Abstract: A mobile sprayer apparatus includes a direct current electrical supply, and a supply conduit operative to supply pressurized liquid to a plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly comprises a channel connecting the supply conduit to a nozzle, a valve operative to selectively open and close the channel, and a solenoid coil operative to selectively move the valve to an open position when a direct current electrical pulse is connected to pass through the solenoid coil in a first direction, and to selectively move the valve to a closed position when a direct current electrical pulse is connected to pass through the solenoid coil in an opposite second direction. A switch selectively delivers a pulse of electrical energy through each solenoid coil in the first direction or through each solenoid coil in the second opposite direction, and no electrical energy is delivered to the solenoid coils between pulses.

Abstract: A mobile sprayer apparatus includes a direct current electrical supply, and a supply conduit operative to supply pressurized liquid to a plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly comprises a channel connecting the supply conduit to a nozzle, a valve operative to selectively open and close the channel, and a solenoid coil operative to selectively move the valve to an open position when a direct current electrical pulse is connected to pass through the solenoid coil in a first direction, and to selectively move the valve to a closed position when a direct current electrical pulse is connected to pass through the solenoid coil in an opposite second direction. A switch selectively delivers a pulse of electrical energy through each solenoid coil in the first direction or through each solenoid coil in the second opposite direction, and no electrical energy is delivered to the solenoid coils between pulses.

Abstract: A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes a plurality of control assemblies, each with input and output ports, a liquid information sensor, and a position controlled valve activator operative to activate a valve to vary a flow opening size. A controller receives liquid and position information and sets each control assembly to dispense the same desired rate of flow of liquid from the each output port by activating each valve activator to move the valve activator to a valve position where the size of the flow opening achieves the desired rate of flow. The controller is operative to compare a position of the valve activator in a first control assembly with the positions of the valve activators in other control assemblies to determine a malfunction. The liquid information sensor is typically a flow sensor or a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A flow meter has a meter wheel housing connectable in-line in a liquid conduit such that liquid flows through the meter wheel housing from an input port to an output port. Liquid flowing from the input port to the output port rotates a meter wheel mounted in the housing, and a wheel sensor measures rotational speed of the meter wheel. A first jet member defining a first orifice with a first cross-sectional area is movable into a jet operating position between the upstream end of the liquid conduit and the input port such that liquid passes through the input port into the meter wheel housing only through the first orifice. A second jet member defining a second orifice with a second cross-sectional area is movable into the jet operating position. The second cross-sectional area is less than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A nozzle body apparatus having a conduit mounting member with a conduit input adapted to be connected such that liquid passing through a liquid conduit flows into the conduit input and out through a conduit output. A component mounting member has a component input releasably connected to the conduit output, a component attachment element, and a component output. Liquid passing out the conduit output flows into the component input then through a sprayer component connected to the component attachment element to the component output and then to a nozzle. The component mounting member is connectable to the conduit output in a first orientation where the component attachment element extends from the conduit output in a first direction, and is connectable to the conduit output in a second orientation where the component attachment element extends from the conduit output in a second different direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A nozzle body apparatus having a conduit mounting member with a conduit input adapted to be connected such that liquid passing through a liquid conduit flows into the conduit input and out through a conduit output. A component mounting member has a component input releasably connected to the conduit output, a component attachment element, and a component output. Liquid passing out the conduit output flows into the component input then through a sprayer component connected to the component attachment element to the component output and then to a nozzle. The component mounting member is connectable to the conduit output in a first orientation where the component attachment element extends from the conduit output in a first direction, and is connectable to the conduit output in a second orientation where the component attachment element extends from the conduit output in a second different direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes a plurality of control assemblies, each with input and output ports, a liquid information sensor, and a position controlled valve activator operative to activate a valve to vary a flow opening size. A controller receives liquid and position information and sets each control assembly to dispense the same desired rate of flow of liquid from the each output port by activating each valve activator to move the valve activator to a valve position where the size of the flow opening achieves the desired rate of flow. The controller is operative to compare a position of the valve activator in a first control assembly with the positions of the valve activators in other control assemblies to determine a malfunction. The liquid information sensor is typically a flow sensor or a pressure sensor.

Abstract: In a sprayer nozzle apparatus a pressurized liquid source directs pressurized liquid through a supply conduit and a supply port connects the supply conduit to first and second nozzles oriented such that spray patterns dispensed thereby do not intersect. First and second pressure sensors send pressure signals to a controller indicating first and second operating pressures at the nozzles. First and second pressure regulators vary the corresponding operating pressures in response to a control signals received from the controller to vary the dispensing rate of the first and second nozzles.

Abstract: A rotational molding method for forming two separate molded parts each including an undercut portion includes providing a mold formed from two mold parts connected at a mold junction, introducing a particulate plastics material and rotating the mold about two axes while applying heat to the mold so as to cause the plastics material to melt within the hollow interior and adhere to the inside surface. An annular heat conduction member extends from an outer edge outside the mold through the junction between the two mold parts to an inner edge inside the hollow interior and carries two undercut mold portions for molding respective undercut portions of the two separate molded parts. A band of a heat insulating material such as Teflon is located around the junction between the parts on the inside of the heat conducting member which prevents the adherence of the plastics material at the band so that the mold molds the separate molded parts each separately from the other.

Abstract: A nozzle mounting and control system for use in sprayers comprising multiple sets of nozzles mounted in the operating position on a sprayer boom. Control valves are operable to select which sets of nozzles are operating at any given time. The valves may be remote controlled and may further incorporate a rate controller to maintain a chosen application rate as speed varies. This application rate may be varied conveniently. The rate controller may be a present rate controller such as measures the speed and total fluid volume delivered and then adjusts the pressure to maintain the application rate, or may be a novel rate controller which measures the speed and fluid pressure and then adjusts the pressure to maintain the application rate. Either rate controller would operate the control valves to select the proper combination of operating nozzles in addition to adjusting the pressure.

Abstract: A nozzle fluid supply system for use in sprayers that combines the modular advantages of a dry boom system with the high capacity of a wet boom system. Pressurized fluid is carried by rigid tubes connecting adjacent nozzle holding members attached to the sprayer. A two-part nozzle holding member is disclosed for attachment to a dry boom bracket through a hole therein. The combination of the short rigid tubes and two-part nozzle holding member provide a modular system with interchangeable parts.

Abstract: A radially locking spray nozzle cap, particularly adapted for quick change of spray tips on agricultural sprayer nozzles, optionally having a spray tip pressed or molded permanently in the bottom thereof. The cap has slightly resilient side walls with inwardly projecting lock lugs at the top, adapted to engage above a retainer flange on a nozzle body. Rotating the cap on the nozzle body engages the lock lugs above the retainer flange and raises the cap sealingly against the nozzle body as radial lock tabs radially distort side walls of the cap until the lock lugs pass over the lock tabs to engage adjacent recesses where the lock tabs hold the cap against counter rotation.