Light-activated mist sprayer system

• US 20060086823A1
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Outdoor Solutions, Inc. (FEMO Group Holdings LP)
• Original Assignee: NCH Corporation
• Inventors: Pearce, Robert Clarence III, Colarusso, Joseph Thomas, Kiplinger, Dale Vilmer, Paulson, Michael Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/337
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/06 Devices for generating heat, smoke or fog in gardens, orchards or forests, e.g. to prevent damage by frost
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/245 for pesticide application or distribution, e.g. using a network of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/34 specially adapted for insects
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/124 responsive to distance between spray apparatus and target
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/035 to several spraying apparatus B05B9/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1939 Atmospheric

Abstract

An automatic mist-sprayer system comprising a control unit having electronic circuitry adapted to activate the sprayer for a predetermined interval in response to a sensed ambient light condition of desired intensity and duration. The system desirably further includes an electrical power supply and a plurality of spaced-apart sprayer heads. A preferred utility for the system of the invention is spraying dilute solutions of insecticide or insect repellent during the periods of significant insect activity that typically occur around dusk and dawn. Manual overrides and a remote receiving unit are also disclosed for use of the system at times other than dusk and dawn.

Claims

1. A fluid mist sprayer system comprising:

a source of treating fluid;

an electrical power source;

a pump for pressurizing the treating fluid as needed to discharge the treating fluid at a predetermined discharge pressure and flow rate;

at least one sprayer head configured to receive the pressurized treating fluid and to discharge the treating fluid in the form of a mist;

at least one flow conduit providing fluid communication between the source and the at least one sprayer head;

an ambient light sensor;

an electronic control unit that initiates a flow of pressurized treating fluid to the at least one sprayer head in response to sensed ambient light of predetermined intensity and duration.

2. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 wherein the treating fluid is selected from liquids, gases, suspensions, and mixtures thereof.

3. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 2 wherein the treating fluid is selected from the group consisting of insecticide, pesticide, fungicide, biocide, insect repellent, water, air, or mixtures thereof.

4. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 2 wherein the treating fluid comprises an insect attractant.

5. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 4 wherein the attractant is carbon dioxide gas.

6. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 wherein the electronic control module further comprises a light level discrimination module, a pump controller module, a power supply module, and a remote receiver module.

7. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the light level discrimination module comprises an optical coupler, a hysteresis detector, dusk and dawn timing discriminators, and a logic gate communicating with the pump control module.

8. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the pump control module comprises a misting duration selector, a misting duration timer and an AC pump controller.

9. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the power supply module comprises a step-down transformer, a rectifier, a filter and a regulator.

10. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the remote receiver module comprises an RF antenna and a receiver.

11. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the pump control module further comprises a manual start/stop switch.

12. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 comprising an array of spaced-apart fluid sprayer heads communicating with the pump through at least one conduit.

13. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 10, further comprising a wireless remote transmitter synchronized to the receiver.

14. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 comprising a housing that contains the electronic control unit and the pump.

15. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 wherein the pump has an inlet that draws treating fluid from a container.

16. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 12 wherein the pump has an outlet disposed in fluid communication with the array.

17. The fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 wherein the ambient light sensor is spaced apart from the electronic control unit.