. Such systems have specific application to the construction of walls of prestressed tanks formed by inflating a membrane and applying rigidifying material outwardly of the membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material around the same. Promoters, catalyst, and other chemicals are used to create composite walls, each feeding into individual pump systems comprised of at least two hydraulic cylinders connected to supply cylinders which are coordinated so that their strokes are controlled to arrive at a desired flow. The flow is then channeled through a mixer which mixes the material for spraying through a nozzle. The flow from the nozzle can also be intermixed with chopped glass from a chopper system or with granular materials.

Abstract: A device for determining the direction of a fluid spray pattern issuing from a fluid nozzle prior to flowing through the nozzle includes a body in the form of a template or a jig releasably attachable in a predetermined orientation to the nozzle tip. The body includes a pair of angularly related adjustable arms having axes which intersect the nozzle aperture and which extend such that the central axis of the nozzle bisects the angle between the arms. By applying the device to the nozzle tip in predetermined orientation, the arms define the lateral extremities of the spray pattern.

Abstract: Fuel-injection jet for internal combustion engines, with a needle movement sensor which is provided with an induction coil (30) with a coil core (36), an anchor bolt (38) being connected with the valve needle (18), a magnetic inference element (25) encompassing the induction coil (30) on the outside and two two feeding wires (40,42) which are fed out of the jet support (10) through a cable conduit (90). In accordance with the invention the cable conduit (90) consists of a central conduit segment (90) coaxially mounted with respect to the induction coil (90) and two subsequent bores (94,96) in a truncated angle (a) which discharge in the jacket circumference of jet support (10). The feeding wires (40,42) are fed in the area of the central conduit segment (92) through a cable feeding element (44). With this arrangement the needle movement sensor can be easily inserted as a premade structural unit into jet support (10).

Abstract: A spray gun with an automatic valve opening control means which enables remote and stepless control of a paint spraying operation has atomizing means provided at the front end thereof, a paint valve member which enables adjustment of the amount of paint jetted out from the atomizing means, and a spray pattern adjusting valve member adapted to adjust the spray pattern by controlling the amount of compressed air jetted out from the atomizing means. A threaded slider mechanism is provided on the proximal portion of a valve body of either the paint valve member or the spray pattern adjusting valve member (or both). A servo motor and an encoder are connected to a drive screw member of the threaded slider mechanism. The encoder is adapted to detect the rotational position of the servo motor and output a controlled variable of the motor, and the servo motor is controlled in response to an external signal.

Abstract: A motorized shower head mechanism is disclosed in which a housing is provided with a track and a trolley, and a motor mounted on the trolley. The trolley is moved along the track by the motor and a shower head which extends through the housing is carried along by the trolley.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for injecting fuel into a diesel engine includes a nozzle holder having a hole defined therein in a direction transverse to the axis of the nozzle holder and opening into a spring chamber defined in the nozzle holder. An insulating member is fitted in the hole in a fluid-tight manner. In the spring chamber, there are disposed a spring seat remotely from a needle valve and supporting a spring for applying a spring force to close the needle valve, and a conductive body extending through the insulating member in a fluid-tight manner and having an end positioned between the spring seat and an inner wall surface of the nozzle holder. A pressure-sensitive element is fixed to the end of the conductive body and is actuated in response to the spring force applied thereto through the spring seat for producing an output signal which is fed out through the conductive body to thereby detect the timing of opening of the fuel injection nozzle.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun having an electrode for applying an electrostatic charge to coating material. A lever is provided for controlling both the flow of material from the spray gun as well as the position of a first magnet. The first magnet, in turn, controls a first magnetically actuatable electric switch for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage to the electrode. A second magnetically actuatable electric switch, controlled by the position of a second magnet, is electrically connected in series with the first switch, so that the high voltage can be disconnected from the electrode regardless of the position of the actuating lever. The spray gun can therefore be operated with or without the application of an electrostatic charge to the coating material.

