Boom mounted spray nozzle assembly having compact multi-spray nozzle design

Abstract

A liquid spray boom for supporting a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies each having a compact design that enables the transfer and storage of the spray boom with less propensity for damage. The spray nozzle assemblies each include a liquid inlet section and a pair of spray nozzle liquid supply and support legs extending from the liquid inlet section in forward transverse relation to the spray boom and at an acute angle to each other. A spray nozzle is removably mounted on each nozzle body liquid supply leg with a respective check valve disposed in rearward relation to the spray nozzle. The liquid inlet section, Y-shaped body, and support components for the spray nozzles and check valves are adapted for quick disconnect assembly and disassembly.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 040,756, filed June 18, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to liquid spray booms, such as those used for agricultural spraying pulled in fields from behind tractors, and more specifically, to improved spray nozzle assemblies for such spray booms. Background Technology

[0004] Agricultural spraying booms carry a large number of laterally spaced spray nozzle assemblies along the length of the boom. Each spray nozzle assembly typically includes multiple spray nozzles, as well as one or more check valves to immediately interrupt the discharge of liquid from the spray nozzles when the liquid supply is shut off, in order to prevent waste and over-application of liquid chemicals, which further increases the volume and size of each assembly.

[0005] In recent years, relatively complex check valves have been used in each spray nozzle for electronic control and monitoring of pesticide liquid spraying. The size of such control and check valves significantly increases the space occupied by the spray nozzle assembly relative to the liquid supply boom. The electrical wiring for the electronic check valve must also be integrated into each spray nozzle assembly.

[0006] Such liquid spray booms can be relatively long, for example, 80 feet or more, to maximize spraying during each travel path. To facilitate transport and storage when not in use, the spray booms have pivot joints that allow opposite sides or segments of the boom to fold into a side-by-side relationship. Due to the volume and size of the spray nozzle assemblies and associated check valves, and their protrusion from the spray boom, when the spray boom segments are positioned in an overlying side-by-side relationship, the spray nozzle assemblies may form interlocking and destructive contact with each other, requiring repair or replacement of the sprayer and downtime. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a liquid spraying boom having a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies along its length, the spray nozzle assemblies having associated liquid check valves or control valves, the liquid spraying boom being designed to more reliably allow sections of the boom to be folded or pivoted into a side-by-side relationship without interfering with the contact engagement of the spray nozzle assemblies.

[0008] Another objective is to provide a spray nozzle assembly having multiple relatively large electronic check valves, the spray nozzle assembly having a compact design that allows for protective mounting on a liquid spray boom.

[0009] Another objective is to provide a spray nozzle of the aforementioned type with an electronic check valve, which facilitates the protective mounting of the spray nozzle assembly on the liquid supply spray boom and the wiring of the corresponding electronic check valve.

[0010] Another objective is to provide a spray nozzle assembly of the aforementioned type that is relatively simple in construction and facilitates economical manufacturing.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and referring to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a spray boom according to the present invention, pulled by a motorized tractor;

[0013] Figure 2 It is installed in Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of one of the spray nozzle assemblies on the liquid spray boom shown in the image;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of one of the end bodies of the spray nozzle assembly shown, which supports the corresponding spray nozzle and electronic check valve;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Top plan view of the spray nozzle assembly shown;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Front view of the spray nozzle assembly shown;

[0017] Figure 6 It is along Figure 4 The enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly shown is taken from the plane of line 6-6 in the figure.

[0018] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 The horizontal cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle assembly shown is taken from the plane of line 7-7 in the figure.

[0019] Figure 8 It is along Figure 4 The enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle assembly shown is taken from the plane of line 8-8 in the figure.

[0020] Figure 9This is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid flow monitor for turbine operation of the spray nozzle assembly shown; and

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the magnetic hub of the turbine-operated liquid flow monitor shown.

[0022] While the invention allows for various modifications and alternative constructions, specific illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail below. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, an exemplary spray boom 10 is shown. Figure 1 ), which has multiple liquid spray nozzle assemblies 11 ( Figure 2 This is for spraying chemicals or other liquids onto the field along strips corresponding to the width of the spray boom 10 when the spray boom 10 is pulled by a tractor 12 or the like. In this case, the spray boom 10 includes a laterally extending support member 13 that supports a liquid supply conduit 14 (FIG. 14) along its length, which is coupled to a liquid supply tank 15 carried by the tractor 12. As is known in the art, the spray boom support member 13 may include a plurality of elongated segments or sections coupled together to allow the spray boom sections to pivot into a side-by-side adjacent relationship for transport or storage.

[0024] In this configuration, each of the spray nozzle assemblies 11 is supported, in a dependent manner, from the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14. For this purpose, each of the spray nozzle assemblies 11 includes a nozzle support 16 comprising a mounting and liquid inlet section 18 supported in a dependent relationship with the elongated liquid supply boom 14, and a laterally extending liquid outlet section 19, which in this configuration extends laterally in front of the liquid inlet section 18 and the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14. In this configuration, the liquid inlet section 18 has a right-angled liquid channel 20, which has an upstream channel section 20a communicating with the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14 and a lateral channel section 20b extending in front of it. Figure 6 It will be understood that the terms “upper,” “lower,” “front,” and “rear,” as may be used herein, are not limited to their literal meanings, but are intended as relative terms in relation to the spray nozzle assembly and spray boom shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0025] To secure the spray nozzle assembly 11 to the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14, the liquid inlet section 18 includes a clamping device 24 having a cradle-shaped mounting flange 25 positioned adjacent to the lower side of the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14 and a clamping element 26 pivotally connected to one end of the mounting flange 25 and positioned above the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14 for securing to the opposite end of the mounting flange 25. Figure 2 and Figure 6 The mounting flange 25 has a nipple 28 extending upward into the liquid supply conduit 14 through which pressurized liquid from the liquid supply conduit 14 enters and is guided through the inlet section passage 20 to the liquid outlet section 19. In this configuration, the liquid outlet section 19 is secured to the liquid inlet section 18 by a quick-disconnect coupling comprising a U-shaped pin or clip 29 with opposing legs extending through a channel in the upstream end of the liquid outlet section 19 and an outer corner retaining groove 30 in the liquid inlet section 18. Figure 2 and Figure 6 It will be understood that, in the illustrated embodiment, the liquid inlet and outlet sections 18, 19 are separate portions releasably fixed to each other; alternatively, they may be integrally formed as a single portion.

[0026] According to an important aspect of this embodiment, the liquid outlet section 19 includes a Y-shaped body 35 (hereinafter referred to as the "Y-shaped body") having portions that form an acute angle θ with each other. Figure 4 and Figure 7 The liquid inlet section 18 and the liquid supply conduit 14 of the spray boom have a pair of laterally extending liquid supply legs 36, each of which supports the corresponding liquid spray nozzle 38 in a closely downward relationship with the liquid spray boom 10, so as to minimize the chance of destructive interference to the spray nozzle assembly when the sections of the spray boom 10 are moved to a side-by-side folded relationship for transport or storage. The Y-shaped body 35 has a liquid inlet channel 37 in the upstream hub 37a communicating with the liquid inlet section channel 20, and has a pair of angled liquid channels 41, each of which is connected via the corresponding leg 36 of the Y-shaped body 35. Figure 7 The legs 36 of the Y-shaped body 35 shown are positioned at an angle θ of approximately 45 degrees relative to each other, so as to position the spray nozzle 38 in a laterally spaced relationship relatively close to the lower side of the liquid supply conduit 14 of the spray boom. Alternatively, the legs 36 of the Y-shaped body 35 can be positioned at an angle θ between 30 and 60 degrees, depending on how the sections of the spray boom 10 are moved relative to each other in a storage or travel relationship.

[0027] In this embodiment, each leg 36 of the Y-shaped body 35 supports a corresponding spray nozzle 38 in a close, suspended position relative to the spray boom liquid supply conduit 14. In the illustrated embodiment, each Y-shaped body leg 36 has an end body 40 at its end for supporting the suspended spray nozzle 38. Each end body 40 has an entry section 43 coupled to the end of the corresponding Y-shaped body leg 36 via a quick-disconnect U-pin or clip 42, which is positioned via a channel 42a in the entry section 43. Figure 3 and Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated nozzle mounting rod 48 has an upstream end, also secured within a container 45 of the end body 40 by a removable clip 49, and a downstream end on which the spray nozzle 38 is mounted, for example by a conventional quick-disconnect coupling, as shown in, for example, U.S. Patent 6,749,134, assigned to the same assignee as this application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this case, the spray nozzle 38 includes a cap 50 which carries or forms a spray tip 51 and is operable for quick-disconnect coupling to a camming and locking lock on the nozzle mounting rod 48. Figure 8 In this case, the mounting rod 48 has a central liquid channel 52 communicating between the liquid outlet channel 54 of the end body 40 and the spray nozzle 38, as will become apparent. It will be appreciated that since the spray nozzle 38 is supported in a suspended relationship relative to the end body 40 below and close to the liquid supply conduit 14 of the spray rod, it is substantially protected from contact or damage when the sections of the spray rod are folded into the storage position.

[0028] Consistent with another feature of this embodiment, each spray nozzle 38 has a corresponding check valve 55, which is mounted in a laterally rearward relationship relative to the spray nozzle 38 and is also used for protective positioning below the boom fluid supply conduit 14. In the illustrated embodiment, each check valve 55 is electronically operated to individually control the fluid flow to the corresponding spray nozzle 38 by a controller in the cab of the tractor 12 during transport through the field. The electronic check valves 55 may be of a commercially available type, such as model 115880 sold under the name Chemsaver. Because such electronic check valves are much larger in size than conventionally used spring-actuated check valves, their protrusion from the spray nozzle assembly increases their vulnerability to destructive interference during operation or transport of the spray boom. They also require external wiring that runs through the communication between the spray nozzle assembly and the external wiring.

[0029] Each of the check valves 55 shown is mounted on a laterally extending hub 58 of the corresponding end body 40 via a threaded cap 59. For conveying liquid from the Y-shaped body channel 41, the end body 40 is formed with an annular liquid flow channel 60, which communicates with the liquid channel 41 of the Y-shaped body liquid supply leg 36 on which it is mounted. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The end body 40 also has an internal liquid passage 61 centered within the annular channel 60, which communicates with the mounting rod passage 62 and the spray nozzle 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the check valve 55 has a plunger 62 ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 The plunger is electrically movable between an open retracted position (1) and a closed position (2). In the open retracted position, pressurized liquid from the spray boom liquid conduit 14, inlet section channel 20, Y-shaped body channel 41, and end body annular channel 60 is delivered through the central channel 61 to the mounting rod channel 51 and the spray nozzle 38. In the closed position, liquid is prevented from being delivered to the internal liquid channel 61 and thus to the spray nozzle 38. Those skilled in the art will understand that the liquid discharge from the spray nozzle 38 can be selectively controlled for a specific spraying application by controlled operation of the electronic check valve plunger 62.

[0030] While the illustrative embodiment includes an electronic check valve 55, it will be understood that other forms of check valves may also be used, including spring-actuated and pneumatically controlled check valves. In either case, the check valve is supported in a laterally rearward arrangement relative to the spray nozzle 38 so as not to protrude outward or increase the lateral space occupied by the spray nozzle assembly 11. Therefore, they are less likely to make interfering contact with other spray nozzles or boom sections when the boom sections are moved to the storage or traveling position or during operation of the spray boom.

[0031] In another feature of this embodiment, each spray nozzle assembly 11 includes a corresponding liquid flow monitor 70 located in the liquid inlet channel 20 of the inlet section 18, which is operable to monitor the flow rate of the spray nozzle 38 and determine possible blockages in the liquid supply channel from the inlet section 18 to the spray nozzle 30. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The liquid flow monitor 70 includes a turbine 71. Figure 9The turbine 71, located within a forward-extending channel 20b of the inlet section 18, is arranged to, as an incident, cause the liquid flow to rotate through the turbine 71 to reach the spray nozzle 38. The turbine 71 includes a central liquid hub 72 and radially projecting cylindrical blades 74 for separating rotational motion from the liquid flow. The turbine 71 has outwardly extending shaft sections 75 at opposite ends, which are supported within corresponding web-structured supports in the inlet section channel 20a. The cylindrical hub 72 carries a magnet (…). Figure 10 One half 72a is polarized to the north pole and takes a different form from the other half 72b, such that the magnetic field can be sensed by the controller as the hub 72 rotates from the liquid flow. It will be understood that such a flow monitor 70 can be used to monitor both the application of chemicals during the operation of the spray boom and to sense blockages in the liquid passage from the Y-shaped body channel 41 to the spray nozzle 38.

