Abstract: Systems and methods for suppressing vaporization of a volatile fluid dispensed from a pressure vessel are provided. The system includes an evaporator coupled in thermal communication with a first flow of volatile fluid from the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with a second flow of volatile fluid from the pressure vessel. The evaporator includes at least one channel therein for channeling the second flow of volatile fluid therethrough. In addition, the system includes a compressor coupled in fluid communication with and downstream from the at least one channel. Moreover, the system includes a return line coupled in fluid communication with an outlet of the compressor. The compressor is configured to compress the second flow of volatile fluid and channel the compressed second flow of volatile fluid to the pressure vessel via the return line.

Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes an outer housing defining a cavity. The outer housing includes an inlet for fluid to enter the cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the cavity. Fluid flows through the cavity from the inlet to the outlet. The flow monitoring apparatus also includes an inner housing defining an interior cavity and positioned within the outer housing cavity such that fluid flows through the interior cavity. The inner housing is removably connected to the outer housing such that the inner housing is interchangeable with another inner housing having a different cross-sectional profile. The flow monitoring apparatus further includes a traveler movably disposed within the interior cavity.

Abstract: A drive circuit for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet that translates therein is provided. The drive circuit includes a first node, a second node, a control circuit, and a flyback circuit. The first node is configured to be energized by a power source to a first voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes, and is configured to: (1) selectively couple the first and second nodes in series with the solenoid coil, and periodically energize the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil. The flyback circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and configured to energize the second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil.

Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes a housing, a sensor assembly, and a traveler. The housing defines an interior cavity, and includes an inlet for fluid to enter the interior cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the interior cavity. The sensor assembly is disposed in the interior cavity, and extends longitudinally in the direction of fluid flow. The traveler is movably supported by the sensor assembly such that fluid flow through the interior cavity causes the traveler to move longitudinally along the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly detects a longitudinal position of the traveler relative to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle, a valve configured to control fluid flow through the nozzle, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, a user interface configured to receive application rate information and target population information from an operator, and a control system communicatively coupled to the user interface, the sensor, and the valve. The control system is configured to determine a specific volume of fluid per target to be dispensed by the valve based on the application rate information and the target population information input to the user interface, and to transmit a control signal to the valve at least in part in response to receiving the detection signal. The control signal actuates the valve such that the determined specific volume of fluid per target is sprayed by the nozzle on or adjacent to the target.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fluid includes a container including a sidewall defining an interior space for holding the fluid and configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor. The system also includes at least one fluid inlet disposed in the sidewall, at least one liquid outlet disposed in the sidewall, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor is positioned adjacent to or upstream of the at least one fluid inlet and configured to detect a first temperature of the fluid. The second sensor is positioned adjacent to or downstream of the at least one liquid outlet and configured to detect a second temperature of the fluid. The controller is configured to determine a fluid temperature differential based on the first and second temperatures and determine an operational status of the system based on the fluid temperature differential.

Abstract: A system includes at least one nozzle assembly configured to spray fluid towards seeds planted within a furrow. The at least one nozzle assembly includes a valve. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve. The controller is configured to control operation of the valve such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed within the furrow. The system further includes a detector communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to detect a location of each spray relative to a location of a respective one of the seeds within the furrow.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for applying painted surface markings to roads, parking lots, fields and/or any other suitable surfaces is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of valves and associated spray nozzles mounted onto and/or within a manifold, with each valve being individually controllable in order to regulate the flow of paint being dispensed from the spray nozzles. For instance, a controller may be coupled to each valve in order to control the opening and closing of such valve, thereby controlling the flow of paint supplied to the corresponding spray nozzle. In addition, information regarding the surface marking to be applied (the design, dimensions, orientation, geographical location, etc.) may be stored within and/or received by the controller. The controller may then control each valve such that paint is applied to the surface to be marked via the spray nozzles in a manner that creates the desired surface marking.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a volatile fluid includes a container defining an interior space for holding the fluid. The container is configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes a fluid inlet, a liquid outlet, a vapor valve, a sensor, and a controller. The liquid outlet is disposed above the fluid inlet and below a liquid reference plane defined through the container. The vapor valve is configured to exhaust vapor disposed above the liquid from the container. The sensor is configured to detect a level of the liquid in the container. The controller is configured to determine the level of the liquid and actuate the vapor valve to maintain the level of the liquid at or above the liquid reference plane.

