System and method for controlling subsurface soil injection apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the introduction of a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil using a controller coupled to apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, the method performed by the controller and comprising:
- maintaining a configuration in non-transitory storage, the configuration comprising a description of the apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, the description including an identification of a quantity of electrically controlled injectors of the apparatus;
calculating a desired rate of application of the material into the soil based on predefined factors, the predefined factors included including one or more of a density of the material to be injected, a depth of injection, a distance between injection points and a target ground speed, wherein each electrically controlled injector is detachably mounted to a base of the apparatus such that at least a portion of the base and the electrically controlled injector are pulled through the soil while the material is introduced to the soil;
receiving positional information from a position measurement device; and
responsive to the positional information and the desired rate of application, providing an electrical signal to one or more of the injectors, wherein the electrical signal causes the one or more injectors to release a discrete, predetermined amount of material into the soil at a predetermined point in the soil.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 the 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.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the introduction of a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil using a controller coupled to apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, the method performed by the controller and comprising:
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maintaining a configuration in non-transitory storage, the configuration comprising a description of the apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, the description including an identification of a quantity of electrically controlled injectors of the apparatus; calculating a desired rate of application of the material into the soil based on predefined factors, the predefined factors included including one or more of a density of the material to be injected, a depth of injection, a distance between injection points and a target ground speed, wherein each electrically controlled injector is detachably mounted to a base of the apparatus such that at least a portion of the base and the electrically controlled injector are pulled through the soil while the material is introduced to the soil; receiving positional information from a position measurement device; and responsive to the positional information and the desired rate of application, providing an electrical signal to one or more of the injectors, wherein the electrical signal causes the one or more injectors to release a discrete, predetermined amount of material into the soil at a predetermined point in the soil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with data and instructions wherein the data and instructions, when executed by a processor in a controller coupled to apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of a method for controlling the introduction of a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil, the method comprising:
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maintaining a configuration in non-transitory storage, the configuration comprising a description of the apparatus that delivers the material to the soil, the description including an identification of a quantity of electrically controlled injectors of the apparatus; calculating a desired rate of application of the material into the soil based on predefined factors, the predefined factors included including one or more of a density of the material to be injected, a depth of injection, a distance between injection points and a target ground speed; receiving positional information from a position measurement device; and responsive to the positional information and the desired rate of application, providing an electrical signal to one or more of the injectors, wherein the electrical signal causes the one or more injectors to release a discrete, predetermined amount of material into the soil at a predetermined point in the soil, wherein each electrically controlled injector is detachably mounted to a base of the apparatus such that at least a portion of the base and the electrically controlled injector are pulled through the soil while the material is introduced to the soil. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification