Systems for the control and use of fluids and particles

• US 20080060564A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kamterter II, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kamterter II, LLC
• Inventors: Vu, David, Eastin, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,091,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 111/118
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/004 using liquid seeding techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/06 Seeders combined with fertilising apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0089 Regulating or controlling systems the delivery being related to the movement of a vehicle B05B9/06
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 9/00 Special adaptations or arrangements of powder-spraying apparatus for purposes covered by this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 9/0092 Regulating or controlling systems the delivery being related to the movement of a vehicle B05B9/06
• CPC Class Codes: C08B 37/0024 beta-D-Glucans; (beta-1,3)-D-Glucans, e.g. paramylon, coriolan, sclerotan, pachyman, callose, scleroglucan, schizophyllan, laminaran, lentinan or curdlan; (beta-1,6)-D-Glucans, e.g. pustulan; (beta-1,4)-D-Glucans; (beta-1,3)(beta-1,4)-D-Glucans, e.g. lichenan; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08B 37/003 Chitin, i.e. 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-(beta-1,4)-D-glucan or N-acetyl-beta-1,4-D-glucosamine; Chitosan, i.e. deacetylated product of chitin or (beta-1,4)-D-glucosamine; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/08 Chitin; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 1/02 Preparation of spinning solutions
• CPC Class Codes: D01D 5/0007 Electro-spinning non-woven fabrics produced by electro-spinning D04H1/728
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/90 Methods of planting seeds and miscellaneous compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/905 Seed treating seed planter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/917 Gel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 47/09 Physical and chemical treatment of seeds for planting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 47/11 The application of protective coatings to plants

Abstract

The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling the configuration of a substance, comprising:

a first flow path for a compatibly-selected feedstock material;

at least one second flow path for a compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid;

said first and second flow paths being positioned with respect to each other, wherein the compatibly-selected feedstock material and the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid are brought into contact with each other; and

at least one means for adjusting at least one of a pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a width of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a width of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, and a viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in wherein the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid is a gas.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the compatibly-selected feedstock material includes at least one viscous liquid.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting at least one of the pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the width of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the width of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, and the viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material is adjusted to cause the apparatus to form drops of the feedstock material within a predetermined size range.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the feedstock material is a pesticide.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 further including apparatus for applying an electric change to the drops.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting at least one of the pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the width of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the width of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, and the viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material is adjusted to form fibers.

8. Apparatus accordance with claim 7 wherein the feedstock material includes chitosan.

9. Apparatus accordance with claim 1 in which the means for adjusting at least one of the pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the width of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the width of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, and the viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material is adjusted to provide a pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid that is less than 30 psi.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the means for adjusting at least one of the pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, a velocity of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the width of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid, the width of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, the temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, and the viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material is adjusted to provide a pressure of the compatibly-selected kinetic energy fluid of between 0 and 15 psi.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the compatibly-selected feedstock material includes a seed supporting medium having seeds suspended at random locations in it and incorporating beneficial biological materials in the seed supporting medium.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the beneficial biological materials includes beneficial chemicals.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the beneficial biological materials includes microorganisms.