Abstract: A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway, a plurality of electrically actuated valves for controlling fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles, where each valve of the plurality of electrically actuated valves is connected in fluid communication between the internal passageway and a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles, and a pressure dampener connected to the manifold and configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the internal passageway.

Abstract: A spraying system for spraying a fluid includes a nozzle assembly configured to spray the fluid in response to receiving a control signal, a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of a target, and a user interface configured to receive input from an operator. The spraying system further includes a control system communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the detection signal from the sensor, the control system configured to transmit the control signal to the nozzle assembly at least in part in response to reception of the detection signal, the control system further configured to determine a fluid band length and an offset distance of the fluid band length from the target based at least in part on information input by the operator to the user interface. The user interface displays a graphic representation of the fluid band length and the offset distance relative to the target.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing apparatus includes a container defining an interior space for holding a fluid. The container is configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The container includes a sidewall and a top wall connected to the sidewall. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are disposed in the sidewall. A plurality of vapor valves are releasably connected to the top wall. The top wall includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of passageways connecting the plurality of recesses to at least one outlet in the top wall. Each of the plurality of vapor valves is disposed within one of the plurality of recesses, and the plurality of vapor valves is configured to regulate the flow of fluid through the plurality of passageways and exhaust vapor disposed above the liquid.

Abstract: Spray systems and control systems for use with spray systems are provided. A method of detecting fluid flow through a nozzle coupled in fluid communication with a solenoid valve including a solenoid coil and a poppet is provided. The method generally includes (1) dispensing fluid through the solenoid valve and the nozzle, (2) de-energizing the solenoid coil to close the solenoid valve and control a fluid flow through the nozzle, (3) determining a closing time of the solenoid valve based on a signal from a poppet measuring device, and (4) determining a fluid flow value based on a time delay between the de-energizing the solenoid coil and the closing time.

Abstract: A system includes a planter row unit, at least one nozzle assembly, and a controller. The planter row unit includes a first seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a first furrow at a seed frequency and a second seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a second furrow at the seed frequency. The nozzle assembly is configured to spray the seeds dispensed into the first and second furrows, and includes a valve. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve, and is configured to determine the seed frequency of the first and second seed meters based on a speed-related parameter of the planter. The controller is further configured to control operation of the valve based on the seed frequency such that fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable pressure control system for use with flow-controlled liquid application systems. Direct acting solenoid valves are pulsed at varying frequencies and duty cycles0000change the resistance to flow encountered by the flow-controlled liquid application system. This pulsing solenoid valve technique preserves a high degree of accuracy and uniformity through a wide range of pressure control. This wide range of pressure control indirectly allows the flow-controlled liquid application system to operate over a wider range of flow control, yielding indirect benefits to performance and productivity. When the solenoid valves are attached to pressure-atomization spray nozzles, control over spray pattern and droplet size is further achieved.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable pressure control system for use with flow-controlled liquid application systems. Direct acting solenoid valves are pulsed at varying frequencies and duty cycles0000change the resistance to flow encountered by the flow-controlled liquid application system. This pulsing solenoid valve technique preserves a high degree of accuracy and uniformity through a wide range of pressure control. This wide range of pressure control indirectly allows the flow-controlled liquid application system to operate over a wider range of flow control, yielding indirect benefits to performance and productivity. When the solenoid valves are attached to pressure-atomization spray nozzles, control over spray pattern and droplet size is further achieved.