SYSTEMS FOR THE CONTROL AND USE OF FLUIDS AND PARTICLES
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the size and distribution of drops in a spray comprising the steps of:
- subjecting a compatibly-selected feedstock material to at least a first compatibly-selected energy source;
said step of subjecting a compatibly-selected feedstock material to at least a first compatibly-selected energy source comprising the substeps of adjusting at least one of a rate of application of energy from the compatibly-selected energy source, a value of the amount of energy applied by the compatibly-selected energy source, a velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, at least one other dimensions of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, surface tension of the feedstock material, density of the feedstock material, conductivity of the feedstock material and a viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material.
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Accused Products
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. In another embodiment particles carrying desired agricultural inputs with modified release characteristics are delivered.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the size and distribution of drops in a spray comprising the steps of:
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subjecting a compatibly-selected feedstock material to at least a first compatibly-selected energy source; said step of subjecting a compatibly-selected feedstock material to at least a first compatibly-selected energy source comprising the substeps of adjusting at least one of a rate of application of energy from the compatibly-selected energy source, a value of the amount of energy applied by the compatibly-selected energy source, a velocity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a thickness of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, at least one other dimensions of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, a temperature of the compatibly-selected feedstock material, surface tension of the feedstock material, density of the feedstock material, conductivity of the feedstock material and a viscosity of the compatibly-selected feedstock material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for the size and distribution of drops in a spray comprising:
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bubble making equipment; a container; said container being adapted to receive liquid feedstock material and pressurized gas;
wherein bubbles are formed of the pressurized gas and feedstock material, burst and leave drops of the liquid feedstock material having a size related to the thickness of the liquid feedstock material forming an outer surface of the bubbles; andan adjustable pressure regulator adapted to communicate with the gas, whereby gas pressure may be adjusted to adjust the size of the bubbles and the thickness of the feedstock material that formed an outer layer of the drops. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of formulating a composition to be sprayed comprising the steps of:
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selecting at least one of the desired amount of active ingredient for a drop based on ability to penetrate plant structure; select viscosity based on ability to form drops of desired size and resist drift under expected wind conditions and ability to spread on surface of leaves; and select feed rate per unit of distance of travel of a spray apparatus.
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9. A method of spraying an agricultural input, comprising the steps of:
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loading a viscous agricultural input onto a spray vehicle; providing a source of a kinetic-energy on the spray vehicle; spraying the viscous agricultural input onto an agricultural field from a fixture communicating with the viscous agricultural input and the kinetic energy source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of spraying, comprising the steps of:
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selecting the volumetric rate of application of an agricultural input; flowing the agricultural input onto a surface to form a film having a thickness that results in the size of drops desired; and flowing air against the agricultural input at a flow rate sufficient to break the agricultural input into drops. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An auger, comprising:
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a shank; said shank having a first end and a second end; said shank being between two inches and six feet long and having diameters of between 1/16th of an inch to six inches; at least a portion of said shank extending from a first end including helical grooves defining helical threads there between, whereby turning of said auger moves gel from a portion along said shank toward said one end; and a depth and width of said grooves being sufficient to avoid separation of seeds from the auger to cause plugging. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A fluid drilling feeder, comprising:
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a hopper; said hopper having an open top portion and a narrower compartment at its bottom; an auger; a delivery tube; a nozzle; said auger fitting in said compartment at its bottom and extending outwardly; said delivery tube connecting said compartment at its bottom with said nozzle and circumscribing said auger; said auger extending into a tip of said nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. Apparatus for encapsulating materials comprising:
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a fixture having at least first, second and third outlets; means for forcing feedstock fluid containing at least one of agricultural input, an animal foodstuff and a medication from said first outlet; means for forcing a first kinetic energy fluid at a first velocity from said second outlet in a direction that impacts against said feedstock fluid; and means for forcing a second kinetic energy fluid at a second velocity different from said first velocity from said second outlet in a direction that impacts against said feedstock fluid;
whereby said feedstock fluid is formed into at least one of nanofibers and nanoparticles whereby the at least one of an agricultural input, an animal foodstuff and a medication is encapsulated. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A method of spraying comprising the steps of:
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moving a vehicle over an agricultural field; selecting a concentration of fluid that is optimum in effectiveness as an agricultural input; carrying a supply of fluid at the optimum concentration on said vehicle; causing said optimum concentration fluid to form an elongated path on an edge of a fixture; forcing a kinetic energy fluid against said elongated path, whereby drops are sprayed of said optimum concentration.
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36. A method of spraying with low drift comprising the steps of:
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moving a vehicle over an agricultural field; selecting a drop size and concentration of fluid that has reduced drift under the environmental conditions exiting at the time of spraying; carrying a supply of the fluid; selecting a velocity of a kinetic energy fluid; causing said fluid to form an elongated path on an edge of a fixture with a thickness that will result in optimum drop size with the selected concentration and with the selected velocity of a low pressure kinetic energy fluid impacting it; and forcing a kinetic energy fluid against said elongated path at the selected velocity, whereby drops are sprayed of said optimum concentration with the optimum drop size. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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Specification