Furrow sprayer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a furrow sprayer intended for use in agriculture, which uses a direct circuit with an electric pump (18) controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM), enabling automatic on-demand flow control and simplified control of the application rate, which is adjusted according to the speed of the agricultural implement, ensuring uniform and optimized application of inputs. Another notable feature is that this design eliminates the need to return liquid to the tank (15), preventing the transfer of heat to the storage tank and preserving the quality of the liquid.

Description

[0001] Furrow Sprayer

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003]

[0001] The following descriptive report for the invention relates to the development of a high-efficiency furrow sprayer with simplified adaptive control, which employs a direct circuit with an electric pump controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM), which allows for automated on-demand flow control, and simplified application rate control, which adjusts according to the speed of the agricultural implement, ensuring uniform and optimized application of inputs. PRIOR ART

[0004]

[0002] Furrow sprayers are devices that apply liquid products directly into the planting furrow, where seeds or seedlings are placed. Furrow sprayers can apply inoculants, pesticides, micronutrients, liquid fertilizers, and other substances in a rational and uniform manner. This technique increases application efficiency and, consequently, crop productivity.

[0005]

[0003] Furrow sprayers can be attached to a tractor or planter and have a system of pumps, tanks, hoses, and nozzles that allow for control of product flow, pressure, and dosage. Furrow sprayers can also have digital monitoring systems that allow for adjustment of the application rate based on tractor speed or variable rate via GPS.

[0006]

[0004] Furrow sprayers are indicated for crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton, sugarcane, among others, that require seed treatment or localized fertilization. Furrow sprayers can bring benefits such as cost reduction, water savings, environmental protection, and improved plant quality.

[0005] An example of a furrow sprayer is disclosed in MU850081 1-7, consisting of a spray tank, metal base, triple-wash reservoir, pump, suction filter, master hose, sprayer, and nozzles. It should be noted that the spray tank is coupled with a load tie-down to a metal base, in a planter.

[0007]

[0006] A spraying equipment and integrated software for access and control of functions is disclosed in BR102020026415-0 that employs an electric pump in a system that controls the manual and automatic sections, made by a control panel / monitor located inside the vehicle cabin capable of monitoring and controlling the development and operations thereof, where the electronic system executes all the command of the equipment, the manual and automatic electric section valves, the pressure sensors, temperature sensors and motion sensors, with communication, preferably, via Bluetooth.

[0008]

[0007] TECHNIQUE PROBLEMS

[0009]

[0008] Existing products on the market that meet the need for furrow spraying, such as conventional hydraulic and electric sprayers offered by leading agricultural equipment manufacturers, face several technical challenges. Among the main problems are:

[0010] - Energy and Resource Inefficiency: Many spray systems use hydraulic agitation methods that consume significant amounts of energy. Furthermore, continuous pump operation, regardless of actual application needs, results in wasted energy and inputs; - System Complexity and Maintenance: Traditional sprayers often require complex hydraulic circuits and proportional valves, which can be prone to failure and require frequent maintenance;

[0011] - Inconsistent Application of Inputs: The inability to adjust the application rate accurately and dynamically with variations in implement speed results in inconsistent application of inputs, affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of the spraying process;

[0012] - Liquid Heating Problems: Returning excessively pumped liquid to the tank in conventional systems can lead to unwanted heat transfer to the liquid, impacting its quality and effectiveness; and

[0013] - Environmental Impact: Inefficient use of inputs and energy not only increases operating costs but also has a negative impact on the environment, especially in terms of resource waste and emissions.

