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Method and apparatus for detecting a plugged nozzle of a sprayer

  • US 8,833,680 B2
  • Filed: 01/05/2011
  • Issued: 09/16/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. For use with a nozzle of an agricultural sprayer that dispenses a fluid from a fluid source onto an application surface, the improvement comprising:

  • a thermal flow sensor disposed within the nozzle at a location upstream of an outlet orifice of the nozzle and substantially within a fluid flow path defined by and within the nozzle, the thermal flow sensor;

    including upstream and downstream flow sensor elements for measuring the temperatures of the fluid flowing therepast; and

    generating an output signal in response to the difference between the temperatures measured by the upstream and downstream flow sensor elements;

    a heating element disposed between the upstream and downstream flow sensor elements for heating the fluid flowing therepast;

    an alert remote from and communicatively linked with the thermal flow sensor, and configured to convey a status of the thermal flow sensor as fluid is being dispensed from the outlet orifice; and

    wherein the alert provides an indication notifying an operator that the flow through the nozzle is obstructed in response to the output signal varying from a threshold.

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