Abstract: A dosing mechanism in the form of a manually operable, single-acting piston pump, which dispenses a given quantity of a substance, e.g. in atomized form, during each actuating stroke has a counter. For this purpose, a counting ring mounted in rotary manner on a base part is provided, which is advanced by one step per actuating stroke by an indexing device with cooperating and correspondingly bevelled ribs, so that in each case a different character in the counting ring appears at a window in the actuating pusher casing. Two projections cooperating with one another in a given position of the counting ring form a locking device against further actuation of the atomizing pump, when a given number of strokes have been performed.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for internal combustion engines having an inwardly opening valve needle (I nozzle) is proposed, in which an induction coil is disposed in the closing spring chamber, the induction coil together with an armature influenced by the valve needle forming a signal transducer for a measuring appliance for detecting the onset of injection and further data, as needed, of the injection process. The air gap of the magnetic circuit of the induction coil is formed between the armature and a coil, toward which the armature moves during the opening stroke of the valve needle. As a result, it is possible to attain a small initial air gap and a large change, in terms of percentage, in the air gap. The apparatus according to the invention is particularly suitable for measuring circuits in which a direct voltage is applied to the induction coil and the voltages induced as a result of the air gap changes in the induction coil are superimposed on the applied direct voltage.

Abstract: A fuel injector has a lift sensor in the form of a cylindrical piezoelectric ceramic member having metal film electrodes on each side thereof and which is sandwiched between an insulated terminal element having a flat surface abutting one side of the piezoelectric element and a flat ground plate formed with projections which projections engage the wall of a bore in which the piezoelectric element is disposed so as to both hold the element in place and establish an electrical connection between the housing in which the bore is formed and the second side of the piezoelectric element. A spacing shim having a flat surface abutting the ground plate engages one end of a spring which biases the valve element of the fuel injector toward a closed position.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for internal combustion engines, provided with a valve needle and an induction coil, which sits in a spacer plate mounted between the nozzle body and the nozzle holder. The valve needle projects into the induction coil and acts upon the magnetic domain of the induction coil by the action of its movement, whereby a signal dependent on the velocity of the needle is produced. The induction coil is provided with laterally disposed contact prongs which are connected with extended connecting wires by means of a weld or solder joint. The connecting wires lead through boreholes in the nozzle holder. The injection nozzle is distinguished by an especially small electrical line resistance, and by the fact that, with appropriate dimensioning and construction of the ends of the connecting wires, which carry the extended connection contacts, there will be no special contact measures necessary for disassembly.

Abstract: A fluid injector, for example for injecting liquid fuel into a combustion chamber, comprises a valve housing and an injector assembly removably mounted on the valve housing. The injector assembly includes discharging means for discharging fluid from the injector assembly, ducting for conveying the fluid between the valve housing and the discharging means and a control valve movable to a first position in response to flow of the fluid in a first direction through the ducting to close the discharging means and return the fluid from the discharging means to the valve housing and movable to a second position in response to flow of the fluid in a second direction through the ducting to open the discharging means to allow at least some of the fluid conveyed to the discharging means to be discharged therefrom and to return any surplus fluid to the valve housing. Provided in the valve housing are inlet and outlet passages for conveying the fluid into and from the valve housing, and a change-over valve.

Abstract: Line painting equipment mounted on a small tractor with an air compressor mounted on the front of the tractor and a paint containing tank mounted on its rear portion. A further elongated pressurized paint container is mounted on one side of the tractor and inclined downwardly towards the front of same. A boom is clamped to the tractor forward of the pressurized paint container which is also normally inclined downwardly towards the front of the tractor. The boom is so secured to the tractor that it can be selectively rotated on its longitudinal axis, moved outwardly on a substantially vertical axis and moved vertically about a substantially horizontal axis. A paint spray gun is removably mounted on the front of the boom as is an adjustable boom support wheel which governs the height of the paint spray gun over the underlying surface. An adjustable guide to indicate to the operator where the paint is sprayed is mounted from the steering linkage of the tractor.

