SUBSURFACE SOIL INJECTION APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20090262003A1
• Filed: 06/23/2009
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arysta LifeScience North America LLC (Element Solutions Inc)
• Original Assignee: Arysta Lifescience North America LLC California Limited Liability Company
• Inventors: Salla, Edward G., Sances, Frank V., Allan, Michael A., Schiller, Charles T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,908,982 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/5
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/02 combined with other agricultural processing, e.g. fertilising, planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/026 Localised non-continuous injection tools, e.g. pal injectors, spike wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 29/00 Root feeders; Injecting fertilisers into the roots
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/90 Methods of planting seeds and miscellaneous compositions

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil which includes a container for holding the material to be introduced into the soil, and tubing in fluid communication with the container at a first end thereof. At least one electrically controlled injector is provided in fluid communication with a second end of said tubing. Also, at least one shank is provided, which includes a base, and an injector mounting member attached to a surface of the base that is adapted for detachably mounting the electrically controlled injector onto the base. In addition, a controller is provided for activating the electrically controlled injector to introduce the material into the soil. Accordingly, enhanced control of the injection of the material into soil is achieved, and maintenance can be performed easily.

Claims

1. An apparatus for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil, comprising:

a container for holding the material to be introduced into the soil;

tubing in fluid communication with the container at a first end thereof;

at least one electrically controlled injector, the electrically controlled injector being in fluid communication with a second end of the tubing;

at least one shank, the shank comprising a base, and an injector mounting member attached to the base, the injector mounting member being adapted for detachably mounting the electrically controlled injector onto the base, whereby the electrically controlled injector mounted on the base introduces the discrete, predetermined amount of material into the soil at predetermined points in the soil.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic positioning system for determining a location of the predetermined points.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic positioning system comprises a radar device.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electronic positioning system comprises a Global Position Satellite Device (GPS).

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for activating the electrically controlled injector based on information provided to the controller.

6. An apparatus according to claim, 5 wherein the information comprises data for determining one or more of a rate of application of the material, weight of the material, density of the material, depth of injection of the material, distance between pulses, or a target ground speed.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information includes positioning information obtained from an electronic positioning system, the positioning information identifying location of the predetermined points.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shank further comprises a nozzle along a distal end.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the shank further comprises a sensor adjacent to the nozzle for determining an amount of material expelled from the tubing.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a source of compressed gas for forcing the discrete, predetermined amount of material through the tubing and into the soil wherein the at least one electrically controlled injector is activated.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a shield attached to the base for shielding the electrically controlled injector from the soil.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the shield comprises a first shielding member attached to a first side surface of the base and a second shielding member attached to an opposing side surface of the base, the first shielding member and shielding member together partially enclosing and shielding the electronically controlled injector from dirt while allowing the electronically controlled injector to introduce the discrete, predetermined amount of material into the soil at the predetermined points in the soil.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a manifold, the manifold being in fluid communication with the tubing at one end thereof, and being in fluid communication with a plurality of shank tubing lines at a second end thereof, each shank tubing line being associated with a corresponding shank and having a distal end for providing the predetermined amount of material to the electrically controlled injector which is detachably mounted to each of the shanks.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each shank tubing line comprises a cut-off valve installed in proximity of the shank for preventing flow of the material through the shank tubing line when the cut-off valve is in a closed state.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each shank tubing line comprises a manifold tubing section which is connected to the manifold and an injector tubing section which is detachably connected to the electrically controlled injector, wherein the manifold tubing section is detachably connected to the injector tubing section by a fitting.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an orifice plate connected to the manifold for regulation of the flow of the discrete, predetermined amount of material and the compressed gas.

17. A method for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil, comprising:

providing the discrete, predetermined amount of material to an injector, wherein the injector is detachably mounted to at least one shank by an injector mounting member; and

introducing the material into the soil by electrically activating the injector, wherein

the activation of the electrically controlled injector is controlled to introduce the predetermined amount of material into the soil at predetermined points in the soil.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining location of the predetermined points using an electronic positioning system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the location includes using a Global Position Satellite device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the location includes using a radar device.

21. A shank for introducing a material into soil, comprising:

a base;

an injector mounting member attached to a surface of the base, the injector mounting member being adapted for detachably mounting an electrically controlled injector; and

a shield attached to the base for shielding the electrically controlled injector from soil while allowing the electrically controlled injector to introduce the material into the soil.

22. A shank according to claim 21, wherein the base comprises a plate.

23. A shank according to claim 21, further comprising an electrical wiring tube attached to a surface of the base for receiving electrical wiring for connection to the electrically controlled injector.

24. A shank according to claim 23, wherein the shield comprises a first shielding member attached to a first side surface of the base and a second shielding member attached to an opposing side surface of the base, the first shielding member and second shielding member together partially enclosing and shielding the electronically controlled injector from dirt while allowing the electronically controlled injector to introduce the material into the soil.

25. A shank according to claim 21, wherein the injector mounting member comprises a hollow member adapted to receive at least a portion of the electrically controlled injector inserted therein.

26. A shank according to claim 25, wherein the injector mounting member comprises a hollow cylindrical member.