Abstract: Methods and apparatus which enable use of augmented vision in survey procedures and related work. Virtual objects are presented to an operator on a see through display. Some of the objects correspond with real objects in the operators field of view at any instant and others may provide interactive functions for the operator. The operator eye positions are determined using measurements from a remote positioning system such as GPS, an operator head orientation sensing system, and knowledge of head geometry. Positions and attributes of real objects are stored in a database memory carried by the operator. The operators field of view is continuously determined and images of the real objects are generated from database information by a rendering system. The images are presented on the see through display as virtual objects. Numerous functions may be provided for the operator using virtual interactive objects, depending on the work at hand.

Abstract: A crop sprayer includes a number of wheels, a chassis supported by the number of wheels, a boom frame supported by the chassis, and a boom arm segment. The boom arm segment operates in a first mode of operation in which the boom arm segment is maintained at a fixed position relative to the boom frame and a second mode of operation in which the boom arm segment is allowed to freely pivot relative to the boom frame. The crop sprayer further includes an actuator supported on the boom arm segment. The actuator is movable between a pivot-preventing position and a pivot-enabling position. The boom arm segment operates in the first mode of operation when the actuator is positioned in the pivot-preventing position. Movement of the actuator from the pivot-preventing position to the pivot-enabling position causes the boom arm segment to operate in the second mode of operation. A method of preventing damage to a boom arm assembly during a collision between the boom arm assembly and an obstruction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for use on a spray boom attached to a sprayer apparatus. This hinge assembly allows the inner and outer boom members to pivot in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The hinge assembly has three primary components the first of which is the boom knuckling hinge. The boom knuckling hinge is the component which allows the outer boom assembly to pivot in the vertical plane. The second component of the hinge assembly is the breakaway portion. This component allows the outer boom to flex in the horizontal plane and in a rearward manner when an obstacle or the ground is inadvertently struck by the outer boom during normal operation. The third and last component of the hinge assembly is the boom folding apparatus. The folding apparatus is used to fold the outer boom against the inner boom for transport and storage purposes. This is accomplished by the use of two hydraulic cylinders, one on each the inner and outer booms, that are attached to the boom hinge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprayer boom lock valve for automating the setup sequence for sprayer operation from the transport position. The lock valve comprises a lever, spring biased toward a valve closing pin, and a cam secured on the secondary boom of the sprayer boom. When the secondary boom is rotated to release wheel locks in the setup sequence, the cam releases the lever which acts on the valve closing pin to close the valve and prevent any further rotation of the secondary boom. The valve is opened again by a linkage which is pulled tight when the sprayer wings are opened, retracting the lever and opening the valve. The hydraulic drive line is then reestablished to complete rotation of the secondary booms.

Abstract: A control system is provided for efficiently regulating the discharge of material from a mobile material distribution device having a product tank or bin, a boom with at least one boom section, a plurality of outlet ducts (e.g., nozzles and/or distribution ports) associated with each boom section, shut-off valves for selectively enabling each boom section, and a selectively-movable control valve for regulating the flow of material to the boom sections. The control system includes a boom sensing input for monitoring whether the shut-off valves are open or closed (i.e., whether the associated boom sections are enabled or disabled), and a processing system for maintaining a substantially stable pressure level between the control valve and each shutoff valve by positionally locking the control valve at its last controlled position upon receiving a signal from the boom sensing input indicating the shut-off valves are closed.

Abstract: A self-propelled sprayer having individually rotatable wheels and a pair of wing extensions for a spraying boom, with the wheels able to be turned in line with the boom for transport or turned 90 degrees for spraying, with a GPS receiver to determine the geophysical position of the sprayer, a saddle tank for chemicals to be sprayed, and a mechanism to elevate and depress individual wings of the boom, and a mechanism to adjust ground clearance and leveling of the sprayer for operation on slopes. The chemical tank has a plurality of expandable bladders therein to allow various proportions of chemicals to be carried while maximizing the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: An animated map display transposes information from any of the basic or application maps of a computer-controlled agronomic system, as well as geological or environmental features, physical structures, sensor signals, status information, and other data, into a two- or three-dimensional representation that is projected using a heads-up display (HUD) overlaid onto the real-world terrain and environment visible to the operator through the windshield of the product application vehicle. The animated map display may present information relating to a particular map set as a three-dimensional image corresponding spatially to real-world terrain or environment, as well as alphanumeric, pictorial, symbolic, color, or textural indicia relating to navigational, sensor, or other data inputs. The operator may use an input interface graphically linked to the animated map display to interactively enter information, relationships, or data into the database or agronomic system.

Abstract: A sprayer boom assembly (14) includes a center boom (72), left inner and outer wing booms (100 and 106), and right inner and outer wing booms (110 and 116). A left wing hydraulic cylinder (120) pivots the left inner and outer wing booms (100 and 106) between a horizontal working position and a folded transport position. A right wing hydraulic cylinder (134) pivots the right inner and outer wing booms (110 and 116) between a horizontal working position and a folded transport position. The center boom (72) is pivotally attached to an intermediate frame (30) by a left leveling link (60) and a right leveling link (64). A left sprayer boom lock assembly (150) limits pivotal movement of the left and right leveling links (60 and 64) in a first direction when the left wing hydraulic cylinder (120) pivots the left inner wing (100) from a horizontal working position.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus installed on a car includes a nozzle-installing pipe on which a plurality of nozzles are mounted at regular intervals, a driving mechanism for varying the spray angles of the nozzles, a driving mechanism for controlling the spray time periods, a supply mechanism for supplying disinfectant to a disinfectant-flowing path equipped in the nozzle-installing pipe, a plurality of tanks containing disinfectant to be supplied to the supply mechanisms and control mechanisms for controlling the operation of the driving mechanisms. The car is moved to a required place in a hospital, and the nozzles are operated by spray disinfectant particles, the diameter of which are 10 .mu.m or less.

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: An apparatus for roadside spraying of herbicides or other liquids in a manner which ensures uniform application of the herbicide without resorting to atomization of the sprayed liquid. The apparatus provides means for uniformly applying the herbicide in a plurality of swaths at different distances from the spraying apparatus. The apparatus uses a means for vibrationally altering the directions of the sprayed liquid streams to ensure uniform coverage. The direction altering means allows the amplitudes of the direction alterations to vary in accordance with the target distance of sprayed liquid stream.

Abstract: A washing device mounted on a motor vehicle comprises cold water tanks and a high pressure boiler providing water at 100 to 250 bars. A rotary cleaning arm is supplied with the pressurized hot water and has nozzles at its ends directed towards the surface to be cleaned. A protective casing surrounds the rotary cleaning arm. The cleaninig arm can be mounted underneath the vehicle for vertical movement between operative and standby positions. The rotary arm has a rotation axis passing through its center and is provided with a nozzle at each end, the two nozzles being substantially identical, of flat triangular shape and having the same mean general plane. The nozzle therefore deliver two divergent flat jets that are substantially coplanar and which have different angles of attack on the surface to be cleaned. These jets can impinge on the opposite edges of an element of an irregular surface comprising facets perpendicular to the general plane of the surface, such as cobblestones and duckboards.

Abstract: An agricultural field sprayer is described, having a main boom center section rigidly mounted on a wheeled motive power source; wing sections of main boom hinged on either side of the center section are each supported on castoring wheels that can be locked in a non-castoring mode for transport; corresponding sections of spray boom and spray tubes with spray nozzles are mounted on the main boom sections to be rotated by rotation of the spray boom. Power from the motive source is used to rotate the boom. The hinged wing sections can move between an aligned working position along the axis of the center section and a transport position, trailing at right angles behind the center section for transport. In the working position, the power also is used to adjust the spray tube height, to accommodate variable spraying requirements.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing implement having a tool bar and a plurality of liquid dispensing assemblies pivotally connected to the tool bar. Each fluid dispensing assembly has a body having an upright member in the rear portion thereof. A ground engaging wheel moves the body along the contour of the ground. A pair of liquid dispensers are mounted on a cross beam connected to the upright member. Each liquid dispenser has a pair of side nozzles and a top nozzle for directing fluid in band along opposite sides of the row of crops and onto the top of the crops.

Abstract: A device for lubricating rails is mounted on a track maintenance truck. A pair of heated grease cannisters are mounted in the truck bed along with an air compressor for powering the pneumatic components of the lubricator. A pair of applicator arms have nozzles which apply the grease in a bead to the rails. Valves operated by pneumatic cylinders control the flow of grease to the applicator arms. A special frame attached to the rail gear on the rear bumper of the truck rotatively supports a pair of coaxial shafts on which the arms are carried. Independent pneumatic cylinders rotate the shafts to move the applicator arms between a lowered operating position for applying grease and a raised position in which the arms extend horizontally when not in use. Each arm can be manually moved to and latched in an upright position for over the road travel of the truck.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cleaning horizontal surfaces, such as the grated flooring of paint workshops, by hydrodynamic action. The apparatus includes a carriage which can be moved back and forth over the surface to be cleaned, and a winding drum which is carried by the carriage and is arranged to pay out and wind in a high-pressure water supply hose as the carriage moves back and forth. The hose feeds water under pressure to nozzles carried at the ends of rotary arms mounted at the front and to both sides of the carriage. Water under pressure is also supplied to nozzles provided on two transverse arms of the carriage. These latter arms are angularly orientable about their longitudinal axes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a boom suspension and lift assembly which is mounted to extend laterally from a vehicle for agricultural spraying purposes. The boom assembly comprises a main frame mounted on the vehicle and at least one boom pivotally mounted on the main frame. A suspension system between each boom and the main frame independently absorbs boom motion resulting from vehicle travel over uneven terrain. A boom lifting system is provided to selectively lift each boom relative to the main frame by pivoting the boom about a longitudinal axis adjacent the main frame. For transport or storage, each boom is foldable against a side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mobile tank chassis is provided and includes an upstanding outlet pipe for the tank having upper and lower sections with the lower sections supported from the chassis and a union removably and sealingly coupling and supporting the lower end of the upper section on the upper end of the lower section. An elongated upright support including upper and lower portions generally parallels the pipe and hinge structure pivotally supports the lower end of the upper portion from the upper end of the lower portion for angular displacement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion about a horizontal axis between a upright position and a generally horizontal position disposed over the tank portion of the chassis.

Abstract: Apparatus for fighting fires including a plurality of nozzles mounted on an aerial ladder and supplied with water under pressure which is directed onto the fire. Each of the nozzles is controlled from a remote position in a manner such that the direction of the water and the intensity of the water being discharged can be altered as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a surface with a liquid has a support displaceable over the surface and carrying a spray beam itself provided with a plurality of nozzles directed at the surface. A diffuser surrounds a plurality of the nozzles and has a deflector for diverting the streams of liquid emitted by the nozzles so that these streams flow in a direction generally parallel to the surface being treated. Rollers maintain the front face of the deflector a predetermined distance from the surface being treated. The spray beam may be in two sections which are oppositely reciprocated to increase the treatment effect.