Orifice selector module for liquid fertilizer distribution systems

• US 9,433,144 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CDS-John Blue Company
• Original Assignee: CDS-John Blue Company
• Inventors: Stewart, Jason T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Arthur O
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barrera, Juan C
• Application Number:
  US14/202,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20140252140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 239146-176, 239722-754, 251/206
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/007 Metering or regulating systems
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/04 Distributing under pressure; Distributing mud; Adaptation of watering systems for fertilising-liquids
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/08 with circular plates rotatable around their centres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit

Abstract

An orifice selector module for use with flow gauges in a sprayer environment. The orifice selector module is retrofit into existing or new flow gauge assemblies and is placed in line between the spray nozzles and the flow gauges. The orifice selector module includes a rotatable cap which rotates a rotor which in turn rotates an orifice plate which features numerous orifices of different sizes. These orifices can be switched on the fly manually by the vehicle operator to increase or decrease flow through a particular hose from a particular flow gauge.

Claims

1. A mobile agricultural sprayer including:

a fluid input including a fluid source connected to multiple orifice selector modules having inlet ends;

a plurality of flow gauges connected to said fluid source and arranged in a flow gauge assembly;

said multiple orifice selector modules each including;

a module body;

a cap receiver end with a first opening;

said inlet end with a second opening;

a discharge end with a third opening; and

a distribution orifice communicating with said third opening;

each said flow gauge being connected to the respective orifice selector module inlet end;

multiple spray nozzles each connected to the respective selector module discharge end and configured for receiving and discharging fluid;

each said orifice selector module further including;

a selector cap and a rotor rotatably received in said cap receiver end first opening;

each said rotor including;

a rotor base;

a pivot stem extending from said base; and

an elongated rotor stem extending from said base and engaging and rotating with the respective selector cap;

each said orifice selector module further including;

an orifice plate between the respective rotor base and the respective module body, said orifice plate having multiple orifices; and

a spring receiving the respective rotor stem, said spring engaging the respective selector cap and the respective rotor base, said spring biasing the respective rotor into the respective first opening and maintaining said orifice plate in engagement with said module body under normal fluid operating pressures, said spring being configured for releasing said orifice plate from the respective module body under excessive fluid pressure;

each said orifice plate further comprising a central pivot hole configured to receive said pivot stem and configured to rotate along with said rotor and said selector cap whereby the respective orifice plate orifices individually align with said distribution orifice;

each said selector cap including a first O-ring interface;

each said orifice selector module further including an O-ring located within said selector cap first O-ring interface, thereby creating a water-tight seal between the respective orifice selector module first opening and the respective rotatable cap;

each said orifice selector module further including a first O-ring located within said first O-ring interface, thereby creating a water-tight seal between said orifice selector module first opening and said rotatable cap;

each said orifice selector module further including a second O-ring located between said orifice plate and an internal face of said orifice selector module body surrounding said distribution orifice; and

wherein said second O-ring creates a water-tight seal between said orifice plate and said orifice selector module body.

2. The sprayer according to claim 1 wherein each said rotor base includes a plurality of tabs and each said orifice plate includes a plurality of slots receiving respective tabs.