[0014] PROPOSED SOLUTION

[0015]

[0009] Thus, due to considerations pertinent to the problems of the technique previously discussed, it is one of the objectives of the present invention to develop a high-efficiency furrow sprayer with adaptive control and a simplified system that employs an electric pump and has the following characteristics:

[0016] - Pump power control via PWM, which allows for more precise and efficient application of inputs;

[0017] - No liquid return to the tank, which prevents heat transfer, preserving the quality of the inputs; - Simplified automated application rate control, which adapts the application volume based on the speed of the implement, through pump power control, improving spraying efficiency and accuracy; and

[0018] - Reduction in energy consumption, where the absence of liquid returning to the tank and the power control of the pump that acts on demand, results in a reduction in energy consumption.

[0019] DESCRIPTION

[0020]

[0010] The characterization of the present invention is made by means of representative drawings of the high-efficiency furrow sprayer with adaptive control and simplified system, such that the product can be fully reproduced by appropriate technique, allowing full characterization of the functionality of the object claimed.

[0021]

[0011] The descriptive part of the report is based on the figures drawn up that express the preferred way of producing the product now envisioned, using detailed and consecutive numbering, which clarifies aspects that may be implied by the representation adopted, in order to clearly determine the protection now intended.

[0022]

[0012] These figures are merely illustrative and may present variations, as long as they do not deviate from what was initially requested.

[0023]

[0013] In this case you have to:

[0024] - FIGURE 01 illustrates a simplified perspective of a state-of-the-art furrow sprayer;

[0025] - FIGURE 02 illustrates a simplified perspective of a furrow sprayer in accordance with the present invention; and

[0026] - FIGURE 03 illustrates a simplified perspective of a furrow sprayer in another embodiment, containing an agitator.

[0027]

[0014] The state-of-the-art sprayer has a tank (1), containing agitators (2), agitation line (3), excess return line - by-pass (4), pressure regulator (5), first pressure gauge (6), ball valve (7), control valve (8), application line (9), pump (10), suction line (11), filter (12), second pressure gauge (13) and spray nozzles (14).

[0028]

[0015] The proposed invention employs a tank for the mixture (15), containing a suction line (16) that leaves the tank passing through the filter (17), and said suction line (16) reaches the pump (18) cooperating with the pressure sensor (19), and the pump (18) and the pressure sensor (19) are controlled by the electronic control unit (20), equipped with a GPS antenna (21), and the fluid that passed through the pressure sensor (19) follows the application line (22) to the pressure gauge (23) and from there to the spray nozzles (24).

[0029]

[0016] In the other embodiment of the sprayer, the tank for the mixture (15) receives an electromechanical agitator (25) controlled by the electronic control unit (20).

[0030]

[0017] The sprayer uses a simplified system that omits complex hydraulic circuits and proportional valves. This results in greater reliability and reduced maintenance.

[0031]

[0018] Using PWM to control pump power allows for more precise and efficient application of liquid.

[0032]

[0019] The absence of liquid return to the tank eliminates heat transfer to the storage tank, maintaining the quality of the liquid.

[0033]

[0020] Through automated application rate control, the system automatically adjusts the application rate based on the speed of the agricultural implement, improving application efficiency and accuracy.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1- FURROW SPRAYER, which uses a tank for the mixture (15), containing a suction line (16) that leaves the tank (15) passing through the filter (17), application line (22), pressure gauge (23) and spray nozzles (24), characterized by having a pump (18) cooperating with the pressure sensor (19), with the pump (18) and the pressure sensor (19) being controlled by the electronic control center (20) which is equipped with a GPS antenna (21). 2- FURROW SPRAYER, in accordance with claim 01 and characterized in that the hydraulic circuit is connected directly to the electric pump (18) controlled by pulse width modulation. 3- GROOVE SPRAYER, in accordance with claim 01 and characterized by the absence of liquid return to the tank (15). 4- FURROW SPRAYER, in accordance with the previous claims and characterized by the system adapting the sprayer application rate, by controlling the pump power (15), depending on the speed of the agricultural implement. 5- FURROW SPRAYER, in accordance with any of the previous claims and characterized by having another embodiment of the sprayer, where the tank for the mixture (15) receives an electromechanical agitator (25) controlled by the electronic control unit (20).

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