Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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 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 for fluid to enter the interior space, and at least one liquid outlet disposed in the sidewall for liquid to exit the interior space. The system further includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller communicatively connected to the first sensor and the second sensor. 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.

Abstract: Fluid dispersal systems and methods of controlling such systems are provided. A method for emitting a fluid from an aerial fluid dispersal system includes receiving data corresponding to an initial aerial distribution profile of fluid emitted by the aerial fluid dispersal system across a distribution width. The fluid is emitted through a plurality of individually controlled nozzle assemblies, and an emission rate of the fluid emitted from a respective nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies is based on an operating parameter of a valve assembly of the respective nozzle assembly. The method also includes determining an effect of the emission rate of each respective nozzle assembly on the initial aerial distribution profile of the fluid across the distribution width. The method also includes controlling the operating parameter of each respective valve assembly to adjust the emission rate of each respective nozzle assembly to generate a compensated distribution profile.

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: A system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid 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: 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 cycles 0000 change 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: 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: 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: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.

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: 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 system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid as seeds are planted by a twin row planter 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: In one aspect, a system for providing seed-specific placement of fluid as seeds are planted by a planter is disclosed. The system may generally include a seed meter configured to dispense seeds into a furrow at a seed frequency and a nozzle assembly configured to spray the seeds dispensed into the furrow. The nozzle assembly may include a valve. In addition, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the valve. The controller may be configured to determine the seed frequency of the seed meter based on a speed-related parameter of the planter. The controller may also be configured to control the operation of the valve based on the seed frequency such that a metered amount of fluid is sprayed at least one of on or adjacent to each seed.