Abstract: A two-piece adjustable dial assembly between a link and a water discharge tube of a sprinkler for causing the rotational movement of the water driven shaft of the sprinkler to be transmitted through the link to the water discharge tube in any selected one of a plurality of different oscillatory cycles of movement. The two-piece adjustable dial assembly includes an arm member molded of plastic material having a mounting portion fixedly secured to the water discharge tube and a cylindrical portion having an axis disposed parallel to the oscillatory axis of said water discharge tube, and a dial member molded of plastic material extending through the cylindrical portion of the arm member and rotatable with respect thereto about the axis thereof. The dial member has a knob portion manually engageable to effect rotation of the dial member, a pivotal connection with the other end of the link and an elongated resilient cantilevered latching portion formed integrally with the dial member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shower head dispenser for bath oil and the like which includes a body member with an axial bore adapted for insertion between a shower line and a shower head. The body member has two longitudinally spaced apertures or transverse bores in its side wall which communicate between the axial bore and a detachable oil container. It has a dam extending transversely across the bore. One of the apertures intercepts the axial bore at the crest of the dam, and the other aperture intercepts the axial bore upstream of the dam. The oil container has an integral valve stem thereon which seats in the end of the downstream transverse bore, and metering is achieved by rotation of the container. When water passes through the axial bore of the body member, the greater pressure at the upstream bore or aperture forces oil out of the container through the downstream bore or aperture into the axial bore at the dam, where it mixes with water enroute to the shower head.

Abstract: The disclosed gun is of the type having a housing with a nozzle and a deflecting plate spaced from the muzzle and mounted on a rod axially guided in the muzzle, the annular channel formed between the muzzle and the rod serving as a powder channel. Electrodes extend into the powder channel and are connected to a high voltage source. A stepping motor is connected to the rod to change its axial position, and control means are connected to the motor. Digital circuits inside the housing and manually operable switches permit automatic control or manual control from the gun of the deflecting plate spacing, the voltage, and the powder feed. Indicating means on the gun display the values of the controlled parameters.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle for directing and amplifying the flow of compressed air or other pressurized fluid. The nozzle includes a rear body section and a front nozzle section, the two sections being threadedly connected to define a forwardly-facing flow-directing passage and a radially-extending metering passage communicating with the flow-directing passage. The size of the metering passage may be selectively adjusted without altering the cross-sectional dimensions of the flow-directing passage by rotating the nozzle section into any selected position of threaded adjustment upon the body section, such position (and the relative dimension of the metering section) being indicated by micrometer markings upon the exposed surfaces of the respective sections.

Abstract: A fluid control valve, principally for controlling the flow of fuel to a compression ignition engine, comprises a valve body and a valve member slidable within the body, the valve member co-operating with a seating on the valve body to control the flow of fluid through the valve. A spring urges the valve member into engagement with the seating and in use, the pressure of the fluid entering the valve is arranged to act on the valve member in opposition to the spring so as to lift the valve member off the seating. The valve member and the seating are formed from electrically conductive material and are electrically insulated from each other except when the valve member is engaged with the seating. An electrical terminal extends to the exterior of the valve body and enables the electrical resistance between the valve member and the seating to be measured. The measured electrical resistance provides an indication of movement of the valve member towards and away from the seating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing moisture by exposing water in a container to the atmosphere, sensing changes in the volume of the exposed water due to ambient weather conditions, controlling an electrical signal related to the sensed change and controlling the operation of an irrigation system, such as a plurality of solenoid-actuated pilot valves associated with sprinklers of the irrigation system, in response to the signal.

Abstract: A recirculating type atomizer which has a body, a discharge orifice in one end of the body and a lance, movable in the body having a tip for closing the discharge orifice, is provided with electrical circuit means for indicating when the orifice is closed. The circuit means is formed in part by the body and the lance, the rear end of the lance being electrically insulating from the body so that the circuit means is only completed when the tip of the lance closes the orifice.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkling system which is configured to minimize the accumulation and detrimental effects of debris, and which comprises a pop-up nozzle head secured to an inner housing slidably received within an outer housing and retained by the compressive force of a spring, such inner housing enclosing an impeller driven transmission subjected to only low pressure drops and having a speed-reducing gear train isolated from water flow, a simplified and easily adjustable direction controlling mechanism substantially inaccessible to intermeddlers, and a manually adjustable by-pass throttle to control the flow velocity of water driving a water-wheel impeller.