Method and system to control flow from individual nozzles while controlling overall system flow and pressure
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for applying liquids, the system comprising:
- a plurality of individually controlled valves that are configured to emit liquid at an overall application rate based on volume per time; and
a controller in communication with each of the valves, the controller being configured to receive a plurality of flow related individual control values for each valve, the controller being further configured to determine a flow factor for each valve based on the individual control values,wherein the controller is configured to vary the rate at which the liquid is emitted from each valve as the flow factor for each valve changes without changing the overall application rate.
1 Assignment
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system has been developed to individually control the flow of liquid products from any nozzle within a plurality of nozzles using pulse width modulated solenoid actuated valves. The method and system simultaneously controls multiple flow and shutoff related inputs including but not limited to turn radius, nozzle overlap, swath reduction, nozzle spacing, fence row rates, wheel track rates, etc. The method and system will also simultaneously accept one or more external inputs from commercially available application rate control devices where other rate and shutoff inputs may be used, for example, variable rates per boom section based on GIS maps or multiple in-field sensors along the boom. The method and system further incorporates the artificial manipulation of commercial rate controller inputs and outputs to facilitate these individual nozzle control features and benefits without compromising the overall system flow control performed by the commercial rate controller.
52 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for applying liquids, the system comprising:
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a plurality of individually controlled valves that are configured to emit liquid at an overall application rate based on volume per time; and a controller in communication with each of the valves, the controller being configured to receive a plurality of flow related individual control values for each valve, the controller being further configured to determine a flow factor for each valve based on the individual control values, wherein the controller is configured to vary the rate at which the liquid is emitted from each valve as the flow factor for each valve changes without changing the overall application rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for applying liquids using a plurality of individually controlled valves, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of flow related individual control values for each valve of the plurality of valves, the plurality of valves being configured to emit liquid at an overall application rate based on volume per time; determining a flow factor for each valve based on the individual control values for each valve; and varying a rate at which the liquid is emitted from each valve as the flow factor for each valve changes without changing the overall application rate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification