Abstract: A system and method for dispersing fluids from an agricultural vehicle includes a sprayer that dispenses the fluids and a controller cooperative with a plurality of sensors to sense vehicle travel speed, vehicle travel direction, wind speed, wind direction, and the heights of first and second nozzles from the ground surface. The controller includes a memory storing a look-up table having fan angles of the first and second nozzles, and a processor that computes first and second spray pattern on the ground surface based on the fluid dispensed through the respective first and second nozzles. The processor determines an overlap region between the first and second spray patterns, compares the determined overlap region with a pre-determined overlap, and takes corrective action automatically by changing travel speed of the vehicle or changing a duration of time the fluids are dispensed from the first and second nozzles.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sprayer system having spray nozzles; each nozzle includes a thermistor or resistor that provides an electronic current or voltage value correlated with a flow rate or a local temperature. A low flow rate indicates of a fluid flow clog or plug within the nozzle or conduit. The flow rate or temperature results among the different nozzles are compared to detect which nozzles are partially or entirely clogged or otherwise anomalous. In various embodiments, the thermistor electronics are integrated in each individual nozzle. In some embodiments, upon detection of a potential clog, the electronics create an alert and respond to the clogged condition.

Abstract: A sprayer system is provided for a work machine that includes a boom, a fluid source, and an air source. The sprayer system includes a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source to an agricultural crop. A retractable arm includes a first arm segment, a second arm segment, a first hinge joint positioned such that the first arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the boom, and a second hinge joint positioned such that the second arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment. An actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm selectively folds and unfolds the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source.

Abstract: A spray nozzle body has an upper end provided with a clamp arrangement comprising upper and lower clamp halves tightly clamped onto a fluid supply tube having a preselected first diameter. A removable tubular fluid delivery stem is received in a receiver hole extending vertically into the nozzle body from a clamping surface of the lower clamp half and has an upper end portion tightly received in a fluid outlet hole, of preselected size, provided in the supply tube. The clamp arrangement may be reconfigured for being clamped onto a smaller fluid supply tube by providing a replacement upper clamp half and a pipe-size adapter, each having appropriately sized clamping surfaces, with the adapter being seated within the clamping surface of the lower clamp half. The pipe-size adapter incorporates a suitably dimensioned fluid delivery stem.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural sprayer includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature inversion at a worksite. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes an inversion detection system configured to detect a presence of the temperature inversion at the worksite based on the sensor signal, and, based on the detected presence, generate a temperature inversion output indicative of the presence of the temperature inversion. The mobile agricultural sprayer also includes an action signal generator configured to receive the temperature inversion output from the inversion detection system, and, based on the received temperature inversion output, generate an action signal.

Abstract: A sprayer system is provided for a work machine that includes a boom, a fluid source, and an air source. The sprayer system includes a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source to an agricultural crop. A retractable arm includes a first arm segment, a second arm segment, a first hinge joint positioned such that the first arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the boom, and a second hinge joint positioned such that the second arm segment is selectively foldable relative to the first arm segment. An actuation assembly coupled to the retractable arm selectively folds and unfolds the first arm segment relative to the boom at the first hinge joint and the second arm segment relative to the first arm segment at the second hinge joint based on air pressure from the air source.

Abstract: A mobile agricultural application machine includes a controllable valve and nozzle through which a substance is applied to an agricultural field. The controllable valve is a piezo-actuated valve. An application control system generates valve control signals to control a piezo actuator on the piezo-actuated valve.

Abstract: A distributed pump system is disclosed. The distributed pump system comprises a supply source and a support structure arranged on or proximate an agricultural vehicle. At least two fluid distribution elements are mounted to the support structure and are coupled at an inlet to a first conduit to provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution elements and the supply source. An application system including at least two application units is coupled to one or more of the fluid distribution elements by a second conduit. A first monitoring device is associated with a respective application unit and fluid distribution element, and is configured to sense a downstream flow parameter of the second conduit and generate a corresponding output signal. An electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to each of the fluid distribution elements and is configured to dynamically adjust an input parameter of one or more of the fluid distribution elements.

Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to obtain information from a sprayed substance sensor, in the monitor area. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the sprayed substance sensor indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.

Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to deploy an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with a sprayed substance sensor, to the monitor area. The UAV is controlled to reposition it, as a spraying machine moves through the field being sprayed. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the UAV indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.

Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.

Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.

Abstract: The sprayer system associated with a work vehicle having a boom and a fluid source may include a spray device configured to selectively apply a fluid from the fluid source on the work vehicle to an agricultural crop. The sprayer system may further include a drop apparatus having a linkage assembly with a top portion coupled to the boom and a bottom portion coupled to the spray device. The linkage assembly may be selectively repositionable between a retracted position and an extended position to raise and lower the spray device relative to the boom along an upright reference axis.

Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to deploy an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with a sprayed substance sensor, to the monitor area. The UAV is controlled to reposition it, as a spraying machine moves through the field being sprayed. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the UAV indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.

Abstract: Wind speed, wind direction, and field boundary information are detected and used to identify a monitor area indicative of a likely overspray condition. Control signals are generated to obtain information from a sprayed substance sensor, in the monitor area. When an overspray condition is detected, an overspraying signal from the sprayed substance sensor indicating the detected overspray condition is received and overspray processing is performed, based upon the received overspray signal.

Abstract: Embodiments include individual physical spray nozzles that have passageways inside to combine fluids that flow out of the spray nozzles. The nozzles have at least two valves that are opened and closed in an interleaved manner. The nozzles have multiple outlets. Such nozzles are mounted on a variety of implements including agricultural or industrial spray booms.

Abstract: An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. The opening and closing positions of two or more different valves are interleaved to increase the range of performance, such as to increase the frequency of fluid flow from the input to the combined output. Additional embodiments are described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling one or more operations of a sprayer vehicle with a tilt-detection mechanism, a tank, and a tank fill-volume sensor. The tilt-detection mechanism is utilized to determine a tilt indicator. A tilt value is determined based upon the tilt indicator. A tank fill-volume indicator is determined based upon information from the tank fill-volume sensor. A tilt-corrected fill-volume of the tank is determined based upon the tilt value and the tank fill-volume indicator.

Abstract: A spray nozzle body has an upper end provided with a clamp arrangement comprising upper and lower clamp halves tightly clamped onto a fluid supply tube having a preselected first diameter. A removable tubular fluid delivery stem is received in a receiver hole extending vertically into the nozzle body from a clamping surface of the lower clamp half and has an upper end portion tightly received in a fluid outlet hole, of preselected size, provided in the supply tube. The clamp arrangement may be reconfigured for being clamped onto a smaller fluid supply tube by providing a replacement upper clamp half and a pipe-size adapter, each having appropriately sized clamping surfaces, with the adapter being seated within the clamping surface of the lower clamp half The pipe-size adapter incorporates a suitably dimensioned fluid delivery stem.

Abstract: A system and method for dispersing fluids from an agricultural vehicle includes a sprayer that dispenses the fluids and a controller cooperative with a plurality of sensors to sense vehicle travel speed, vehicle travel direction, wind speed, wind direction, and the heights of first and second nozzles from the ground surface. The controller includes a memory storing a look-up table having fan angles of the first and second nozzles, and a processor that computes first and second spray pattern on the ground surface based on the fluid dispensed through the respective first and second nozzles. The processor determines an overlap region between the first and second spray patterns, compares the determined overlap region with a pre-determined overlap, and takes corrective action automatically by changing travel speed of the vehicle or changing a duration of time the fluids are dispensed from the first and second nozzles.