[0032] Based on the foregoing, a liquid spraying boom is provided, comprising liquid spraying nozzle assemblies, each including multiple spraying nozzles, each nozzle having a corresponding associated liquid check valve or control valve. These check valves can be relatively large electronically controlled check valves operable for individual controlled discharge from the respective nozzles. These nozzle assemblies have a compact design to more reliably allow the spraying boom to be folded to a storage or traveling position without interfering with or disrupting the contact between the nozzle assemblies. These electronic check valves are mounted in a protected manner and with efficient electrical wiring enabling the check valves to be installed below the liquid supply conduit of the spraying boom. While in the illustrated embodiment, the end body supporting the check valves and spraying nozzles is a separate component releasably assembled onto the Y-shaped body legs, alternatively, the Y-shaped body and the end body can be integrally formed.

Claims

1. A liquid spraying system, comprising: A slender spray boom with a liquid supply conduit; Multiple spray nozzle assemblies are installed in a laterally spaced relationship along the length of the elongated spray boom; Each of the spray nozzle assemblies has a nozzle body, the nozzle body including a liquid inlet section communicating with the liquid supply conduit and a pair of spray nozzle support legs extending from the liquid inlet section at an acute angle to each other, the liquid inlet section being supported by the slender spray rod in a suspended relationship; Each of the spray nozzle support legs has a corresponding liquid channel that communicates with the liquid inlet section. A spray nozzle, which is removably mounted on each of the spray nozzle support legs, is used to receive and spray liquid from the liquid supply conduit via the liquid inlet section of the nozzle body and the liquid passage of the corresponding spray nozzle support leg. Each of the spray nozzle support legs supports the corresponding check valve in such a way that the check valve is closer to the slender spray boom laterally than the spray nozzle supported by the corresponding spray nozzle support leg. as well as Each of the check valves is operable to interrupt the flow of liquid from the liquid passage of the respective spray nozzle support leg to the spray nozzle supported by the respective spray nozzle support leg.

2. The liquid spraying system according to claim 1, wherein, The spray nozzle support leg extends laterally to the liquid inlet section.

3. The liquid spraying system according to claim 2, wherein, The spray nozzle support leg supports the spray nozzle in a suspended relationship with the spray nozzle support leg.

4. The liquid spraying system according to claim 2, wherein, The spray nozzle support leg supports the spray nozzle in a laterally extended relationship relative to the slender spray boom, and the spray nozzle support leg supports the check valve in a rearward relationship relative to the corresponding spray nozzle.

5. The liquid spraying system according to claim 1, wherein, The spray nozzle support leg is defined by a Y-shaped body, which is removably coupled to the liquid inlet section.

6. The liquid spraying system according to claim 5, wherein, The Y-shaped body has an end body removably coupled to the end of each spray nozzle support leg, and the spray nozzle and the check valve supported by each spray nozzle support leg are removably coupled to the corresponding end body.

7. The liquid spraying system according to claim 6, wherein, The Y-shaped body is removably coupled to the liquid inlet section via a threadless clamp, and each end body is releasably connected to the end of the corresponding spray nozzle support leg via a releasable clamp.

8. The liquid spraying system according to claim 5, wherein, The spray nozzle support legs of the Y-shaped body extend outward relative to each other at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

9. The liquid spraying system according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the end bodies has an annular channel communicating with the liquid channel of the corresponding spray nozzle support leg on which it is mounted, and an internal channel within the annular channel communicating with the corresponding spray nozzle supported by the end body. Each of the check valves mounted on the respective end body is operable to close the internal channel of the end body to prevent liquid from flowing from the liquid supply conduit, liquid inlet section, and liquid channel of the spray nozzle support leg on which the spray nozzle is mounted.

10. The liquid spraying system according to claim 1, comprising a liquid flow monitor disposed within the liquid inlet section for monitoring the flow rate of the liquid at the spray nozzle.

11. The liquid spraying system of claim 5, comprising an end body at the end of each Y-shaped main body leg, the end body of each Y-shaped main body leg supporting a corresponding one of the spray nozzles in a suspended relationship relative to the Y-shaped main body leg, and supporting a corresponding check valve in a rearward relationship relative to the corresponding spray nozzle.

12. The liquid spraying system according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the end bodies is releasably connected to the end of the corresponding Y-shaped body leg via a releasable clip.

13. The liquid spraying system according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the check valves is an electronically operated check valve.

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